FJ62 Expedition Build up started

[silverton62]

Lots of work done!

I have been very busy working on my truck. Today I installed Tuff Tread Mats in the cargo area, rear floor, and rear folding seat back, plus I have the same mat to go into front, upon install of the new Toyota H55F 5 speed. Still need to cut the hole for the manual transmission boot, when the automatic is gone! I pulled the front seats and mounted them back on top of the mats, and was able to get the mats to tuck under the trim, and in the rear passenger door jams. The rear cargo mats are now mounted with the stock cargo tie downs 4, on top of the mats using all stock hardware, and looks great. Very rugged and durable stuff these mats are; Specter Off Road sold them to me, plus the rear spare tire carrier.

Also, I got the nice spare tire carrier that mounts in the rear cargo area passenger side, vertical; enabling me to now carry 2 spare tires and rims;one underneath in the stock hanger, and 1 inside standing up against the passenger cargo wall.

I am looking for 6 split rims if anyone has Toyota steel rims they would want to sell/trade. I have 5 BFG AT TA KO Radial's to sell/trade when I get the rims mounted up.
Tomorrow I will try and post photos here of the stuff I added. I can install the ARB fridge again. The interior has a strong resemblance to what I think a non-usa truck w/o carpet anywhere, and vinyl instead would look like.

I wish I could locate a 60 Series Toyota Landcruiser bench style front seat? If there is such a thing? Like in the new HZJ78's.

The functionality of my truck increased a huge amount today by adding these mats, and pulling the carpets last week, plus the horrible insulation under the carpet that always sticks to the steel floorboards, and causes rust, if not checked/replaced after 20 years on the road. By pulling the carpets It gave me the chance to CLEAN the floorboards and search for any rust that tried to form. Thankfully, I found none. I went rear to front and cleaned every where, pulled drain-plugs in the body, cleaned/rinsed quarter-panel cargo areas out. Sprayed undercoating and primer anywhere I saw that needed attention, underside.
I replaced many screw holders in the trim and door jams, plus weather seals under the hood, and on the firewall. These I found out will let water in my truck overnight on the floorboards up front due to melting frost, in the open hole where the pins should be! Feels great to have pulled carpet, trim, and cargo panels, replacing mounting post/pins as needed for a tight interior before the trip.
So, in the past 4 days; new alternator for my dual battery system, and the new interior look with the vinyl Tuff-tread black mats. I like it a lot. http://expeditionportal.com/forum/images/smilies/26_13_1.gifDo these work?
Hope to drop off my truck this week or next for all the work to be done, plus expedition
rack.
http://expeditionportal.com/forum/images/icons/icon10.gif How's this one?
Thanks for reading, once I leave in November I will start a trip "thread" as we go under "Expedition's going on currently" here.

 

[silverton62]

I don't see lockers in your plans. If I were to suggest anything I'd be suggesting lockers. When you're in the mud we find down here in Guatemala and Mexico your open diff FJ62 will quickly be a two wheel drive with one front and one rear wheel spinning!

I saw a video today of the mud that you get, it was maybe a meter deep! The truck was going nowhere as you said. I want both lockers now, even though I am planning the dry months for my trip, I expect water, mud, and lush conditions there. Thanks.

 

[Pskhaat]

I am looking for 6 split rims if anyone has Toyota steel rims

Some very knowledgable folks here talked me out of split rims. What kind of tires will you there be running?

 

[silverton62]

I wanted to see if you had a lift, or stock suspension?
I'm going Heavy ARB OME. I have now added the vinyl mats inside, to carry fuel, water;handle spills, and try to keep weight low inside, except for tent, 4 surfboards.

Was hoping that I could put it sorta middle, front and open to a side, and adding the changing room as I will be stopped, surfing, for long periods of time, as swells change.

I have the stock 62 sway bars front, and rear, and am adding new longer extension links/bushings after the lift is in. Hope this all helps to paint a picture. The lift is really meant to carry a lot of weight, front and rear. The back sits higher until loaded down properly. I hope to not notice the tent up there after everything else is done.

Looking for a water bladder/tank for under rear folding seat back? I can only find one sold in Australia, and shipping is crazy, dollar is low...

Might I suggest placing the RTT as far forward as possible. My rooftent is too wide to open over the hood but if I had a smaller tent, I would by all means have it open over the hood to make appropriate use of camp space. The other reason is that I did not prefer the cruiser's ride and total rear load with the RTT's weight situated aft. Moving it forward (as much as I could) helped.

For years I ran my LC80 without sway bars. With the RTT I wish I had stiffer ones. Everyone's stated avoid the weight atop, but if unavoidable consider some beefier/modified F&R sway bars to help stability.

