Hey everyone.
So this is my first shot at chronicling my build. I've been at it for about 3 years now and I wish I would have started this a lot sooner. I picked up my '87 FJ60 from a dude in Charlotte back in 2012 and have been working at it weekly ever since (minus a brief hiatus for a 9 month camping trip to Afghanistan).
When I first picked her up I had zero intention of turning this into an Adventure Rig or an Expedition Build but as time wore on it's become inevitable. This WILL be my family adventure rig.
So far most of the adventures have been local. Namely to Uwharrie, the NC Coast and up and down the Blue Ridge. Next big move I make will probably be a trip up the Eastern Seaboard to Newfoundland or something of that nature.
As the work progresses I'll be posting changes made. If anyone has questions or advice feel free to comment.
Originally she came with all the OEM stuff. Only major modifications her two previous owners did were the 3" suspension lift, put 33" tires on her, a really bad tint job and a hack job attempt at desmogging the rig.
The engine bay was a rats nest of hacked up and re-welded pieces. The air injection rails had been sawed to the stems and welded closed. The exhaust manifold and fuel pump had been RTV'd in place and were both leaking severely, the tie rods were totally shot, and the carburetor was "kind of" tuned. The rear left quarter had a good bit of rust but this was the only spot I could find. The body panels all had dents and dings here and there. Nothing a little bit of elbow grease couldn't fix.
So this is my first shot at chronicling my build. I've been at it for about 3 years now and I wish I would have started this a lot sooner. I picked up my '87 FJ60 from a dude in Charlotte back in 2012 and have been working at it weekly ever since (minus a brief hiatus for a 9 month camping trip to Afghanistan).
When I first picked her up I had zero intention of turning this into an Adventure Rig or an Expedition Build but as time wore on it's become inevitable. This WILL be my family adventure rig.
So far most of the adventures have been local. Namely to Uwharrie, the NC Coast and up and down the Blue Ridge. Next big move I make will probably be a trip up the Eastern Seaboard to Newfoundland or something of that nature.
As the work progresses I'll be posting changes made. If anyone has questions or advice feel free to comment.
Originally she came with all the OEM stuff. Only major modifications her two previous owners did were the 3" suspension lift, put 33" tires on her, a really bad tint job and a hack job attempt at desmogging the rig.
The engine bay was a rats nest of hacked up and re-welded pieces. The air injection rails had been sawed to the stems and welded closed. The exhaust manifold and fuel pump had been RTV'd in place and were both leaking severely, the tie rods were totally shot, and the carburetor was "kind of" tuned. The rear left quarter had a good bit of rust but this was the only spot I could find. The body panels all had dents and dings here and there. Nothing a little bit of elbow grease couldn't fix.
