Yet another FJ60...3rd time's the charm!

[LakeNorman_FJ40]

So after realizing that selling both of my prior mint condition FJ60s was a stupid move on my part I started looking for my 3rd 60 series.

Seems like all I could find was lots of rust, lots of miles, or lots of price. Finally back in May, an '84 FJ60 with 90K miles that spent its entire life in Texas pops up.

Wasn't able to get it inspected but the photos showed real promise so I bought it sight unseen and had it shipped to Atlanta. Anyone here that's owned or restored a few FJs knows that's a big gamble...

Truck arrived and wouldn't start. Had to get my wife to help me pull it home from the drop off point. At which point both her and I were seriously questioning my logic of purchasing sight unseen.

So I got it home and in the garage for an inspection. Crawled under with a flashlight and found... nothing. I'd stumbled on the proverbial 60 series holy grail - a completely rust free FJ60!!!!

Its mostly OEM with few exceptions:

- ARB front bumper
- Iron Man lift and shocks (near new)
- Man-A-Fre distributor
- Man-A-Fre / Weber carb
- Man-A-Fre exhaust with cat delete
- BFG A/Ts sized 31x10.5

That's it! Just a little but of surface rust on the chassis. But in dire need of a very thorough detailing.

Story goes that the truck was in garage storage for over 10 years - just sat and wasn't driven. Based on the condition of everything I don't doubt it.

Very much a "survivor" truck. All original interior down to the WORKING stock AM/FM Radio and speakers!

No cracks in the dash and nothing hacked on! Other than the drivers side bottom seat cushion being stained and worn on the bolster and some carpet fading, the rest of the interior is very good condition!

More posts to follow as I get the truck cleaned and do a light cosmetic restoration on it.

 

[Random Dan]

That looks quite nice! Was the drivers door replaced at some point?

 

[LakeNorman_FJ40]

Nope, it's just missing that section of US dealer installed trim!

The thought of pulling those other sections off the rest of the truck makes me fear pulling OEM paint off with it.

 

[LakeNorman_FJ40]

More photos:

 

[LakeNorman_FJ40]

Test compounded out the paint on the rear quarter panel...

...this is going to shine up nice! Got to love single stage paint!

And absolutely no rust on fenders or rockers.:

After tons of scrubbing the wheel wells they simply won't come clean. So started painting them satin black along with the chassis, driveshaft, and axles:

 

[mongoose2231]

Very niceeeee, good luck with it. Let us know when it starts.

 

[LakeNorman_FJ40]

Thanks. Oh and it's starts and runs...carb float was stuck.

Before I started serious detailing and cleaning/painting the underside it made a trip to ACC Garage here in Atlanta for an initial go-over and some minor repairs (sticking carb float, new disc brake pads, and weeping block freeze plugs).

Drives perfect. And if you are debating updating your tired OEM suspension...omg...this Iron Man setup rides so smooth. Likely would have kept FJ60 #2 had it rode like this one.

 

[Big Cruiser Guy]

Sweet ride; nice find. What's the plan?

 

[SteveH]

Nice find! Seriously desmogged engine, eh? Love that dash shot with the OEM radio.

I would hit those stick-on rub strips with a hair dryer (not a heat gun) and gently pry them off. I doubt you will lift off the OEM paint, but warm it well and go slowly. Likely, the strip will come off and the goo will stay behind. At that point, use a plastic scraper (or plastic putty knife) and slowly push off the goo while heating it. It will be slow and tedious. When you get down to a small residue, then use chlorinated brake cleaner (or lacquer thinner) and wipe off the goo with a cotton cloth. Then buff, wax, etc. as desired.

 

[drillduty]

Great looking rig! Congrats!

 

[LakeNorman_FJ40]

Thanks. Not sure about the plan for the truck. Wanted to prep it for off-road use...but it's so original I don't want to permanently modify it.

Probably will:
- floor mats
- rear seat belt
- NOS Con-Ferr roof rack
- Aussie inclinometer
- non-USA mirrors

For now just trying to restore the interior and exterior.

Here's the result of 3 hours of polishing the rear lift back and tailgate:

And some more underside detailing:

 

[hj 60]

That is really a nice find and no rust for sure, that can last 30 years, the shock tube welding looks a bit off day
Now "bought unseen" has a new standard, Texas sure is good for cars.

 

[LakeNorman_FJ40]

Nice little surprise found in the fender vent. Little doubt the truck came from a dry climate...

 

[sitesbyjoe]

Awesome find!

 

[SteveH]

Perfect - your truck now has a nickname (if you're into nicknames)

 

[TRAIL TAILOR]

"THE SCORPION CRUISER"

J

 

[erse]

What are you using for the satin paint detailing on the chassis etc. looks great. And it now has a cool nickname! what more can you ask for...

 

[60 toy ota]

what's the little mechanism with the chain going down into the spare tire? it looks kinda like the pulley to let the wheel drop but IIRC those came off the factory line seized with rust. Amazing find!

 

[rrv333]

Congratulations on getting back in the game. Great looking 60

 

[FJ40Jim]

Where did you spot this beauty for sale? CL? 'mud classifieds?....