New Owner Intro

[Mars]

I've been poking around this forum for some time now, time to introduce myself. I'm a San Diego import, just found a 1987 60 with 220k, rebuilt 2f 40k ago, runs strong. 15mpg. Previous owners were two women, used it for commuting. Looks like its never seen dirt... I plan to commute with it, and for weekend transport into backcountry skiing/climbing. Lift, 33's, possibly deisel to come (if I ever scrape up the cash!). Thanks for all the great info.

 

[toolman]

try it, you'll like it

Best advise I've ever heard about your Land Cruiser ---- do everything to it at least once yourself!
Welcome
Tool Man

 

[Liam]

i argee...It will give you an apperication on why mechanics get paid so much...

 

[patride71]

wow that looks like a clean one...congrats, enjoy and post up on any mods.

 

[Benji]

Congratulations. We look forward to your future questions.

 

[HZJ60 Guy]

Yes welcome. Good luck with your upgrades/improvements.



TB

 

[NocalFJ60]

Nice cruiser. Welcome. 15mpg is good.


Did you pass smog yet?

 

[mmw68]

Welcome, nice color.

 

[chitown40]

Welcome, and sweet ride. Red looks great on a 60.

 

[SCJO06]

That is a clean lookin 60, where in San Diego do you "wheel"?

 

[Mars]

Hey thanks for the response. Passed smog no problem, had a fairly thorough checkout done by a local mechanic and compression looks good, no big leaks...so hopefully I'm all set. I have a slight bit of oil coming from my oilpan/transmission gasket, and a bit of transfer case weeping that I need to keep an eye on. I can't tell if my seals are toast or what, is there a common transfer case leak with the 60's?

The 15mpg was a pleasant suprise...driving the 200mi home from where I bought it, I got 10mpg on the freeway, engine making a TON of fan noise. Fixed a siezed fan clutch, and I've had 3 tanks in the 14-15mpg range...stoked about that.

As far as wheelin' in San Diego, your guess is as good as mine. I've been here 2 years, this is my first 4x4, so I'm almost clueless. I've been using it to chug around the snow in the San Bernardino's and Sierras skiing, and searching for surf down in Baja. For my purposes, its been perfect. I'd sure love to find some mud and some rocks test it on around here though if anyone has ideas!

Thanks

 

[Carpe Discus]

That is a clean lookin 60, where in San Diego do you "wheel"?

That'd be the mall.

Oh, you meant him--sorry. There ain't a lot of wheeling places around San Diego, with the exception of the desert. Anything good requires a fair amount of driving to get there.

 

[Cookiemonster]

Mars, go to the local Barnes & Noble and look in their map book atlas etc. area. There you'll find a few off road books with maps and points of interest for the SoCal area. Surprisingly I know there are some pretty cool wheelin areas down there just outside of the cities. Let me know if you have any probs. & I'll scrounge up the specific publisher and name of the book. It's buried in a box being stored currently.
Great gas mileage your going to need it down there..........
P.S. welcome......
Mike NorCal.

 

[Mars]

I'll hit up barnes & noble, good advice.

 

[Duster]

If west is the LEFT coast then east is the WRONG coast...our beloved Cruisers just seem to look so much better without that rust!

Although I'm somewhat of a purist and a sucker for a stock 60, I gotta say I dig your first mod - cutting back the gutter trim to the C pillar.

Sweet looking rig, Mars...and from one rookie to another, welcome.

Previous owners were two women, used it for commuting. Looks like its never seen dirt...

 

[dmwberg]

Even better, hook up with the San Diego TLCA Club, Beach and Toys. They're on yahoo groups. They go wheeling all the time close to S.D. And if you ever have any problems with your rig they can point you in the right direction. I'm new to this area too, and they helped me! Nice group of folks.

Doug

 

[Carpe Discus]

I have Harry Lewellyn's "Glovebox Guide to Unpaved Southern California."(1993) It covers North to SLO and east to the AZ border. ISBN is 0-944781-01-2. Can't say if it's any good, see the "mall" comment above. One of these days, though...

 

[SCJO06]

As far as wheeling goes in San Diego, I know of a few spots, I lived there for about 5 years.

If you ever get up to Julian, there are quite a few trails around that area. Its kinda a backwoods place to be only a hour or so away from the city. Nice people, great dining, and even better trails. Best thing to do is go East on Hwy 8 for about 45 minutes (past El Cajon) . That will put you in between the mountains in the Cleveland National Forest, and that my friend is the mecca of rock trails. I can't count how many weekends I have spent in that area. If you dare to travel futher east, you'll be in Imperial valley. Mostly just a huge Sand box, but if you like to play on the sand dunes, then Glamis will give you a huge . Just ask around and join some clubs. Southern California is where its at when it comes to four wheeling. oh and don't forget Baja. I've been down to Ensenada, San Felipe and some of the other small towns in Mexico. You can pretty much pull off the side of the road (what little pavement there is) and venture out. Just make sure you have a understanding on Spanish and have plenty of Spare tires.
All in all, just be adventrous! San Diego county has so much to offer. I wish I had my crusier when I was there. I did most of my wheeling in my two tacomas, which are about as popular as H2's out there. Have fun man and if you need a virtual tour guide hit me up, hell I might even fly out there to join you, I miss it much!

Stuck in South Carolina

 

[ChuckB]

Mars, where do you live??? I'm in the Lake Murray, La mesa area...

 

[87CRUSR]

Welcome to the group. You'll find this place invaluable as you look to mod your truck and keep it running well too.