'88 FJ62 - repair input needed

[schase70fj62]

Hey all,

This is just my second post here regarding my '88 FJ62. Acquired it about a month ago and it only has 114k miles on it. Looks and runs great but does feel a little "rough" in the front end while driving. I don't know of any reliable Toyota LC mechanics in my area (yet), so I took it to the nearby dealer for inspection.

I've read through so many threads in the 60 series tech forum and am blown away by all the knowledge, contributors, and incredible content. I am not mechanically oriented beyond the simple tinkering one can do at home, so I'm at a significant disadvantage when it comes to medium-heavy mechanical DIY related to my LC.

Hoping for some quick input from this incredible forum as I'm about to return to chat with the actual vehicle tech, look at and assess what they're recommending...

1. Rear differential pinion seal leaking;
2. Both R and L hubs (I'm assuming this means the knuckles, although the rather young tech advisor wasn't sure) need rebuilding;
3. Front brake calipers and soft lines replacement;
4. Oil pan gasket needs replacement;
5. Transmission pan gasket needs replacement;

Based on the total cost to repair, I'm unwilling to take this all on at once. But am willing to do what's most important.

Gut tells me to fix anything operational/safety related and solve the leaks. So rear diff. leak, both oil pan and trans pan gaskets, and fix brake issues. But hold off on the axle/knuckle rebuilds till I can assess further, find an independent LC mechanic. The knuckle rebuild alone is quoted at around $2600.

Thoughts on how to proceed? TIA!

 

[3_puppies]

don't let a dealer touch it,

knuckle rebuild kit, $250? haven't checked prices recently, and figure 6-8 hours labor
unless oil is gushing out, keep on eye on oil levels and run it.
brakes and steering are vital and important
if needing rotors, might as well do the knuckle rebuild at the same time as it would be partially torn down already

check in the clubhouse section for advice, someone there may help :

TN- Bluff City Cruisers

Tennessee clubhouse

forum.ih8mud.com

TN- Appalachia Cruisers

Tennessee clubhouse

forum.ih8mud.com

TN- STLCA

Tennessee - Southern Toyota Land Cruiser Association

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[schase70fj62]

don't let a dealer touch it,

knuckle rebuild kit, $250? haven't checked prices recently, and figure 6-8 hours labor
unless oil is gushing out, keep on eye on oil levels and run it.
brakes and steering are vital and important
if needing rotors, might as well do the knuckle rebuild at the same time as it would be partially torn down already

check in the clubhouse section for advice, someone there may help :

TN- Bluff City Cruisers

Tennessee clubhouse

forum.ih8mud.com

TN- Appalachia Cruisers

Tennessee clubhouse

forum.ih8mud.com

TN- STLCA

Tennessee - Southern Toyota Land Cruiser Association

forum.ih8mud.com

3 puppies Thank You for the quick response and additional clubhouse links in TN. Heard about those but hadn’t taken time to find and explore.

Much appreciated!

 

[Skniper]

Holy crap! I’m going to start offering knuckle rebuilds in my boutique, one-man salon garage.

 

[BurntToast]

Are you remotely handy and have tools? you can do basically all that with the help of a buddy

 

[cruisermatt]

Holy crap! I’m going to start offering knuckle rebuilds in my boutique, one-man salon garage.

Careful. Thats a slippery slope, from experience. Before you know it you end up with a real shop, employee’s, a dumpster, insurance, oil waste disposal fees, etc and that $500 knuckle rebuild becomes a $1500 knuckle rebuild

For an actual professional job in 2026 that price is about not too bad.
The OEM part pricing is a lot more expensive than the aftermarket kits.

Also a good example of mileage being less and less relevant as an indicator of condition these days.

 

[MWM1]

How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. With the truck, it is one task or repair at a time. Regarding the knuckles, the link above may be of help. Although the video is for a Toyota truck, it will help you familiarize with some of the basic tasks. If this is not your daily driver for work, the real key is to get in there and learn by doing. When complete you will have more confidence and the beginning of a great set of tools!

 

[cliffrdavis]

If it were me - I would rebuild the knuckles, do the brake lines and calipers at the same time. That alone will save you $3k. Then let them do the oil seals.

There are loads of videos on guys doing them in their garage on jack stands with hand tools. Especially with the newer battery powered impact tools. A set of those, brake wrenches, flat tip split ring pliers, 54mm hub socket, torque wrenches, mallets and all the parts would be less than $800 (Amazon, Harbor freight and aftermarket kit remanufactured calipers).

