Bought my first FJ62. Have a few questions.

NYC FJ62 · 11-01-09, 07:18 PM

Hi all.

I recently picked up my first FJ62. Its a dark grey 89 with 155k on it. It has its small issues here and there that I have questions about. I'm a VW/Audi guy. Always have been and always will. But lately Ive had the big truck bug and I found this diamond in the rough that needed the right owner to bring it back to life.

Let me begin with the issues and questions:

1) 3rd gear does not catch smoothly on the transition from 2nd. As you accelerate in 2nd, when the RPM's get to 2k, they just climb, almost as if you were to clutch-in on a manual to neutral. To get 3rd gear to catch you have to let off the gas, and get back on it. No grinding, no noises, nothing unusual except that the rpms just climb and 3rd doesnt catch until you do the little throttle trick.

2) Are the power locks on this car only for the front doors ? The back doors don't work when I press lock/unlock.

3) I'm a car guy but this is a whole new world for me so I'm curious as to what the popular mods are aside from suspension/motor.
Example:

Can the rinky-dink small center console be swapped out for a better/bigger one with an arm rest ?

Any mods to imrpove the lighting of the cluster ?

Can the original seats be swapped out for another pair ... direct bolt in ?

Thank all for your time to help me answer my questions/concerns. This is my first "Truck". I do all my own work on my cars but am limited to certain things as I do not own a welder or know how to weld. I've seen some things on this site in the few days that i've been on so far that make me wish I could weld such as bumpers, home made roof racks, spare tire holder, custom brush guards.

Thanks !

specialk396 · 11-01-09, 07:25 PM

Search is your friend. All of the issues you are describing have been covered at length already. Look through the FAQ sticky as well. My passenger back lock sticks as well, the knob gets caught on the door panel sometimes. Lock button unlocks all doors+ rear hatch.

Ming89FJ62 · 11-01-09, 07:39 PM

Welcome

(official mud salute)

Search is very powerful w/ lots of info on mods. There are not a lot of OEM options for 62's but plenty of aftermarket stuff.

Door locks - all four doors and the tail gate have door lock solenoids. Over time the solenoids either die or the wiring harness builds up enough resistance where they can stop working due to not enough juice. Best bet is to pull a door panel and check w/ a volt/ohm meter.

Shifting - the kick down cable probably need adjustment. About 1/2 hour job.

Welcome to the fetish and to Mud. There's a ton of info here plus a lot of experience.

cruiser guy · 11-01-09, 08:00 PM

welcome to the addiction

RockDoc · 11-01-09, 08:05 PM

Seat and console options. I have these seats, love 'em, almost direct bolt-up.

http://forum.ih8mud.com/60-series-wa...r-install.html

wengejor · 11-01-09, 08:59 PM

Welcome from a fellow VW guy...

NYC FJ62 · 11-01-09, 09:50 PM

Thank you all for the kindness and replies.

I've done some searches for the kickdown cable issue and have been unsuccessful in finding a thread on how to adjust it.

RockDoc · 11-01-09, 09:53 PM

Adjust it at the throttle so it is just shy of taught with the throttle closed, from there go by how it drives.... shifts harsh and late, loosen it a bit... shifts early, tighten a bit

slcfj62 · 11-01-09, 10:09 PM

Sounds like you want to do your own work on the rig. Good thinking. You will need the Factory Service Manual (FSM). There are many excellent procedures in the FSM, including the adjustment of the kickdown cable. In your case though, it sounds more like slipping than late or early shifting. Do a search on Rodney Flush to see if you can get some more life out of your transmission.

As RocDoc shows you, Procar Elite seats are a direct bolt in.

Search for LED dash light upgrade.

Center console options range from the $20 ammo can to the much more expensive Tuffy console.

The power windows and locks on these rigs were not one of Toyota's finer moments. But you can fix them fairly easily by following this thread:

http://forum.ih8mud.com/60-series-wa...anent-fix.html

Randy88FJ62 · 11-02-09, 09:16 AM

There are thousands of mods on this site in the 62 section alone. Most of us 62 guys install a transmission cooler to protect against higher operating temps. Looks like you may be in a bind with the trany. If doing a flush and adjusting the kick down cable do not work there are many people in the classifieds parting trucks out. You can usually get a used trany for about $200 to $400 if you have a few months to watch for them. If you plan on changing your own belts and doing maintenance in the engine bay, most people cut the fan shroud in half. It allows it to come out for easy access to a lot of things that would usually require more unbolting to get to. I have yet to install LED lights in the gauge cluster but those who have done it are really happy as they can pick their own colors.

Creeker · 11-02-09, 10:43 AM

Definitely do the door lock mod. Very clear directions in the faq sticky, and it works great. Another mod you should consider is headlight harness/light upgrade. I haven't done mine yet, but you may have noticed how bad the factory lights are.

Welcome!

NYC FJ62 · 11-02-09, 11:41 AM

I am looking forward to doing lighting mods both interior and exterior. I did car audio/security for close to 10 years so I'm pretty familiar with automobile wiring. I'm going to look into modifiying the cluster to light up from behind the needle.

