Builds 'Brightening' a Fj60 (1 Viewer)

[mattressking]

So I've been kicking around the site for a few months now. It all started when I moved from Washington DC to Ventura, CA in November. The only vehicle I had was my shovel and after a month and the rainy season coming in, I needed something to drive with a roof. Having kicked around imports for the past 10 years or so and daydreaming about getting a 60 for the past year, I decided to pull the trigger. Old cars are nothing new to me and having tried a plethora of different things, I realized I enjoy mild restorations and restomods. Hoping to keep this rig as a daily so that I can one day use it to pull another 911.

After some hunting, I picked up an October 1985 from a Danish gentleman in Venice, Ca. Truck seemed solid, not too many leaks and a straight body, though it had been resprayed from its previous owner. 150,831 miles on the clock.

Day 1.

Truck was covered in dirt and needed some love. She made the trek up PCH with no problems, though I started to learn its quirks and started a mental checklist.

Since it is my daily, I do all my work at night and weekends like many of you and take it everywhere in between.

I started with the basics, coolant system refresh, tie rods and some misc exterior bits in between since OE parts are disappearing.

For anyone's enjoyment, here is what has been done over the past few months. I pulled this from an Excel sheet that I keep to track maintenance and replacements/upgrades.

Maintenance:
10-Dec-16 90119-08079 Seat Mounting Bolt, Driver Side 152,XXX
13-Dec-16 17801-61010 Air Filter 151,735
13-Dec-16 12204-61010 PCV Valve 151,735
13-Dec-16 90480-18001 PCV Valve Grommet 151,735
13-Dec-16 23300-38010 Fuel Filter 151,735
13-Dec-16 19101-61240 Distributor Cap 151,735
13-Dec-16 19127-61240 Distributor Cap O-Ring 151,735
13-Dec-16 19102-43060 Distributor Rotor 151,735
13-Dec-16 15600-TD004 Oil Filter 151,735
13-Dec-16 15w40 Oil Change - Shell Rotella 151,735
13-Dec-16 90919-21325 Ignition Plug Wire/Spark Plug Wires 151,735
13-Dec-16 90919-01083 Spark Plugs - W20EX-U 151,735
18-Dec-16 53132-90A01 Headlight Door, Left OEM Toyota 152,XXX
18-Dec-16 53131-90A01 Headlight Door, Right OEM Toyota 152,XXX
18-Dec-16 90189-04069 Corner Lamp Mounting Screws (8) 152,XXX
18-Dec-16 90160-40002 Corner Lamp Mounting Grommets (8) 152,XXX
18-Dec-16 90154-50001 Headlight Door Mounting Screws (8) 152,XXX
18-Dec-16 90189-05013 Headlight Door Mounting Grommets (8) 152,XXX
21-Dec-16 16360-61015 Carburetor Cooling Fan - Used 152,XXX
21-Dec-16 N/A Lubrication of Driver Window Regulator 152,XXX
20-Dec-16 85247-90A01 Wiper Motor Cap, Left and Right 152,XXX
20-Dec-16 83420-20020 Coolant Temperature Sensor 155,450
31-Dec-16 85212-YZZ10 Wiper Blade - Front Right 153,XXX
31-Dec-16 85212-YZZ10 Wiper Blade - Front Left 153,XXX
31-Dec-16 85220-90A02 Wiper Blade - Rear 153,XXX
4-Jan-17 77310-12100 Gas Cap 153,XXX
10-Jan-17 25628-61060 EGR Gasket 153,413
7-Jan-17 92112-60818 EGR J-Pipe Stud 153,413
15-Jan-17 90916-03052 Thermostat 153,940
15-Jan-17 90430-43002 Thermostat Housing Gasket 153,940
15-Jan-17 16333-61110 Thermostat Housing 153,940
15-Jan-17 91611-B0845 Thermostat Housing Bolts 153,940
15-Jan-17 00272-1LLAC-01 Toyota Red Coolant 153,940
