[JC39232]

1971 FJ40

I am going to drain all the fluids out of my newly acquired FJ and replace them all with the proper fluids. I don't know when they were changed last and I just want to make sure everything is properly lubricated.

I don't know the history of this vehicle so I was going to flush all the systems that needed flushing and check all that were plausible to check.

I know I can flush the radiator system and replace all the coolant and water. On something that age is it wise to bypass the chlorinated water and use distilled water from a jug?

Now on to the Axles. Should I just drain, remove the covers and inspect or should I dismantle the entire axle, pull the shafts out and wash everything with some type of solvent. Or if I don't find a lot of sludge when I drain them, would it be ok just to fill back up to the proper level?

Is there any way to flush the tranny, t-case, and steering gear box? And when I drain them would it be feasible to remove some covers and inspect everything to make sure there isn't excessive wear or lots of filings in the bottom?

[Poser]

ME-

I use distilled water in all coolant systems when I service them.


If the vehicle has not sat for a long period of time, ie. YEARS, then the following *should* be fine...

If when you drain the oils from the gearboxes and axles, so long as you do not find any metal surprises on the magnetic drain plugs, you should be fine just changing out the oil.


"flushing" is something that I would not focus a lot of time or energy on. It is more likley to knock something loose and cause more drama than it is going to do "good"...


Your old oil will tell you what is going on, I would not worry about it.


If this has been sitting for a long time, then you may want to look at the rear end and see if it has rust on the ring gear, which would possibly be a taddle tale on the condition of other components...


These things are pretty easy going and simple for the most part.


Good luck!


-Steve

[JC39232]

Thanks alot, that's kind of what I was thinking. I will probably still go ahead and flush out the coolant system unless the coolant/water mixture looks super clean. Everything else is probably gonna be just drained and replaced.

Thanks a heep.

I know the PO did not drive it a lot, but it started right up with no problem and I think whoever had it before took quite good care of it. The paint still looks immaculate on the inside. And fair on the outside if I could keep the little brats next door from scratching the paint with sticks....ARGH.

I was also wondering how aggressive I should be in replacing all the bearings and races in the axles. Don't know when this was done last, don't know how the PO's used it and don't know how they maintained it.

[Poser]

If they are not broke, don't mess with 'em.

The rear axle bearings will probably last you the rest of your life, and whoever has the vehicle after you...


The fronts, if the grease seal is not leaking, and there is no excessive play in the hub/wheel assembly, I would not think about doing anything with them, until you are in there doing something else. That certainly goes the same for the rear axle wheel bearings.

If your truck is not leaking oil or grease, goes down the road fine for a 30+ year old vehicle, and you are not going to be tearing the whole truck apart for a frame up restoration, I would not worry about things, until something shows you a sign that it needs attention, unless, you REALLY want to start throwing money and time at the truck...

Grease all the zerks; get a good grease gun, pistol style that accepts a full size cartridge.


I would drive it, learn about it and how it functions, become familiar with the idiosyncrasies that all Land Cruisers posses, and go from there. Get a base line established, so that you know what your truck runs and sounds like. This will help you in the future when you are trying to diagnose something that seems ami



Good luck!


-Steve

[1973Guppie]

I would also check your plugs, wires, cap, rotor, air filter, fuel filter, etc, basic tune up stuff. When I had an inline 6 I remember doing these things made a world of difference, just a thought, common sense but hey....

Noah

[JC39232]

I'm going to replace the plugs, air and fuel filters, has new plug wires distributor cap and points from PO. Some reason he didn't replace the plugs. Probably gonna think about replacing the fuel line from the pump to the carb as I have read it can cause some problems such as I am experiencing with how it quit on me the other day.

I need to take the tank off and clean it out too, just don't have the time or facilities for that at this exact moment since I live in an apartment and am currently attending school. Probably gonna park it at my parents house this winter and do some repairs there. As long as they don't call a truck to come haul it off

Appreciate the pointers.