Not that I've traveled much south of the US border by vehicle in the last 10 years, but I'd heed the 235/85r16 advise, some wheel spacers and some Toyota 16" wheels are a good ticket.

 

[silverton62]

Getting Michelin tires made for sandy conditions, androads too, that come on stock HZJ78 troopy's these days. Like a 255-85R-16 is what I am hoping for; Load range D, or E.

Some very knowledgable folks here talked me out of split rims. What kind of tires will you there be running?

 

[Pskhaat]

I wanted to see if you had a lift

Indeed. 850/864 HD OME, and going to 868s (X-HD).

I have the stock 62 sway bars front, and rear,

It'll all depend on what you prefer, but after you get everything together don't be surprised if you find a little more roll than you would like and as such a trivial help is to `beef-up' your sway bars, since harmonics on them ain't much a'problem.

The back sits higher until loaded down properly.

I prefer a higher rear-end even when loaded.

 

[ntsqd]

IMO split rims are exceptionally dangerous to those not trained to work with them. I think they're also unnecessary in this tire size range. I've used motorcycle tire irons to change a pair of 31-10.50 R15's. It was work, but it was very possible.

Two tire spoons and a bead breaker are all that is needed. If you are carrying a Hi-Lift, make it's handle removable and it becomes the bead breaker's lever. Build the breaker's anchor to grab a wheel stud and use the vehicle to pry against.

 

[kcowyo]

Looking for a water bladder/tank for under rear folding seat back? I can only find one sold in Australia, and shipping is crazy, dollar is low...

Maybe something like this could be applied?

Dromedary bags

...or something like this? Hydra Water System - *cheesy grin not included

I wish I could locate a 60 Series Toyota Landcruiser bench style front seat? If there is such a thing? Like in the new HZJ78's.

There is such a thing. ExPo member and Durango resident durangodds, added one recently to his '85 FJ60. I believe he sourced it off IH8Mud, but I'm not sure on the details. Might be worth PMing him, to see what he can suggest. He's a great guy and an enthusiastic 60 owner.

 

[silverton62]

Split rims?

Yeah, I used them in the Army on 5 ton communications rigs. They will kill you if you do not what you're doing. I am hoping to get an idea of what I'm gonna run soon. I do not want problems down the road. Need to have the rim setup that South of the Border, the locals are familiar with too, and won't give me some crap about liability, and can do it with eye's closed, almost.
Any opinions are great appreciated. I want to run the stock size or near stock size tires and rims as can find, for NEW Landcruisers; 235/255x 75/85Rx16" and I expect lots of deep, moon dust type sand 12" deep, plus mud.
Yesterday I added another spare tire carrier to the cargo area, vertical against the side-wall; Can now carry 2 spare tires, and rims, low, and out of the way!
Thanks

 

[DBS311]

Please DON'T post pictures of the build when you are finished. This is going to be such a sweet setup and I don't want to regret the fact I went SOA 4 years ago.

 

[silverton62]

Too cool

Yes I like these but I am hoping to find a bigger bladder that will hold the 30/40 gallons or so I want to carry, low. I appreciate the help!

Maybe something like this could be applied?

Dromedary bags

...or something like this? Hydra Water System - *cheesy grin not included

There is such a thing. ExPo member and Durango resident durangodds, added one recently to his '85 FJ60. I believe he sourced it off IH8Mud, but I'm not sure on the details. Might be worth PMing him, to see what he can suggest. He's a great guy and an enthusiastic 60 owner.

 

[DBS311]

Depending on how much you want to spend, you could always have a stainless tank fabbed up that would fit in the location underneath the vehicle on the driver's side of the rear driveshaft. Most aux fuel tanks are made to fit there, but you could always use that space for water instead. I'm sure there are some drawbacks to having it in that location, but there are positives as well. It is something I'm considering for my 62.

 

[silverton62]

I was going spring over UNTIL I decided I wanted my truck as the Expedition Rig, and load carry ability means more to me than rock crawling ability. I want to get a lifetime of travel out of my trucks, and I think Old Man Emu Heavy, for my INTENT is the answer.

I love the look of the Big sprung over Toyota LandCruiser, and will do it someday to a different truck, when I stop driving to other countries .

Please DON'T post pictures of the build when you are finished. This is going to be such a sweet setup and I don't want to regret the fact I went SOA 4 years ago.

 

[kcowyo]

Yes I like these but I am hoping to find a bigger bladder that will hold the 30/40 gallons or so I want to carry, low. I appreciate the help!

Maybe one of these big suckers?
.

 

[silverton62]

Yes!

That's what I wanted, Thanks. I plan to get one to go on the floor area under the rear folding seat, unused space. You are FAST!

Maybe one of these big suckers?
.