Builds Adding an FJ60 to the family - Bleu (Sold as of 6/2020)

[SkiLyft]

Marker lights updated to OEM
Before

After

Washed her up and took her for a poser shot. Can’t wait for the lift!

 

[SkiLyft]

Removed old tint from the front and rear doors.
Solid 1/2 job.

Learned as I went and was able to remove the driver and passenger tint in strips as pictured below. Just put water in a spray bottle and used a razor blade when the film wanted to separate.

But the rears were a different story. The layers wanted to separate and going was very slow. Thinking there had to be a better way I got on Mud and read that steam can help — so with the iron on full steam they came off like a breeze!!

Plan to do the hatch and back windows next weekend.

Takeaways:
- use steam
- use steam
- use steam
- Oh and a razor can help.

 

[SkiLyft]

Noticed voltage was dropping on the dash this weekend. Since the battery was old replaced it but no dice. Searched on here for hours about alternator upgrades but since I do not plan to run lights or other heavy draw items decided to replace with original 55 amp OP. Also she will be converted to LED here shortly which will also reduce draw.

Purchased a NAPA replacement with lifetime warranty -- lets see how long it lasts. Will likely order another off Rockauto when the NAPA part dies.

Biggest issue was swapping the pulley's an impact driver can really help here.

She's up and running strong again.

 

[SkiLyft]

Removed miles of spaghetti that the previous owner had installed and left in. Holy wire taps.

What’s the best way to make sure the exposed wire doesn’t spark to anything after removing the tap? Just some electrical tape?
Remnants of:
- alarm
- CB radio
- fog lights
- other fog lights

Loving the clean look!

Orange fogs were added by Toyota when Bleu rolled off the lot. If anyone wants them let me know.

 

[bronco loco]

I'll take them if still available.

 

[SkiLyft]

I'll take them if still available.

Sounds good - I’ll PM for address.

 

[SkiLyft]

On this episode of Bleu the FJ60—

Chris spends his Labor Day unexpectedly vacuuming out a mouse nest in the headliner when all he wanted to fix was a leaky rear windshield washer that kept douching the tailgate.

I’ll spare you the details but here are some pictures.

Ugh. New headliner and insulation will be replaced when the budget allows.

Showed about 1/2 way through when most of the s*** (literal turds) had been vacuumed out.

This guy...

**Side note rear wiper jet is working!!

 

[SkiLyft]

I also noticed that there is a grinding coming from the AC pulley. I removed the belt and it spins but has a grating noise. Interestingly enough when I connect the AC clutch to the positive end on the battery the noise improves but when I disconnect it the sound returns. Planning on pulling the pulley and inspecting but any other recommendations?

Theories:
Bearing failed
Clutch system failed
Compressor failed (if this was the case wouldn't the sound be worse when the clutch is engaged?)

Just thinking out loud here.

 

[bobNoobie]

wow is that a dead mouse or it was alive when you vacuum the little critter ? it was stuck in the headliner?

 

[SkiLyft]

wow is that a dead mouse or it was alive when you vacuum the little critter ? it was stuck in the headliner?

Haha he was long dead, but while vacuuming out the shredded insulation I found him. Needless to say — car smells much better now.

 

[SkiLyft]

Finally! After 4-5 weeks of baselining Bleu we did some land cruiser things in the Cabinate Mountain Range of Northern ID.


First Off - the 60 sleeps wayyyy better than than our 100. The way the seats fold is pure genius!

Had to stop while crossing the bridge!

Still cant believe the lady chose to spend our 6th wedding anniversary camping in a FJ60! Glad she chose me! Ha.

That smile shows just how pumped I was that Bleu was running perfectly up at 5200’. Love this rig.

One last shot (for now)!

 

[SkiLyft]

I also noticed that there is a grinding coming from the AC pulley.

Found the issue. When the PO reassembled the AC clutch he forgot the spacers. Spacers added and no more grind!!

Picked up some r12 today, plan on getting a set of gauges and checking pressures.

 

[SkiLyft]

Another picture from the weekend.

 

[SkiLyft]

Busy day!

Hooked up a gauge to the low pressure side and saw the AC system was still pressurized which was great news — as that lessened the likelihood of a leak.

Added 1 and 1/2 cans of R12 and she’s blowing cold at 40* on the dot!

Then committed myself for a 5 hour polishing compound and waxing session. Ugh. I really need to get a random orbit waxing tool.

Bleu came out looking pretty good! 60’s are in my completely unbiased opinion the most aesthetic Toyota made to date!

 

[Hojack]

She’s a Bleu...ty

 

[SkiLyft]

She’s a Bleu...ty

Hahaha

 

[SkiLyft]

Added another 200 miles to the clock this weekend. Drove her down to a WSU Coug game and slept in her for the night after the tailgate! She’s running strong.

Everyone needs a silo picture ha!

 

[SkiLyft]

Feeling like we skipped right over fall here in Spokane!

First time driving through snow - seems we serviced the front axle well as there were no clicks or weird noises in 4H or 4L.

 

[Hojack]

I took mine up wheeling in the snow too

 

[SkiLyft]

I took mine up wheeling in the snow too

I’m really impressed with how solid she felt in the snow!! Wet - goopy snow to boot!