After months of researching and seeing/driving 60s in the PNW I finally pulled the trigger. Treebeard is a February 1984 FJ60 that I bought for $3,000 with 292,000 miles on the clock. Before I found the truck it sat under a tree in Olympia for three years. I'm a noob wrencher so this thread should be good inspiration for anyone who, like me, fell in love with these old trucks with very little prior experience working on cars.
Story:
Build log:
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Hey all, I've caught the bug for a 60 series and may have stumbled on a good deal but I'm curious to know what y'all think. I've been offered a beige 1985 FJ60 with 292,000 miles on the original 2F for $3,000. I would not need this to be a reliable driver at first but I would hope to be able to fix it up by summertime. Eventually an engine rebuild or replacement would be in order. I am not an experienced mechanic but I'm excited to learn and totally prepared to take advantage of having Torfab nearby.
Pros:
* Low price of $3,000
* Weber carb
* De-smogged
* Best color
* Newer radiator
* Newer exhaust manifold
* Original wheels
* Body in good condition (very minimal rust on rear wheel wells, straight original bumpers with caps)
Cons:
* High mileage
* Some rust on tailgate
* Sat under a tree for three years
* Very dirty interior but seems superficial (no cracks in dash)
* Loose valve on second cylinder (noticeable tapping in lower gears)
* Factory tach doesn't seem to work
* Factory gas gauge doesn't seem to work (waterlogged from sitting unused with fuel in the tank?)
* Rear hatch latch only works some of the time
* Needs a new exhaust pipe
Would you go for it?
Story:
- Would you buy this FJ60? (this post and the original thread title)
- Bringing Treebeard home (page 2)
- The head is out! (page 6)
- Cracked cylinder wall (page 8)
- Getting a new heart (page 10)
- The new engine arrives (page 11)
- Out with the old (page 11)
- In with the new (page 12)
- Engine install and gas tank fun (page 13)
- First drive (page 13)
- Three months! (page 14)
- Shakedown drive to Portland (page 17)
- First camping trip (page 18)
- Seattle to Chicago trip kickoff (page 24)
Build log:
- Cleaned up moss and dirt inside and out (2/20)
- Replaced front side markers (2/20)
- Replaced tail light lenses (then broke one) (2/20)
- Replaced tailgate light bezel (2/20)
- Replaced rear passenger window lever (2/20)
- Removed, washed, and reinstalled seat upholstery (2/20)
- Shampooed carpets (2/20)
- Added Lloyd’s floor mats (3/20)
- Swapped 292k 2F with a 166k 2F (including alternator, PS pump, AC compressor, starter, coil, carb, exhaust) (3/20)
- Cut my fan shroud in half (3/20)
- Drained, dropped, cleaned, and reinstalled gas tank (3/20)
- New oil, coolant, PS fluid (ATF) (4/20)
- Replaced choke cable and knob (4/20)
- Replaced locking gas cap with OEM (4/20)
- Cleaned and straightened up rear cargo panels (4/20)
- New TREs (4/20)
- New front brake calipers and pads (4/20)
- Grille painted (4/20)
- Frame hole above muffler repaired (5/20)
- OME heavy install (springs, shocks, shackles, pins, bushings, u-bolts) (5/20)
- Extended rear brake line (5/20)
- 33" tires (5/20)
- New, extended sway bar links and new D-bushings (5/20)
- New wiper blades (5/20)
- New(er) dome light assembly (5/20)
- Leather steering wheel cover (5/20)
- New battery cables (5/20)
- Knuckles rebuilt w/new bearings (6/20)
- Diff/trans/transfer fluid replaced (6/20)
- Diff/trans/transfer plugs replaced w/allen heads (6/20)
- Install 2 degree caster shims (6/20)
- Rust-free tailgate (6/20)
- LED interior lighting (6/20)
- Install CB radio (7/20)
- AC fixed (not fully converted but running R-134) (7/20)
- Rear axle rebuild (8/20)
- Rear brake rebuild (shoes and hardware, turned drums) (8/20)
- Headlight washers fixed with new relay (9/20)
- Rust-free fuel tank installed (9/20)
- Delete rear spring isolators (9/20)
- Upgrade markers and gauges to LEDs (9/20)
- New quad gauge (9/20)
- New fuel sender (9/20)
- Fix carb fan with new relay (9/20)
- Freshen up grille and headlight surrounds (10/20)
- Install Firestik in stock antenna location (10/20)
