Your Opinion: Top 5 Upgrades for FJ60?

[morganism]

Put in another alternator where the air pump was, and go full dual elect systems, Lots of talk on-site of folks doing that.
New rear bumper with spare carrier, so you can put in extended travel tank ( get your tank recall done first, so you can resell the stock sized one). Wiring harness upgrade, as much as you can find.
Cargo area locking storage wall pieces, so you can keep parts stashed, and not stolen. Remember, easy to steal or open these old locks.
upgrade center console with more secure storage, and CB mount. Maybe a seat upgrade at same time.
Vacuum gauge to Dash.
Circuit breakers to replace fusible links. And run a 12v on landscape wire to the rear cargo area, and put in Inverter, USB and Cig lighter plugs.
Put in FJ62 doors to get power windows.
Replace wiper linkage now, before it fails in CO winters.

 

[morganism]

Put in another alternator where the air pump was, and go full dual elect systems, Lots of talk on-site of folks doing that.
New rear bumper with spare carrier, so you can put in extended travel tank ( get your tank recall done first, so you can resell the stock sized one). Wiring harness upgrade, as much as you can find.
Cargo area locking storage wall pieces, so you can keep parts stashed, and not stolen. Remember, easy to steal or open these old locks.
upgrade center console with more secure storage, and CB mount. Maybe a seat upgrade at same time.
Vacuum gauge to Dash.
Circuit breakers to replace fusible links. And run a 12v on landscape wire to the rear cargo area, and put in Inverter, USB and Cig lighter plugs.
Put in FJ62 doors to get power windows.
Replace wiper linkage now, before it fails in CO winters.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

Why would he ever need a second alternator? If you're worried carry a spare, it's a 10 minute job to change in an FJ60. Dual electrical systems may occasionally be useful but not for what the OP describes. It just adds complexity without anything that's needed.

And why would he ever replace fusible links with an circuit breaker? Fusible links are simple, robust, cheap, virtually never themselves cause problems, and are not failure prone like most automotive circuit breakers?

And you want to run an inverter on landscape wire that at most is 10 gauge?

Now the wiper linkage thing is not a bad idea, especially while it is still available from Toyota!

 

[erse]

Cargo area storage panels are not great bang for your buck IMO there just isn't a whole lot of room in there. If that's the goal a drawer system would be a better investment.

Long range tank
Good suspension
Brake upgrade
Fuel injection
Comfortable front seats

These would probably be my priorities if I were in your shoes.

 

[Trapper50cal]

Lift
33's
fj62 diffs (4.11's)
knuckles/TREs
4runner wiper arm conversion

runner-up

transmission to transfercase drainplug/overflow bypass hose
oil galley plug

 

[Chris Cahill]

My top 5 to date:

1. Desmog using Jim C parts
2. Carb rebuild (Jim C does a great job but you can do it yourself with factory manual and some patience)
3. OME lift (I got the heavy front and rear) with 33" BFG AT's and Pro Comp 51 series rock crawlers
4. 4 Plus rear bumper with tire carrier and jerry can holder swingouts (the quality of Dave Gore's work is amazing)
5. ARB front winch bumper (the 4 Plus front bumper is also a solid choice, I have one on the 60 in my profile pic but love the look of the ARB)

Honorable mention:

Man-A-Fre 21/2 inch cat-back exhaust

 

[MANUCHAO]

Long range tank
Good suspension
Brake upgrade
Fuel injection
Comfortable front seats

^^ THIS...

Check ✔

Im down for the cargo locking panels..
You would be amazed not only how much storage, but how well they hold it......

To the OP

5 top upgrades is just wrong.....
we addicts up in here...

 

[Roger Martiinez]

There is a lot of brilliance here. Thx all!

 

[Roger Martiinez]

Wiper conversion...I've been thinking about that because my existing ones are particularly sickly and anemic.

 

[g-man]

At 380K has your motor been rebuilt? What do you know about it's health? Compression test, valve adjustment, sludge build up?

 

[Devils Paw 80]

Wiper conversion...I've been thinking about that because my existing ones are particularly sickly and anemic.

Perhaps you need a better linkage. 4Runner wiper conversion won't help that-unless it's because the arms have better springs. Can't recall if it's been mentioned, but Fj62 mirrors are an easy upgrade if you can find a cheap donor.