21-Jan-17 90916-01172 Upper Radiator Hose 154,878
21-Jan-17 90466-41008 Upper Radiator Hose Clamps 154,878
21-Jan-17 99554-70185 Lower Radiator Hose 154,878
21-Jan-17 96111-10510 Lower Radiator Hose Clamps 154,878
21-Jan-17 16577-61120 Lower Radiator Hard Pipe 154,878
21-Jan-17 90916-01163 Lower Radiator Hard Pipe to Waterpump Hose 154,878
21-Jan-17 96111-10580 Lower Radiator Hard Pipe to Waterpump Hose Clamps 154,878
21-Jan-17 16261-60011 Thermostat By-Pass Hose 154,878
21-Jan-17 96112-10330 Thermostat By-Pass Hose Clamps 154,878
21-Jan-17 15777-610111 Upper Oil Cooler Hose to Thermostat Housing 154,878
21-Jan-17 99556-30300 Lower Heater Hose to Radiator Hose 154,878
21-Jan-17 96112-102500 Lower Heater Hose to Radiator Hose Clamps 154,878
21-Jan-17 90467-22004 Oil Cooler Hose Clamps 154,878
21-Jan-17 99332-11250-78 V-Belt - A/C 154,878
21-Jan-17 99343-11120-77 V-Belt - Waterpump 154,878
21-Jan-17 99343-11570-77 V-Belt - P/S 154,878
25-Jan-17 16401-41021 Radiator Cap 154,878
27-Jan-17 87910-90A00 Mirror Assembly, Outer N/A
27-Jan-17 87940-90A01 Mirror Assembly, Outer N/A
N/A 90480-15002 Hood Prop Grommet N/A
8-Feb-17 TRE69065 555 Tie Rods and Drag Links 154,979
N/A MAXX-27 Everlast Battery N/A
24-Mar-17 90925-05035 Bi-Metallic Vacuum Switch Valve - EGR/Vacuum Advance 157634
24-Mar-17 16110-61081-77 Waterpump 157634
24-Mar-17 16721-60012 Waterpump gasket 157634
24-Mar-17 90119-A0139 Waterpump Housing Bolts (4) 157634
24-Mar-17 99555-30280 Oil Cooler to Oil Cooler Hard Pipe Hose 157634
24-Mar-17 15771-61010 Lower Oil Cooler Hard Pipe 157634
24-Mar-17 90910-05155 Lower Oil Cooler Hard Pipe to Waterpump Hose 157634
24-Mar-17 90467-22004 Lower Oil Cooler Hard Pipe Clamps (4) 157634
4-Apr-17 80w90 Mobil 1 Synthetic Gear Fluid - F/R Diff Fluid Change 158,176
13-Mar-17 90430-A0003 Transmission/Transfer Case Drain/Fill Gasket 158,323
4-Apr-17 12157-10010 Differential Drain/Fill Plug Gasket 158,176
4-Apr-17 90341-18021 Magnetic Drain/Fill Plug 158,176
8-Apr-17 80w90 BradPenn Gear Fluid Change - Trans/Transfer Case 158,323

Modifications:
12-Jan-17 N/A BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 - 33x10.5R15/C114R 154,035
17-Feb-17 OMESD24 ARB/Old Man Emu Steering Stabilizer 155,450
DK50000 FJ60 Stainless Battery Tray - Standard Size N/A
15-Apr-17 CS003F Front Leaf Springs 158,809
15-Apr-17 60009 Nitrocharger Sport Front Shocks 158,809
15-Apr-17 CS017RA Rear Leaf Springs 158,809
15-Apr-17 60062 (85-90) Rear Nitrocharger Sport Shocks 158,809
15-Apr-17 OME B11 Shock Bushing (Use in rear shocks for 80-85 Application) 158,809
15-Apr-17 OMESB1 Spring Bushing Kit 158,809
15-Apr-17 SH60050FAL Front Anti-Inversion Shackle - LH 158,809
15-Apr-17 SH60050FAR Front Anti-Inversion Shackle - RH 158,809
15-Apr-17 SH60050RAL Rear Anti-Inversion Shackle - LH 158,809
15-Apr-17 SH60050RAR Rear Anti-Inversion Shackle - RH 158,809
15-Apr-17 SP60040G Spring Pin - Greasable 158,809
15-Apr-17 CBS01 (85-90 Only) Rear Center Bolt Spacers 158,809
15-Apr-17 UBOLTSQ U-Bolt (OMEU51 Equivalent) 158,809
15-Apr-17 UBOLTRD U-Bolt (OMEU59A/B Equivalent) - 158,809
15-Apr-17 SUS60FSWAY 6x/7x FR Sway Bar Links - Extended (Pair) 158,809

Fast forward a couple months and a bunch of Toyota/Cruiser Outfitters parts receipts later and here we are.

