Builds Red Dawn (60 converted 62 Build Thread w/ R2.8)

[TheNeek]

So License Plate Guy works great. Not sure why I left the plate off when I took this photo. I guess I was so excited that it bolted up to the swing out.

I wrapped up the single harness that runs from the Driver's side bumper light to my junction box:

Then the rat's nest became organized:

Untitled by Neeko, on Flickr

And the payoff (click on the pic and it should open the video):

 

[zprovo]

License Plate Guy may be my favorite thing on the internet today.

 

[TheNeek]

Random thing:
I remembered that I 3d printed these speaker rings to adapt a normal 5.25” speaker with 4 mounting holes to the stock 3 hole front door card spots. I did this before I even painted the truck (should probably go in the post about the stereo upgrade). I’m putting it here for build completeness and so other people can see my idea. I am printing these for sale and there is a thread in my signature that talks about them further.

They fit under the stock door cards as well.

 

[Chrisfj62ut]

Looks like a really clean build and a couple old BMW's in the garage. Keep the motor a 3fe with a H55 and you will be able to go up anything and will have enough power. The 3fe is an awesome motor. Don't put a LS in it and just keep it a Toyota.

 

[NookShneer]

And the payoff (click on the pic and it should open the video):

Pretty Slick. I don't think I ever liked the look of those 3-way lights until now. Nice work now you need to get that truck dirty.

 

[mattressking]

Random thing:
I remembered that I 3d printed these speaker rings to adapt a normal 5.25” speaker with 4 mounting holes to the stock 3 hole front door card spots. I did this before I even painted the truck (should probably go in the post about the stereo upgrade). I’m putting it here for build completeness and so other people can see my idea. I can find the link to the speakers from amazon if anyone is interested.

They fit under the stock door cards as well.

Funny you made these, I was just starting to design the exact same thing. I'm curious if a version could be done to adapt 6.5's

 

[TheNeek]

Funny you made these, I was just starting to design the exact same thing. I'm curious if a version could be done to adapt 6.5's

I don’t think you could use the stock doorcards.

 

[KeilOver]

I don’t think you could use the stock doorcards.

Do these speakers with your adapters fit under the stock grill?

 

[TheNeek]

Do these speakers with your adapters fit under the stock grill?

They do indeed

 

[KeilOver]

Excellent. Are you able to share the make and model of the speakers? Also, would you be able to share the dimensions on the adapters? Really appreciate it. I've been driving this rig since it was new and blew the factory speakers when I was 17. My dad still bugs me about it. Cheers

 

[TheNeek]

One of my wheels cracked which was weird. It still held air and I think we drove over 500 miles with it like this.

Scary stuff. So I took one of the extra wheels I had and rebuilt it with that new rim. I have a chrome set and machined aluminum set. We like the machined set more and I am using the chrome set for parts and a spare. Of course it takes more than a smile and sturdy handshake to get these damn wheels apart. Sacrificed a socket one size smaller to get a rounded nut off, and my wife graciously let me use the oven to get the wheels apart and back together (froze the center to make it shrink).

Together forever

Ready for primetime

I installed a backup camera on the jerry-can holder. It works pretty well. It's angled down quite a bit so I might try to make a spacer which makes it pointed up. In hind-sight I should have put it under the can holder but it works fine and keeps us from backing over random objects.

 

[TheNeek]

Unnecessary bump. We went to Pennsylvania to visit my wife's family. Photo albums came out and I came across this gem of the family FJ60. Thought I'd share the inspiration for the purchase and restoration of our truck.

 

[Skniper]

Unnecessary bump. We went to Pennsylvania to visit my wife's family. Photo albums came out and I came across this gem of the family FJ60. Thought I'd share the inspiration for the purchase and restoration of our truck.

Unecessary?? Required. Good share

 

[TheNeek]

The truck has been making a whining noise at speed. Not sure what's going on, but I guess it was a good excuse for me to finally do a Rodney flush on the transmission and swap the lube in the differentials as well as the Transfer case. Did a new transmission pan gasket and filter as well. I have one of those manual pump fluid transfer things that only does a quart at a time. My arm is just now regaining feeling and I will have to make an air transfer system before I do any of that again.

And in typical fashion, I spent way too much time cleaning something that will only get dirty again:

We will see if the whine goes away. It's not super loud. I wondered if it could be tire noise but I'm just not sure. Suffice to say it scared me enough to do a real dirty job I wasn't looking forward to.

 

[TheNeek]

Even after all this fluid work, the driveline noise coninues. I started to speculate that the driveline noise I was hearing was the rear differential or even the driveshaft. I removed the rear driveshaft and ran the truck in 4WD (FWD only) to see if it was the driveshaft. It wasn't, the noise continued. Took it to a local driveline shop and they confirmed that it was the pinion bearings. So we got the differential rebuilt.

This weird box came with the truck when I picked it up.

There was no locker in the box, so I assume it's in the rear differential. I'll be getting an ARB compressor soon and wiring everything up. Excited to hit the trails this summer.

Oh and the driveline noise went away.

 

[NookShneer]

Let’s get a trip together to take it for a rip. I need to do the Leavenworth North sections on the WA BDR. Maybe a early season trip to test the traction?

 

[ginericLC]

You've done an amazing job with that truck. You gave an aging truck new life.

 

[Tennessee80]

Got the ARB roof rack on last night... what a bear that was.

Still fits in the garage. Phew!

Exhaust shop did a good job.

Drove the old girl into work:

Little things everyday.

This build is awesome, man! What wheels are those?

 

[TheNeek]

Let’s get a trip together to take it for a rip. I need to do the Leavenworth North sections on the WA BDR. Maybe a early season trip to test the traction?

Would be fun.

You've done an amazing job with that truck. You gave an aging truck new life.

Thanks! Glad we could give it new life. It was a great base to start with. Thanks for selling it to us.

This build is awesome, man! What wheels are those?

They are vintage SSR Auswuch wheels.

 

[TheNeek]

Finally got my hands on an ARB dual compressor and manifold. I guess the Christmas season makes stock a little tough to come by.

During lunch I made a mounting plate for both. I have a distinct feeling I'll be doing this all over again when I do an engine swap, but for now this will suffice.

I greatly appreciate equipment manufacturers that have online PDFs that can be printed to scale to locate holes. ARB does this consistently and it really speeds up the fab time.

Just need to weld it to the spare tire cross member and then bend up an aluminum skid plate. I really do think this air compressor and my second battery will end up in the engine bay when we pull the ol' 3FE for something else. I really want to get out in the snow this winter though.