Builds The Rustbucket: 1988 HJ61 frame off project (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter HoJo 61
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
TLC Norway
woodwelder
Happy hundreds!! 
And good luck on the recovery, sucks to be dysfunctional like that, but you can probably do some planning and thinking meanwhile. I always think, it could have been worse.
And good luck on the recovery, sucks to be dysfunctional like that, but you can probably do some planning and thinking meanwhile. I always think, it could have been worse. 
- Thread starter
- #63
Thank you neighbor!Happy hundreds!!
Planning and spending money is what i mostly do.
yup, even the finns on the wrong side of the atlantic work with rusty $h!t!
cruisedeisel
Toyota's for life
Way to plow through it. My frame wasn't that bad. I have re-built one rear frame section and re-conditioned another. Im not sure which one was easier. Good work!!!
I want your axles.
I want your axles.
- Thread starter
- #67
If i had access to that good frame i wouldn't think twice to go that way. Sandblasting and painting would have been much faster than rebuilding, but what fun would that be after all.
How bad is the road salt there? I have seen on TV they use some kind of beet juice(?) to prevent icing on roads.
Aaaand the axles, money talks.
i don't believe alberta is too bad with the salt, but southern ontario is downright stupid!!! they have started to use a beet juice but you still see the salt domes full of the tin worm eggs
- Thread starter
- #69
How well does the beet juice work compared to salt, should be less harsh for environment and cars however.
The amount of road salt they use in southern Finland is just something plain awful. It's not that bad here in mid Finland.
The amount of road salt they use in southern Finland is just something plain awful. It's not that bad here in mid Finland.
i don't believe it works quite as well as salt. but i'm betting that it doesn't rape sheet metal near as bad either. mind you, i think that people should just quit being pussies n just learn to drive accordingly with snow covered roads. like, WTF!!??!!! ok, i'll get off my soap box
Wow Hojo. Your dedication to preserving 60's is inspirational!
Seeing this and some of the other European threads really makes me grateful to live in a dryer place where salt isn't needed on the roads. I think I also got lucky and got a good truck that was garaged most of its life. I was fully intending to take the body off when I started my project, but I soon realised it wasn't necessary. The body has turned out to be 99% rust-free and the few spots I found weren't serious enough to warrant welding in metal. I've just ground clean, painted with rust sealer and in a couple of places patched a small hole with fibreglass cloth and epoxy resin. Will last forever. The chassis is also near pristine. Just some minor surface rust. When I get all the body reassembled soon I'm just going to give everything a liberal coating of fish oil - the chassis, the floors and in all the body cavities.
Keep up the good work
Seeing this and some of the other European threads really makes me grateful to live in a dryer place where salt isn't needed on the roads. I think I also got lucky and got a good truck that was garaged most of its life. I was fully intending to take the body off when I started my project, but I soon realised it wasn't necessary. The body has turned out to be 99% rust-free and the few spots I found weren't serious enough to warrant welding in metal. I've just ground clean, painted with rust sealer and in a couple of places patched a small hole with fibreglass cloth and epoxy resin. Will last forever. The chassis is also near pristine. Just some minor surface rust. When I get all the body reassembled soon I'm just going to give everything a liberal coating of fish oil - the chassis, the floors and in all the body cavities.
Keep up the good work
- Thread starter
- #72
Just a small update about gathered parts:
Galvanized sills and lower rear quarter repair panels from the Netherlands, Cruiserworld.
Front and rear brake parts, water pump, clutch cylinder + misc parts from Germany.
New OEM Koito headlights surprisingly from Finland. Thanks to @Samppahj for pointing out a place where to ask for these.
Still to find/buy:
Front fenders, front rocker panel, rear glass, windshield, rear split bumper...
Engine gasket kit, front/rear axle seals, springs, body mounts+other rubber parts, TREs, shocks...
All the paints, tires, chrome wheels(?), side stripes(?)
+ tons of bigger and smaller parts. Feels like the list is endless at this point.
By the way, happy new year to everybody!
Galvanized sills and lower rear quarter repair panels from the Netherlands, Cruiserworld.
Front and rear brake parts, water pump, clutch cylinder + misc parts from Germany.
New OEM Koito headlights surprisingly from Finland. Thanks to @Samppahj for pointing out a place where to ask for these.
Still to find/buy:
Front fenders, front rocker panel, rear glass, windshield, rear split bumper...
Engine gasket kit, front/rear axle seals, springs, body mounts+other rubber parts, TREs, shocks...
All the paints, tires, chrome wheels(?), side stripes(?)
+ tons of bigger and smaller parts. Feels like the list is endless at this point.
By the way, happy new year to everybody!
Nice score on the headlights! Koito is Toyota's partner/preferred supplier for lighting.
Happy New Year.
Happy New Year.
- Thread starter
- #74
Hello, finally got some time to update this thread. Been super busy at work as things has piled up...
I've got my leg mostly back together and have been walking without walking sticks for three weeks now.
