My 84 FJ60 build thread

[drewid20]

So I knew as soon as I picked up this rig a month or so ago it was going to need a decent amount of work. I've started on some low hanging fruit through the holidays but I hope to get more accomplished now that 2017 is here. It's an 1984 Fj60 with 239k on the clock. I bought it from my co-worker who just moved to Kentucky from Colorado.

Very first thing I did was order a new dome light kit from Rob at Odd Iron Offroad. Super easy to install. Neither lights worked in the cabin so needless to say it was a big improvement.

I decided to black out the grill and headlight surrounds next. Nothing fancy just rattle canned them. I figure if I make it look too nice I won't want to wheel it.

This past weekend I yanked out all the old carpet. I found some GI Joe / Transformer pieces from somebodies childhood. The dynamat has been ordered and is on the way. I hope to get most of the interior covered to cut down on some of the noise and hopefully lay the ground work for a better stereo. I haven't decided if Im going to put new carpet in or use some of the vinyl I've seen on here.

I've got quite a bit more coming in the way of parts to install. The steering, suspension, brakes, and knuckles need some serious attention soon.

 

[CaptClose]

Looks great... looking forward to seeing more pics as you progress!

 

[KWalkerM]

Welcome to MUD

nice rig and plans!

 

[helimech]

this will be fun to watch, i like those led light kits for the interior. ill have to get some

 

[gregnash]

Nice truck and welcome to MUD!

 

[brooksfj60]

Subscribed!

 

[Miloslavich]

nice rig! plans?

 

[drewid20]

nice rig! plans?

I want to restomod it a bit but for right now I don't want to make it too pretty because I want to wheel it.

 

[drewid20]

A few bits I forgot the other day.

Euro mirrors. They look good but I'm not sold on them yet. The original stockers I believe were more functional. This rig had one completely broken mirror and one that was really chipped up. I probably should have just saved some money and got some aftermarket OEM replacements. Anywho they look nice IMO.

The steering on this thing was incredibly awful. It was truly unsafe to drive and I have no idea how the previous owner didn't kill herself driving it.
The first step was replacing the tie rod end relay. The old version was completely destroyed. This new version looks pretty haggard for only being on the truck a week or so. I'm not too thrilled about it's prospect of longevity.

After that I went ahead and had the steering rack replaced. It was pretty straightforward but I'm glad I had my mechanic change it out as the pitman arm was really seized on there. He had a pitman arm puller and it still required a torch and an air chisel.

Finally this steering stabilizer was the last piece that helped keep this thing in the lane of my choosing.

The stabilizer was part of the OME heavy kit that bumped up the ride height.

It allowed the fitment of the new SCS F5 wheels and Toyo Open country MTs. 285/75/17s.

I really like the overall look. Slightly concerned about tire clearance if I really start to flex. If it rubs I guess I'll go spring over.

Finally for this update the brakes were a bit soft so the rig got a new brake master cylinder. With the new wheels/tires it could use some help.

I hope the next update includes a dynamat install along with new carpet/vinyl and possibly a new stereo if I can figure out how to block off the rear heater after I remove it.

 

[Miloslavich]

nice!

 

[cruiser enthuiser]

Looks good man! Dig those wheels, very cool color.

I'll take your Euro mirrors if you decide to ditch them.


Cheers!
-Ed

 

[MACFJ60]

Really digging the new wheels. How's the ride with the new tires and suspension?

 

[drewid20]

Really digging the new wheels. How's the ride with the new tires and suspension?

Considering the old suspension was flat and one leaf spring on the drivers side was busted in half it's worlds better. There is one section of road by my house that has imperfections perfectly spaced out every 15-20 feet and it can get the truck to start porpoising a bit.

 

[drewid20]

My dad was nice enough to let me use his heated garage this weekend so I was able to get the majority of the Dynamat installed. 72 square feet for a 60 is just about perfect if you want complete coverage. Install is fairly straight forward. The results were awesome. Very nice reduction in noise. Even on the broken old stereo I can tell a difference in the sound quality. I can't wait to get some decent speakers and an amp in this thing.

 

[FJ62NY]

I cant tell you how long ive been waiting to see the SCS F5 wheels on a freeborn red. Looks great

 

[CaptClose]

I cant tell you how long ive been waiting to see the SCS F5 wheels on a freeborn red. Looks great

Agreed. Looks great!

 

[gregnash]

Yup the SCS F5 look awesome. I want to see the Stealth 6 as that is a little more my style.

 

[lovetoski]

If you get some rubbing with that tire/suspension setup it would be in the front only. And it would probably be only on the inner fender, which can be cut a bit if you need. When I had 33's" I rubbed a bit on the front of the inner fender. I cut the bottom 4" off, and solved the problem.