This is a LONG read, so for those of you who endure it, thanks! I’ve posted here and there before, but not a ton. So this is a first attempt at documenting what I’ll call my FJ60 Revitalization. Mainly just freshening up 32 years of use, some neglect, and detailing the process for my own purposes and to share my story with like-minded Toyota addicts!
First and foremost, I love 4WD Toyotas. It’s all I’ve ever driven. My parents bought an 86 4Runner new off the lot, and at the early age of 7, I knew I wanted it… Luckily I got it when I turned 16. I drove it through high school, college and a few years after as my main vehicle until I bought a brand new 2003 Tundra, then the 4Runner became my camping/fun rig. Fast forward a few years, I got married and now have two little garage helpers. After our first kid, we got my wife an LX470, and a few years later, I came across an FJ40 that a friend was selling. My wife said I have too many toys with the 4Runner, camper and boat, and something had to go. Unfortunately, it was the 4Runner. With 390k miles on it, I sold it to my brother in law who is refreshing it and as a fabricator, has plans to turn it into a rock crawler. This story/revitalization now brings us to a year ago…
As much as I love the FJ40, I had been missing the 4Runner quite a bit. To be able to jump on the freeway with the family head into the mountains, wheel all day, and jump on the freeway to get home, was something we just couldn’t do with the FJ40. It’s a stock 71, and as you may know, doesn’t quite keep up with freeway speeds. Plus it’s loud and does not have much room. My family loves taking the top off and cruising around by the lake to get an ice cream and stuff, but as far as going any sort of distance or doing a camping trip, it’s just doesn’t suit the needs of a family of 4 with a 90lb dog… After owning the FJ40 and the LX470, I was determined to add an FJ60 to the fleet. They are roomy enough for the family, look incredible, and I think they define the ruggedness and mechanical simplicity LandCruisers are known for. To me they are the best of all worlds. In March 2018 I was searching around locally and found one about 3 hours away. My Dad and I took the drive up to check it out, and on a dark snowy 20-degree night, I drove it the 3 hours back home to North Idaho.
The previous owner said he had it for about 10 years, and prior to that, the original owner brought it from Alaska. I climbed in, around and under it for about 2 hours before I made the purchase. It didn’t have too much rust for a truck from Alaska. The paint was original, and it was a solid rig for the price. It did, however, have 300k miles on it, but like I said, the price was great, and it was completely intact, with an excellent interior.
Here are some pics… The 4Runner, the FJ40, and the FJ60:
Also, doesn't seem like there are a ton of MUD members in the Coeur D Alene / Spokane area that I hear about, we don't have a TLCA chapter anywhere close by, so if you're out there, and want to get together and talk cruisers, or come turn a wrench and have a beer (I have a kegerator in the garage), give me a shout!
First and foremost, I love 4WD Toyotas. It’s all I’ve ever driven. My parents bought an 86 4Runner new off the lot, and at the early age of 7, I knew I wanted it… Luckily I got it when I turned 16. I drove it through high school, college and a few years after as my main vehicle until I bought a brand new 2003 Tundra, then the 4Runner became my camping/fun rig. Fast forward a few years, I got married and now have two little garage helpers. After our first kid, we got my wife an LX470, and a few years later, I came across an FJ40 that a friend was selling. My wife said I have too many toys with the 4Runner, camper and boat, and something had to go. Unfortunately, it was the 4Runner. With 390k miles on it, I sold it to my brother in law who is refreshing it and as a fabricator, has plans to turn it into a rock crawler. This story/revitalization now brings us to a year ago…
As much as I love the FJ40, I had been missing the 4Runner quite a bit. To be able to jump on the freeway with the family head into the mountains, wheel all day, and jump on the freeway to get home, was something we just couldn’t do with the FJ40. It’s a stock 71, and as you may know, doesn’t quite keep up with freeway speeds. Plus it’s loud and does not have much room. My family loves taking the top off and cruising around by the lake to get an ice cream and stuff, but as far as going any sort of distance or doing a camping trip, it’s just doesn’t suit the needs of a family of 4 with a 90lb dog… After owning the FJ40 and the LX470, I was determined to add an FJ60 to the fleet. They are roomy enough for the family, look incredible, and I think they define the ruggedness and mechanical simplicity LandCruisers are known for. To me they are the best of all worlds. In March 2018 I was searching around locally and found one about 3 hours away. My Dad and I took the drive up to check it out, and on a dark snowy 20-degree night, I drove it the 3 hours back home to North Idaho.
The previous owner said he had it for about 10 years, and prior to that, the original owner brought it from Alaska. I climbed in, around and under it for about 2 hours before I made the purchase. It didn’t have too much rust for a truck from Alaska. The paint was original, and it was a solid rig for the price. It did, however, have 300k miles on it, but like I said, the price was great, and it was completely intact, with an excellent interior.
Here are some pics… The 4Runner, the FJ40, and the FJ60:
Also, doesn't seem like there are a ton of MUD members in the Coeur D Alene / Spokane area that I hear about, we don't have a TLCA chapter anywhere close by, so if you're out there, and want to get together and talk cruisers, or come turn a wrench and have a beer (I have a kegerator in the garage), give me a shout!
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