The Sandy 60: Resto-modded LandCruiser 60 Series

Michael Ellem from Offroad Images might own this stunningly restored 60 Series, but he assures us it’s not just his 4x4 – it belongs to the people

You’d have to be living under a rock if you haven’t seen this awesome Sandy 60 online or on various social media accounts. This build is the brainchild of Offroad Images founder Michael Ellem, who also owns the Mighty 79, a highly modified 79 Series LandCruiser on portal axles.

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When Michael found this particular 60 Series in a car park out in Kalgoorlie, it was a far cry from what it looks like today. The owners were having trouble even getting it started, rust had well and truly crept into the body, and the interior looked more like a dog’s breakfast than a place to sit comfortably. They agreed to sell it to Michael and the rest, as they say, is history, but only under the condition he would restore the 60 and they’d get to drive it one last time when it was finished. It was a done deal, and Michael set to work assembling a team of expert tradespeople and companies in the off-road game.

Starting with this well-used 1985 60 Series LandCruiser, Michael set out to enlist expertise from the best of the best in the automotive trade to transform the old girl. When we say transform, we really mean it too … from rust repairs to engine swaps, there isn’t a single nut or bolt that has been left untouched.

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So, what are the plans for Sandy 60? Well, you’ll have to stay tuned for that, as 4X4 Australia is running a complete series on this wonderful vehicle. Mick wants the Sandy 60 to travel this country, telling the story of not only the fantastic locations we are lucky enough to have, but also the stories of some amazing people behind the four-wheel drive community.

This is going to be an epic series brought to you by 4X4 Australia, which we are beyond excited to show you in the coming months.

Resto-modded

Rust is the enemy of older four-wheel drives. While this 60 Series looked like a fairly decent unit, it quickly became clear it was going to need some serious surgery to make it better than new.

“Some of the floor needed plenty of work, and basically had to be cut out and made from scratch,” says Michael. “This was one of the most interesting parts of the process, watching these skilled fabricators create new custom parts and panels from raw material.”

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On Track Fabrication handled the body work and also fabricated the awesome custom rear bar, which Michael insisted had to match the body lines of the 60’s rear end. One of the more striking design elements of the Sandy 60 is the bonnet. This was a labour of love, grafting a 79 Series scoop on to the 60 Series bonnet – you’d have to agree, it’s a work of art. Paint work and this bonnet graft were completed by the wizards of colour at Distorted Paint & Restoration.

“Initially, I just wanted to do a basic closed-door respray,” Mick explains. “Once we had the vehicle stripped out and ready to spray, Jayden from Distorted Paint said it would have been a crime not to, to do the vehicle justice … We’re really stoked with how it turned out and glad we went the extra mile there.”

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The entire interior received plenty of attention, with a new custom darker-coloured headliner being the most obvious. Car Builders sound deadening was applied to the flooring once all rust was removed; and as the factory vinyl looked like it had been sitting in a swamp, it was thrown in the bin and replaced with new (much neater looking) carpet.

American Muscle

When Michael picked up the 60 Series, the engine had already been swapped out for a 6.2-litre Chevy V8 diesel. While that sounds good on paper, this particular engine was well past its use-by date and just wouldn’t do it justice.

That’s the last thing anyone wants to deal with halfway through what is essentially a ground-up rebuild, both from a time and financial point of view.

Michael, ever the optimist, saw this as an opportunity to upgrade and make the vehicle better. As such, he had the experts at Brunswick Diesels rebuild and fit up an Optimiser 6.5-litre diesel V8 motor from an American Military Humvee.

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“What I like about this motor, is it has no computers and it is all mechanically controlled,” Michael tells us. “Not only does it sound the part, it produces torque basically from idle, which is handy for steep technical off-roading.”

This engine is mated to a fully rebuilt five-speed gearbox and transfer case, which the team at Marks 4WD Adaptors handled with great success. They also fitted up a set of transfer reduction gears, so you know this 60 Series is a serious mountain goat on steep tracks.

Springs and things

ARB Old Man Emu suspension was given the nod for the Sandy 60, with all suspension components replaced and upgraded. As well as the Old Man Emu shocks and leaf springs, Michael has opted for a pair of Airbag Man airbags in the rear, which can be easily adjusted via the ARB LINX system on the fly.

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Tyre wise, Michael is a big fan of his BFG KM3 mud-terrains, and after racking up huge mileage on his other ’Cruiser, the Mighty 79 he saw no reason to change.

“As well as the 285x75R17 BFG muddies, I also selected a set of ROH Vapour alloy wheels,” Mick says. “I run the same wheels on my 79 Series, and as far as I’m concerned, changing wheels is one of the quickest and most effective ways of personalising your vehicle, making it your own.”

