89 FJ62 - Just Picked Up - Noobie - Help

[Ballzzz]

Just got dragged to my driveway a 1989 FJ62 and I’m in love! She has 158k one owner since new. Hasn’t ran in 15 years.

I am great with my hands but automotive mechanically I am a noob. I will/can watch videos and read manuals and self teach so I’m not worried. I plan to do as much as possible myself without paying anyone else to wrench.

I know a lot of people with any motor suggest trying to turn the crank to see if she’s seized. I have to figure out how to go about this as I have never done so on an actual car. My plan is to drain all fluids/flush/replace. Please guide me to DIY or give pointers on types of fluids these rigs prefer. I assume I have to do something with the gas tank/lines? I see there was a recall for a long time and Toyota was covering it but it seems long gone or hit or miss? Any guidance is really appreciated. Full brake job/lines/booster I’m sure. I need 4 tires which at this point are just for moving her around the driveway. Once I get this thing semi road worthy and can start to address rust etc I would love to start to explore a small lift & slightly beefy tires. That’s far away at this point. I see tons of rust that needs attention but I feel I should get this motor turned over before I start on rust remediation. I feel if I can get this old girl moving I will be able to start to address more items than if she just sits. If the more experienced folks here disagree with my plan please help a new owner out.

There is tons of info on this vibrant community and I can’t way to divulge. Hope I can bring some joy and reciprocate in the future. Without further ado I introduce you to my new to me 62.

 

[3_puppies]

start with checking the engine will rotate, everything else is mute until you know the engine is good
remove spark plugs, remove bellhousing access cove, use a prybar and see if the engine will spin
don't put a battery in it and use the key

report back

 

[DrRock]

Where in NY are you? I'm in CT and I have a set of stock wheels with tires that would fit your needs for moving it around for sure.

 

[zeeklafreek]

Where in NY are you? I'm in CT and I have a set of stock wheels with tires that would fit your needs for moving it around for sure.

Has a Suffolk County vibe.

 

[John Smith]

Did the PO tell you why it was parked 15 years ago? I would start with pulling the plugs and pouring a couple ounces of marvel mystery oil in all the cylinders. Let it sit for a day and try to turn it over manually.

 

[Ballzzz]

Where in NY are you? I'm in CT and I have a set of stock wheels with tires that would fit your needs for moving it around for sure.

Northern Westchester - let me know? Was thinking to put it on jacks one side a day and get the cheapest used tires I could find locally? I’m open to any ideas.

 

[Ballzzz]

Did the PO tell you why it was parked 15 years ago? I would start with pulling the plugs and pouring a couple ounces of marvel mystery oil in all the cylinders. Let it sit for a day and try to turn it over manually.

Yea I am a complete novice so just looking into some videos on how to pull plugs etc and then get access to hand crank. I ordered the FSM so that will help whenever it arrives. I will actual create a separate thread about this since Toyota Publications no longer sells this.

 

[diesellibrarian]

Congrats and welcome to your new obsession! IMO a vintage Land Cruiser is a great way to start to learn your way around automotive repair and maintenance, because they are pretty simple machines that are relatively straightforward to work on. Plus, there is a huge community of support with many people who know these vehicles down to the last bolt.

A great place to start is to read through the FAQ at the top of this forum. So much info to glean there. FAQ - 60-series FAQ - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/60-series-faq.13183/

Then download the Factory Service Manual: it's your bible for everything you do to your Land Cruiser. Hat tip to @Cruiser Cult for making these available :

I agree with the advice that's already been shared: start by trying to turn the engine over manually. Pull the plugs so there's no compression and see if you can turn it by putting a wrench on one of the pulley nuts. If it goes a full 360 degrees, you should be good. From there it's a process of "baselining" your rig by performing all of the maintenance items listed at the front of the Service Manual. I wouldn't worry about the rust for now - it looks much more solid than many of the rigs that people are driving. Engine, brakes, steering/suspension are your first priority.

Good luck and have fun!

 

[diesellibrarian]

Since it sounds like you're starting from scratch, a bit more advice: if you don't have these already, buy yourself:

- a metric socket set
- a set of metric wrenches
- a good set of screwdrivers, including JIS drivers if you can find them
- a set of heavy-duty jack stands (these rigs weight around 5,000 lbs)
- a decent floor jack
- a multi-meter (buy the best one you can afford. It's an essential tool for diagnosing electrical issues on the FJ62, and for making sure the various sensors etc are within spec)

You'll need to buy more tools as you go along, but that's part of the fun as well. Next thing you know you'll have a nice rolling tool case full of pullers and other specialty tools.

 

[Ballzzz]

Has a Suffolk County vibe.

Not a bad guess for a German! lOl

 

[DrRock]

Northern Westchester - let me know? Was thinking to put it on jacks one side a day and get the cheapest used tires I could find locally? I’m open to any ideas.

Ok, My wheels with tires are in Kent, CT so NW corner. I frequently come down your way as we have a condo in NYC as well. Feel free to PM me if this would help and we can go from there.

Cheers, James

 

[Ballzzz]

Congrats and welcome to your new obsession! IMO a vintage Land Cruiser is a great way to start to learn your way around automotive repair and maintenance, because they are pretty simple machines that are relatively straightforward to work on. Plus, there is a huge community of support with many people who know these vehicles down to the last bolt.