After spotting a fellow rig at work, still don't know who owns it.

Did some other miscellaneous stuff.



https://forum.ih8mud.com/posts/10940981/
Coolant system is almost entirely refreshed, wish i had done the remaining oil cooler lines, but I never ordered. Next time I flush the coolant I will replace and perhaps clean up the oil cooler and banjos as well.

So that brings us to today, 4/20/17.

OME Lift was installed last Saturday after the original suspension had served it well the past 32 years. I was wildly surprised at how easy the install was. Every bushing and pin came out smooth (after soaking in PB a few times prior to install).

After one night at a local brewery, some dummy failed to see my truck behind them and hit the corner of my front bumper and didn't want to fess up/pay, so in came USAA with a check for new parts. So yesterday I made the order for a new front bumper, hardware, endcaps, coolant overflow and a bunch of other misc stuff that I've been wanting to replace, see below if anyone wants part #s.

75316-90A00 Grill Nameplate
52111-60120 Front Bumper Bar w/o Winch
52102-60010 Outer End, RIGHT
52103-60010 Outer End, LEFT
51961-36040 Tow Hook
90467-12008 Grill Clip
53382-90K01 Bumper Hood Front
81512-90A00 Front Corner Light Lens Gasket, L/R
85195-95700 Cover Wiper Arm - Rear
90080-18070 Positive Term Nut - Outer Bumper Ends
16480-90A00 Reserve Tank
16405-61040 Cap

A majority of the bits are nit picky, but again, if its still available, I'm trying to buy them while I can.

Here's a photo of her as of a couple days ago.

Next on the list is to install all the bits I just ordered once they arrive and then plan for knuckle and steering gearbox rebuild. The truck overall won't be a crazy overland/offroad build, just a cleanup, light restoration and a daily driver.

Cheers!

 

[NookShneer]

Nathan killer work, and documentation. I'm back in the 805 in a couple weeks and would love to get a beer and check out your truck! Keep up the awesome work.

 

[NeverGiveUpYota]

Check out Jims Frankenstein build @CenTXFJ60 for the trick we figured out w/ the gear box rebuild. Around page 19 I believe where I'm tagged in it.
That was my first rebuild on my truck back last May. Went very smoothly for being clueless really. Be sure to get the two control rings (white w/ green speckles) from Toyota if you buy the aftermarket kit cuz the ones in it are too big.
Looks good. Nice to know your suspension upgrade went so smooth!

 

[mattressking]

Nathan killer work, and documentation. I'm back in the 805 in a couple weeks and would love to get a beer and check out your truck! Keep up the awesome work.

Sounds good! Shoot me a message when you know you'll be in town, we can go to Topa Topa.

Check out Jims Frankenstein build @CenTXFJ60 for the trick we figured out w/ the gear box rebuild. Around page 19 I believe where I'm tagged in it.
That was my first rebuild on my truck back last May. Went very smoothly for being clueless really. Be sure to get the two control rings (white w/ green speckles) from Toyota if you buy the aftermarket kit cuz the ones in it are too big.
Looks good. Nice to know your suspension upgrade went so smooth!

Thanks! I will definitely cruise through that rebuild, I'll most likely go with OE Toyota per that note as well. I'm pumped to stop the gearbox leak.

 

[rrv333]

Great work

 

[psulick3]

Nice build up. How are the 33's with stock gearing? I run 31s with a 2" lift and am thinking of switching over once these tires go. If you ever make it back east, I'm seeing more and more Cruisers around the DC metro areas since I bought mine.

