Newb with '85 60

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cruxarche

cruxarche

SILVER Star
10 Year
Joined
Mar 30, 2012
Threads
55
Messages
309
Location
Davis, CA
Hi folks,
I am new here. Just picked up a 1985 fj60 today. Oct 1985 Manufacture date, for 2200. Basically body is good, no rust on top or underneath. The F2 (185k) drove home 75 miles with no issues. There is a bit of oil underneath but impossible to tell where it is coming from.

My first question:
I am pretty handy on cars, but new to Cruisers. What needs to be checked/drained/replaced/ etc. as a matter of course. Is there a link somewhere in here for that kind of thing? I could not find one with search.

My second question:
Primary use for vehicle will be accessing flooded rice fields for hunting in winter her in NorCal. Roads in tend to get washed out and muddy! Otherwise used for fun and occasional camping trip or backup to my DD if need be. I would like to get it as high as possible without a lift, and am on stock rims. Please recommend tires. I have searched and cannot seem to figure out if I I should go with 31 10.5 or 33 10.5. Much conflicting info.

Thanks and I am so excited to be here!
Grace inverted.webp
 
Last edited:
Thanks folks. Primary purpose is to get through muddy roads in winter (NorCal) for hunting. So, 33's WILL fit stock rim and height with no lift? ALso, any links on basic "must do when acquiring a 60"? Otherwise I will drain tranny, motor oils, check brakes, due basic tune up with cap, plugs, wires, etc. Just not sure what to look for. I know I have a leak becuase after 2 hours in the rain on the freeway both floorboards are wet...
 
Welcome to the addiction, it will get worse. :D

I don't know where you are in NorCal, but did you drive on Almaden Expressway in San Jose around noon the other day? Cause as I was getting over to the right to make a turn, a stock silver FJ60 with a roof rack drove past me. I looked over and was stoked to see another 60, I don't see them very often! :D
 
Machinist: no that was not me. Actually just picked it up today.
And Big Cruiser Guy, yeah, that is pretty funny! No, not an Aussie, just a newb at figuring out this forum!
 
When I bought my 86 FJ60 there was a lot of oil underneath. It was fresh and
went from the engine back. It could have been a rear main seal, etc.

I brought it to the seller's attention. we negotiated based on worst-case situation
and I got 2k knocked off the price. I steam cleaned the undercarriage and determined the leak was the oil pan gasket....


Welcome and enjoy your new truck!
 
"Must do when buying a cruiser" totally depends on the previous owner, but here's a quick list of things to check for:
1) Oil galley plug. Do a search and you'll know what to look for
2) Front knuckles. If they're leaking truck juice, you'll want to think about rebuilding them in the not-too-distant future.
3) Since you've already got a leaker, you could try to pinpoint the source of your oil leak. Odds are: valve cover gasket, oil pan gasket, side cover, front main, rear main.
4) The seal between the transmission and the transfer case is known for going bad. Check fluid levels in both gearboxes to make sure everything looks right. If one is too full and the other is too empty, that means they're swapping fluid and you should replace the seal.

As for tires, my personal opinion is 31's are a really good fit to the stock 3.73 gear setup. IMO, 33's are less than optimal off road unless you plan to re-gear to 4.11. It's a nice setup for around town though.

:edit: somebody flip that picture right-side-up!
 
OK, imaged flipped!
Heckraiser. thanks for the feedback. I am a flatlande, so gearing is less of an issue. Mostly I am worried about height on rutted muddy roads. But I am not about swap gears at this point, so maybe 31's are the best call. And thanks for some initial guidance on where to start with this thing. Going to take it to the spray wash and start cleaning away years of gunck and oil.
 
Where are you?

If you are talking rice fields, you may be near Sacramento, and if so, I have a set of 31s (2 very good BFG ATs, and 2 fair BFG All terrain -not ATs) with FJ60 wheels that you can have cheap.

Lots to do, but the main thing is tune up, changing all the fluids, fixing all the leaks and just get everything baselined.

After that, rebuild the front axle-that's a rite of passage into the LC world.

The galley plug is worth inspecting and repair when you have time.

Enjoy your 60. They are excellent trucks. Just thirsty.

You pass smog yet?
 
Cruiserdrew. NO, i have not passed smog yet. Afraid to go. Any advice there? I will pm you and we can talk tires/rims... BTW, I am in Davis but hunt north of Woodland in the Nights Landing area.
 
Love my 31's 10.5 on my stock wheels. Great rig man, welcome. This forum is unreal with good info.
 
Tune Up Question:
Lot of info here on lubricants, but cannot find basic advice on Tune Up. Hoping to get all I need at NAPA. Seems like a lot of folks use the NAPA Gold oil filter. Is basic plugs/wires/cap, air/fuel filter etc. ok? Just need to get this tuned up and smogged.

Thanks.
 
cruxarche said:
Tune Up Question:
Lot of info here on lubricants, but cannot find basic advice on Tune Up. Hoping to get all I need at NAPA. Seems like a lot of folks use the NAPA Gold oil filter. Is basic plugs/wires/cap, air/fuel filter etc. ok? Just need to get this tuned up and smogged.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

Get your parts from Toyota. Beno or Cruiserdan sell real Toyota parts for less than you'll pay at Napa. They are good guys to know and do business with.

Make sure you get a pre-test at the smog place your first time through. If it fails, you don't want the test to be official.

The Napa Gold filters are fine.

I'll give you a call tomorrow about the tires.
 
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