I still "feel" every step i take, and normal movements haven't fully recovered yet but that doesn't stop me, been back at work for two weeks now.
However, the Rustbucket is at a stand still. The garage owner needed the extra room and i had to move the frame out for rest of the winter, expect at least 2 months long delay... bummer.
But in the meantime, i have sourced used, but good original spring packs with shackles and pins, cover plate for transmission, fuel line cover and fuel tube connector. More of the bold parts later when i get my hands on them.
Well, i had to have something to do on my free time, so i bought an another project.
Sorry, not a Land Cruiser nor Toyota but BMW. 1993 E36 325. There is a little catch in this one.
This one came with 2.5L engine from the factory but somebody has swapped a 2.0L engine to it.
And it didn't pass yearly roadworthy inspection due to rust holes in floor pan and emissions.
This "gem" was my friends daily driver, and most likely would still be if it passed, but he doesn't have the tools to fix the rust (and interest) so i made him an offer and he accepted to it.
My plan is to swap the 2.5L engine back to it, fix the rust, make it roadworthy and sell it to fund the project Rustbucket. Finding a complete M50B25 engine was a pretty much pain in the arse. They simply are not everywhere. If one popped up for sale it was gone the same minute.
I was lucky to find a "long block" engine from salvage yard, asking price was thru the roof compared to condition and missing parts/mileage/maintenance info but i had to test the ice. After 4 days of negotiating, we agreed on a price and they send the engine my way. 630€ negotiated to 170€, not a bad deal IMO.
Of course i had to source all of the missing parts so, instead of buying them separately i bought another engine for 200€. This one had blown lower end, everything else is salvageable + parts i don't need can be sold.
This brings us to the present. I have aquired all new gaskets and misc. parts to build the long block back in to complete (hopefully) running engine, ready to replace existing M50B20 engine when time allows.
Well, i think that's it for now. I know some of you have been waiting for updates on my build as much i want to get back on working on it, but these are the circumstances for now, unfortunately.
I dunno if there is any interest in BMWs, but if there is, i would be more than happy to share my journey with you guys. I have no previous experience with BMWs or gas engines, except for chainsaws, lawnmowers etc... so this is pretty exciting learning course for me.
There it sits and waits for spring.
Covered in tarp however.
New to me springs, pretty darn good condition for over 30 year old parts, should have little over 300k kilometers on them only.
BMW engine 1.
BMW engine 2 in parts. Rear end was starting to feel soft-ish..
Engine 1 on stand stripping and cleaning in process.
And the BMW.
And there is this. 3 breaks in total.
10 screws and a titanium plate should hold everything back together.
I've got my leg mostly back together and have been walking without walking sticks for three weeks now.
I still "feel" every step i take, and normal movements haven't fully recovered yet but that doesn't stop me, been back at work for two weeks now.
However, the Rustbucket is at a stand still. The garage owner needed the extra room and i had to move the frame out for rest of the winter, expect at least 2 months long delay... bummer.
But in the meantime, i have sourced used, but good original spring packs with shackles and pins, cover plate for transmission, fuel line cover and fuel tube connector. More of the bold parts later when i get my hands on them.
Well, i had to have something to do on my free time, so i bought an another project.
Sorry, not a Land Cruiser nor Toyota but BMW. 1993 E36 325. There is a little catch in this one.
This one came with 2.5L engine from the factory but somebody has swapped a 2.0L engine to it.
And it didn't pass yearly roadworthy inspection due to rust holes in floor pan and emissions.
This "gem" was my friends daily driver, and most likely would still be if it passed, but he doesn't have the tools to fix the rust (and interest) so i made him an offer and he accepted to it.
My plan is to swap the 2.5L engine back to it, fix the rust, make it roadworthy and sell it to fund the project Rustbucket. Finding a complete M50B25 engine was a pretty much pain in the arse. They simply are not everywhere. If one popped up for sale it was gone the same minute.
I was lucky to find a "long block" engine from salvage yard, asking price was thru the roof compared to condition and missing parts/mileage/maintenance info but i had to test the ice. After 4 days of negotiating, we agreed on a price and they send the engine my way. 630€ negotiated to 170€, not a bad deal IMO.
Of course i had to source all of the missing parts so, instead of buying them separately i bought another engine for 200€. This one had blown lower end, everything else is salvageable + parts i don't need can be sold.
This brings us to the present. I have aquired all new gaskets and misc. parts to build the long block back in to complete (hopefully) running engine, ready to replace existing M50B20 engine when time allows.
Well, i think that's it for now. I know some of you have been waiting for updates on my build as much i want to get back on working on it, but these are the circumstances for now, unfortunately.
I dunno if there is any interest in BMWs, but if there is, i would be more than happy to share my journey with you guys. I have no previous experience with BMWs or gas engines, except for chainsaws, lawnmowers etc... so this is pretty exciting learning course for me.
There it sits and waits for spring.
Covered in tarp however. 
