My stolen recovered fj60 rebuild

[heavytlc]

It has been 2.5 years since I got the fj60 and Lexy (my German short hair point) back. Lexy has turned into one hell of a great bird dog. The Fj60 got a full repaint, and a bunch of new goodies. I added WagonGear flip out windows, seat box, side panels, and tailgate storage. New headliner, All new Toyota oem weatherstrip(doors,windows,everything).

I will post up some pictures tomorrow of the new body mods. All the original work from 2003 was kept. The wagon is LT1, nv4500, 3x3 rockers, shortened rear quarters. It was kind of unique 12 years ago, now it is a little more common. I posted pictures of it back then on here and pirate, never got much response.

I had a little mishap this evening after a 12 hour work day I was Installing the wagon gear windows and dropped one down the rear quarter. Oh well, paint is easy to fix...

I am redoing the exhaust, adding 30spline Longfields, 4.11 gears(fine spline)arbs and a rear non us full floater. I have all the parts. The rear axle and lockers have been under my original fj40 for 17or18 years. I would not use arbs, and would run full detroits if I was buying new. It is a hardcore dog hauler not rock crawler, so I guess it really does not matter.

Lexy and bullet will be enjoying the wagon again soon. I should get most of the glass back in tomorrow. I want to pull the dash and the clean full Hvac system before I install the new carpet and interior. With the paint repair I figure I will be done in a few months. I am not in a big hurry. Summer time is the only time I have to work on land cruisers these days. I spend all my free time training,hunting and field trialing fall/winter/spring.

I hope to add some tech as I am moving forward. It has been many years since I have been active in any of the forums.

 

[maat]

Onwards and upwards! Welcome back

 

[TRAIL TAILOR]

It has been 2.5 years since I got the fj60 and Lexy (my German short hair point) back. Lexy has turned into one hell of a great bird dog. The Fj60 got a full repaint, and a bunch of new goodies. I added WagonGear flip out windows, seat box, side panels, and tailgate storage. New headliner, All new Toyota oem weatherstrip(doors,windows,everything).

I will post up some pictures tomorrow of the new body mods. All the original work from 2003 was kept. The wagon is LT1, nv4500, 3x3 rockers, shortened rear quarters. It was kind of unique 12 years ago, now it is a little more common. I posted pictures of it back then on here and pirate, never got much response.

I had a little mishap this evening after a 12 hour work day I was Installing the wagon gear windows and dropped one down the rear quarter. Oh well, paint is easy to fix...

I am redoing the exhaust, adding 30spline Longfields, 4.11 gears(fine spline)arbs and a rear non us full floater. I have all the parts. The rear axle and lockers have been under my original fj40 for 17or18 years. I would not use arbs, and would run full detroits if I was buying new. It is a hardcore dog hauler not rock crawler, so I guess it really does not matter.

Lexy and bullet will be enjoying the wagon again soon. I should get most of the glass back in tomorrow. I want to pull the dash and the clean full Hvac system before I install the new carpet and interior. With the paint repair I figure I will be done in a few months. I am not in a big hurry. Summer time is the only time I have to work on land cruisers these days. I spend all my free time training,hunting and field trialing fall/winter/spring.

I hope to add some tech as I am moving forward. It has been many years since I have been active in any of the forums.

Great to have you back and nice start!

J

 

[Skniper]

Wow, good follow up and cool rig. I remember being really mad about a thief taking your truck AND your dog, and all the coverage it got here on Mud.

Beautiful dogs! Good on you.

 

[TLC Norway]

Oh, sexy rig! Subscribed!

 

[Shebamacalla]

Truck looks awesome. I remember following along with the stolen truck thread. Was so glad you got it back. Glad you are still enjoying it. All awesome mods. I have a lq4 vortec with 4l80e but really wish it was the nv4500. Definitely on my wish list. Also love the steel wheels with hub caps!!

 

[heavytlc]

With a new battery I drive the 60 home tonight. It was the first time I have driven it in 27months. It was great motivation to finish putting it back together.

I forgot what poor quality the after market taillight lens are. Cruiser Dan will be getting a call tomorrow. New Toyota tail lights, front signals, wiper arms, a bunch of fasteners and odds and ends.

With nothing but front and back glass and drivers seat, no interior, rock rails bumpers or spare tire, it was fast. The steering was super twitchy. I am going to have to measure castor when I get it back together. Degree shims will be the fix if needed. It was never an issue before. A cut and turn would not help the exhaust clearance.