Touring mods

Wagons are cool, especially restored and modified 60 Series LandCruisers, but accessing gear in the back can be a chore. Mick has opted for a smart set of gull-wing windows from 3XM, which allows him to quickly and easily reach in and grab a beer or his camera (never at the same time). Speaking of the back of the Sandy 60, to keep all of his gear secured and organised, a set of Outback Touring Solutions drawers has been fitted with custom side-wings made by the team at ARB Wangara. One drawer is a lower half-height unit, so Mick could secure his ARB fridge and provide easier access.

At the front of the drawer system, the team wired in the Redarc Manager 30 system, 700W Redarc Inverter, the ARB LINX system, as well as a 100amp/h Revolution lithium battery to charge camera gear and laptops on the road. There are also two batteries in the engine bay, so there should be more than enough 12V power on tap.

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Mick tells us that anything that could be rebuilt or replaced, was. Most hard parts came from Terrain Tamer, who have basically anything you could need for an older Toyota 4x4. For example, while the ARB diff locks were being installed, all bearings and seals were freshened up with new gear from Terrain Tamer. Mr Ellem takes reliability and maintenance seriously; in case you hadn’t picked up on that fact.

On the roof, you’ll notice an ARB roof rack, which has been very cleverly decked out with touring mods. There’s a pair of Redarc solar panels to charge the batteries; and you can also see a Bushranger LED light bar, which helps with spread on dark outback roads. A set of TREDs sit behind the light bar for recovery duties, and behind that is a large storage case for odds and ends with a swag strapped down behind it. There’s also an ARB awning on the passenger’s side, making for one cool-as-ice yet superbly practical touring vehicle.

Second opinion

Alan Johnson from Seriously Suzi drives Sandy 60 and shares his thoughts

When the 60 Series LandCruiser was born in August 1980, it came with a four-speed manual gearbox and a choice of the very slow 2H diesel or the fuel-hungry 2F petrol motor.

Some 42 years on, and Michael Ellem and crew have rebirthed this serious 60 with a 6.5-litre V8 Humvee military motor matched to a five-speed gearbox – and what a magnificent rebirth it is.

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From under-powered to massive gobs of torque with the V8, it is a thrill to drive, but don’t forget about the great restoration work from Michael’s team. From the painstakingly created hybrid 79 Series bonnet, aftermarket seats and modern electronics, this is no ordinary Cruiser. It’s a time machine that takes me back to the 1980s, driving to the Woods Point area where some things change, some things don’t. The Commercial Hotel and Main Street is virtually unchanged, the tracks change every season but the great memories of four-wheeling are never forgotten.

My time in the driver’s seat will be a cherished memory; just point this beast, let the clutch out and it’s a mountain goat on steroids. Thanks for a great trip in a great recreation of one man’s vision of what a 60 Series could and should be.

There is just one massive problem with this car: there is only one and it’s not mine. I own a 12HT 60, and it’s a great car that I love; but, seriously, the Sandy 60 is in a league of its own.

With thanks

• Rust repairs, custom rear bar and seat mods plus assistance with project management … Luke, Riss and the team at OTF @ontrackfabrication_otf4x4
• Custom 79 Bonnet and all Paint restoration by Jayden and the team @distorted_paintandrestoration
• 60 Series knowledge, Build project management assisted by @4x4sean
• Air Lockers, Linx, Suspension, rear drawers, fridge and protection equipment by @arb4x4
• Communications UHF and Cellular: @gme_au
• 6.5L V8 diesel (6500 Optimizer) conversion by @brunswickdiesel
• Custom Exhaust by @mantaperformance
• Long range fuel tank @longrangerfueltanks
• Dual batteries engine bay @centuryyuasabatteries
• Lithium battery cabin @revolutionpowersolution
• Battery management, Inverter and solar @redarc_electronics
• Brakes, gears and old school parts replacement @terraintamer4wd
• Wheels … ROH Vapours by @roh_offroad_wheels
• Tyres … BFG KM3s by @bfgoodrichtires
• Gearbox rebuild and reduction gears by @marks4wd
• Custom centre console and roof consoles by @consoles.com.au
• Stereo Alpine Halo and speakers by @Alpineau
• Stratos seats
• Upholstery and custom steering wheel by Tyson @prostitchtrimming
• Side pop-out windows by @3xmcanopies
• Rear seat covers by @msa4x4
• Insured by @club_4x4
• Mechanical installation and wiring by @goldfieldsoffroad
• Steering links (Superior) by @allbarredup4x4
• Seat storage by @navigatorgearau

Photography

@offroadimages