1987 FJ60 build

[JohninFla]

Rollin, rollin rollin.....

Biggest Cruiser Grin EVER!!

I got my clutch sorted out - posted on the FJ40 board, got some hints, and it was enough to push my butt back out under there to fight some more tonight, after spending the morning not getting it done. Seems my inspection cover was rubbing, making a big noise, I thought was the throwout bearing rubbing on the clutch fingers. Can't adjust the clutch enough to change that.......

I also installed my tuffy center console, got myself a $20 deal on a BFG 33x12.5x15 on Craigslist, and cleaned the junk out of the back of the cruiser. I also cleaned up the garage, but there is still a ways to go on that battle front!

Some more stuff to keep me from getting too comfortable...

My A/C delete idler pulley decided to start squeaking, didn't do that before. Need a new one or add A/C. Hmmm....

My inspection cover still makes some racket, I gotta fight with it some.

Need to make a fan shroud from the stock one. My fan is not where the stock one was, perfectly stuff rubs.

Need to install a temp gauge. The stock wire under the hood was broken off when I got the truck, and I figure it shorted or something since I get nothing on the dash. All the other gauges are awesome, and I need to buy some GAS or plan on walking when I drive it again.

Another freakin awesome day to be me!

 

[TallCanDan]

Snip...
...but leave out the busted knuckle cursing. today I dropped a 1/2 wrench on my face, open end down. Looks like I cut myself shaving.......

Sorry man but I got a laugh from reading this, I've been there! I've learned to wear safety glasses while laying under anything, if nothing more than to keep the crud out the eyes!

Great progress.

 

[cruisermatt]

Sweet!

 

[JohninFla]

Tallcandan - I always wear them too. I got a pair with a bifocal lens since our safety lady in the factory got tired of me swapping to reading glasses every time I had to look at something on the Production floor.

I drove a little bit today, mostly to fill the gas tank, (ouch! $75 it was almost empty)

My gas gauge and temp gauge don't work. My homework here on the site tells me I probably need to take the dash out and clean some ground connections.... Ugh... Electrical stuff.... :-(

 

[norsk]

Tallcandan - I always wear them too. I got a pair with a bifocal lens since our safety lady in the factory got tired of me swapping to reading glasses every time I had to look at something on the Production floor.

I drove a little bit today, mostly to fill the gas tank, (ouch! $75 it was almost empty)

My gas gauge and temp gauge don't work. My homework here on the site tells me I probably need to take the dash out and clean some ground connections.... Ugh... Electrical stuff.... :-(

oh that feeling of air on the face coming through the driver's window of a TLC - very sweet

dougbert

 

[JohninFla]

Dougbert - yep!!

Nothing to report on my cruiser, I am working south again. Just a photo of a FJ40 I spotted in Bahia area of Brazil yesterday. No speed limits out there in the far west of Brazil, either!

Have fun! :-D

 

[JohninFla]

Drove my cruiser around for a bunch of errands today. Some thing I noticed - I am having a hard time getting into Reverse and First. it makes a good grinding noise going into reverse. I wonder if the clutch is not disengaged fully? Any hints?

I also notice between gears, it's tough to find them. Almost like a very old truck or tractor with no synchronizers in the tranny, (yea, I remember that transmission, from long ago)

I have to change the fluid in my Ranger torque splitter in the morning, and do some other small stuff. I hope maybe someone will throw some hints of what to look at for me?

Thanks!

 

[JohninFla]

First and reverse being hard to get to means the clutch needs to be adjusted. It wasn't disengaging fully.

Fixed it!

Drove around some more, actually washed it at a self service place, and replaced the wiper blades. Then I put an 8 ball shift knob on. And some stickers. Pics tomorrow.

Just cause.

 

[BOUNCY]

Go the 60's

Hey, A Really Great Build Here.
Great Work. It Must Be Awesome With A 350 Chev.

Cheers Michael

 

[JohninFla]

Thanks Michael I am having a lot of fun!

 

[JohninFla]

Drove around doing errands in the cruiser Saturday. Went to a steel surplus store to shop for bumper steel, home depot, and other places, so I could be taller than everyone else's car, and have fun in traffic.

