Tank HJ60

[pelss]

I have been lurking this forum for a while and this is my first post here. Started this thread to document the build and question forum members on 60-series Cruisers. I’m from Latvia (Europe), so not a whole lot of 60-series specific knowledge available locally. There is only one other HJ60 in the country as far as I am aware of.

It all started about 18 years ago when my daily driver was Freeborn Red TLC HJ60. That was my uncle’s car, but was given to me to use. Drove it for about two years and then bought something more suitable for 20 year-old. The car stayed in the family and was rarely used, then for few years parked outside.

Eventually about two years ago I won it in a bet and it was officially mine.

It didn’t have technical inspection so I put it on trailer and brought home.

Unfortunately those few years the car was parked outside turned it into a rust bucket.

to be continued..

 

[pelss]

..

At that point I decided to purchase another TLC and build one that could take me to Sahara desert. Some of you may ask why Sahara, but I have a photo of it in Sahara from previous owner and it inspired me to bring it back.

So I started searching for 60 series Land Cruiser with better body and chassis. Didn’t rush the process as I didn’t want to spend a whole lot of money on it or buy one that is in similar shape to my Freeborn Red.

End of last year found this diesel Tank in Poland.

Three years ago it was imported to Poland from Spain where it was NATO’s vehicle. There are some bits and bobs that needs to be fixed, but overall it’s in a good shape. For those of you from California might be hard to understand how hard it is to find a solid TLC in Europe that doesn’t cost you kidney. It was priced little above my budget but I still decided to pull the trigger and buy as it comes with the same engine that my Freeborn Red has and has very little rust compare to others.

To be honest Tank is in such a great shape that I was able to get a Historical Vehicle Certificate which means no Road Tax for next 5 years.

...

 

[pelss]

..

So this is how I ended up with two TLCs. Technically its two Cruisers, but in reality it will become one plus pile of spare parts for when I need them.

The plan is to take Tank apart, rebuild everything, respray and prepare for shorter and longer camping trips. The ultimate goal of course is Sahara.

This forum gives me a lot of inspiration so I will try to update this thread regularly to give it back to Mud community.

Tank has its own Instagram profile tank_hj60 in case anyone interested to follow the build process over there.

Here is the last photo before it taken apart.

to be continued...

 

[Joe T]

Sounds fun.

We get 4 years of registration and inspection here in Texas for classic vehicles. Very helpful, makes keeping these old things around easier with less paperwork time.

 

[SteveH]

Great photos. You will find lots of support and knowledge here.

 

[rrv333]

Congratulations on having two 60's and keep the forum updated as to your progress.

 

[pelss]

So here goes the interior..

 

[pelss]

After interior is out everything else follows..

 

[Joe T]

Interesting the original color was matte green...

 

[pelss]

Initially I thought that body is in a great shape, but turned out it was made look good for sale. Roof and rear arches were the worst, everything else was fine.

I am really happy that chassis turned out to be good and nobody messed with that. I was able to find used roof in Holland and the seller had brand new rear arches and rear bottom panels as well. I decided to buy all body panels that I needed and get delivered all together as shipping costs almost as much as the roof itself.

That's about it for this week. Let's see what surprises engine brings as it is next in line..

 

[pelss]

Interesting the original color was matte green...

It seems that it was beige metallic from factory

 

[hj 60]

I used the same panels and should have used a few big magnets to line them up with the original curve.
I don't know how to weld them on properly, I did not cut anything off, spotwelded all around and waterproof with spraycan black tar, but there seems a better way but I don't know what that is.
Maybe should have cut the line above the rust and not use the complete panel?
Anyway it is rock solid, kick it a much as you want.

cheap action spraycan:

more pictures but not much to learn from me
last welding, inside arches and a bit more chassis - Page 4 - hj60

 

[pelss]

I used the same panels and should have used a few big magnets to line them up with the original curve.
I don't know how to weld them on properly, I did not cut anything off, spotwelded all around and waterproof with spraycan black tar, but there seems a better way but I don't know what that is.
Maybe should have cut the line above the rust and not use the complete panel?
Anyway it is rock solid, kick it a much as you want.

cheap action spraycan:

more pictures but not much to learn from me
last welding, inside arches and a bit more chassis - Page 4 - hj60

Thanks for posting the photos. I will update this thread as I move on with the project

 

[mongoose2231]

Great work, keep it up

 

[pelss]

Not much visible progress this week, however it took a lot of time to take two engines apart. Two because it turned out that engine in Tank was in pretty shabby condition, so the Freeborn will become a parts donor. Cylinder head has cracks in multiple places so that will be taken and rebuilt from the Freeborn. Camshaft and some other bits as well.

More to come as I progress with the build..

 

[FJACS]

Did you cut the old metal out from behind your new patch panel or lay it over top of the original body?

 

[hj 60]

That is a lot of work, are you replacing all the bearings, gaskets, other parts?
new pistons?
I don't know if the engine runs any worse with the cracks?

FJACS if you mention the red panel, I welded it over the original and only cut the rust out, that seems to be the Neanderthal way of welding But is is very strong and I don't mind the looks, it is 4x4 fun and travel for me.

 

[pelss]

Did you cut the old metal out from behind your new patch panel or lay it over top of the original body?

I haven't started body works yet. Possibly next week or the week after.

 

[pelss]

That is a lot of work, are you replacing all the bearings, gaskets, other parts?
new pistons?
I don't know if the engine runs any worse with the cracks?

FJACS if you mention the red panel, I welded it over the original and only cut the rust out, that seems to be the Neanderthal way of welding But is is very strong and I don't mind the looks, it is 4x4 fun and travel for me.

I won't replace pistons, but yes all the gaskets, bearings etc.

The body for The Freeborn is really shabby so I won't be restoring that one and the truck will be used as a parts donor. I am taking best parts from both and hope to build one in decent condition.

 

[pelss]

The new roof is on and that's pretty much the only update this week.