A Landcruiser by Any Other Name

Zach Bowman

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Any time the words “4×4” and “For Parts” crop up on Craigslist, I’m all but bound by duty to investigate. When the post happens to feature an ’84 Landcruiser swaddled in what could only be described as the quintessential FJ color, you can bet your betting eyes I’m going to share the glory with you. But what really makes this particular derelict Yota spectacular isn’t its assortment of bumps and bruises, nor the “high-pressure oil leak” it developed in 2006. No, before you learn the details of this truck’s situation, the seller tells you her name – Oren Ishii. If ever there was a perfect moniker for an unstoppable FJ, that would be it. I’ve owned and AK-47 called The Crowd Pleaser, the world’s most useful flat-head screwdriver called Mr. Bendy and a ’78 International Scout Terra by the name of Death Proof, but those all seem to pale in comparison to Ms. Ishii – yours for $800.

Found on Craigslist.
[Ed: Ladies and Gentlemen, we’d like to welcome Zach Bowman of Webrides.tv, Exhaustnote, Roundabout, Autofiends and Baby Elvis fame to the fold. He’s here to post the stuff that no one else will pay him to post. Not that we’re paying him to post…but…whatever. His remote Tennessee compound rivals Chez Mad_Science for project car density. He once traded a gun for a motorcycle]

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Zach Bowman

Zach Bowman

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  1. Maymar Avatar
    Maymar

    $800? I know it needs a lot of work, but that seems abnormally cheap for a FJ60, so nice price. Most 80's Japanese metal seems to have disappeared from Ontario roads, but I still see the occasional Land Cruiser hanging around. I wouldn't mind picking one up, especially this one.

    Reply
  2. FuzzyPlushroom Avatar
    FuzzyPlushroom

    Sonofabitch.
    I actually know exactly where that Cruiser Parts Warestravaganza is, and it's not far from me.
    This is arguably my favourite vintage of Land Cruiser (keeping in mind that I own, and love, a Volvo 240 named Violet).
    She's nearly rust-free, with nothing that couldn't be solved in an afternoon. Perhaps two.
    And she already has a name. I name almost every inanimate object I spend a fair amount of time, blood, sweat, and tears on – my car, my computers, and so forth. The name makes you think that even the most impractical repair is worthwhile.
    It pains me that I haven't got the financial resources to rent a truck, pay the seller, bring her home, and fix her up how she's meant to be. I only hope that someone else in my position will do the same.

    Reply
  3. engineerd Avatar
    engineerd

    First, I would like to welcome Zach to our little hovel of insanity on behalf of the commenters. Hopefully we don't scare you off too quickly.
    Second, this could make for a very interesting project. Assuming the engine is toast, the possibilities are endless of what to throw in there. An LSx would obviously be many people's go-to choice. However, I would recommend the 300 cu. in. I6 from Ford or Jeep's venerable 4.0L I6 for nearly indestructibleness befitting of the host body.

    Reply
    1. Zach Bowman Avatar
      Zach Bowman

      Thank you kindly sir.
      Were the Tax Man not currently breathing down my neck, Oren Ishii would be mine and awaiting an IHC transplant. Why? Why not.

      Reply
    2. FuzzyPlushroom Avatar
      FuzzyPlushroom

      The Ford 4.9 is an oft-overlooked and -underappreciated engine, I think… but then, I just like the idea of a straight-six in general.
      Welcome indeed. I can already tell you'll fit in, Zach.

      Reply
      1. Mike_the_Dog Avatar
        Mike_the_Dog

        The only real problem with the 4.9 is size. That thing's freaking huge! the AMC 258 is quite a bit smaller, has seven (!) main bearings and can be stretched to almost 305 C.I. Personally, I'd go with a .060 over 258 block with 4.0 head and EFI setup off a later ChryCo Jeep.

        Reply
        1. FuzzyPlushroom Avatar
          FuzzyPlushroom

          I like the way you think, Mike.