Long range tank-definitely don't bring it in the house.

 

[OGBeno]

A Corolla.

 

[DevonBen60]

The lift and 33's just make the truck look great. When we live in Bolivia -- bigger tires were absolutely necessary. There were almost no paved roads.

LED head lamps. Nice! I ended up converting mine to halogen lamps.

That seating sounds luxurious!

The 33inch tyres give you an extra inch of diff clearence which can be handy

 

[Rusto]

My top 5 mods - all of which I've done, so I put my money and work where my mouth is.

1. 31 inch tires. More clearance, and it makes the 4-speed nicer on the highway. I can cruise at 65 all day long with the 4 speed. It revs a little high, but its comfortable. I've considered 33s, but have heard that it's too much tire for stock gearing. 31s are good enough for me.
2. OME springs, shocks and stabilizer. Get whatever lift you want. I went with 2.5" and the change was one of the biggest improvements I've made to date. It rides SO much better. More responsive, smoother, less body roll, less floating, etc. More capable on and off road.
3. Saginaw PS pump upgrade using @orangefj45 kit. If you don't HAVE to stay Toyota, I'd do this. I just did, as a matter of fact and the difference is very noticeable. Plus, if the pump ever goes out, it's super cheap to replace. Add in an 80 steering box (direct bolt on) and steering is supposed to be sublime.
4. Rebuilt carb / change all vacuum lines, check for exhaust leaks. Again, I just did this and i feel like my 60 is running like it's brand new. I've heard JimC does great work, but mine is my DD so I had to find an option for a swap. Trail Tailor @reevesci carries Mark's Off Road rebuilt carbs and will do a core swap with you if you can't be without your truck for weeks.
5. Interior upgrades. This is definitely a personal thing. For me, it's how i most interact with my ride. new foam, seat covers and carpet give mine a, dare I say, luxurious feel. This is really a guilty pleasure, other than new foam, as it's almost all for appearances. I did add sound deadener and an extra layer of jute, so it's much quieter.

for what you describe you'll be doing, I don't see the value in upgrading electrical unless these other mods are done. And if you go with the upgraded extended range tank, you do have to find a place for the spare tire. That makes for an expensive upgrade.

Next items on my list -
6. Galley plug fix. i'd hate to not do this, then wished I had, that's for sure
7. Front bumper with winch. maybe extend the stock bumper and make room for a winch or ARB bumper with winch plate
8. Rear locker. Cable operated preferred, but air with on board compressor would be sweet.

 

[Devils Paw 80]

And if you go with the upgraded extended range tank, you do have to find a place for the spare tire. That makes for an expensive upgrade..

Not necessarily. SOR sells a reasonably priced cargo area spare tire carrier. That's what I've got, without a long range tank. The under frame system is a PITA to maintain.

 

[mep1811]

I also found out about Land Cruisers driving them in the Chapare doing CN operations with the UMOPAR . I spent about a year taking Land Cruisers all over the jungle .

Then I drove an armored one in Peru for 6 years. When I got to El Paso in 1998,I found a 1985 FJ-60 which I still have .

The best mods are debatable depending on what you want to do. I suggest a long range gas tank, do all maintenance , H55 trans, rear locker (I have a Lock Right. Chep and works) up grade headlights and harness (I use Hella housings and H-4 bulbs that way you can keep the classic look.) , check the steering shaft and steering U joints and lub and replace . ( I just wrote a thread on this )
I also did a strut conversion on the hood no more fighting with the hood.

 

[erse]

Not necessarily. SOR sells a reasonably priced cargo area spare tire carrier. That's what I've got, without a long range tank. The under frame system is a PITA to maintain.

Brief thread hijack..sorry, doyou have a pic of that? May need that as a temp solution

 

[Devils Paw 80]

Brief thread hijack..sorry, doyou have a pic of that? May need that as a temp solution

Will get one posted up tonight or tomorrow AM.

 

[NeverGiveUpYota]

I also did a strut conversion on the hood no more fighting with the hood.

This is key if you plan on wrenching a bunch under the hood. I need to add that to my list ASAP. I’ve heard it’s super and cost maybe $50 (think it’s on the “under $50 mod sticky”).

 

[mep1811]

FJ-60 hood strut conversion