Seeking Helpful Insight (7 Viewers)

[VermontFJ60]

I purchased a 1985 FJ60 back in 2021 and knew it would require some work including rust repair and a new frame. After a couple years of searching I purchased a frame from California and had it shipped to me. That since been sand blasted and painted. I’ve also torn down and restored both the front and reach axles with new bearings, brakes, knuckle rebuild, etc.

The body is in need of some work, mostly in the rockers, rear quarter panels.

My question is, is it worth it to keep putting money into the body I have, cut out the rust, weld back in new rockers and panels or should I turn my attention to trying to locate a rust free tub? The interior is pretty mint for the year and from what I can tell, the pillars, roof, are solid still.

Any insight and recommendations is greatly appreciated.

Pictures below.

 

[RevISK]

That does not look like bad rust at all.
Find and read some rust repair threads for inspiration and start collecting the tools to diy.

It looks like you have what many would call “a rust free tub”

 

[snowyhermit]

That does not look like bad rust at all.
Find and read some rust repair threads for inspiration and start collecting the tools to diy.

It looks like you have what many would call “a rust free tub”

I was about to say. Not a single truck anyone in my family has is that low rust XD

 

[OSS]

They're all like that by now except for a few select garage queens.
A FJ60 should have some small rust spots. gives it character.

 

[mcmlxxxv]

MAN !! thats a real clean body for a 40years old car .... Would fix

 

[CruiserTrash]

Plop that body on the frame and run it. Very few are that clean and "rust free bodies" simply don't exist unless they've had $20k+ of repair work. That thing obviously had a few repairs on the lower rear, but it's in amazing condition as it sits. Don't do a thing.

 

[cps432]

If you found a cleaner body than that and took it from whatever frame and engine/transmission combo it was sitting on it would be dumb. A cleaner body would certainly be sitting on a nice frame and axles, likely with a good engine set up. It would be so much unnecessary work and you would likely be tearing apart a perfectly good truck to do it.

My truck looks about like yours and I’m gonna weld in panels where I need to.

You’re already this deep in. You gotta save that body. It looks pretty damn good already. Some might call that rust free in some states.