Your Opinion: Top 5 Upgrades for FJ60? (2 Viewers)

[boerboel313]

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

Lol. Many of the pics remind me of passes we took in Northern Afghan in F250 and 350s. Such a great time in my life. There almost 5 years straight.

 

[boerboel313]

Tell me about why you chose the H55 transmission -- why that change makes sense for you?

I too did the H55h amongst many many modifications from stock. As you know the 60 came with the 4 spd manual. The 5 gear tranny gives you a lower range 1st gear but more importantly the 5th gear works as an overdrive as in an Auto tranny. Better fuel economy, lower RPMs at highway speeds, oh yes, highways speeds. I can do 80 in my heavily modified 6500 pound 60., stay away from Weber carbs. I made that mistake and am going back to OME carb and distributor.
Desmogged, but depends what the laws are in CO.
Llifted for sure, I have about 4” maybe more on 33.
New seats for those longer drives.
ARB front number with a quality winch ( I have WARN 8274)
Mybe an ARB rear locker.

 

[g-man]

1. H55f. Because throwing the shifter into 5th gear feels great on the highway.

2. get your driver's seat to an upholstery shop for repairs and new foam. Your ass will thank you later.

3. new suspension. Take some stress off your life. You don't realize how much bracing and wincing you do when you hit a pot hole on the freeway with a worn out suspension.

4. h4 headlights and harness (now you can actually see at night)

5. new oem window regulators. Because If you're not a body builder those 17 inch biceps will just look funny compared to the rest of your body.