Saturday afternoon, I changed my Ranger fluid from the break in fluid to the Amsoil they ship with the unit, fine tuned the clutch

Sunday, I found oil on the driveway. Poked around under the hood, found that the front seal between the intake and the block really wasn't there. I thought it had looked funny when I had the engine on the stand, but I thought the tabs were just off it.

Took the intake off, found the seal in the lifter valley, hanging by one end in the corner where the manifold meets the passenger head. Buttoned it back up, was running and raring to go later.

I forgot to take pics of the stickers and 8 ball shifter, and it's dark now. Another day, I didn't forget yet.

 

[JohninFla]

Sticker pics and the 8 ball shifter, with my new console

 

[norsk]

some blokes don't use front and rear gaskets on the manifold, just use RTV as their gasket.

Love the stickers John, looking good

dougbert

 

[JohninFla]

It's never done!

I drove the 60 to work today to show off

Found out I have a hole in the radiator -small one right in the center - grumble!

For some reason, it's popping out of first from time to time as I start out from a stop. Nothing turned up in my searches here any ideas?

I dd get two thumbs up on the drive home: a lifted Tacoma and a lady in a very nice VW CC. In a skirt. A short one. She pulled up next to me and gave me a big smile. Good to be me!

 

[norsk]

It's never done!

I drove the 60 to work today to show off

Found out I have a hole in the radiator -small one right in the center - grumble!

For some reason, it's popping out of first from time to time as I start out from a stop. Nothing turned up in my searches here any ideas?

I dd get two thumbs up on the drive home: a lifted Tacoma and a lady in a very nice VW CC. In a skirt. A short one. She pulled up next to me and gave me a big smile. Good to be me!

mmmm, now get that short skirt on a lifted TLC - I like that image

say john,

I think I am changing my tranny plan. Instead of the nv4500, I saw tonight the advantages to using the Ranger (same rear mount and same position AND $1500+ less than my current plans).

So can you share more on the low downs on where you bought the Ranger (UPDATE: Advanced Adapters), more details on the issues you had, exactly where to measure on the 4 speed? Generally, anything you have to reduce my problems I might have?

I will look at the condition of my 4 speed and but will rebuild my transfer case.
239 k miles on them

thanks

dougbert

 

[JohninFla]

I bought my Ranger through a local Jeep 4x4 place - mistake #1. My 1987 LC is right at a production break, where the bearing at the front of he tranny changed sizes. Guess which Ranger rear cover I got the first time? AA was great about helping, Geno and Matthew knew exactly what was up. The Jeep place lady also didn't ask about my Chevy bell housing bearing size, so I ended up with the wrong one there.

I have my Ranger bracketed into "high" until I build a shifter for it. If you connect right to the Ranger with the shifter they supply, it comes out right under the heater box.

The advantage is supposed to be you don't have to cut drivesshafts and move the crossmember, but you end up with the front of the engine tight to the radiator. No room for a full sized fan with clutch.

In hindsight, I think the NV 4500 or a 4L60 might be better overall. I need to drive it more, and use the high-low of he ranger to really decide.

If you want to, you can call and we can talk, I am glad to help.

John

 

[JohninFla]

Back in town for a bit, decided to sort out my radiator issue like a Pro.

I got a radiator pressure tester at the local auto parts store, loaner program. Pumped up my system, found my radiator looks like a sprinkler system. Lots of pin holes, (I stopped counting at 7), and one larger one.

Ordered a new aluminum Champion radiator. Some good reviews, some bad, I will try my luck for $189 shipped.

Not much else on the truck today, got to get caught up on my house chores.

 

[JohninFla]

Yanked out the old radiator tonight, the new one comes in Friday.

Replaced my old fuel gauge with a new to me used one that is supposed to work, but it didn't. I went back and cleaned the contact on the sending unit, and it still reads empty. Hmmm. Ran out of daylight before I could yank the sending unit out.

Took a picture of the rear with the carpet pulled up. Funny paint job, huh?

 

[JohninFla]

Pics for Doug

Dougbert -
Here are some reference measurements on my 350 chevy with the Ranger torque splitter.

John

 

[JohninFla]

Dougbert - bell housing

http://www.4speedconversions.com/3779553.html

Dougbert - This is the bell housing I used.