A great place to start is to read through the FAQ at the top of this forum. So much info to glean there. FAQ - 60-series FAQ - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/60-series-faq.13183/

Then download the Factory Service Manual: it's your bible for everything you do to your Land Cruiser. Hat tip to @Cruiser Cult for making these available :

I agree with the advice that's already been shared: start by trying to turn the engine over manually. Pull the plugs so there's no compression and see if you can turn it by putting a wrench on one of the pulley nuts. If it goes a full 360 degrees, you should be good. From there it's a process of "baselining" your rig by performing all of the maintenance items listed at the front of the Service Manual. I wouldn't worry about the rust for now - it looks much more solid than many of the rigs that people are driving. Engine, brakes, steering/suspension are your first priority.

Good luck and have fun!

Thanks a ton, happy to join the club by firing squad! That was my thought if i cant learn on these simple mechanics with engine bays that have access I will never learn! The support is huge and I know I will ask alot of retorical and basic questions along the way so apologies to ALL in advance.

I have been tackling the FAQ page and will continue to use it as a valuable resource.

I printed the 88 manual you attacted, thank you & @Cruiser Cult for making that avilable. My Model year is 89 no difference right? Thank you guys for saving me 74 bucks, I WILL NEED IT FOR TOOLS/PARTS=)

This is exactly what I plan on doing! Gotta get the spark plugs off and try and crank her.

 

[Ballzzz]

Since it sounds like you're starting from scratch, a bit more advice: if you don't have these already, buy yourself:

- a metric socket set
- a set of metric wrenches
- a good set of screwdrivers, including JIS drivers if you can find them
- a set of heavy-duty jack stands (these rigs weight around 5,000 lbs)
- a decent floor jack
- a multi-meter (buy the best one you can afford. It's an essential tool for diagnosing electrical issues on the FJ62, and for making sure the various sensors etc are within spec)

You'll need to buy more tools as you go along, but that's part of the fun as well. Next thing you know you'll have a nice rolling tool case full of pullers and other specialty tools.

This is exactly what I need.

- a metric socket set - Will do
- a set of metric wrenches - Will do
- a good set of screwdrivers, including JIS drivers if you can find them - Will do
- a set of heavy-duty jack stands (these rigs weight around 5,000 lbs) - Im looking at 3 ton, thats fine right?
- a decent floor jack - Same 3 ton, good?
- a multi-meter (buy the best one you can afford. It's an essential tool for diagnosing electrical issues on the FJ62, and for making sure the various sensors etc are within spec) - any suggestions(cheap/average/expesnive) you can recomend?

 

[diesellibrarian]

This is exactly what I need.

- a metric socket set - Will do
- a set of metric wrenches - Will do
- a good set of screwdrivers, including JIS drivers if you can find them - Will do
- a set of heavy-duty jack stands (these rigs weight around 5,000 lbs) - Im looking at 3 ton, thats fine right?
- a decent floor jack - Same 3 ton, good?
- a multi-meter (buy the best one you can afford. It's an essential tool for diagnosing electrical issues on the FJ62, and for making sure the various sensors etc are within spec) - any suggestions(cheap/average/expesnive) you can recomend?

3-ton stands and jack will be fine!

There are only minor differences between the '88 and '89 FJ62s - things like shoulder belts in the rear. The '88 manual will have everything you need!

Something like the Klein digital multimeter is a nice compromise between a $20 Harbor Freight special and the $250 Fluke unit! Should be able to find one for around $60.

 

[Ballzzz]

3-ton stands and jack will be fine!

There are only minor differences between the '88 and '89 FJ62s - things like shoulder belts in the rear. The '88 manual will have everything you need!

Something like the Klein digital multimeter is a nice compromise between a $20 Harbor Freight special and the $250 Fluke unit! Should be able to find one for around $60.

Does this one work?

Klein Tools 600-Volt Digital Multi-Meter, Manual-Ranging MM325 - The Home Depot

Prepare yourself to conquer all your music work projects at ease with the help of this Klein Tools Digital MultiMeter ManualRanging

www.homedepot.com

 

[Ballzzz]

Does this one work?

Klein Tools 600-Volt Digital Multi-Meter, Manual-Ranging MM325 - The Home Depot

Prepare yourself to conquer all your music work projects at ease with the help of this Klein Tools Digital MultiMeter ManualRanging

www.homedepot.com

Or this one?

Klein Tools 600 Volt Digital Multimeter, TRMS Auto-Ranging, Temp MM420 - The Home Depot

Klein Tools MM420 Multimeter is an auto-ranging, true root mean square (TRMS) multimeter that measures AC/DC voltage, AC/DC current, and resistance. It can also measure temperature, capacitance, frequency,

www.homedepot.com

 

[diesellibrarian]

Does this one work?

Klein Tools 600-Volt Digital Multi-Meter, Manual-Ranging MM325 - The Home Depot

Prepare yourself to conquer all your music work projects at ease with the help of this Klein Tools Digital MultiMeter ManualRanging

www.homedepot.com

They'll all "work," but some of them will work for longer than others haha.

 

[diesellibrarian]

I like the manual-ranging ones myself, but maybe I'm just old-school.

 

[Ballzzz]

I like the manual-ranging ones myself, but maybe I'm just old-school.

Ok thats my answer, manual - And yes like any tool - Quality/price typically match longevity if properly cared for.
Thank You

 

[zeeklafreek]

Can never go wrong with a Fluke™.