Builds Resurrecting a mothballed '86 FJ60

[Seth_O]

I've owned an FJ40, an FJ62 and my current DD is a '93 FZJ80. One of the only vehicles I regret selling is my '62.

My eldest is turning 15 in a couple of weeks, and we've both wanted to get something to work on together for him to drive. I was actively searching for a '94-98.5 Ram 2500, but without success.

Out of the blue I ran across a posting for an '86 FJ60 that didn't run and had been mothballed for a decade. So it was in my price range

I called the owner who confirmed it was parked because of non-use (i.e. no hole in the side of the block,) the title was clear (more on that later) and he was willing to show it.

I was pleased when I got to it. Loved the paint, it appeared to be very straight and rust free, had factory AC, the headliner was clean and tight and a bunch of parts in the back.

My bro climbed underneath, the crank spun freely by hand and the truck looked unmolested. Seller confirmed that the registration status was 'unknown'. When I looked it up there were significant back fees . We were able to settle on a price, and we loaded it up on the trailer.

Here's how it looked when I got it home:

 

[Seth_O]

The plan should be pretty straightforward. My boys and I will resto-mod the truck (emphasis on resto). The plan is to get it running and cleaned up over the next six months.

We dug into the parts in the back and found the missing PS pump and pulley, as well as a bunch of trim parts. The bench seat is flopping around unsecured, and there is no carpet.

First order of business for this holiday weekend is to get the motor to fire and hopefully run.

Found two of these bad boys, dizzy covers?

Alas, also found some rust:

Plugs look good though:

Stay tuned for some progress....

 

[Trapper50cal]

Are both dizzy covers that nice?

Mine's toast and I was thinking of soaking it in alcohol & peppermint oil.

Good Luck on the project guys!

 

[Seth_O]

Are both dizzy covers that nice?

Good Luck on the project guys!

Cheers trapper. Yep, both covers look about the same. We have some other rubber we have to revive though.

 

[mwebfj60]

Good stuff, looking forward to watching the progress!

 

[Seth_O]

Mine's toast and I was thinking of soaking it in alcohol & peppermint oil.

I hunted around but cant seem to find it, do you know the ratio for this?

 

[Trapper50cal]

I don't...not yet.

 

[Ian Crawford]

Following this one! I love the color/graphics!

 

[too tall]

Sorry, Not trying to hijack this thread but I use these to bring some life back to your old dried up rubber parts . I wish we had 60's like that here where I live. Rust is a bit more common around here.

 

[Seth_O]

Found it in a post by @4Cruisers in the Ultimate OEM 60 Parts thread:

I pulled the best two gaskets, which had hardened almost to the point of being brittle, and soaked them overnight in a 4:1 solution of isopropyl alcohol/oil of wintergreen.

Note this is slightly different than other posts which refer to it as 'peppermint oil', but when I look up wintergreen it ties to methyl salicylate, which I have also heard it called.

And this is quite a bit cheaper than peppermint oil from what I found in quick searches, so going to try it out as my call to the dealer and my search of the interwebs indicates my louver gaskets are NLA.

I'm also going to check out @too tall's rubber care product.

 

[micruz60]

Good patina! I also like the trimless side vent look...
I just fixed the same rust along my rear sill. There is an access plate on the front face underside of that box sill, look in there, what fun... Good project for the kids.

 

[micruz60]

I hunted around but cant seem to find it, do you know the ratio for this?

I have not tried it yet.

Restoring Hard Rubber Parts -- Unbelievable Results!

 

[mwebfj60]

Meguires Natural Shine works miracles on rubber and vinyl.

 

[Seth_O]

I just fixed the same rust along my rear sill. There is an access plate on the front face underside of that box sill, look in there, what fun... Good project for the kids.

Did you document this at all? I looked around online but couldn't find any replacement rear sill's for the '60.

 

[micruz60]

Did you document this at all? I looked around online but couldn't find any replacement rear sill's for the '60.

Sorry, no pics, I did localized sandblasting and welding with some glas-in-a can filler. No replacement sill, just creative replacement metal. Mine was not as bad.

 

[Seth_O]

Anyone have a source for the small plastic 'anchors' for the side vents? Ours are either missing, or crumble when touched. No luck at the dealer.

 

[Trapper50cal]

I checked Cruiser Corp and City Racer to no avail.

If you find them. post up where...I need the square expanding anchors
for the interior door grab handle.

 

[Trapper50cal]

Specter ($OR) has em....Here

 

[micruz60]

You might try different model toyota? 4runner?
Standard parts.

90189-06043 - Toyota Parts Deal,,

 

[NeverGiveUpYota]

I hunted around but cant seem to find it, do you know the ratio for this?

There’s an old thread on it. Highly toxic tho so your stock pot can’t be for food thereafter.