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

[irish_11]

Smittybilt console

I picked up a smittybilt console after reading some reviews over on MUD. The main reasons for the upgrade:

1. My factory console was cracked and broken
2. An actual armrest would be nice
3. IT HAS A CUP HOLDER

The install was smooth and no major issues. None of the holes lined up so I had to drill my own which I expected. In addition I added in the heater controls to the back of the console. They seem to work just fine back there. I need to clean it up and bit and add some trim around my cuts, but otherwise I am happy with the console and it's addition of a large amount of locking storage.

Cup holders:


Overall size:


Heater controls: (I have to apologize for the phone photo and the smudge)

 

[irish_11]

How did you attach the radio to the roof? I haven't pulled my headliner down yet so I'm kinda clueless about what's under there.

The radio is bolted to a 1/8" thick 2" wide steel strap that is screwed in using the rear view mirror screws, no additional support. I routed the wires through the headliner using a wire snake, but if you have the head liner off that would make it way easier.




Got a pic of the compressor and maybe some more details on how you mounted it?

Here is the MV50. I mounted it on the Drivers side up front. I picked up a used battery tray for $25, stripped it down and coated it in rust sealer then a couple of heavy coats of spray can plasti-dip. The compressor is wired in with a waterproof switch mounted on the inside of my ARB bumper along with a remote airline and 1/4 NPT air chuck. I have the compressor wired into my blue sea fuse box using a 2-pin trailer connector. This will allow me to move the compressor to another location down the road if I want to run dual batteries.




Which Smittybilt console did you get? I read the thread(s) over on Mud and never saw a consensus on which version fits in a 62?

I used the black body and grey pad non-radio version. It fits almost perfectly between the back of the heater and the shifter. There is a little room to spare. I debated ditching the heater too, but I kept it in for now. The console comes with a bracket that alot of the 60 guys used under the rear of the console since their heater is located under the seat. If you take your heater out that bracket should be perfect for making the console level. I think I'm going to use the bracket as a switch panel like a few others on Mud have done.

 

[irish_11]

for the details. Wondering if running a strip of metal from the mirror bracket to the domelight mount would give some added strength? Probably overthinking things as usual...;^)

I appreciate your work, hope to incorporate some of it into my own build.

Thanks, I cannot take full credit for the idea. I mounted my CB mounted like this in my 1st Gen 4runner. I have seen a few others over on the Mud forum mounted with a strip running from the dome light bracket to the mirrior. That design seems more stout. I have a pretty light CB so I haven't had anny issues yet, but if you had a hervier unit then I would consider going that routh.

 

[AKcruiserfreak]

Looks great! Glad this thing went to a good home. I wrenched on this thing back when it lived in Alaska. keep up the good work!

TK

 

[irish_11]

Pushrod Galley Cover

I replaced the gasket on my pushrod galley. I had discovered a leak using UV dye and traced it to the back of the block near where it connects to the transmission. It took longer than I thought. It was baked on there pretty good. While I was in there I replaced the radiator hose behind the AC bracket and my AC tensioned bolt (which snapped off tensioning the belt.

Here is a before shot of my engine (in need of a steam clean badly)


After I took the cover off, cleaned it and repainted it. Installed with OEM gasket.

 

[irish_11]

Bedlining the Rocker Panels

I had some serious shipping on my rockers. There was some rust and primer on the driver's side rear arch. The Seattle rain was starting to get to it. So I decided bedlining was a good solution to the paint issues I was having. I had seen a few 60's with liner on the rockers but I didnt see one that had a front arch line that I liked. So I made my own. I used the monstaliner DYI kit. Standard black color nothing crazy. I am pretty happy with how it turned out. Looks way better than it did before.

Tape going on:


The first coat:


The final product:

 

[irish_11]

I thought I should ad a photo of me actually using the Cruiser. Took it up to Mt Rainer this weekend to do some tree cutting and sledding. It handled great. I have a few new toys on order to install, but it was nice to take a break from tinkering to actually use the rig.

 

[irish_11]

I am officially a mall crawler!

After reading up on these cheap snorkel kits over on Mud (http://forum.ih8mud.com/60-series-wagons/628811-cheap-snorkel-malaysia-not-too-bad.html)

I decided to bite the bullet. I am always in the back of the convoy following soft top jeeps so I figured this would help with the dust. There is a good amount of rain here in Western Washington and raising my intake above the fender would help in the event I hit that freak puddle and send water into my intake. Also it just looks cool, I mean that's really what we are after here, right?

My unmolested factory fender:


I marked the holes onto tape that I put down between the template and the fender. I figured this would protect the fender from shavings, scratches, and help during paint.


Holes cut into the fender. I cringed a little during the last one. The drill unchucked the bit and managed to scratch the fender a bit. I need to find some touch up paint.


All painted up to stop any rust:


All said and done. (Also showing my new Hell's Creek 2.5" lift, more on that to follow)

 

[NM-Frontier]

Your 62 is looking good! that color looks good with all the black on there now, keep it up.:sombrero:

 

[irish_11]

Hell Creek Suspension

I "won" a free suspension lift from Hell Creek through my local cruiser group. Its a 2.5" lift. I've had it on for almost a month now and I am liking it. The cruiser was getting to the point where it was sagging. To top that off it was getting some scary lean on corners. This lift so far is WAY better. The handling on the freeway it not nearly as scary. Took it up running fire roads in the Capital Forest to snap a few picks today and thought I would share some.

 

[irish_11]

A few more pics

 

[NMC_EXP]

irish 11

Nice FJ62.

My new to me FJ60 has an ARB front bumper/winch/roller fairlead.

I'm required to have a front license plate. I've seen advertised license plate brackets which attach to a roller fairlead, but are removable.

Is that what you have on the 62?

Thanks

Jim

 

[irish_11]

irish 11

Nice FJ62.

My new to me FJ60 has an ARB front bumper/winch/roller fairlead.

I'm required to have a front license plate. I've seen advertised license plate brackets which attach to a roller fairlead, but are removable.

Is that what you have on the 62?

Thanks

Jim

Jim,

Congrats on the 60! Welcome to the addiction. Mine is mounted using the ARB factory mount. I've seen the flip up mounts before and actually made on one a 4runner I had. I don't think they would work as well with the FJ's bumper, there is a lip on mine right above the rollers that would prevent it from folding up. That being said the way mine is mounted it clears the rollers just fine. I might have the factory mount off my Tacoma back at my house. I am on the road for work this week, but I can check when I get back. If not I'm sure someone else on here might have one of the brackets as well.

Check out this thread on MUD for the bracket I am talking about. http://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/461541-arb-bumper-license-plate-mounting.html

-Kyle

 

[irish_11]

SAR Work and Mods

As of January I have been volunteering with King County 4x4 Search and Rescue. I added a Whelen Talon strobe on the front mounted behind the passenger sun visor. In the rear I added a Federal Signal traffic advisor.

I will have to get photos of the lights mounted up.

Federal control box:


Another 62 at work today:

 

[LaOutbackTrail]

Looks excellent! Keep up the good work!