But it’s a seriously messy job and takes time - most of it is grease/crude removal which can be made easier with a good power washer once you have everything off. I also bought a cheap parts cleaner for all the nuts and bolts which worked well.

I have heard is some people skipping the trunnion races and just putting in new bearings with the same spacers which saves a lot of work and time - but I would follow advice here on that. I took that shortcut on my 40 and it was fine but replaced everything on my 62 when I did knuckles. Plan on not having the vehicle for a week.

Watch 3-4 videos and try determine if you could do it. If you have a 62 you are going to need to learn to work on it - they are 36+ years old! It’s a great way to get some experience. The knuckles on most Toyota pickups, fj60, fj40 and 62 were very similar so there are lots of videos on how to do it. Also watch video on front brake caliper replacement for 60/62. It’s would be part of the knuckle job either way but you will need to learn to bleed brakes (need another person for that).

 

[tmxmotorsports]

time to get dirty

 

[schase70fj62]

Holy crap! I’m going to start offering knuckle rebuilds in my boutique, one-man salon garage.

sure wish more folks would... seems to be no shortage of folks here with the know-how

 

[schase70fj62]

Are you remotely handy and have tools? you can do basically all that with the help of a buddy

yes, no, don't have a lot of buddies in the area

I know enough with basic tools. Did the minor tune-up stuff on my own. thanks for input

 

[schase70fj62]

If it were me - I would rebuild the knuckles, do the brake lines and calipers at the same time. That alone will save you $3k. Then let them do the oil seals.

There are loads of videos on guys doing them in their garage on jack stands with hand tools. Especially with the newer battery powered impact tools. A set of those, brake wrenches, flat tip split ring pliers, 54mm hub socket, torque wrenches, mallets and all the parts would be less than $800 (Amazon, Harbor freight and aftermarket kit remanufactured calipers).

But it’s a seriously messy job and takes time - most of it is grease/crude removal which can be made easier with a good power washer once you have everything off. I also bought a cheap parts cleaner for all the nuts and bolts which worked well.

I have heard is some people skipping the trunnion races and just putting in new bearings with the same spacers which saves a lot of work and time - but I would follow advice here on that. I took that shortcut on my 40 and it was fine but replaced everything on my 62 when I did knuckles. Plan on not having the vehicle for a week.

Watch 3-4 videos and try determine if you could do it. If you have a 62 you are going to need to learn to work on it - they are 36+ years old! It’s a great way to get some experience. The knuckles on most Toyota pickups, fj60, fj40 and 62 were very similar so there are lots of videos on how to do it. Also watch video on front brake caliper replacement for 60/62. It’s would be part of the knuckle job either way but you will need to learn to bleed brakes (need another person for that).

Really appreciate your reply. Too bad you're not closer to TN. And I'm fine with learning to work on it, depending on the issue. But my "day job" is trading the markets for income at home. Mostly self-taught. I've learned that one only needs to know about 1-2% of all the trading tools, metrics, indicators, macro/micro "crap" that the Street creates to intimidate people out of managing/trading their own portfolios. People who think that 10-12% annual return in "funds" is the way to go are sheep. That's one thing I learned early on. Maybe the same parallel does/doesn't exist with these trucks as far as DIY independence vs. 3rd party mechanics/shops. But I know my limitations and am fine "investing" into proper repairs, within reason, done by a third party once I find a competent mechanic.

 

[cliffrdavis]

Really appreciate your reply. Too bad you're not closer to TN. And I'm fine with learning to work on it, depending on the issue. But my "day job" is trading the markets for income at home. Mostly self-taught. I've learned that one only needs to know about 1-2% of all the trading tools, metrics, indicators, macro/micro "crap" that the Street creates to intimidate people out of managing/trading their own portfolios. People who think that 10-12% annual return in "funds" is the way to go are sheep. That's one thing I learned early on. Maybe the same parallel does/doesn't exist with these trucks as far as DIY independence vs. 3rd party mechanics/shops. But I know my limitations and am fine "investing" into proper repairs, within reason, done by a third party once I find a competent mechanic.

All good! Good luck! FYI, I’m a minimally invasive surgeon and I taught myself most of these Landcruiser skills! You will be good either way!