Hello everyone,
I am new to this place and this is my first post. (so, bear with me).
I am the proud owner of a 1984 FJ60 (which I have for almost 18 years). It has been a great car, super reliable, fun, and I have a ton of memories from being a single early 20's guy, to engaged, married, and now married with 2 young kids. Every step of the way the Cruiser has been there, taking us to places like the Grand Canyon, Arizona desert, Appalachian mountains, Colorado river, etc.
My point is, the Cruiser is part of the family. I can't even think about selling it, but it does need a lot of TLC. I have done some repairs/upgrades over the years (painting, engine work, brakes, etc.) but nothing crazy.
The reason for this post is twofold:
A- I would love to restore it to its original days and I just started to think about how to go about doing that.
I have never restored a car, I am not a mechanic, and I do not have the know-how to do a job like that by myself. That said, I can work on it, take it apart, work on simple mechanical things, etc. I am willing to learn what I need to do to get it in top shape. There is the typical rust on quarter panels, tailgate, and floor, the interior needs to be redone, (especially the seatbelts), and the engine has some oil leaks and carburetor issues, etc. So, my first question is: how do I even start a job like that? Is there some sort of a step by step planning guide? and also, is there a mechanical manual (a sort of a bible) that I can use to see diagrams, and how things are put together? Do you guys/girls have any recommendations in how to go about that? I realized this may take me a few years to do it right, and honestly, time is not an issue (as far as, it is a fun truck I owe that I only drive once in a while) if it takes me a couple of years to do it does not matter to me.
And
B- I need help in locating a place in Orlando, Fl. (reliable and affordable) that can help in the process. Not to do everything, but to assists me in doing the work I can't do. For example, I can take the engine out/apart, but I do not know how to rebuild an engine, or I can get the interior stripped out, but can't do upholstery, etc. You get my point. Is there a place in (or close to) Orlando, Fl. that could be helpful for this? or not even a place, is there like a "guy that works on Cruisers" type of thing? BTW, I do not have a huge tool inventory or a garage full of equipment either. I have basic tools and a 1 car garage where the Cruiser sits daily.
I have done some research online, and most of these places that I have seen that do this kind of work with Cruisers charge over $50,000 to $100,000 to even start the work. I don't have that kind of money, being a father of 2, and the only one that gets paid to work at home. I have some money I saved to spend on the Cruiser, but it is not even close to those amounts. I am guessing that somewhere around $10K to $15K (doing the work myself with some help) could do it? Or am I dreaming? is this possible?
I don't see another way to restore it and I don't want it to rust away either. Thinking about selling it puts me into a depression. (I am exaggerating, but not really). Do you see the conundrum?
Any help on this matter by this community will be appreciated. I know I have tons of questions, and a lot of these answers are very subjective, but if anyone that has done this before can share some step by steps instructions, information, books, or even what to think about in how to start that could help in the process is appreciated. My biggest fear is starting to do the work, realize that I can't complete it in the middle of it, and then maybe be forced to have to sell it cheap or for pennies because is halfway done, or something like that. I don't want that to happen and I want to make sure I can finish what I want to do. Please help.
Thanks!!!!
JSan
I am new to this place and this is my first post. (so, bear with me).
I am the proud owner of a 1984 FJ60 (which I have for almost 18 years). It has been a great car, super reliable, fun, and I have a ton of memories from being a single early 20's guy, to engaged, married, and now married with 2 young kids. Every step of the way the Cruiser has been there, taking us to places like the Grand Canyon, Arizona desert, Appalachian mountains, Colorado river, etc.
My point is, the Cruiser is part of the family. I can't even think about selling it, but it does need a lot of TLC. I have done some repairs/upgrades over the years (painting, engine work, brakes, etc.) but nothing crazy.
The reason for this post is twofold:
A- I would love to restore it to its original days and I just started to think about how to go about doing that.
I have never restored a car, I am not a mechanic, and I do not have the know-how to do a job like that by myself. That said, I can work on it, take it apart, work on simple mechanical things, etc. I am willing to learn what I need to do to get it in top shape. There is the typical rust on quarter panels, tailgate, and floor, the interior needs to be redone, (especially the seatbelts), and the engine has some oil leaks and carburetor issues, etc. So, my first question is: how do I even start a job like that? Is there some sort of a step by step planning guide? and also, is there a mechanical manual (a sort of a bible) that I can use to see diagrams, and how things are put together? Do you guys/girls have any recommendations in how to go about that? I realized this may take me a few years to do it right, and honestly, time is not an issue (as far as, it is a fun truck I owe that I only drive once in a while) if it takes me a couple of years to do it does not matter to me.
And
B- I need help in locating a place in Orlando, Fl. (reliable and affordable) that can help in the process. Not to do everything, but to assists me in doing the work I can't do. For example, I can take the engine out/apart, but I do not know how to rebuild an engine, or I can get the interior stripped out, but can't do upholstery, etc. You get my point. Is there a place in (or close to) Orlando, Fl. that could be helpful for this? or not even a place, is there like a "guy that works on Cruisers" type of thing? BTW, I do not have a huge tool inventory or a garage full of equipment either. I have basic tools and a 1 car garage where the Cruiser sits daily.
I have done some research online, and most of these places that I have seen that do this kind of work with Cruisers charge over $50,000 to $100,000 to even start the work. I don't have that kind of money, being a father of 2, and the only one that gets paid to work at home. I have some money I saved to spend on the Cruiser, but it is not even close to those amounts. I am guessing that somewhere around $10K to $15K (doing the work myself with some help) could do it? Or am I dreaming? is this possible?
I don't see another way to restore it and I don't want it to rust away either. Thinking about selling it puts me into a depression. (I am exaggerating, but not really). Do you see the conundrum?
Any help on this matter by this community will be appreciated. I know I have tons of questions, and a lot of these answers are very subjective, but if anyone that has done this before can share some step by steps instructions, information, books, or even what to think about in how to start that could help in the process is appreciated. My biggest fear is starting to do the work, realize that I can't complete it in the middle of it, and then maybe be forced to have to sell it cheap or for pennies because is halfway done, or something like that. I don't want that to happen and I want to make sure I can finish what I want to do. Please help.
Thanks!!!!
JSan