 

[mattressking]

Snapped a few pics on lunch today after I washed the truck up last night. Shines up pretty well, asides from the front bumper. Pumped for all those bits to arrive and sharpen it up.

Only gripe I have right now is the lift. The stink bug is really evident so I could use some input on how to bring the front up to match the rear as I like the rear height a lot.

Longer shackles up front? Right now they measure about 3.25" from pin to pin. Rears are 3.5". Could also add a leaf I suppose.

 

[micruz60]

Try aluminum foil and cola as a scrub / rust remover on the chrome bumper. Cost-effective.

For the stink bug, put 500# in the back and drive it for awhile? Could also remove a leaf from the rear spring pack, but I would not do that. There was a couple of years where mine was too stinkbug, but it mellowed out after several cycles of loading and unloading.
hth

 

[mattressking]

Try aluminum foil and cola as a scrub / rust remover on the chrome bumper. Cost-effective.

For the stink bug, put 500# in the back and drive it for awhile? Could also remove a leaf from the rear spring pack, but I would not do that. There was a couple of years where mine was too stinkbug, but it mellowed out after several cycles of loading and unloading.
hth

Classic trick, used it a bunch on harley parts. Since it was banged up, I actually have a new bumper from Toyota to replace!

 

[Spike Strip]

I had that 'stink bug' at first, also, with CS005 extra heavy, but with a 38 gal tank it definitely lessens after a while. As I understand it, they are engineered that way so it does not sag when loaded.

 

[SteveH]

I would do a a short front shackle lift (maybe 1" taller shackles, which will add 1/2" lift) just to take the edge off. Then, just let the springs sag for the next 15-20 years and you'll be good.

 

[RodrigzCrzr]

Hey man! Good job on the clean up of that rig. way to save it. she is looking good.
Hope to see you around since i drive up to Ojai from time to time. maybe we can get a few rigs together and talk cruisers.
Keep up the good work.

 

[mattressking]

Hey man! Good job on the clean up of that rig. way to save it. she is looking good.
Hope to see you around since i drive up to Ojai from time to time. maybe we can get a few rigs together and talk cruisers.
Keep up the good work.

Let's do it! Maybe we can get some people to hit the trails in berdoo

 

[Big Cruiser Guy]

Nice rig.
As for your coworker with the brown 60, keep parking next to it and maybe leave a note.

 

[mattressking]

So I've been chasing a light hesitation at cold start and intermittent hesitation when warm starting. EGR system all checked out, vac holds at 20inHg and couldn't make sense of it except that when the EGR was capped off, the truck ran smooth.

Going through the few records from previous owner, Toy Shop in SF diagnosed a possible bad emissions computer. Well...after reading in the manual about the emissions computer and deceleration fuel cut, I decided to start looking there. Sure enough, I looked into the vacuum routing and seemed to find the final piece of the puzzle.

Fuel Cut vacuum from carb was routed to the ASV for air injection. VSV (1) Port F was run to the Vacuum Switch for the Deceleration Fuel Cut.....this was after checking each solder point on the emissions computer. Rerouted, waited until morning to test at cold start and so far its buttery smooth.

That was the remaining quirk in the truck and it appears that all is finally resolved. Hoping that after a few cycles I can confirm my findings.

 

[mattressking]

Local score today. Got it all for a pretty good price. Only item not pictured is the unused bottle jack. Almost all the tools are unused, might hit them with some polish and perhaps clear them for longevity.

 

[NeverGiveUpYota]

Mine has three rods for the jack plus the handle. I just used it the other day. Worked great.

 

[mattressking]

Mine has three rods for the jack plus the handle. I just used it the other day. Worked great.

That's awesome! Thankfully the truck came with bottle jack and rods for spare, but that was it. Glad I could get a loaded set to toss under the seat as well.

 

[mattressking]

First batch showed up today. New coolant bottle and overflow cap from an 80 series.

Since the truck had fresh coolant and I didn't need a lot for the bottle, I figured I could reuse it assuming I could pull it out of the old bottle without bringing any more dirt into the new bottle.

Introduce coffee filters. Filtered out the little bits I didn't want back in the system perfectly.

 

[Jaric00n]

Running Suntory Whisky as your coolant??