Road Worthy

Well folks, with only a few minor details left to bring this to "completed," I offer these pics as the last for awhile.

Since October I've put in around 1000hrs into this restoration and it is high time to gather up the family and take 'er for a road trip!

I had thought earlier that the winch was going to block the "Toyota" sign but apparently the old googly eye 7" round halogen driving lights did that...they will be replaced in short order, but without the wobble so the wifey doesn't get wigged out.

All in all things turned out quite well. I've taken it for a couple test drives and it's noticeably quieter, smoother, and even has a bit more power since I replaced that IP vacuum bladder.

ONE MORE THING THOUGH...

I cannot express enough gratitude to John @ RADD Cruisers in Duncan for not only donating the body and letting me steal numerous used parts from his storage container, but for his patience with me as I would call or text or just show up with questions along the way with this project and he was always super helpful, encouraging, brilliantly knowledgeable, generous, understanding, and just downright awesome.  Thanks again John for supporting our family in this unique way and for giving me the opportunity to do something I thought I might be able to do much further down the road and making a dream a reality for me.
If any of you who read this are looking for a mechanic in the Duncan area, please consider using John as he (and his team) not only work on 4x4 vehicles, but all makes and models.  You can find him under either "E4Auto" or "Radd Cruisers" (http://raddcruisers.ca/) as he has combined both companies under one roof to offer a diverse automotive repair experience.  His rates are fair, his work is top notch, and his professionalism is something he takes very seriously.

And now, without further ado...

Underlay

Picked up some underlay from Mastercraft Flooring in Duncan the other week and finally had a chance to instal it!

For those Landcruiser buffs out there, can you spot the addition in the last picture which is not available on the BJ60's but was on the HJ60's?  Hint: It's not underlay ;-)

Sealed, dashed, and badged...

Sealed...

That means the windows are in!  Unfortunecookie, the windshield cracked within the last 2" of the company installing it, so I'll be taking the truck into their shop early next week for another try.  According to the owner of the company there is a certain way to install that type of windshield and he assumed his guys knew this...apparently not.  No big deal, they'll take care of it and all will be good.

They were able to install the two rear side windows and the back hatch window quite successfully and where my chrome trim was removed (and destroyed because it was super brittle) I bought some black "welting" which they kindly installed with the help of an amazing tool which probably saved me hours and hours of finicky time and the potential of breaking a window...so I'm stoked.

Not really windows, but the side view mirrors and rear view mirror are also in their place.

Also, in relation to things being sealed, all the lights are on and working as well as the door handles and inner door panels.


Dashed...

I was able to get the dash, gauges, cluster, wiring harness, etc...all nicely back together.  Outside of the brown steering wheel (which will eventually change colors once I order my leather wrap cover for it), all the painted parts and pieces which used to be brown are now in their happy place.

Badged...

It's officially a Toyota Landcruiser again...at least that's what the emblems say.


This weekend I'm aiming for underlay, carpet, and seats to be installed.