Restoring My 1984 Toyota FJ60 Land Cruiser 

Hey legend, Dan here from Broome, Western Australia. We own a 1989 hj75 troopycarrier with a hj60 12HT engine. Widely regarded as the the most reliable engine ever built by Toyota. Absolutely love it mate. Hope you enjoy it

That hi mount winch is unreal. Give it a service and it will last forever!

Great project. As a Comms guy, I would make sure it has a good GMRS, VHF and possibly a HF radios, with at least one set top repeater mode.

I’m a ford guy but I appreciate your taste in trucks. That Toyota was also designed and built before the manufacture’s decided to make planned obsolescence designs and builds. ( meaning designed to wear out and break). The hat, beard, flannel , jeans and boots remind me of the moon shiner named Popcorn Sutton. You guys rock a great channel and fantastic work and play ethic that reflects your passion for Christ. Amen brothers !!!

Love your 60. 2 upgrades I would seriously consider is a Holley Sniper EFI for the 2f. Total Game changer. You mention in the video that this will be a daily driver, if you do any hwy miles consider a H55 5 speed transmission. These were super popular in the Middle East and South / Central America. I have the H55 in my FJ40 along with the Sniper EFI kit….Highly recommend

Awesome project and great choice of vehicle. Your plans are spot on. The only thing I would recommend is a locking differential if you plan on off roading much at all. Locker makes them almost unstoppable. Had a factory locked series 80 with 350k and now have locked 3rd gen 4runner with 385k. Old Yotas will run indefinitely! Can’t wait to see the paint job.

Just happy Tech Guy found the time to upload the video! Great stuff.

That thing is awesome man! I’ll be working on my 1964 17’ Boston whaler today. Gotta love the classics!

The plans for the truck sound awesome, glad you are keeping the stock engine. I have 94 FZJ80 series all stock still (minus standard ear and tear items, factory exhaust still though) with 335k on it, best vehicle ever.

LOVE your Land Cruiser and what you are doing with it! The FJ60 is my dream truck as well. I keep my eyes peeled for a truck to restore, but the cost is pretty insane. I would consider a roof rack if you need room for more gear & upgraded headlights. Hope to see more videos on you Land Cruiser!

seriously when it comes to treating the frame and under carriage ,I highly suggest looking into a spray on product called woolwax instead of the undercoating,I put a ton of research into this topic I did what your doing to a 1999 tacoma this last fall.And im very pleased with there products . Take the time and do a little research its worth it. Thank you for your service!And also being a witness for Christ!!!!

Speaking as a 30 year master technician. Former Toyota master tech. The Toyota is like the AK-47. It works well and it works for a long time. I prefer both.

Beautiful, this gives me hope for straightening out my 84 FJ60. Same color, but it has a TBI chevy 350 with a 5 speed. I wouldn't have pulled the original I6 personally, but the 5.7 ain't terrible, still bulletproof. Cheers!!

you're blessed to have that! what a great vehicle. thank you for sharing with all of us.

I miss my old '85. Glad people are still taking care of them.

TLC is an amazing company. Can’t wait to see it

Sir, you truly understand what few modern people understand about these Icons. Good luck with your journey.

Jack Carr would definitely be interested in that!

That is a cool truck👍

Chad, I am really excited that you picked up your dream truck and that you are going to restore it, and then use and maintain it as long as you can. It’s a beautiful vehicle, and it will serve you well for decades! And the utility/usefulness aside, it’s just really cool! Enjoy!

You need to get that to Chattanooga Tennessee. Some real sick car clubs with guys who are top notch with this kind of vehicle also you have nearby mountains to play around

Best video of all time

I'm all about the vintage vehicles that have historically reliable engines, ones that lack all of the electronics and that either you, or your average mechanic down the road can still work on. Old Ford trucks, etc. I've got a '92 Dodge W250 with a 12 valve Cummins that I just got. What a great truck!! It should also last me the rest of my life. I plan on maintaining it, taking care of it, and it will take care of me. I love that you're doing videos covering this type of stuff. Totally awesome man! 🤜🏻💥🤛🏼

Such a great long term rig. Selectable front and rear lockers as well as rock sliders and some skid plates underneath would make a huge difference offroad. The lockers allow you to stay slow and in control and you won't need speed on obstacles which helps keep you from breaking things. Skids and sliders just help protect all of your hard work in getting it nice. 33s would fit that rig perfectly and maybe consider re-gearing it to keep it drivable. A nice rear bumper with a full size spare is a great idea as well. Make sure there is a spot for a high lift jack for emergency use and possibly a roof rack with some storage would complete the build.