- Flush brake fluid (10/20)
- Install new master brake cylinder (10/20)
- Install new bell cranks (11/20)
- Oil change, fluid top-off (12/20, ~297k mi)
- New battery (1/21)
- Heater core flushed (2/21)
- Cityracer LED headlights installed (3/21)
- Door overhaul (vapor barriers, sound deadener, front window runs) (3/21)
- Wire carb fan up to thermosensor (3/21)
- Reseal rain gutters (3/21)
- New carpet and soundproofing (3/21)
- New cargo panels (3/21)
- Replace missing AC drain hose (3/21)
- Lean-drop carb (3/21)
- Replace both quarter panel badges (3/21)
- Rotate tires (3/21)
- Replace front running bulbs, reverse bulbs, license plate bulbs (3/21)
- Replace t-case oil (3/21)
- Install rebuilt alternator (4/21)
- New air filter (4/21)
- New OME steering stabilizer (4/21)
- Install Draw-site 75725 hitch receiver (4/21)
- 4Runner wiper kit from CityRacer (4/21)
- New hood bumpers (4/21)
- New thermostat (5/21)
- New fan clutch (5/21)
- Oil change (5/21, ~301k mi)
- Replace oil filler cap gasket (5/21)
- Flush clutch fluid (5/21)
- Grease drive line and suspension (5/21)
- Plasti-dip wheels (5/21)
- Replace o-rings and charge A/C (6/21)
- Replace (most) vacuum lines (6/21)
- New PCV valve and grommet (7/21)
- New fuel filter (7/21)
- Install kill switch (9/21)
- Install new front speakers (9/21)
- Install hand throttle (9/21)
- Install new rear cargo panels and speakers (9/21)
- Wire up Blue Sea panel to rear cargo area (9/21)
- Replace front PS wheel well, undercoat all wheel wells (9/21)
- Install new front wheel well aprons (9/21)
- Install 90s 4runner head unit (9/21)
- Install Scheel-Mann Vario XXL driver seat (9/21)
- Oil change (10/21, ~308,500 mi)
- Install White Knuckle sliders (12/21)
- Remove snake blinder, cover holes with chrome trim (12/21)
- New battery (1/22)
- Replace front DS window regulator, door handle, and moisture barrier (1/22)
- Dual battery system installed (1/22)
- Upgraded electrical buildout in rear cargo panel (1/22)
- Windows tinted with 3M Color Stable 35% (2/22)
- Install new OEM rearview mirror (2/22)
- Oil change (3/22, ~311,500 mi)
- Replace hood insulator (3/22)
- Installed Trail Tailor rear bumper with dual swing-outs (4/22)
- Install 3-lobe Boss airbags in the rear (4/22)
- Oil change (4/22, ~314,500 mi)
- Installed ARB front bumper (4/22)
- Install 5x alloy wheels and spare (4/22)
- Oil change (11/22, ~321,3100 mi)
- Replace all coolant hoses
- Install extended breather hoses from diffs
- Install extended breather hose for transfer case
- Install rebuilt transfer case
- Install rebuilt transmission
- Replace clutch / RMS / etc
- Repair rust in floor at rear
- Repair rust on rear wheel wells
- Repair body rust on quarter panels
- Replace broken rear PS door light switch
- Replace broken rear hatch light switch
- Grind, rust convert, and paint frame
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Hey all, I've caught the bug for a 60 series and may have stumbled on a good deal but I'm curious to know what y'all think. I've been offered a beige 1985 FJ60 with 292,000 miles on the original 2F for $3,000. I would not need this to be a reliable driver at first but I would hope to be able to fix it up by summertime. Eventually an engine rebuild or replacement would be in order. I am not an experienced mechanic but I'm excited to learn and totally prepared to take advantage of having Torfab nearby.
Pros:
* Low price of $3,000
* Weber carb
* De-smogged
* Best color
* Newer radiator
* Newer exhaust manifold
* Original wheels
* Body in good condition (very minimal rust on rear wheel wells, straight original bumpers with caps)
Cons:
* High mileage
* Some rust on tailgate
* Sat under a tree for three years
* Very dirty interior but seems superficial (no cracks in dash)
* Loose valve on second cylinder (noticeable tapping in lower gears)
* Factory tach doesn't seem to work
* Factory gas gauge doesn't seem to work (waterlogged from sitting unused with fuel in the tank?)
* Rear hatch latch only works some of the time
* Needs a new exhaust pipe
Would you go for it?
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