The Short Rib (9 Viewers)

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Joined
Jun 13, 2010
Threads
257
Messages
2,468
Location
SW Michigan
After selling the Musturd and a 5 year hiatus from Land Cruiser ownership I had the itch again and have been on the hunt for another classic Cruiser. I knew at some point the right one would pop up, but I was getting fairly discouraged looking locally as most were piles of rust. Looking back out west turned up a few candidates, but the logistics were difficult to work through. My wife was even starting to get tired of my endless search when this 55 popped not super far away. This rig might be the complete polar opposite of what I thought I would end up with, but I instantly was drawn to it and had to go for it. Making the deal was a little rocky and a 15 hour round trip to get it home. It's a beast and at some point lived it's best life out in California running the big trails. Now it's in Michigan and hopefully will get back on the road soon. I am really looking forward to some day taking the family wheeling in Colorado again, and this will certainly be the vessel to accomplish that. Here is the short rib:

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There is a lot going on with this pig, and I have a lot of exploring to do to find out what I actually have. I was able to find two different posts on mud regarding this rig, one from 2009 and another from 2014, providing some information about the build and pictures. The owner I purchased it from made some updates as well. What I know so far:

1970 model year pig
350 sbc, 700R4, NP205 transfer case
Dana 60 rear with disc brakes that barely clear the leaf springs, Moser 6x5.5 axles
Mini truck (I think) front axle
60 series steering with hydro assist ram
ARB air lockers front and rear supposedly with 5:29 gears
36" really old Interco Irok tires
Full interior cage with random buckets seats, Corbeau seats in the rear
Custom rear bumper and fuel tank setup
Autometer gauges that mostly don't work

I can drive it around the block, but it's needs a lot of attention. Overall this is great news and I am ahead of the game of where I thought I would be since most rigs in my price bracket didn't run. As far as rust goes, the windshield frame in the top passenger corner is the worst spot and I need to figure out what to do about it before getting a new windshield. The rain gutter above the passenger door shows some rust as well, but overall it is in amazing condition for a 55 (minus the missing few inches in the back). I am super excited to dive into this pig and start cleaning things up.
 
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That one went thru ISA auction last year, I can’t remember what it went for but I thru a bid on it. Always wanted to bob a pig and make more of a wheeler. Love the wheel base for wheeling just hate the overhang.

Congrats!! Where you living these days?

I just searched ISA auctions and that makes sense as the rig was in Wisconsin. Turns out the guy I purchased it from wasn't a very truthful person, he said he built the truck, but I knew he didn't after finding the threads here on mud. The title matched the vin numbers on the body, hopefully I don't have issues getting the title in my name. That will be next week's project.

@greenbeast , I am on the Michigan/Indiana border near South Bend, a looooong ways from Colorado!
 
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I remember reading about the ISA auction in the pen. I wanted it but was to far away. After your assessment, I wish I had made more of an effort…
 
Congrats @kbahus !
That thing is gonna be some kinda fun!
Looking forward to seeing some new history happen 👍🏼
Sure looks familiar…. maybe @55guy and @Half Wacked aka Split Pea have seen that rig?
Yes I’ve seen that pig not sure who built it, But I think littleJohn had one also or that’s it. He would probably Remember. Little John on mud not sure what happened to him he used to post, I think that’s two different rigs I’ve seen the one in the rubicon trail
 
I remember seeing this bobed pig online in the early 2000s (or one like it) back when people would smash the crap out of fj55s on every type of f-ed up road, break it, fix it and do it again next weekend...
Id say this rig has good bones and won't ever really appeal to the paint huffers because of the Bob job.
So your best option here is probably make it safe, and then wheel the piss out of it!
Those were the days.

Are your rockers made of steel tubing and capped into air tanks? I remember a write up on that from way back in the day. Cool mod.

Anyway, congratulations on owning the best model of Toyota landcruiser ever made and I'll bee eagerly watching your progress.
 
Little John on mud not sure what happened to him
Probably still staring at that pic of his rig with the driver front tire being lifted by the forklift.
Does anyone have that pic saved? I need one for my archive. There used to be hundreds of them and then he went and erased them all.
 
The bob job is kind of a bummer for me, I could really use the space for the family, but there is more room than a 40 would have provided so I am still ahead! I don't think the rockers are air tanks, that would be sweet though.

Here is a really old pic of the rig, explains the holes in the roof.

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I love the bobbed pigs...

@Gumby built this into one of my all time favorites...

 
I will be spending some time this evening looking that thread over. It's pretty neat to see that rig is in Kentucky as I have plans to do some of our wheeling down there, it would be fun to meet up.

How does everyone handle cracks in the door hinges? I have a few.
 
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