I think all of us agree that the FJ60 is an incredible vehicle.
I learned to drive in our FJ60 in La Paz, Bolivia, during the 1980s when my father was aerial mapping coca drug labs for DOD. It saved my ass when I rear-ended a Bolivian Cholo Bus (like the one below) -- I hit it hard and the bumper barely bent.
When my brother visited from the States, we snuck out the house and drove it up a dry river bed, and later it hauled part of my Boy Scout Troop to hike over a section of the Andes Mountains and travel the Ruta de la Muerte (the Death Route) when traveling to the jungle (Las Yungas).
About 5 years ago, I finally bought one (almost rust free except the well-known rust in the rear wheel well and a motor with 380,000+ miles) and started repairing the important stuff myself (OME suspension, water pump, carb, elec. fuel pump, complete brake and master cylinder overhaul) and planning for the rest. Cutting off the old frozen and flat suspension off was a beast, but I did it myself and I loved every minute of it.
I had to stop my restoration for the past three years -- I moved back overseas to work in Spain (I'm a historian) -- but just in two months I get started again and I can't wait.
I need your opinion and advice.
Although we agree the truck is great, we also know that there are a number of changes that can be pursued so that the truck is a better fit for the 21st century. For example, Saginaw vs. factory power steering pump if you increase tire size. Or, upgrading the alternator to support more electronics and brighter lights (?). Or, changing over to a Weber carburetor. Or, converting the AC over to R134.
So, from your perspective, what do you consider to be the 5 most important improvements you've made to your cruiser from a money perspective? Where did you feel you got the most bang for your buck?
thanks, r
I learned to drive in our FJ60 in La Paz, Bolivia, during the 1980s when my father was aerial mapping coca drug labs for DOD. It saved my ass when I rear-ended a Bolivian Cholo Bus (like the one below) -- I hit it hard and the bumper barely bent.
When my brother visited from the States, we snuck out the house and drove it up a dry river bed, and later it hauled part of my Boy Scout Troop to hike over a section of the Andes Mountains and travel the Ruta de la Muerte (the Death Route) when traveling to the jungle (Las Yungas).
About 5 years ago, I finally bought one (almost rust free except the well-known rust in the rear wheel well and a motor with 380,000+ miles) and started repairing the important stuff myself (OME suspension, water pump, carb, elec. fuel pump, complete brake and master cylinder overhaul) and planning for the rest. Cutting off the old frozen and flat suspension off was a beast, but I did it myself and I loved every minute of it.
I had to stop my restoration for the past three years -- I moved back overseas to work in Spain (I'm a historian) -- but just in two months I get started again and I can't wait.
I need your opinion and advice.
Although we agree the truck is great, we also know that there are a number of changes that can be pursued so that the truck is a better fit for the 21st century. For example, Saginaw vs. factory power steering pump if you increase tire size. Or, upgrading the alternator to support more electronics and brighter lights (?). Or, changing over to a Weber carburetor. Or, converting the AC over to R134.
So, from your perspective, what do you consider to be the 5 most important improvements you've made to your cruiser from a money perspective? Where did you feel you got the most bang for your buck?
thanks, r
