Ask a photographer to pick their best images from a solo two week roadtrip in Alberta and BC. Humm. I took thousands of photos with my ancient Nikon D700 and Samsung cell phone. I was traveling in my ancient 1991 FJ80 Toyota Landcruiser. Fall colors were absolutely amazing – perfectly timed, and there was almost no one else on the road. I took the Forestry Trunk Road (Alberta #40 / #732) on and off from Hinton to Coleman. Details in previous posts.
My selection for best 12 photos.
One of the youngest trucks in my fleet – Only 31 years old !.
It is a US truck, in miles – slightly confusing when the speed limits in Canada are in Km. Compared to most trucks of its age (e.g. old battered Ford pickups), there is no rust and a few small dents and scratches. It does have a crack in the windshield, though where I live that is considered normal. The combination of extreme cold and gravel roads makes cracked windshields inevitable.
It has a ARB front bumper, Warn Zeon 12 winch, ARB airlocker on rear differential, 2.5″ Old Man Emu heavy lift, rocker guards and a 23Zero rooftop tent on a DIY roof rack with Smittybuilt + 8020 rails.
Needs minor things like a new windshield, mudflaps, and flares. Mechanically very solid.
Maintained properly for the past 4 years for sure, can’t speak past that as no records.
I count the emission delete as an upgrade lol.
For winter use, the is a liner for the 23Zero tent and a Propex2000 heater.
Really tempted to have a Campteq poptop tent installed for additional headroom.
Got any questions or comments – Drop me a line.
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I admit
I am a Landcruiser Nerd. I don’t tape on my glasses, or wear a shirt pocket pen holder…
But – I do live and dream about landcruisers, and have a few in my yard. For the number of times that people have asked – “How many landcruisers do you have ?”, had they given me 1$ – I could have bought another one. !
Yes, I do have a few, and am still looking at landcruisers for sale. One day a few weeks ago one caught my eye. It is a 1984 BJ60 that had been converted to a pickup (Australian ‘Ute’). Although in much better condition that mine, it looked very similar. Could the same person have done the conversion from SUV to pickup ?
I contacted the owner so determine if he had any information. Interesting enough, he had also been contacted a few months ago asking if he had seen a similar truck with a custom deck, a vehicle that he had modified 16 years previously.
Well, that truck is the one I have now !. Strange coincidence !
16 Years ago (2006)
And Now (2021)
It hasn’t changed much. The paint is more dull, a bit more dirty, door corners are rusty. It even had the same roof rack (which I have since removed).
During that time it was in Lytton BC and Salmo BC with two different owners.
Have you ever purchased a ‘Used’ item and wondered about its history ?
If you buy a used vehicle – you can ask the owner about the vehicles history, and / or purchase the vehicle history report (e.g. CarFax) that includes accident and repair notes.
The title of this post “Project” I should probably get a girlfriend” and the text below were written by the previous owner of a vehicle I now own. The previous owner “crawlin cruiser” had purchased the 1973 FJ55 Toyota Landcruiser and described the restoration and rebuild on the ih8mud forum (https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/project-i-should-probably-get-a-girlfriend.401231/) (July 23, 2010 – Sept 26,2018).
I have copied and condensed the text from the link above, and in bold some unique sections.
I already have an fj40 buggy, a nice hj61 as a dd, my dodge cummins tow rig and now this……….
1973 FJ55
Purchased from previous owner in Keremeos, B.C.
Those are the pics from last summer when I picked it up.
It has sat in my yard till yesterday when I started work
Plans are
soa with lockers
ps(saginaw)
35s
might use my sm420 out of my buggy when I install my stak
and yes those ARE fj55 bushings
For the steering I was just going with what I have and what i know. personally I think 60 series boxes suck the big one anyways. never used a scout though?
thnaks, the po did the turn signals. guess it works? this truck is all go no show good from far far from good. paint is done,
I actually bought a set of soa axles about two months ago dirt cheap. rear even has a locker . cut the old ones out, bolt the new ones in. done. I do need to add a set of ford towers though
Paint finished and it drives.
There are still rust issues in the rockers, rear fender lips and rear quarters but overall for what i have into it(which isnt very much) im a happy guy.
Any pics of the headliner. This looks interesting to me.
i don’t think its stock. It looks good though
Curtains !!
Weird… What the heck is that headliner made of? Are those indentions where it screws in?
curtains= shagin wagin!
Wow. I’m surprised I didn’t think of that. I’m actually kind of bummed I didn’t think of that….
