All,
OK, so not exactly single owner...but my Cruiser is a 73 model purchased new by my parents in Dec 72. I still have the window sticker somewhere around here. It was my Mom's "car" for years. My dad recalled that it was the only 55 on the Toyota lot in Greensboro, North Carolina. He said it even came with a touch of rust when they bought it! He had it undercoated and the dealer added an AC unit (built in Texas). Green and white.
My parents liked it although my dad had to take it back numerous times because it would burn out the exhaust valves. Eventually, the head was reworked and hardened chevy valves and seats were installed, the air pump was removed and the vacuum retard distributor (idiotic dist. in 73 for emissions control) was disabled and all was better. I remember it only breaking down on us once, although an exhaust leak caused the floor mat to catch fire, too, on another trip (I was too young to remember that). The cruiser made one trip to Canada but mostly stayed in NC.
After losing daily driver status in the mid-eighties, it was relegated to backwoods and general trailer hauling duty for getting firewood or anything else plus winter driving of course. When I turned 16 (1994), it was my first car. My dad had the brakes "fixed", again, and it painted before I started driving it. I probably became a mechanical engineer because of this truck and all the work I had to do to it! I went fourwheeling with my friends but never anything too radical. Mostly just camping trips.
I put a mild shackle lift (stock, rear shackles used on the front) and lockrite in it. It was a fun trail truck for a while but 32s only get you so far (that's why it's good to have a winch, which it does). Eventually I did some bodywork to try to save it. It's lasted pretty well.
At the moment, this 55 is my daily driver, although I have a motorcycle I usually try to ride. As it sits, this is the status of its condition and some of the mods:
-Specter headers on the original motor. Old capacitive discharge ignition. Stainless steel oil lines. Motor had new bearings put in it once. Rings have never been changed. Head has been reworked years ago. ~180,000mi estimate b/c I changed the odometer some time ago
-transfercase rebuilt about 3 yrs ago (~15000mi) and new clutch & pressure plate purchased from specter
-put a relay in for the headlights (awesome upgrade to those who haven't done it)
-Aluminum cross flow radiator
-Electric Fan
-Ramsey winch in custom front bumper wired to work with switches on the dash
-Custom rear bumper
-most of the original toolkit (missing the screwdrivers and the original adj. wrench)
-carpet (installed many years ago)
-bucket seats (still have the original)
-120 amp GM alternator
-32x11.50 Goodyear MTR on FJ60 rims
-epoxy primer paint is looking pretty rough. I'm probably going to drop it off at a shop any day!
-76 front axle with discs and brake booster
-rear window gear changed to a brass one. Works great. Key switch just started getting flaky. Interior window switch is fine.
-frame is in good shape
-new rotors and pads last year
-new ball joints two years ago
-lockrite removed and stock diff (the original one from the old front axle) installed
-warn front hubs
Bad stuff:
-door hinges are in terrible need of a rework
-weather stripping? What weather stripping?
-paint and some bodywork needed for the sheetmetal (but I may be getting that done very soon.
-one cracked rear door window (does not leak)
-underside of body is good in places, poor in others. Most cruiser people see it and think that it's in overall good shape
-headliner has some small rips but nothing bad
-rear heater is out and electric motor is toast
-washer motor needs replacement
Good stuff:
-Runs well and starts even in the winter without help from ether!
-Brakes are about as good as they have ever been. Rear disks would be a good upgrade.
-hand brake actually works!
-all lights and electricals work. No gremlins whatsoever. No halfa#& wiring.
-complete
So here is the skinny: because I have a young family now and plenty of other projects, I think I want to find this lovable cruiser a new home. It is not the best cruiser out there. It is not rust free. It is loud. It is slow. It may be ugly to some. However, this is a mechanically well maintained vehicle that has a long history and I would love to put it into good hands.
I have almost every single original part that came on this truck that is now sitting (wheels, seats, skid plates, license plate frame, air pump, etc). I also have a 74 cruiser (with a 3spd installed) parts truck. It is rough but did drive when parked and the motor looks better than mine. This could be a package deal if you like!
I will be putting up more pictures depending on the interest. The truck is in southwest Virginia. For now, here is one from this past winter:
If you are interested in trading for an 95-97 FJ80 I would love to talk. I have started looking at some...
Thanks for reading and let me know what you think!
