About a year ago, I started looking locally for a Landcruiser. My initial plan was to put my soon to be 16 year old son behind the wheel as his first vehicle. As a safety factor, I wanted a rig with a frame in the event he ran into something. Well, I came upon this 1988 fj62. It had weak brakes, seemed gutless, shifted really hard, had an engine miss and some other issues like the power windows and door locks. But, I could only find one significant rust spot right below the rear hatch window. The price was a little high, but the owner came down pretty quickly once I showed him the Kelly Blue Book value. The Cruiser started talking to me from the moment I climbed into the drivers seat, and I was hooked.
I didn't know much about Toyotas or Landcruisers, so right after I bought it, I took it to my mechanic for the initial once over. It didn't take long to rack up a big bill--radiator, hoses, belts, water pump, valve adjustment, alternator, exhaust gasket, replace vital fluids, adjusted the brakes and transmission kick down cable, even a stab at fixing the power windows and locks. So at about two grand, I said uncle, and brought it home. I would have to be my own mechanic on this vehicle.
Soon, I discovered rust--on the interior! I wound up removing both fenders to finally get the leaks stopped. In the process of removing the fenders and looking around under the rig, I realized just how free from rust this thing really was. That is about the time it hit me that this was a really cool vehicle. And then I also realized that the vehicle was at a cross roads. Either it was going to be a run-out and driven til it fell apart, or it needed a degree of restoration. I ultimately decided that the vehicle was just too classy to be a run out. So I took my son out of the Landcruisers future,
and put myself in. 
About this time is when I discovered IH8MUD. As I began researching on MUD, I discovered answers to problems, as well as common failures and solutions. I started fixing stuff that was wrong! I bought a Factory Service Manual and started reading. I also discovered that sometimes you guys talk each other into stuff you shouldn't be doing.
So here is a brief list of the maintenance and improvements I have done over that past few months. Most of them initiated or solved by this website:
At this point, it is ready for the paint shop. I decided to take a few "prior" pictures for posterity. The blue paint is "Zero Rust" that I used as a primer after grinding out any spots of rust and treating with "Rust Mort". The black paint is rubber under coat. I am de-chroming around the windows, but I like the chrome wheels, bumpers, mirrors, and door handles. I think it adds just the right retro feel. So, here are some "ready for paint" pics. I'll follow up after with how it turns out.
I didn't know much about Toyotas or Landcruisers, so right after I bought it, I took it to my mechanic for the initial once over. It didn't take long to rack up a big bill--radiator, hoses, belts, water pump, valve adjustment, alternator, exhaust gasket, replace vital fluids, adjusted the brakes and transmission kick down cable, even a stab at fixing the power windows and locks. So at about two grand, I said uncle, and brought it home. I would have to be my own mechanic on this vehicle.
Soon, I discovered rust--on the interior! I wound up removing both fenders to finally get the leaks stopped. In the process of removing the fenders and looking around under the rig, I realized just how free from rust this thing really was. That is about the time it hit me that this was a really cool vehicle. And then I also realized that the vehicle was at a cross roads. Either it was going to be a run-out and driven til it fell apart, or it needed a degree of restoration. I ultimately decided that the vehicle was just too classy to be a run out. So I took my son out of the Landcruisers future,
and put myself in. About this time is when I discovered IH8MUD. As I began researching on MUD, I discovered answers to problems, as well as common failures and solutions. I started fixing stuff that was wrong! I bought a Factory Service Manual and started reading. I also discovered that sometimes you guys talk each other into stuff you shouldn't be doing.
So here is a brief list of the maintenance and improvements I have done over that past few months. Most of them initiated or solved by this website:
- Gentex auto-dimming mirror with compass and outside air temp.
- Fuel Pressure regulator and dampener (fixed a low rpm cut out)
- Adjusted the Throttle Position Sensor (fixed a rough and high idle)
- Vehicle disable circuit to prevent unauthorized use (theft)
- Upgraded to Daniel Stern recommended head lights, daytime running lights, and marker light/turn signal modification
- Replaced the vacuum hoses with blue silicon
- Figured out a fix for the power windows and door lock switches using relays
- Found Cruiser Dan
- Red Neck Ram for a steering box rebuild
- Added the Wagongear weatherstrip mods
- LED dash light upgrades from Super Bright LEDs
- Addition of a transmission cooler and Rodney flush procedures.
- Leather steering wheel cover that cured the squishy feeling
- New bushings and grommets above and below the tranny hump cover fixed the gear shifter slop
- New O2 sensors as preventative maintenance
- Started installing RAAMmat inside the doors prior to paint, on the floor, etc after paint.
- Mostly though, IH8MUD is a confidence builder. If we help each other, we can keep these rigs going for a long time.
At this point, it is ready for the paint shop. I decided to take a few "prior" pictures for posterity. The blue paint is "Zero Rust" that I used as a primer after grinding out any spots of rust and treating with "Rust Mort". The black paint is rubber under coat. I am de-chroming around the windows, but I like the chrome wheels, bumpers, mirrors, and door handles. I think it adds just the right retro feel. So, here are some "ready for paint" pics. I'll follow up after with how it turns out.
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