Sign you are getting old…
Curtains was one of my first up grades when I got my cruiser … I took them out! Of course mine didn’t look that good. They were 1970’s bandana red looking weirdness.
I have no idea how its held up. but its soft foam with the liner over top. if I flip the truck over it would be a great place to sleep.
Well guys,
This project has taken a turn for the worst
Project” i should probably get a girlfriend” turned into “wholy fxxx, I landed a smoken hot redhead”
Lets just say progress has been slow. I have stared on the rust repair, and ps.
Teaser of this weeks project
Grinding, cutting, torching,welding…….. repeat x100
New rocker, floor, body mount
Tech question, what is the relation of a pitman arms lenth to its “home” steering box? I got a scout box as Jon sugested, but the arm is about 10″ !! i have shorted steering arms for saginaw boxes… what will this do to the steering raito?
I had no idea that you were this cool. Where did you find the 55?
I’m soo cool….. I can have a project in every section (IH8MUD forums)
Long time no update. Finished off all the little stuff. took the swiss cheese passenger fender and gave it new steel.
Shotty fender repair
Finished product?. I doubt it
Few more little additions. I got the roof rack on, stereo installed and even got the tires ballanced
Shot of the truck at the lake with the rack
Well guys…. Time to dig this pig out of its ice sarcophagus and do some fixin. A bit of cosmetic, got the brass gear for the window. And a few small mechanical mods she will be as good as new!
Has it been sitting there since 2011?
No not at all. Only about a year. Only reason I parked it is because the clutch is gone. So instead of a clutch job it’s getting an sm420 with an EBI adapter kit
Clutch,trans,transfer. Front shocks. New hood Window gear
And probably a bunch of other crap while its in the shop haha.
It has begun….
GUESS GIRL FRIEND THING DIDNT WORK
Sure did, getting married this summer. And she let me build this
A couple wheeling pics to keep you interested while I wait for parts
So after pulling the 4spd and transfer I found out my truck actually has an f engine. Now I know why it’s so slow haha. Has anyone put the 10 spline chev disc in the f clutch?? I’ve only done it on 2f components. Just wondering differance and whatnot.
Well The chev disc fits in the f flywheel but I don’t know how I feel about the old Style pressure plate. I think I’m just gonna tear into another parts truck and grab the 2fbits needed
Hey guys I’m still having clutch problems. I’ve got ll my 2f bits on the f engine but I have 2 different throw out bearing hubs. One has a 1 3/4 for the bearing and one is 2″. Both came off 4 spds. Does it matter what one I use??
This part of the clutch fork assembly should determine which bearing.
Not too much to report.. Sm420 swap worked out great. Drives good. Replaced the drivers door. But back in he shop right now for more body work. Just out for a Little rip at the river behind the farm!
I’m also on the look out for a good drivers fender and affront rad support. Mine is beyond fixing
Spring over suspension, Detroit locker in rear differential, 4.11 gears.
Scout power steering, On 35” BFG tires
Rusty at drivers quarter panel, small holes in drivers floor and cargo area.
Interior panels removed for inspection (included). Light bezels included.
Pressure washed, paint stripped. Lots of layers of paint.
Oldest paint – White top, Orange lower.
More pictures upon request.
Includes: spare Toyota 2F engine, drivers door, drivers side passenger door, rear hatch, power window motor, radiator, engine head and floor mats.
Located in Yellowknife, Title in my name.
Farewell to the 1999 4runner. It was called 4-2. 4-1 (sold) was its earlier sibling, followed by 4-3 (sold). 4-4 (1997), and 4-5 (1999) are still in the family. Not crazy original names!. Good thing I didn’t name my kids. Lol.
With 5 Toyota 4runners (I miss read the memo about 4 runners…Ha Ha), it was difficult to keep track of which one was which, and to refer to them. I am not into giving my vehicles people names. My dad had a couple of Volvos. He was always fixing something, cursing and sometimes calling them “Swedish Shit”. That said, they were good cars, and they (and the occupants) survived car accidents in which my family would probably not survived.
I digressed…
Prior to Covid, I had only one car – a 2000 Toyota 4runner. It was Jade Green, Manual and ‘stock’. I spent a ton of money on maintenance and repairs – in retrospect many things i could have done my self. When Covid really hit the fan in my town – another Jade Green 4runner was advertised. Asking price was $1000. Body was in near pristine condition – but it blew blue smoke. Most likely a Head gasket failure – a major and costly repair. A gamble – Could I fix it ?, or simply a truck to practice mechanics, or simply for parts. My daughter and did a few repairs – value cover gaskets, and compression test. A vehicle to spend time with my daughter whom had expressed an interest in mechanics.