Great video. Love the rig.

Cool shit bro, glad your goin help that Land Cruiser. One of my favs

Chad, you're my spirit brother! I can't wait to get one of those as well. They are pricey though. But Damn, I love that freaking rig man. It's my dream truck. I'm gonna be following this series with great interest. Also love your other videos. You're a Hoss brother.

Brother, I am a big Toyota truck fan as well. I have owned several over the years. You have a great rig. Keep posting because your videos are a breath of fresh air. Stay strong in the Jesus, brother!

Keep that beauty as close to stock as possible…that’s definitely the way to go in my opinion FOR SURE…looking forward to seeing the finished project 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♂️

I’ve been a cruiser nut for 50 yrs and I have watched the evolution of all the after market add ons. At this point I really like a more stock look. To many racks and snorkels on the cruisers sitting at Starbucks. What you’ve done with lifts and bumpers sounds perfect. The 33s on factory Toyota steelies is a hard look to beat. Last I checked those wheels are still available thru Toyota oem parts at the Toyota dealer. I’d try to order any parts you need on the truck from Toyota. Things like factory oil, transfer case and differential drain plugs are good items to get some extras off. Keep that patina paint… All the best. “Scouts out”🚁

Love the way your keeping the original engine 👌 looking forward to the build

Thing of beauty , great plan on keeping the engine original ..that inline six is bullet proof and I think you can at least expect Another strong reliable 200k miles on that…

That's a cool rig.

Delete the radiator fan and replace it with an electric one on a manual switch. Disk brakes all around would help in the rough stuff. I’m a fan of Marlin Transmissions, granted my builds have been old yotas. New Warn hubs. Rock slider running boards. I’d plus up your storage with a low profile flat rack on the roof, then a cell booster, and CB. If electronics are an issue, there’s ok solar you can install with a boat battery that’s mostly independent of the truck itself. Weapon storage can be a thing but I’m not sure about your local laws because my setup would not fly in most states.

love this rig!! thank you!!!

Thanks for posting this and further increasing the value of my 2 land cruisers 😂 seriously though. I love the content and appreciate all you do.

I have fallen IN LOVE with Land Cruisers and this is just fueling my fire to restore one. 🥲😂

Indestructible machine.

My brother had a 1986 FJ 60 in the early 2000s. Awesome truck! Word of advice, use Toyota parts when you can find them and don’t drive it at highway speed. Four speed transmission with no overdrive runs too many rpm’s above 60 mph.

Stunning.

Sweet project

I had a 84 Land Cruiser in the mid 90s. I put a rebuilt motor and trans in it and drove it through Hell for 6 years. Those are great vehicles.

I had that exact year and color back when it was almost new. I drove it for 225,000 miles over 10 years and sold it for what I paid for it. I'm on my fourth Land Cruiser now.

Nice Find. ❤

It’s perfect right now just needs that rear bumper.

my family had so many great memories in this same model back in the 80s and 90s. Would love to find one!

Awesome on keeping the engine brother! Exited to see future mods and adventures! Stay blessed!

Those old land cruisers are really nice.

Very nice truck, very straight. Looks like all the tough stuff you already did. Paint and interior and it'll look new again.

Frigging love those things

Great project! Love Toyotas. Currently have a Tundra TRD and Lexus RX. Before you treat the undercarriage, you might check out RU-vidr, Mustie1. Mustie is a master mechanic, Toyota owner/fan, and he lives in the NE (Maine, I think) where the sea air and salted winter roads destroy these older vehicles. He treats his (formally, very rusted) Toyota frames with plain old bar chain oil, instead of a commercial undercoating. He has several videos where he details the rust removal of an older Tundra frame and explains why he uses bar oil vs. a permanent undercoating to keep it protected.