The only chrome or stainless left is the new grill/headlight doors, lock cylinders, door handles and hubcaps. I have most of the front bumper done. Having a soft spot in my heart for square tube bumpers I started this one. It will mount a xd9000i warn winch with a 1 3/4 low profile tube over the top. Nothing real fancy. I did go crazy with the hole saw. All the holes are sleeved with .120 wall tube 1 1/2, 1 3/4, 2".

The rear bumper is the one I built 12 years ago. I flush mounted the receiver and to the left added a piece of square tube to act as a shield for the 7pin trailer connector. I remounted the tag with a lighted frame. It is otherwise the same. I am even keeping the hub spindle locking hub. I always liked my spinning spare tire. I made that mount in 1998 before Gsmtr. It has been on 3 cruisers since. It still makes me smile.

The same 1 3/4 sliders bolt to the 3x3 3/16 wall rockers. Nothing new, just cleaned up with fresh paint.

I really don't have many fresh ideas anymore. Reliable, clean and useful is all I am concerned about.

 

[Skniper]

Does the front bumper whistle when you drive down the highway? Haha.

Really nice work.

 

[heavytlc]

Does the front bumper whistle when you drive down the highway? Haha.

Really nice work.

I thought about that before I started drilling holes. It shouldn't whistle, but if it does the dogs will hate me.

Lexy still does not like the 60. She can't tell me about her experience, but the fact that 2.5 years later she still acts funny around the wagon makes me wonder.

There are lots of reasons why it has taken this long to finish the rebuild. Nothing a little time and space have not made better. I have not worked on or built anything automotive since. I have used the time to develop 4 amazing field trial/hunting dogs. I have really learned more as a handler. I just try real hard not to make the dogs look bad, they make me look better then I really am.

Lexy has changed my life. These pictures are from her first trial 2 years ago. My dog have taken me places, and allowed me to do some amazing things.

A few weeks ago Bullet and Lexy were in a advertising photo shoot in Charelston for Buckle Jeans. That was a blast and they got paid. Bullet liked the Danish models as much as they liked him.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

So glad that you're still in the hobby!! Great to see you back on the board

 

[Sethro60]

Glad to hear all is well.

 

[drillduty]

Welcome back and thanks for the update!

 

[OGBeno]

Great talking and reminiscing today. Very enjoyable.

Truck looks like a keeper with the history.

 

[Pinittowinit]

This is why the internet is a powerful thing. I remember reading a thread on supermotojunkies about your story. I had never heard of this forum. Your story was truly amazing. I had so much sympathy for you. Who steals a mans dog? Anywsy I remember you specifically saying if you put up a reward for the dog you just put a price on all the other dogs. It takes a real man to do that. Anyway years later I end up with a 60. Good s*** my friend

 

[heavytlc]

Beno is sending some oem goodies to me. Just little things that no one will ever notice. I will, every single time I get in or look at the 60. Stuff that makes the wagon like new for another 30 years.

Being an August/85 wagon it is a 30 year old vehicle. I have only had this one 12 years, but a fj60 still seems like a late model to me. I still remember fun times with a young lady in the cargo area of her fathers new fj62. I don't think it had had its first oil change yet. At 16 I thought I was handsome and cool. Like most young men I got lucky, and driving a beat up rusty fj40 helped the cause.

The Lexy story got a lot of coverage. I was very determined to find my dog. She was only 6months old, had only been with me for 4 months. In life some things just need to be done. Lexy has all of the love, determination and drive that I put forth to find her. She will make the UFTA hall of fame in her field trial career.

I think so much of Lexy I ended up buying her litter mate Bullet last year. I also have a half sister to Lexy and bullet named Star. I have no children, and will never have or want any. I don't live for my dogs like some people do for their children, but my dogs have brought so many opportunities, experiences, and good times. I am fortunate that I can take them to work almost everyday. We are together all the time, always creating new experiences. That is how you have a great companion dog, but it makes for an unbelievably amazing hunting/field trial dog. I get to have it all. It's good.

Back to cruisers. I am thinking 5150 Bilstiens. I always ran Fox or King when I was racing, but I don't see tuning or needing remote reservoirs. I even thought about air bumps, but I really don't think I will be using the 60 like that. With the body mods I have always been able to fully stuff 35"s. I really think 5150's and some limit straps will be fine.
They will get ordered today.