“Covid Illness”…It starts !
While searching for parts, I came across another 4runner. The Covid illness had started, but I didn’t notice. Bought another 1999 Toyota 4Runner – Silver, Manual, ARB front bumper. Great Truck, needed a few repairs and had a bit of body rust. This one got the name of 4-3.
“Covid Illness”…It continues !
And then, bought another 4Runner !. 1997, Silver, Manual, ARB bumper with winch, leather interior, rebuilt engine, short shift transmission, elocker, and straight piped. Driving it – feels like a sports car, with the throaty roar, and short shifting, and the lack of rear anti-sway bar !. Obviously this truck got the name of 4-4.
“Covid Illness”…It goes on and on !
4-5. Yes – My fifth 4runner !. 1999, Silver, Manual, rebuild front and rear suspension, rusty rocker panels and quarter panels, and front which and stinger type front bumper. It was filthy !!. Mud all over the dash, and dog hair everywhere.
Yes – 5 Toyota 4Runners in my yard. !!
4-1 (manual) and 4-2 (automatic) were stock. Drove more like a station wagon.
4-1 beside its bigger brother
4-2
Usual state of 4-2
4-2 on its way top new owner. Ironically, towed away with another 4runner !.
4-3 with stiff shocks felt like a heavy truck, and 4-4 feels like a sports car. 4-5 has been neglected – though feels more like 4-3, distinctly truck like.
4-3 on Marian Lake ice road (NWT).
4-4 ‘Road Runner’
Delivery day (4-5)
Since then, 4-1, 4-2, 4-3 have been sold, and 4-4 will be soon.
Does a person really need 5 4Runners ??
Without a doubt – No. But sure was fun having them. Basically the same vehicle, though each one is distinct, and its own feel when driving.
Soon, down to only 4-5.
But the illness continues. Why do I call this My “Covid Illness” – Check a previous post. In brief, vehicle maintenance, repair, buying and selling is a new thing for me, and started with the Covid shutdown. It is a mental distraction during the times that we are not able to socialize.
..The Symptoms are now a collection of Toyota Landcruisers – But that is another post.
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For this 1982 Toyota Landcruiser it literally is the end of the road. It has approximately 370,000km on the dial. Is it restorable ?. Probably, but not economical.
Its parts will live on in other vehicles. Conveniently, most of my fleet is also 1982 BJ60 Landcruisers and also the BJ42.
Thus far, two days to get to this partially disassembled state. I’ve never taken an entire vehicle apart. Actually, I do my best to avoid taking things apart – as that usually mans what ever it was is broken, and there is no guarantee that me taking it apart will ever result in a successful re-assemley.
In this case, instead of cutting and hacking the vehicle to pieces, I am trying to be organized. Bags of screws and bolts from each….except I forgot to label the bags (frown).
It is a therapeutic process. Not simply sweet revenge on something mechanical, bashing with with a sledge hammer, smashing al the pieces into smithereens. Instead, it is a thoughtful process, determining the order that parts were assembled, and how there were attached. How is this thing attached, where are the nuts and bolts, which tools do I need, and how do I get my fingers and hands in there to turn the wrench.
Sometimes it is easy. The screws loosen and the piece is easily removed. Overtimes, I just can’t find the darn bolt, or can’t get my hands in position to turn the wrench, of the screw is stripped, or – I just don’t have the right tool. Ok – be like McGiver and figure it out. In case you are too young to know, McGiver was a TV character who could always build a tool using only what was available.
And, then there his the physical effort of reaching in and over, in awkward positions, dropping a bolt an drawing under the truck, back to the tools, back to the engine, get another tool…over an over. It isn’t cardio activity, more like yoga. Stretching, holding poses, and mindfulness. Yoga Mechanics ?
Purists will scoff. Call it what you like-
For me, it is a welcome relief from sitting (“driving a desk”), moving only my index finger all day.
After a couple of hours of Yoga Mechanics my body and mind feel relaxed.
What is your equivalent of Yoga Mechanics ?
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A guy and his truck. Trucks are a new thing for me. Yes – I’ve had trucks before but nothing like now. Since Covid, I’ve taken up an interest in trucks, fixing them (or trying to), and collecting them. I call it my Covid illness. The covid pandemic has affected every one differently – for me, it is Toyota 4runners and Landcruisers. More importantly – it is an activity to keep me busy. Yes – it is just a big piece of metal and I’d rather be spending time with friends. But – busy lives and Covid has changed all that.
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