Wow! Super Nice 👍🏻.....Maybe your new wheels/tyres will look better but those ones you have on look-the-business already!

I have an 85. It was nice hearing you say you’ll keep the engine. I completely agree that it’s part of the truck and it would not be the same. I’ve had mine since 2008 and only paid $2800 for it! It’s been de-smogged, Old Man Emu lift, power steering pump replaced with Saganaw, new radiator, carb rebuilt, and that’s pretty much it. My husband keeps nudging me to sell it. He says it’s a POS and that it needs a lot of work. I told him it’s my POS and I’ll keep it! I’d recommend changing the power steering in yours, because with the lift and larger wheels and tires, the factory ones overheat. Oh and maybe some axle work. It was nice hearing from someone who loves their Landcruiser as much as I feel I do.

Love the cruiser and where you are taking it! Not over the top. Classy

I love these types of videos you put out

Legendary. Great truck.

Beautiful truck!! I don’t believe that’s an oem bumper, but the dealer that sold it originally could’ve had it installed prior to sale. These are bulletproof trucks just like my fifth gen 2021 4Runner TRD ORP. God bless~

Congrats brother, I have a 77 FJ40. If your in No Virginia let me know, we will cruse and grab beers and bbq!

Sick ride bro

We can do the paint and body work. Already restored my buddies FJ40, up here in East TN. Love to help.

Awesome!

cool ride!

Put some flames on the side of that bad boi

The rig looks beautiful restored, but I have to say I love it with the rust and the patina look.

Oh..here it is!! Cool. Nothing better than a Land Cruiser.

Those tires look great, your correct about the wheels though they need a burnt bronze ceracoat help. The rear bumper sounds gnarly too. Do the storage in the rear tailgate mod. I’ve always wanted to get the cypher lock pad on the door like the ford trucks on all my vehicles. That’s a great feature. I’d do a center counsel safe too.

Working on my fj60, keeping the org engine, just had it rebuilt @ 300k+ miles. Rebuilt the carb, added new front lights + additional baja lights. Going with a Gamiviti roof rack out of CO, can get them with a "safari" kick out. 33'' K02 Mud+snow, locking diffs + ome lift kit the same as your rig. I have a tiny bit of rust on the roof, will plant a ham radio antenna there and drill that out. Diff breathers front and rear along with fan kick off to keep radiator blasting the windshield in a water crossing. Alternate solenoid for electrical shut offs for lights + radio. Thinking about rock sliders for protection. PTO front winch on mine, considering switching it out for something that I can do a hitch mounted winch to move it front-back. Hood mount points for branch deflectors (limb risers) will be going on later this summer.

Fellow fj60 owner here. If you don't like dark tint, you should look into ceramic tint which you can get pretty much clear, but still stop a lot more of the infrared rays and heat than traditional tint from coming in and still keep that fishbowl look. Look into it.

Love the rig and looking forward to seeing it post TLC. I’ve got a 21 LC200 and I’m on the hunt for a 60 or 80 series next.

Very cool! It’s good that you are keeping the I6, they are very reliable engines. I restored my 1957 Ford F100 and it originally had a 223 cu in I6. I upgraded to the 300 cu in I6 which IMO, is Ford’s most reliable motor of all time. It’s not a trailer queen, it’s a working man’s truck. Just like Ford intended. 👍

That’s a slice of the Lord’s creation on that mountain top. You can have some great barbecues up there.

I fell in love with these things when I was over seas. The first one I ever seen was in Kuwait and it was a beautiful beige color. I have an 81 Hilux that I’ve been restoring but I’ve had a terrible time finding OEM parts for it. I just really don’t like the new Tacomas. I hope your project turns out well above any your expectations. Those things last forever if maintained right.

Jonathan Ward’s TLC 4x4 team in SoCal does great work, and know those rigs inside and out, but you will pay a premium. You get what you pay for, but they were too rich for my blood. Be prepared for some bad rust around the windshield when the pull it that will need to be addressed (replace the windshield while you are at it). Need to upgrade the headlights and wiring harness. I was running Hella H4s which were great. I also had issues with that around the drip rails. I upgraded my 60 wiper motor to a Porsche 911 3.2 wiper motor as the stock motor is horrible. If you can source an H55F 5 speed transmission it will make a world of difference on the highway. They are not cheap, but as you plan on keeping for a lifetime, then I would pull the trigger. Have fun with you FJ60. I owned a FJ62 and 60 and I’d take the FJ60 any day of the week!