          Reply
    3. CptSevere Avatar
      CptSevere

      Yeah, I agree, the Ford straight six is a good choice. The 240 that I rebuilt for my F100 has served me well for quite awhile. Ford sixes have to be some of the most under-appreciated engines ever. The 240 and 300 are simple, durable, and are good for tons of low end torque. Workhorse engines, and would work just fine for this Toyota.

      Reply
      1. coupeZ600 Avatar
        coupeZ600

        I'd have it "hummin's like a Cummins" , a 5.9L B-Series I-6 w/ a Brownie 3-speed behind it….. 2 sticks good, 3 sticks BAD!

        Reply
        1. CptSevere Avatar
          CptSevere

          That would bend the front axle like a wire hanger. Maybe one of those nice little Japanese commercial four cylinder turbodiesels like in a Mitsubishi Fuso or an NPR forward control truck would work in this. I don't pretend to know all about these, but it might work.

          Reply
          1. coupeZ600 Avatar
            coupeZ600

            These guys are based out of who-knows-where, but the big shop is up here, and they're putting all sorts of weird stuff into these:
            http://www.vintageoffroad.com/collection.cfm?cate…

  4. Tripl3fast Avatar
    Tripl3fast

    Tough call. To remove it form its natural habitat like this sad but on the other hand it looks so cool. It would look cool on my drive way as well.

    Reply
  5. BЯдΖǐL-ЯЄРΘЯΤЄЯ Avatar
    BЯдΖǐL-ЯЄРΘЯΤЄЯ

    With cleaning the sparkplugs, change the battery and fill up the tank, I'll bet it would start right away and could start your trip to Brazil. It would not have any problems to get through Honduras or Colombia at all, you will be respected by any paramilitarian group on your way.

    Reply
  6. Froggmann_ Avatar
    Froggmann_

    Phew… I'm lucky this bugger is halfway across the continent from me. Or else I may become divorced…

    Reply
  7. Beatnikid Avatar
    Beatnikid

    It's had a rough living but it still cracking a smile in the dirt. Shame it's to far by foot for me.

    Reply
  8. idiotking Avatar
    idiotking

    Hmm, for that money, if I didn't already own a Scout, I'd consider this. And I appreciate the idea of an International engine transplant. Excellently played, sir.

    Reply
  9. FAЯT SMUCKEЯ Avatar
    FAЯT SMUCKEЯ

    Did you know if you re-arrange the letters in Oren Ishii, you can spell Heroin I Is?

    Reply
  10. FAЯT SMUCKEЯ Avatar
    FAЯT SMUCKEЯ

    …or One Irish I?

    Reply
    1. FAЯT SMUCKEЯ Avatar
      FAЯT SMUCKEЯ

      …or I Hero Is In?

      Reply
      1. engineerd Avatar
        engineerd

        Or "In Hoser II", the much anticipated sequel to "In Hoser", a Canadian gay porn film.

        Reply
  11. M44Power Avatar
    M44Power

    I wish my area Craigslists would have something like this… all I get is ratted out 80's F-150s and a ton of Jeep Cherokees (which I will probably wind up buying one of).

    Reply
  12. Tanshanomi Avatar
    Tanshanomi

    I used to have an extremely large Stanley flat-blade screwdriver which had the bottom, thinner half of the blade removed and rounded over, turning it into something like a very wide drift. Whack the handle with a ball-peen hammer, and it was the perfect tool for breaking parts loose in tight places. (or simply breaking stuff, should that be required.) It was called simply "The Big." Unbelievably, a neighborhood kid stole it out of my driveway. Didn't touch anything else, just stole The Big. I keep telling myself I'm going to make another one someday.

    Reply
  13. Tanshanomi Avatar
    Tanshanomi

    I used to have an extremely large Stanley flat-blade screwdriver which had the bottom, thinner half of the blade removed and rounded over, turning it into something like a very wide drift. Whack the handle with a ball-peen hammer, and it was the perfect tool for breaking parts loose in tight places. (or simply breaking stuff, should that be required.) It was called simply "The Big." Unbelievably, a neighborhood kid stole it out of my driveway. Didn't touch anything else, just stole The Big. I keep telling myself I'm going to make another one someday.

    Reply