1985 3FE Swapped FJ60, a Refresh

[Godwin]

I’m currently putting on new Tie rod ends… figured I would take my vehicle to an alignment shop. Maybe I’ll give this a shot.

This tool DIY Toe Alignment Tool - https://www.tmrcustoms.com/collections/tools/products/diy-toe-alignment-tool, for the cost of an alignment at a shop you can do it yourself. All the shop will be able to adjust is the toe, so why not DYI?

 

[cruiserinsanity]

The PS motor mount I didn’t replace failed, swapped that out this morning. I had to pull the A/C compressor off to access the top nut.

 

[cruiserinsanity]

@Bama4door found a fifth 70 series wheel so I bought another 235/85r16 as a matching spare.

 

[cruiserinsanity]

I swapped out the tach with the correct one for the 3FE from an FJ62.

More RPMs on the tach = more racetractor

 

[cruiserinsanity]

Recharged the A/C today, no leaks so far and frigid.

 

[cruiserinsanity]

I pulled the diff from the 80 series FF I picked up a while back, it’s tight and looks like it was rebuilt not too long ago. There are paint markings present on the ring gear and the thrust washers looked good. I installed an Aussie Locker in it this afternoon in preparation for swapping it into my front axle.

 

[cruiserinsanity]

I noticed a wet spot under the passenger floor pan today, looks like it may be time to say goodbye to the rear heater.

 

[Gimme a 60]

I noticed a wet spot under the passenger floor pan today, looks like it may be time to say goodbye to the rear heater. View attachment 3614009View attachment 3614010

Hmmm. That’s too bad.

Check the lines. Maybe it’s coming from there. Mine rusted through and had them replaced.

 

[cruiserinsanity]

I bypassed the rear heater today. Just ran a loop of heater hose between both the lines.

I went ahead and removed the core since I won’t be using it anyway.

With the rear heater gone it will be easier to install new carpet in the future. Also, if I ever decide to install different seats (I.e. BMW seats with Torfab brackets) the rear heater would have to be removed anyway.

I also washed it for the first time in a while.

 

[cruiserinsanity]

I was encountering some stumbling while driving, it started out as just running rough when cold then stopping after it warmed up however it got worse last week. I assumed it was a vacuum leak at the intake boots. I ordered a set from City Racer and got them installed this afternoon. It seems to have cured all the vacuum leak symptoms.

The old, worn out, gorilla tape wrapped ripped boots…

And the nice, fresh new City Racer kit.

 

[Godwin]

At Choccolocco Mountain, Jacksonville, AL, yesterday. One of two 3FE'd rigs on the trail, the second being a FJ80. Overall the 60 did well, even on 235/85/16 tires. At the minimum a rear locker is needed. We had to winch the 60 3 times through this rock garden because the axles would become twisted up and with wheel spin. Loose soil is intermixed in the rock matrix and with the lowest tire in the soil, that tire would spin and dig a hole while the tire on the rock would not turn. The rebuilt 8274 with a 6 hp motor and contactor made the winching easy, it's also scary fast when unloaded.

The first pic the 60 had become stuck at about a 45 degree angle on the trail and winching it around the rocks and trees without damage was tricky. The two large rocks in the bottom of the photo were the ones that we had to go over/past to continue up the trail and where we really needed a locker(s). Trail was also steeper than it appears in the photos.

My role yesterday was passenger, spotter, and winch dragger.

The '85 was the third oldest rig in the group, oldest was a 1970 nearly stock FJ40 than ran everything without trouble, and a late '70s FJ55.

 

[Gimme a 60]

Installing a front locker in my FJ62 has changed it completely.

The FJ60 used to be an average off-roader. after the differential lock, I am an absolutely tank, and everybody knows it. low gears, and off idle torque, slow n steady, I always win the race.

I love wheeling my FJ62.

Install that locker!

 

[cruiserinsanity]

I finally installed a good front diff and Aussie locker. I still need to put oil in it tomorrow. That diff is the heaviest 70 lbs ever.

 

[cruisermatt]

It’s like flashbacks to when I was your age. Lockrights, stock birfs, carry a spare because they don’t last very long with the locker.

Party on!

 

[cruiserinsanity]

I went to Windrock two weeks ago for the Southern Swine Soirée and drove the 60. It was about a 600 mile round trip. I was able to cruise on the interstate at 80 for most of the time and averaged about 14 MPG on the way up there and about 15-16 on the way back (I attribute this to the fact that I was decreasing in elevation and had more downhill highway stretches on the return)

On the trails the 60 did pretty good. The main issue I encountered was smacking my springs and axles on rocks. Whenever I wear out the KO2s I got at the beginning of this year I will probably do 255/85r16s, I’ve also had one KO2 develop a bad radial vibration.

The Aussie locker has changed the way I drive the truck. I usually stay in 2 Lo and shift into 4 Lo when I need it. This strategy is fine on the trails we ran, but could become an issue on more technical trails.

Overall, everything was great.

 

[cruiserinsanity]

A while back I accidentally bought a 4Runner for the front hubs in preparation of doing the 80 Axle/ Tundra brake mod.

I sold the 4Runner a few weeks ago and started stripping down the hubs today. Rotors removed and old studs pressed out.

 

[cruiserinsanity]

I also got a set of free 3 Series BMW seats so I will be swapping those in the 60 with some TorFab brackets in the future.

 

[cruisermatt]

Let me know when you’re ready for the caliper brackets. I’ll hook you up

 

[cruiserinsanity]

Let me know when you’re ready for the caliper brackets. I’ll hook you up

I definitely will. Thanks Matt.

 

[cruiserinsanity]

I picked up a set of almost new 255/85r16 Geolandars from a 100 series guy this week for $800. I got them on my 60 yesterday and I’m extremely happy with them. They fit the truck much better than my 235/85r16s did.