Irish's 1990 FJ62 Slow Build (aka the The Flying Brick)

[irish_11]

After years of playing with Toyotas I finally decided it was time for a cruiser. I've been a fan of 40's since before I got my license and have always wanted one. I wanted something that I could tinker with and continue to use my Tacoma http://www.expeditionportal.com/foru...xtra-cab-build as daily driver.

I started looking around this winter for a project rig with the following criteria.

• Needed to carry passengers
• Could be made reliable
• Did not need an engine swap or frame off (due to moving too frequently/lack of space)
• Needed to have a classic look/feel
• Needed to be a Cruiser

This list led me to the FJ60/62 platform (sorry future 40, I will find time for you some day). After scouring the web for information on the platform I started my search. I talked to a few of my coworkers who have 40's, 60's, 62's and FJ's and ended up deciding on a 62 due to the fuel injection, gearing and I kind of dig the square lights on a square body. Then the search picked up, I stumbled across "the Tractor." I drove up to Bellingham to look at it (80mi North of where I live). It looked good, but the price was too rick for my blood. So I posted up on Ih8mud for advice and continued the search. Turns out the rig had a long life on the forum already. I got in contact with a friend of the original owner, found out a bunch of good info and decided it was the right rig. So I low balled the owner based on the info I had and what it needed to have done. After that, the rest was history.


Here is a list of the mods it came with:

Suspension:

• 2.5" HFS Lift (very saggy)
• 33 BFG AT's

Body:

• ARB Sahara Bull Bar
• Warn 9k winch
• Home Made Rear Tire Carrier

Other:

• Electric Fan (converted back to factory by me)
• Hella 500ff lights
• Cobra CB
• Window tint
• Lots of "character"

Current Photo:
282925_10100376275597740_914275710_n.jpg

[irish_11]

Mods:

Exterior:

• ARB Bumper
• Warn 9k Winch
• Blacked out trim
• Monstalinered Rocker Panels
• Snorkel
• PFRAN LED backuplights

Interior:

• Smittybilt console
• RAM GPS Mount
• Cobra CB
• LED interior and dash lights
  

Drive Train & Suspension:

• 33x10.5 BFG ATs
• 2.5" Hell's Creek Suspension Lift
• OME Shackles
• Hayden Transmission Cooler

Electrical/Other:

• MV50 OBA Setup
• Yeasu FT7900r
• Cobra CB
• Blue Sea Fuse Box with 50amp Breaker
• Fully LED Interior
• Whelen Talon front strobe
• Federal Signal rear Traffic Advisor
• Hella 700ff lights (HID converted)

[KC Cruiser]

Looks like you are off to a good start! Good luck with the build.

[dorton]

Very cool. Congrats on the purchase. I've always had a soft spot for that body style.

[cruiseroutfit]

Looking forward to updates

[1911]

Nice truck; have fun with the build and keep posting photos as you go.

[redthies]

Awesome find! Love the 60 series cruisers!

[irish_11]

Got it back today. Not too bad of a change if you ask me. I had it converted from the double cats into a single high flow cat followed by a flow master muffler and 3" out the rear. You can definitely hear it and you don't have to smell it anymore! He used a little bit of the old exhaust off the y-pipe but everything else looks clean.







And the obligatory image of my FJ and Tacoma together:

[irish_11]

Due to my lack of spare time currently and inexperience with what lives inside the axles I had a shop rebuild my front knuckles. Needless to say its nice to be clean, have my time, but wow did that cost some money. Apparently they hit some nicely rusted bolts and other items that slowed them down. I bought the rebuild kit from Kurt at cruiser outfitters with the intent of doing it myself, so I went all out because I did not want to do it again for a long time. New bearings, all the gaskets, upgraded Marlin inner gasket, etc. After all was said and done and I ran my card, I probably should have done it myself. This is the first time in the last 2 years I've had a mechanic touch any of my cars. It’s nice and clean, everything looks great and best of all NO MORE LEAKS! Also, they pointed out my transfercase was making some noise (potential upcoming rebuild), along with the steering rack bushings being warn. Sometimes its nice to have someone who knows look into your rig so you can see things coming.

I think I'm going to cut the cruiser off for a bit. I also bought LED bulbs to replace all the burnt out bulbs in the dash, a new battery tray to replace my rusted through model and a mount for my GPS. Needless to say this week has been expensive for the cruiser. I'll post up photos when I have the LED's in.

[irish_11]

Well I started in on my de-chroming. I removed the vents, grill and headlight windows. I roughed them up with some 100 grit sand paper. Then laid down two coats of primer and two coats of appliance epoxy. I have never used this stuff before, but I think it turned out pretty good. I pealed off the trim around the doors and roof as well. no rust under it so far, but I have heard horror stories. I am going to get the new rubber for the rear windows, tailgate and front window from Wagongear here in a few weeks. After that all I will have left is the mirrors, door handles and my factory rims that I am thinking of switching out for black steelies.


Additionally, the Cruiser has now been dubbed "the Flying Brick." I actually kind of like the name, haha