Pictures of the new HJ60

[sandcruiser]

Finally took some pics of the new HJ60. www.sandcruiser.com/journ_pic0A/louie/index.html
It is an 88 HJ60, "Costa Rica spec". Came with H41.
No rear sway bar, but brackets for one.
4x drum brakes :O
gusseted front axle housing
62 series steering wheel and dash

I'll post some more pics later.

Now I've just got to start the buildup!

 

[theferg]

Looks good! Seems to be a pretty clean truck.

-Ferg-

 

[PJHunter]

I'm pleased for ya mate! It looks like a sound buy. How nice is it though to open a bonnet and see a real engine... non of this plastic cowling s***e they cover modern engines with. It also makes the engine bay look massive!

 

[VTCruiser]

wow, i'd hate to have to go there

so what's the story? what are you guys doing down there? You are just about living my dream.....great site

 

[Radd Cruisers]

Nice rig, gotta like that newer 60 series dash.

 

[brownbear]

are you gonna outfit it like your other 60?

 

[sandcruiser]

The new rig will likely inherit most of the mods from the fj
Due to the difficulty of importing the fj legally, and the simple fact that Sandy is pooped (30K+ miles in central america is rough on a landcruiser!)

So, yes, we'll be building the HJ.

My big question right now is how best to proceed with some of the mods-- our OME springs are showing some wear. I'm thinking about trying to grab some Dakkar leafs (leaves?) as replacements for some of the OME leafs... with the hope that a few new leaves will revive the OMEs.
It'll definately get some new bushings all the way around (as soon as I find a good source of OME bushings) and new center pins. Also I'd like to replace the little plastic spacers as some have disintegrated.

Planning to run 16" wheels this time around. Still figuring out what size tires to run. 235/85r16 are the leading contender right now. For our roads/wheeling tall skinny is the best choice.

It'll be fun building this second 60... a chance to do some of the mods better than the first time around.

Might also build up the fj40 at the same time... and plan to drop in a 13bt

but that's another thread!

 

[crushers]

recomendation: use rubber bushing and not the poly ones, the rubber last much longer.

 

[sandcruiser]

rubber vs poly

recomendation: use rubber bushing and not the poly ones, the rubber last much longer.

I'm sure this has been rehashed a number of times...

What *are* the pros/cons of rubber vs. poly?
I thought that the poly had the advantage of being greasable (and rubber isn't) and therefore had more smooth swing with less wear to the bushings. Is that not right?

Also- I've noticed that the rubber bushings on my 40 wear out much much faster than my poly on the 60. But then the 30 year old springs could be responsible...

I'm interested in hearing more opinions on this one. I don't plan to pull the springs apart again for a while and would like to get everything set up best now.

 

[crushers]

weird, i have found that rubber lasts 30 years and poly lasts 2 if lucky even being greasable...
rubber doesn't squeak
rubber doesn't wear
rubber has better flex for a smoother ride

these are just the experiences i have had in 23 years of drivng cruisers...

 

[VTCruiser]

for springs, i'd go with something heavy duty, maybe an add-a-leaf in the rear. All that gear is enough to tire out any springs...you'll love the diesel

 

[sandcruiser]

<snip>
these are just the experiences i have had in 23 years of drivng cruisers...

While I certainly respect your experience Wayne- my limited experience has been a little different. Then again- there is no telling what sort of bushings (quality) were installed in the 40. And that truck doesn't get much love... there are dozens of possible answers as to why the bushings might be prematurely worn.

I'm still curious to hear any/all opinions as to what sort of bushings and why.


As for load, VT, we don't wander about as much anymore (unfortunately) and now the cruiser does most of its duty as our DD and weekend warrior. The weight is not nearly as much a consideration. In fact I was thinking of taking a leaf out of the pack (maybe) to gain some smoothness. We'll have to see...

 

[panama]

Steve, not sure if you remember me but

We often exchanged emails about land cruisers and central america(i'm From Panama), you gave me great advise on what to look for in a FJ60.( I settled on a 85 fj60, and put a 5speed in) It was in 2000 or 2001 before you made it to CR. any way glad to see you got a diesel, we had a Hj60 for 15 yrs never had ANY trouble.
Whats the deal with the drum brakes up front?
Keep the post/pics comming
Blake

 

[roscoFJ73]

"Whats the deal with the drum brakes up front? "

Apparently some continents such as South America and Africa got them long after they had turned to front disc brakes elsewhere.

 

[Landpimp]

I show drum brakes as availble up thru at least 88 for some markets(ie 3rd world) Can't say I had heard of one that actaully did untill now.

 

[sandcruiser]

yeah... I was not too pleased to see drums up front. But on the plus side- I can swap the discs off of Sandy without toooooo much trouble.

What about the master guys? Any thoughts on if I must swap that as well? I've been told that a drum master is/could be different than a disc master. There *is* a booster (thank goodness). The reservoir looks a little different... Gotta take a look I guess.

And at the risk of totally hijacking my own thread- Any reason I can't put an extra reservoir on there? and have two totally seperate systems? I mean, I've got an extra reservoir sitting here and I'd just as soon store it on the rig than in my closet.