Good choice paint it. Nice truck

That original warn winch is beautiful. If it ever give you a hassle id find a specialist to clean it up and get it running right, those things were built to go forever with a little TLC every couple of decades. Also, great choice leaving the original engine. She's a beaut

Great truck, my every day drive is a 94 toyo hilux... bombproof vehicle which id take anyday over a modern ver full of chips n luxury u dont need

Nice ride sir!! I've had several Toyotas and they are tough as nails!! I would suggest keeping your 4 wheel drive jam up. They sure do come in handy off road and in wet weather.

Awesome rig bro! I had the fj62, loved it!! IMO, I'd regear if your plans are running 33 in tires. Mine struggled at hwy speeds full of gear. Sweet rig!

Awesome vehicle

I would suggest a rebuild sooner than later if your doing all that work. It looks like it smokes pretty good.

Congrats Brother! Beautiful 60 series! I would love to see you put some tasteful sliders on that baby to protect her on your adventures. We belong to the Kentucky Land Cruiser Association as well as the nation LC organization. We have trail rides up here by the Red River Gorge in the Daniel Boone Backcountry Byway if you are ever interested. We just had a ride this weekend to fund the byway. Awesome time, awesome people.

Bought a 100 series from a lawyer in NYC and drove it to Alaska in 4 and half days in the winter. Land Crusiers are the only way to go.

Enjoy

Upgrade the headlights to LED with a plug and play replacement. Makes a world of difference.

I love my toyota corolla 😊

If you are putting mostly highway miles on it you can easily change the rearend gear to drop the RPM.

I can’t suggest anything to you because you are making all the right choices already. Keeping the inline 6 is absolutely one of the best choices you made. And the front bumper!!! I love the dig on the smog nazis. You essentially de-veganed the engine. If I could make one suggestion, rub a steak over the areas where the smog equipment was amputated so it will heal up good and strong, and then wash the grime off the steak and eat it. The stuff you do is fine art to real men.

The only correct color choice for that rig is sherbit green son.

Sweet bro

They are very cool, ignor the poatina kooks that trend is so tired lots of gread cars are rusting away because of it sadly. and lots of goofballs clearcoating rust Ooof. Going to look rad!!! Beadlocks are a must for you if you are serious for off roading. Cheers.

Got to get a quick-sliding platform out the back with an M2 Browning to keep with the Toyota tradition!

I would love to see...it in my driveway.😂 lol Jk...I have a 2012 FJ Cruiser with 70K miles and a 2001 Sequoia with 260K. Both are amazing and people are constantly trying to buy them both. Great Yota content! Appreciate you!

I think the wheels and tires that are on it look great real old school "Wild Kingdom look". I have a 99 Cherokee 4x4 with 4 liter straight six 5 speed. Love it unless im in traffic. Haven't installed my 3 inch lift yet because im on the fence about wheels and tires but i like the "pizza cutter" look. Great find Chadd !

Watch the front spring hangers if you do lifted springs, they crack if not reenforced .

We have been trying to reach you about your extended warranty! 😅Looks great!

While your spending the cash I would rebuild motor, mains, rod ends, hone it, valve job. She's smoking a little at low rpm which is not a good sign for engine health. But, it is a Toyota so that engine could last another 500K ; ) Awesome rig!

Be careful I got my landcruiser fj62 stuck so far in the middle of nowhere georgia alabama border that i had to hire a guy with a tractor to come and cut a path then pull me out. A damn stick did me in poked a hole in my lower radiator tubing and my engin3 spilt its guts right then and there. make sure you get a nice skid plate. if i had some some enhanced under armor id of been fine. Nice buy man your gonna love it

In the future, when you’re ready to have the 2F rebuilt, get Cameron from Mosley Motors in Memphis to do it. I just got mine back in my FJ40 and it is great.

I drove one just like that but with ballistic glass all over the streets of Bogota

Mad MAx rig