New to me springs, pretty darn good condition for over 30 year old parts, should have little over 300k kilometers on them only.
BMW engine 1.
BMW engine 2 in parts. Rear end was starting to feel soft-ish..
Engine 1 on stand stripping and cleaning in process.
And the BMW.
And there is this. 3 breaks in total.
10 screws and a titanium plate should hold everything back together.
TLC Norway
woodwelder
oh, thats a crap break. At least you can service it yourself, add loctite to the screws if they loosen up.
BMW for funding is sometimes what we have to do. I've done several similar tasks, also it makes us appreciate the nature of old toyotas with their rugged simplicity. Good luck on the foot and the bmw!
BMW for funding is sometimes what we have to do. I've done several similar tasks, also it makes us appreciate the nature of old toyotas with their rugged simplicity. Good luck on the foot and the bmw!
suomen sisu! good to see you back at it.
- Thread starter
- #77
Thank you neighbor!
Friends have suggested using grease zerks if my ankle starts to jam.. funny.
I'm already scared to hell of all those sensors and electronics, they are everywhere. I can't wait to get back on working on 12H-T.
Thanks pal!
hojo, what a fantastic build , what a shame im not your neighbour 
- Thread starter
- #79
Well well, time really flies.
First of all, don't expect to see a half finished rig in this post, this is just a small update to show you guys i'm still around, and the project is still in works, not abandoned in a backyard.
Progress has been super slow due to the BMW, it gave me hard time figuring out why it wouldn't pass emissions test so i let the professional take care of it lastly. Turns out it had bad cat, bad o2 sensor, and 3 or 4 bad ignition coils. Jeez what a nightmare, and it wasn't cheap. That's how your quick and easy projects end up like usually, right? I have been daily driving it for about 3 weeks now and i have to admit, pretty fun little car to drive.
And then there is work, uh, doing 8-15 hours per day really takes its toll, i don't really have any lust on welding or anything like that at the end of a day. What i mean, that really limits project building days to weekends.
But, let's get on the topic. I brought the frame back to the shop about 3 weeks ago and started working on it the next day, nothing major, mainly doing some welding, grinding and measuring the body hangers back on place. That is really slow alone with tape measure.
Had to source some main components for the frame i thought i could use but they were too far gone.
Luckily i found them quick and in really good condition. Huge thanks goes @Samppahj who cut them from his spare frame and send my way quickly. Samppahj has been huge help with sourcing parts too. Not to forget he has 3D modelled some NLA parts, don't forget to check out his build thread!
But, the sad reality is that the goal has to be lowered due to very limited time. My goal for this year was to get the frame, axles and power line ready and bolt the cab back on frame at least. I hope to get the frame and axles ready, maybe engine and gearboxes too, time will tell.
I got some pics too:
Here we have the frame back indoors, ready to be worked on.
Welds grinded flat and transmission crossmember brackets back in place.
Reinforcing the frame with plates.
This crossmember was too far gone but got a replacement from Samppa. Plus the body hangers.
These too.
Also sourced better front fenders. And a lot of bits and pieces, like better rear seats, brackets, bolts...
First of all, don't expect to see a half finished rig in this post, this is just a small update to show you guys i'm still around, and the project is still in works, not abandoned in a backyard.
Progress has been super slow due to the BMW, it gave me hard time figuring out why it wouldn't pass emissions test so i let the professional take care of it lastly. Turns out it had bad cat, bad o2 sensor, and 3 or 4 bad ignition coils. Jeez what a nightmare, and it wasn't cheap. That's how your quick and easy projects end up like usually, right?
I have been daily driving it for about 3 weeks now and i have to admit, pretty fun little car to drive. And then there is work, uh, doing 8-15 hours per day really takes its toll, i don't really have any lust on welding or anything like that at the end of a day. What i mean, that really limits project building days to weekends.
But, let's get on the topic. I brought the frame back to the shop about 3 weeks ago and started working on it the next day, nothing major, mainly doing some welding, grinding and measuring the body hangers back on place. That is really slow alone with tape measure.
Had to source some main components for the frame i thought i could use but they were too far gone.
Luckily i found them quick and in really good condition. Huge thanks goes @Samppahj who cut them from his spare frame and send my way quickly. Samppahj has been huge help with sourcing parts too. Not to forget he has 3D modelled some NLA parts, don't forget to check out his build thread!
But, the sad reality is that the goal has to be lowered due to very limited time. My goal for this year was to get the frame, axles and power line ready and bolt the cab back on frame at least. I hope to get the frame and axles ready, maybe engine and gearboxes too, time will tell.
I got some pics too:
Here we have the frame back indoors, ready to be worked on.
Welds grinded flat and transmission crossmember brackets back in place.
Reinforcing the frame with plates.
This crossmember was too far gone but got a replacement from Samppa. Plus the body hangers.
These too.
Also sourced better front fenders. And a lot of bits and pieces, like better rear seats, brackets, bolts...
OMG what did I miss? Is this the khaki green machine all stripped down?