Michael
OK, so not exactly single owner...but my Cruiser is a 73 model purchased new by my parents in Dec 72. I still have the window sticker somewhere around here. It was my Mom's "car" for years. My dad recalled that it was the only 55 on the Toyota lot in Greensboro, North Carolina. He said it even came with a touch of rust when they bought it! He had it undercoated and the dealer added an AC unit (built in Texas). Green and white.
My parents liked it although my dad had to take it back numerous times because it would burn out the exhaust valves. Eventually, the head was reworked and hardened chevy valves and seats were installed, the air pump was removed and the vacuum retard distributor (idiotic dist. in 73 for emissions control) was disabled and all was better. I remember it only breaking down on us once, although an exhaust leak caused the floor mat to catch fire, too, on another trip (I was too young to remember that). The cruiser made one trip to Canada but mostly stayed in NC.
After losing daily driver status in the mid-eighties, it was relegated to backwoods and general trailer hauling duty for getting firewood or anything else plus winter driving of course. When I turned 16 (1994), it was my first car. My dad had the brakes "fixed", again, and it painted before I started driving it. I probably became a mechanical engineer because of this truck and all the work I had to do to it! I went fourwheeling with my friends but never anything too radical. Mostly just camping trips.
I put a mild shackle lift (stock, rear shackles used on the front) and lockrite in it. It was a fun trail truck for a while but 32s only get you so far (that's why it's good to have a winch, which it does). Eventually I did some bodywork to try to save it. It's lasted pretty well.
At the moment, this 55 is my daily driver, although I have a motorcycle I usually try to ride. As it sits, this is the status of its condition and some of the mods:
-Specter headers on the original motor. Old capacitive discharge ignition. Stainless steel oil lines. Motor had new bearings put in it once. Rings have never been changed. Head has been reworked years ago. ~180,000mi estimate b/c I changed the odometer some time ago
-transfercase rebuilt about 3 yrs ago (~15000mi) and new clutch & pressure plate purchased from specter
-put a relay in for the headlights (awesome upgrade to those who haven't done it)
-Aluminum cross flow radiator
-Electric Fan
-Ramsey winch in custom front bumper wired to work with switches on the dash
-Custom rear bumper
-most of the original toolkit (missing the screwdrivers and the original adj. wrench)
-carpet (installed many years ago)
-bucket seats (still have the original)
-120 amp GM alternator
-32x11.50 Goodyear MTR on FJ60 rims
-epoxy primer paint is looking pretty rough. I'm probably going to drop it off at a shop any day!
-76 front axle with discs and brake booster
-rear window gear changed to a brass one. Works great. Key switch just started getting flaky. Interior window switch is fine.
-frame is in good shape
-new rotors and pads last year
-new ball joints two years ago
-lockrite removed and stock diff (the original one from the old front axle) installed
-warn front hubs
Bad stuff:
-door hinges are in terrible need of a rework
-weather stripping? What weather stripping?
-paint and some bodywork needed for the sheetmetal (but I may be getting that done very soon.
-one cracked rear door window (does not leak)
-underside of body is good in places, poor in others. Most cruiser people see it and think that it's in overall good shape
-headliner has some small rips but nothing bad
-rear heater is out and electric motor is toast
-washer motor needs replacement
Good stuff:
-Runs well and starts even in the winter without help from ether!
-Brakes are about as good as they have ever been. Rear disks would be a good upgrade.
-hand brake actually works!
-all lights and electricals work. No gremlins whatsoever. No halfa#& wiring.
-complete
So here is the skinny: because I have a young family now and plenty of other projects, I think I want to find this lovable cruiser a new home. It is not the best cruiser out there. It is not rust free. It is loud. It is slow. It may be ugly to some. However, this is a mechanically well maintained vehicle that has a long history and I would love to put it into good hands.
I have almost every single original part that came on this truck that is now sitting (wheels, seats, skid plates, license plate frame, air pump, etc). I also have a 74 cruiser (with a 3spd installed) parts truck. It is rough but did drive when parked and the motor looks better than mine. This could be a package deal if you like!
I will be putting up more pictures depending on the interest. The truck is in southwest Virginia. For now, here is one from this past winter:
If you are interested in trading for an 95-97 FJ80 I would love to talk. I have started looking at some...
Thanks for reading and let me know what you think!
Michael