This is an example of an OEM VW MK4 (Late 1999 - 2004) Cluster. This style of lighting is a popular mod amongst Pre-MK4 VW owners. This is the lighting style I will be looking to accomplish in the FJ cluster, Except I will want the numbers to light up Red instead of blue.

Lit up needle, lit up numbers. The needles I will have to use will need to be from a Toyota/Lexus that are the same length that are clear and also light up this same way OEM. I will have to then modify the FJ cluster to accept LED's behind the gauges to shine through..I will start looking into this and if it is possible, I will post a how-to

Also,

for the door locks, I will be using the following DEI (Makers of Viper alarms) relay modules. It performs the same function as 2 SPDT relays and can be used to accomplish the same thing:

DEI 451M - DOOR LOCK RELAY MODULE (Directed 451-M)

Question: When upgrading to a different center console, what is everyone doing with the center HVAC unit ? Is there a direct replacement/upgrade that keeps the heater unit ?

Tofudebeest · 11-02-09, 11:53 AM

The consoles install over the heater, just like OEM. Many of the aftermarket consoles do require that you modify the adjustment arm in the back, typically a 90 degree bend.

NYFJ62 · 11-02-09, 08:20 PM

Hey NYC FJ62 ... NYFJ62 here. Also a bit of a newbie. Dont hesitate to look me up if you need an extra set of hands for anything. Welcome to the addiction.

NYC FJ62 · 11-02-09, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYFJ62

Hey NYC FJ62 ... NYFJ62 here. Also a bit of a newbie. Dont hesitate to look me up if you need an extra set of hands for anything. Welcome to the addiction.

HA! I saw your Username in a thread I was reading. Cool.

Where about in NY ?

Same goes for me man, Im pretty mechanically inclined. I've always done work on my own cars. Pull motors, rebuilts, etc.

This truck thing is a whole new animal to me.

Lugal · 11-02-09, 08:44 PM

NYC FJ62-

Between you, NYFJ62, HeadacheManNYC, and Me (sadly, no mention of NY in my name), that makes at least four of us new 60 series Mudders in the area. We should try to all meet up at some point. PM me if you need extra hands.

NYC FJ62 · 11-03-09, 01:16 PM

Hey Guys,

Another question:

Is there a site/link to a thread where I can read and learn about the components of these trucks ?

Excuse the ignorance but as mentioned, this is my first truck so I do not know what certain things are or what they are for. Reading all these suspension threads leaves me puzzled if it wasnt for pictures.

Example: What are inverted shackles and what are they used for ?

This 4x4 thing is new to me :(

Tofudebeest · 11-03-09, 02:44 PM

Use the search function, and use it well. You'll soon discover that everything you'll ever need or want to know about your new truck is here. See you in a few months.

NYFJ62 · 11-03-09, 02:59 PM

I need to install a tranny cooler some time. If any of you 62'ers in NYC are also in need of one, maybe thats a good excuse to get together.

NYFJ62 · 11-03-09, 03:02 PM

Not to exclude the 60 folks or anything .... You guys can come along and laugh at us and our automatics.

Can't wait for the day I can afford an H55 swap.

NYC FJ62 · 11-03-09, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYFJ62

I need to install a tranny cooler some time. If any of you 62'ers in NYC are also in need of one, maybe thats a good excuse to get together.

I'm game. Hit me up. I'll bring over a 36 pack.

And Tofu, I have been using the search function. I'm a member on other automotive forums and I know the whole "use the search" speech for newbies. Didn't think it'd hurt to ask a question.

Tofudebeest · 11-04-09, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYC FJ62

And Tofu, I have been using the search function. I'm a member on other automotive forums and I know the whole "use the search" speech for newbies. Didn't think it'd hurt to ask a question.

No sweat dude. Questions like:

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYC FJ62

Is there a site/link to a thread where I can read and learn about the components of these trucks ?

What are inverted shackles and what are they used for ?

Are begging for a "use the search function, dude".

NYC FJ62 · 11-04-09, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tofudebeest

No sweat dude. Questions like:

Are begging for a "use the search function, dude".

Stupid Newbies!

Tofudebeest · 11-04-09, 01:55 PM

Welcome to New York.

89GASHOG · 11-08-09, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYC FJ62

Can the rinky-dink small center console be swapped out for a better/bigger one with an arm rest ?

Don't know where it came from, but take a look at the arm rest my 62 came to me with. I really like it.
Anyone recognize the brand of my seat covers? They've held up nicely in the 6+ years I've had it.

HeadacheManNYC · 11-12-09, 07:24 PM

Glad too see all the NYC 60/62 freaks finding each other on this thread. Regarding the transmission cooler: Get it! Smoother shifting and way less heat from the shifter base/floor. Cheap and effective. Hope to see you folks around town.

Luke

jgroux · 11-13-09, 04:01 PM

head lights, power door locks, power windows, and probably your 4WD selonoids are shot (or will be this winter)... if you are still stuggling with the kickdown cable I would find a tranny shop and start developing a relationship... everything will break in time - SOR is a good place for quality / expensive new and used parts, buy the membership, you will use it the first year. Cruiserparts.net is a good junkyard. Cruiser Dan at American Toyota Phone is the man for OEM parts (1-800-432-6668 ext. 8)
Welcome