TLC HJ61 total reconditioning

[Strick]

massive job here mate, well done

 

[oding]

Prepping up the dash for a coat of primer.

 

[Ben]

Great thread and great work on you're 60!

 

[oding]

Final coat to the dash. A mixture of 60% metallic silver, 40% jet black and 30% to volume of flattening paste. Came out a bit darker to the body color.

 

[oding]

Wrapping up for painting

 

[yogi]

That is some fantastic work you are doing

 

[oding]

Done wrapping and ready for the primer.

 

[oding]

Started the body filling process for repaired rusty panels and dented walls.

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[oding]

The dash panel is being assembled and really looks good.





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[GeorgeG]

I admire your patience. You're doing a fantastic job!

 

[chadr]

That's a very comprehensive restore - I have to admire your patience and perseverance.

Really love the colour you've chosen too - looking forward to more pictures!

 

[oding]

Preparation for painting is almost done and hopefully I can spray this week.

 

[oding]

We decided to do the interior first before spraying paint on the outer part. A rubberized coating was applied for looks, anti-rust and sound insulation.

 

[Shayne]

It's great to watch this progress in real time and contemplate and appreciate the many hours of work that each update involves

 

[oding]

Getting the body ready for a coat of Glasurit primer-surfacer. This is a meticulous job that needs continues checking and re-checking for dents, uneveness, and fine scratches. Although the primer-sufacer does a good job filling up the shallow and thin marks, Care is given with visual inspection and the sense of touch.



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[Iwan]

Its coming on well for you Oding. There's a lot of surface area to cover on the 60.

One thing I keep looking at. You have the newer type dashboard in your round light truck. Is this original? Or is it a square light truck with the older front end. Its quizzing me a bit.

Great work.. when do you think you'll complete? .. Iwan

 

[oding]

iwan_t24,

I know a little about the history of this cruiser. The previous owner said that this cruiser used to be part of a fleet of the (PSG) Presidential Security Group of the Philippine government. The body is of an FJ-62, the chassis of an HJ-61, well of course the engine is not the original. When I took the body off, it was clear that the engine replaced was a Toyota 3B. There were marks of welding on the chassis modifying the transmission support. If I am not mistaken, the wirings were replaced by an OEM harness. The front seat obviously came from a RHD unit.

I saw a few of the remaining vehicle that belonged to the PSG fleet and they have confirmed that it was used by the first lady Imelda Marcos. How many were there? I don't have an idea. However, I saw around three of the 60 series running around here in the Philippines. so I believe this to be a rare find.

I am getting this done by June. I got most of the parts ordered long before. The excitement is building up.

 

[Iwan]

It's certainly got an interesting history. They're are indeed a hefty old beast and to see another 60 series being preserved in the manor as you are doing is great.

I think I mentioned that I've been through the same process as yourself. Mine is a 1989 that was partially broken up. The engine was so sweet that despite the fact that the original body was so rusted. I managed to find another 1988 and the body was much better. . But still needed welding in the rear. My main problem was rebuilding the doors. Mainly the inners along the bottom. If I recall we spent 160 hours on the welding side of the job.

I thought we had cracked it by the time the new body went on.. then I spent 4 1/2 weeks in the paint shop. That was about 4 years ago. .

It's rare find as you say.. I really like the rear barn doors. . There's a much lower percentage of that type produced.. so even rarer.

Looking forward to see the end result after the final push..

All the best iwan

 

[oding]

Installed the ambulance door (Barn door) for alignment before painting the body.

 

[oding]

Aligned the rear door and prepping up for a coat of Glasurit primer/surfacer.