I was measuring for shocks last night. I tried to get a few pictures of the front fender work. Nothing on the 60 looks modified to the average joe. I would love to park it side by side a bone stock wagon. It is all about the little things.

I

Pinittowinit, awesome that you have a 60 now. They are true SUVs. Thanks for the kind words.

I have not figured out what angle I want the bumper end, just showing the lower fender mods.

I don't always suck at the Internet, but my phone is sucking today.

 

[TLC Norway]

Truck is Lookin good!
I read up on the theft, so glad you got both back, I know what a dog means to a man.

-nice shape of the front bumper!

 

[heavytlc]

In a 6000sq ft shop i can't get far enough away to take good pictures. Time to clean the shop. This shows (poorly) the tire Clearance at the rear wheel opening. Got my measurements nailed down. I guess I will be ordering Bilstien 5150's tonight.


Final assembly is the devils work. Between installing washers the correct way, and lining up screw heads I was doing a lot of thinking. I had a friend die back in 2007. He was my hardcore drinking buddy, spotter, and good friend. We were working on the race truck years ago and we got into a discussion about fastners. We agreed about the front and back of a washer. When they are stamped, there is a rounded edge and a sharp edge. The sharp edge goes toward the piece being bolted, away from the nut or bolt head. Being an electrician he worked with flat head screws all day. He said the flat goes vertical. He felt that it took the exact same amount of effort to make them all line up. Lazy people leave them pointing wherever. Phillips screws are always a vertical cross.

It is odd the people we never forget, and the reasons we remember them. Having turned 40 and losing my mother this year, I have been doing a lot of remembering. Not living in the past, just thinking about it. Sobriety has also had a profound effect on my thought process. I work hard and have been very successful, but fat drunk and stupid is no way to go through life.

Not much of this post is about a fj60, just me rambling. I don't go to meetings, so I guess I just brought the 60 forum to mine

With that out of the way... Can I get directions to the "I have to remove my heater core support group" It is the only cleaning/ detailing job left before I can put the interior back together. I have a feeling I should replace the heater core while I have it out. I have no leaks and my ac blows cold, but...There is no way I will put the truck together without cleaning and resealing the Hvac system. Anyone have thought on the subject?

 

[OGBeno]

With that out of the way... Can I get directions to the "I have to remove my heater core support group" It is the only cleaning/ detailing job left before I can put the interior back together. I have a feeling I should replace the heater core while I have it out. I have no leaks and my ac blows cold, but...There is no way I will put the truck together without cleaning and resealing the Hvac system. Anyone have thought on the subject?

Take dash off. Tear things out. Clean. Replace (non-available, discontinued parts) as needed. Reinstall.



It will eventually look like this.... (I guess I am guilty of the above)

And you will have parts in your kitchen like this....

And finally, your entire house will look like this....

 

[onemanarmy]

Welcome back to the Cruiser life. I too remember your story from here and Pirate years back. Glad it all worked out.

Do you plan to keep the hubcaps and steel wheels? Love that look. If I needed wheels for my 60, that's the way I'd go.

are your rear quarters cut up even with the tailgate? Can you post a pic looking up to show how the area was closed in after the cut?

And more pics of the models too.

 

[heavytlc]

That is the best picture I have on my phone. I will take more pictures of the area. If you notice weird white spots or marks that it is wax or cutting compound the paint job is really nice. It is close to the bottom of the tailgate but that is not the static line for the Bob. There are body channels and aesthetics of exposed body mounts they come into Play when you make that cut. Originally it wasn't flat across the bottom. I changed it this time. You can gain A LOT of tire clearance with a well planned quarter shave.
Making it look stock, and flow with the body takes a little bit of time.

I'm not going to be hard wheeling the 60. I don't have anything to prove. To put it into perspective I used to summit Mount Everest barefoot and naked Now I want to hike the Appalachian trail in comfort. That's the best way I can describe my four wheeling/rock crawling history.

I'm not the average wagon owner. I think that snorkels are Queer like a football bat. Actually I have lots of opinions about all things automotive. I will never make fun of or put someone down for what they do. I will try not to rant about the things that I don't understand, but I will always try to explain why I made or changed something.

I just realized that is the same picture I already posted. I will get some better ones later.

I have had a busy morning unloading upholstery/soft goods.