Reintroducing: Doug's FJ-60

[Wayneraintree]

As some of you might remember, my buddy Doug was an avid 60 enthusiast and folllowed this board religiously until his death last March at the age of 29. A pulmonary embolus took Doug from his friends and family while working in Hemet, CA. We are mourning to this day and will forever miss him.

Doug's brother and dad drove Doug's 60 from CA to KY (overheating a little in CO, helped in a parking lot by volunteer cruiserhead's). Once the 60 was in KY, they drove it for a while until one day the engine blew due to detonation issues.

I was fortunate enough to work on the 60 with Doug before he drove it to Belize to stay for approximately 5 years. Doug was an archeologist and loved tooling around the Maya sites in his 60. When he was ready to return to the states, I flew to Belize and we drove the marathon in memorable fashion. We co-authored an article published in TT Jan/Feb 2005 on the trip, it was the best of times..

so as it stands, Doug's family decided that it would be best for me to be the keeper of the 60. I plan to use it as it was intended, expedition and light wheeling, and my wife likes to drive it too.

the short list of Doug's mods (I enlisted Jim C. for a masterful rebuild recently completed)

Jim C. complete 2F rebuild
H55F (new)
4:56's
LSD rear
33 MTR's
front winch bumper w/ Warn 9000
rear tire carrier bumper
full roof rack

the 60 now resides in eastern PA. Since the engine rebuild, I took Doug's dad and brother out wheeling near the Red River Gorge in eastern KY for a day. It was great for all of us to use the 60 as Doug would have loved. It is great that it is back in service as well....

 

[daddyo]

Thats neat, a neat rig with a deep history, and great memories, just as Doug would like it. He must be smiling. Enjoy every mile together.

Andrew

 

[Cruiserdrew]

Good story. I remember the article well and my family discussed it while tooling around Belize in our Izusu Trooper Diesel last summer. I'm worried about the Eastern Pa part. My family is from there originally and evey car was a rust bucket after a few years. My grand dad bought a new Chevy every year just to avoid rust issues. That rebuilt 60 looks like a beauty and a fitting tribute to your friend.

 

[brett76]

thats really cool. thanks for the story it was really nice to read that.

 

[FJsixty2]

Sorry to hear about the lose of Doug. I'm sure he'd be happy to know his rig is still wheelin' with friends and family.

I did have a question about his 60 - who's front bumper is that? Looks like something I'd be interested in. Thanks.

 

[Man Jerk]

That is a wonderful story. It's real nice that you have got such a large part of your friends life to hold on to. Yea, it's just a bunch of rubber and metal, but so much more than that at the same time. I remember reading the article, and hearing about Doug's passing. It stuck a chord with me, almost feeling like I knew him myself.

 

[brownbear]

Sorry to hear about the lose of Doug. I'm sure he'd be happy to know his rig is still wheelin' with friends and family.

I did have a question about his 60 - who's front bumper is that? Looks like something I'd be interested in. Thanks.

Looks like a safarigaurd....


Thats a nice story, I bet his family is very thankful to you. Sorry about the loss of your good friend.

What was Doug's username on here?

 

[Wayneraintree]

that is a safarigard bumper... I like it a lot but I have not mounted the winch yet.... I think it will be tight. Anyone have this bumper and if so, how was mounting the winch?

Doug's username was dmwberg here is one thread on the progress he was making...

I plan to rust proof (as much as possible) the 60 in anticipation of the PA road treatments... need to search for the best options but I will try not to let it see the roads when they are treated. On the other hand, Doug's 60 will be a full service rig as he would have wanted. I'll take every precaution but plan to see some bunny slope trail pics of it and maybe some road trips as well he would not have wanted it any other way as can be gleaned from the mild build

 

[Zack1978]

that is a safarigard bumper... I like it a lot but I have not mounted the winch yet.... I think it will be tight. Anyone have this bumper and if so, how was mounting the winch?

Doug's username was dmwberg here is one thread on the progress he was making...

I plan to rust proof (as much as possible) the 60 in anticipation of the PA road treatments... need to search for the best options but I will try not to let it see the roads when they are treated. On the other hand, Doug's 60 will be a full service rig as he would have wanted. I'll take every precaution but plan to see some bunny slope trail pics of it and maybe some road trips as well he would not have wanted it any other way as can be gleaned from the mild build

Being from NJ I know first hand that RUST is deadly! If you want that 60 to stick around as a good memory of your friend, I would keep that baby in thr garage from November till April or May. The 60 will MELt before your eyes if you let it out in the winter with all the salt!

MY 2 cents,
Zack

 

[cbmontgo]

I remember that TT article. It is one of my favorites. What a shame.

It is good that you are keeping the spirit going though with the 60.

C

 

[brownbear]

thanks for the info. I think I will build a bumper just like he put on there.....

Oil that truck up to make it last. Try Krown oil.

 

[lowtideride]

I got to meet Doug a short time before he passed. He saw that I need parts badly on Ih8mud and oddly enough he had some spares and was going to be in St. Augustine that weekend. So I ended up meeting up with him bought some parts of the dude. We kept in touch thru Ih8mud til he passed. Bummer to see a cruiserhead go so young.


Oddly enough. I have Dougs P.S. pump in Velveeta Wag right now. Even stranger yet Dougs fj60 is now at Wayneraintree's house not 4 blocks from where I use to Live in P.A. My brother still lives up there and has run into Wayneraintree and Dougs fj60 a number of times. Its a small world somtimes. You should drive it down to GSMTR this year.

 

[krzyabncanuck]

Its real good to see it being put back on the road the way Doug would like. I too remember the story in the trails and i think i remember something on LCML also.

Awesome work man.

 

[Hildy]

Another sweet wagon there Jeff. Can't wait to see it. Next time we have a meeting or go wheeling I'll have to bring you some TRC rust inhibitor.

 

[Wayneraintree]

Its a small world somtimes. You should drive it down to GSMTR this year.

that is too cool of a coincidence.. I very well may drive to GSMTR but I am not 100% so I have not registered, it would be fun though. Doug was surely out-going with helping anyone and everyone... still helping me to this day

what is Krown oil (other than the obvious) good for oiling? Had a friend point out that some linkages needed oiling the other day... where else?

Hildy, we'll surely take this 60 for spins.. hope to see lots of you all on the trails! thanks for the well-wishing and thanks to Jim C. and Frydaddy for wrapping up the engine woes to quickly

 

[Benji]

Awsome story. Keep Doug alive through the 60.

 

[lowtideride]

You have til the 15 or so of this month to get registered, Its not like they would make you go home if you were not registered Tellico is open to anyone. You should make the drive, a few guys from up that way are making it down.

 

[macneill]

That's great news Wayne.

I'm glad the 60 and it's memories and future memories are in good hands.

 

[BigSur]

In the article in TT was Doug the one changing out the license plate when ya'll got to Texas?

 

[Wayneraintree]

In the article in TT was Doug the one changing out the license plate when ya'll got to Texas?

that's right man, I have that photo on my desktop