'87 FJ60 "Cookie Monster"

[Homey55]

Finally got the front end put back together! New birfield rebuild kit, new tie rod ends, new rotors/calipers/pads/fluid, new window regulator for the broken drivers side window and back on its own weight! I should have my carburator back this week from the mechanic so I can bolt it on and head down to the muffler shop for the exhaust and the tire shop for tires and an alignment. The plan is to be running next week to check everything out and take it up to the snow next weekend to find a Christmas tree.

 

[Homey55]

Progress is Progress...

2.5" exhaust with Flowmaster is done! My guy here in Ashland did a nice job and it sounds great! Alignment is done, but I need to check a trunion bearing and possible replace those on the passenger side. Also, I've been having trouble with a coolant leak and tracked it to the lower thermostat housing. That housing is discontinued and they want $80 for an aftermarket one so my friend got out the JB Weld and some new plugs to seal up the unit. I should have it bolted back together this weekend and see what's next on the list.

 

[Homey55]

Long time-no update!

Been troubleshooting my blow-by issue and it's not looking so hot. I took the engine side cover off to make sure it was not clogged, cleaned it up and put it back on. No issues there. I'm going to do a leak-down test next to try and pinpoint the problem.

Changed out the clutch master cylinder after it puked all over my floor mats.

Bought seat belts from seatbeltplanet.com and I'm in the process of installing those. The back seats are a bit tricky with no threaded insert and little to no room to fish a nut up to the shoulder strap. I did research here and found the trick, but it still looks dicey and may be an issue.

Spent $20 on degreaser and an hour with a garden hose to wash away 30 years of dirt/grease/oil/grime...looks way better underneath.

Bought a 3/4 flat rack from @reevesci and it looks killer! I'm going to keep it clear to go with my "theme" for the wagon.

Got my 33-10.5-15 General Grabbers mounted up. No rubs and fit the body perfect, in my opinion.

Removed window tint but still need to tackle the back window. Any tips for removing tint with a defroster circuit on the window?

Installed a new stereo and front speakers, Sirius Radio, and finally broke down and bought an MP3 player (SanDisk - Clip Sport 8GB* MP3 Player - Blue). It sure is nice to load all of your CD's on a tiny player instead of toting around 2-3 CD cases...I have no idea why I didn't do this years ago.

Lastly, I've been daily driving it for the last 6 weeks! It's nice to enjoy it on the road, rather than in the driveway

 

[TRAIL TAILOR]

NICE! I would take fine sanding mesh and shine it up and then clear coat it!

I'll be doing a redwood and clear coat metal rack for Poppy.

Jason

 

[Homey55]

I used a heavy duty degreaser, but should have scotch brighted or steel whooled it beforehand. The paint was very runny if it got too heavy. I'll see how it holds up and repaint, if it needs it. I like the redwood idea, that should look sweet on Poppy!

 

[Homey55]

It's time for a heart transplant...Blowby has become excessive and oil consumption just went way up. I'll be looking for you guys to keep me motivated and moving forward to try and get this done quickly! I'm unbolting everything on the engine now and pulling the A/C, Radiator, and core support to prepare for extraction. I'll take the radiator down to get rodded and order new motor mounts and a clutch for re-installation. Any other things I should replace while the motor is out?

 

[TRAIL TAILOR]

Great time to service the transmission and T-case.

New clutch, turn flywheel .... etc..

J

 

[Homey55]

Trans needs to be replaced. There are several stripped bolts in the pan and the 4 speed is easy to come by. How difficult is the transfer case service? New clutch will be installed, flywheel will be part of the engine rebuild and I plan to change out the motor mounts.

 

[TRAIL TAILOR]

If the 4 speed is shot... I recommend a H55F -5spd, if funds allow.

@beno is your man for this set-up. He can get you a full T-case rebuild kit as well.

J

 

[Homey55]

*Funds do not allow...I wish on the 5-speed though.

 

[Homey55]

nights and weekends...

 

[crashmonk]

For the love of God do not put the 2f back in if you're pulling it. Do a real heart transplant if you're doing this much labor already.

Adapt another engine/ trans to the split case. Surely you already have one in mind. It's not hard.

I compare this to rebuilding a 22r in a pickup. Put good money into something GOOD not just meh...




Somebody had to say it!

 

[Homey55]

Yeah, no. That cost is out of my budget and I want to stick with the original drivetrain.

 

[crashmonk]

Well thats too bad. I hated every minute that my 2f lived.

How much do you plan to put into the original engine? T case is cheap to rebuild, trans shouldn't be too bad either.

 

[Homey55]

Too bad you hated your 2f. I'm doing a full rebuild on mine so I shouldn't have to worry about it ever again.

 

[crashmonk]

After my mitsubishi turbo diesel install, the 2f is just a boat anchor to me. Running or not. Common theme in Toyota 4wds, awesome vehicle and drive train... Lame pooch of an engine. Cough, 22r cough...

If you never pull anything whatsoever I guess you'll be fine. I towed a car once with the 2f and it was one slow journey. Eyeballs on the temp Guage steady too

 

[2mountainfish]

Way to stick to your guns and keep it Toyota. I just finished my 2F rebuild, see my thread ( saving another FJ60). The worst part about the rebuild was waiting on the machine shop to do his job. He did a great job and paid very close attention to the details, worth every cent. If you are using R-12 in your a/c, you can pull the motor without opening the system. Plan on replacing every vacuum line, and at least rebuild your carb while it's off. Good luck and welcome to the family. If you need any advice, there are plenty of people on Mud that would love to help you out, just ask, starting with me. The job is long and full of issues, but when you are done, you will know every inch of your Cruiser. Have fun.

 

[Homey55]

Progress is progress, I guess. I'm getting closer to pulling the engine, just taking my time.

 

[Homey55]

SOB is out! Took the whole shibang out at once (Motor/Trans/T-Case). My cherry picker was short, and low, so we ended up having to take the front tires off and lower the truck to clear the T-Case. I'm sure I could have hooked it up better than I did but you know how it goes when you start pulling and get to the point of no return. Thanks to @Kief for the assist!

 

[onemanarmy]

Do you have an entire new assembly to go back in?

Are you running the blackwalls out on those tires? I'd like to see if you are...Not a fan of the red letters on those Grabbers, and most people think they are desert racers and run the red letters out.