Builds BNG Cruzr - Journey Back to Dirt

[jackhossross]

Alright so let the process begin.

I planned on using a shop called "Charley's Garage" here in Boulder, but their long time Cruiser tech has gotten old and retired. The owner of the shop suggested I call L1 in Loveland, CO as he is friends with a tech who he thinks is great.

Dropping truck off at Charley's for fluids and a quick run-over before I embark on another longer drive to Loveland, CO. The leak in the front is giving the vehicle a fit when I start it up, so I don't plan on moving it until I drop it off at Charley's. This will give me an idea of the type of things I should expect to replace immediately, short-term and long-term.

I did however order a set of wheels and tires along with an OME lift.

Ordered a set of VOLK Rays 16x8 et 0 and a set of Nitto Terra Grapplers 285/75/r16. Order the 2-3" Deluxe HD Lift from Landcruiser Outfitters in SLC. Plan is to install the lift over the weekend then test fit the wheels with the new suspension specs. I think the offset (backspacing) will be too little, so I have ordered a series of spacers to adjust the backspacing as we go. Hopefully they fit, as they were the only set in the states.

Also put down a deposit on a rear bumper and rear tire carrier spec'd to hold my YETI cooler in the back. I will remove the front and rear bumpers and clean the chrome up as nicely as I can to off-set price a bit on the Boulder/Denver Craigslist market.

From there its confirm the truck is in good mechanical order and start attacking all the little things to bring this sucker back into "like-new" state.

 

[Prairie Swamp]

 

[jackhossross]

O’Reilly’s is telling me “they stopped making Dex 3 in the 90’s.”


Any truth to this? A quick google comes up with quite a bit of “Dex III” options.

 

[NeverGiveUpYota]

Flip your phone sideways and in my signature line you’ll find a link to the fsm’s. All free and easy to print sections as you need. Not made by me, thank @Trollhole for doing that for all of us.
Pretty sure Dex 3 is the same as Dex III...

 

[jackhossross]

Flip your phone sideways and in my signature line you’ll find a link to the fsm’s. All free and easy to print sections as you need. Not made by me, thank @Trollhole for doing that for all of us.
Pretty sure Dex 3 is the same as Dex III...

Haha my bad for changing the 3 and III - the guy was suggesting that VI is the same as III.

 

[jackhossross]

Alright - received two things today.

RAYS Lug Nuts for the new boots.

Some new soles for the boots: 285/75/R16 Nitto Terra Grapplers

 

[jackhossross]

However, I checked the transmission fluid levels and they appeared to be full.

It is the cap with "TOYODA" right? States the use of ATF only.

Not sure what the next step is - it is a rough start and idle, and the truck tried to die on me at a stop light when I took it out to work through gears.

 

[NeverGiveUpYota]

62 isn’t my thing but the reservior cap that says Toyoda is correct. Might want to do some research on the history of Toyota. And unless I’m way off, and I admit freely I could be, that reservoir is for power steering fluid and yes, it gets ATF, dextron is the brand many use. I personally bought the one from Napa.
It would seem as a new cruiser owner, your also very new at maintaining and servicing a vehicle?

 

[jackhossross]

62 isn’t my thing but the reservior cap that says Toyoda is correct. Might want to do some research on the history of Toyota. And unless I’m way off, and I admit freely I could be, that reservoir is for power steering fluid and yes, it gets ATF, dextron is the brand many use. I personally bought the one from Napa.
It would seem as a new cruiser owner, your also very new at maintaining and servicing a vehicle?

I’ve never needed to worry about fluids or leaks of the sort, this experience is certainly a new one.

I’ve always been a car enthusiast, but living in Colorado and being into the outdoors got me interested in the 4x4 world - and I’ve always wanted an older vehicle to truly learn how to work on a car.

I’m waiting on my owners manual, realizing that’s the first thing I should’ve bought haha.

 

[RodrigzCrzr]

Rough start on a 62 can be a cold start injector. Rough idle can be your TPS throttle postitioning switch and or fuel pressure regulator.
Best to clear all these up make her run right. Air filter, PCV valve, fuel filter are just a few things you should replace. This is part of the baseline we talk about here.
Find your leaks and address them.
The more you do yourself the better you know your own truck!
Good luck!
And welcome to the madness!

 

[RodrigzCrzr]

One more thing is replace your vacuum hoses. They are brittle after 30+ years
That can also lead to a rough idle.
It’s the simpler and cheaper fixes!

 

[jackhossross]

One more thing is replace your vacuum hoses. They are brittle after 30+ years
That can also lead to a rough idle.
It’s the simpler and cheaper fixes!

I'll add them to the list!

 

[89BIGBLUE]

ATF will be checked by looking at a dip stick on passenger side of engine, closest to the firewall. You want to check it after it’s warm, running, and parked on a level surface.

 

[jackhossross]

ATF will be checked by looking at a dip stick on passenger side of engine, closest to the firewall. You want to check it after it’s warm, running, and parked on a level surface.

Where do I add more Transmission Fluid then, as the reservoir I checked (TOYODA cap) showed hot/cold and was very full?

 

[RodrigzCrzr]

Same place described on previous post on how to check it.
The resivour on the drivers side that says Toyoda is the power steering. That too takes atf fluid.
The black screw on cap on the valve cover is your engine oil filler.

 

[jackhossross]

Thanks for the help guys - I'll get a funnel out and throw some in.

I will also attack those items you listed in your first comment. Appreciate that, I am waiting on receipts from the owner so I can see what has been addressed recently and what will need to be addressed.

JR

 

[RodrigzCrzr]

Good

Thanks for the help guys - I'll get a funnel out and throw some in.

I will also attack those items you listed in your first comment. Appreciate that, I am waiting on receipts from the owner so I can see what has been addressed recently and what will need to be addressed.

JR

Good idea to see what the PO did.
And how long ago!
Baseline is always the norm even if the P.O. has already done it.
That way you know it is done and taken care of.

 

[jackhossross]

The seller is “away” for two weeks and won’t be able to send maintenance documents until then ...

... so we press onward!

Got home late from work thanks to the wind in Denver (I’m in construction). Wife made dinner then we watched the voice then she went to bed and it gave me some time to flirt with my new sidechick.

I finally located the darn transmission oil dipstick, and it was damn low. Put what I thought to be a decent amount in, and she fired right up and crushed it down the road. Still rougher idle when stopped, but I want to describe it as a cough every once in awhile.

Nervous that I didn’t seal the leak though because it’s dripping all over again.

Taking it to the shop tomorrow - we’ll see their diagnosis for the check engine light.

Cheers and Beers Mud.

JR

 

[jackhossross]

Well the original owner continues to under deliver.

Compression test for not too good at 124 across the board.

Looks like rear main seal is leaking.

Going to be putting quite a bit of fun mods on hold until I can sort out the important stuff.

Very disappointing as seller talked about how amazing condition the truck was in. Just means more to learn!

 

[89BIGBLUE]

Well the original owner continues to under deliver.

Compression test for not too good at 124 across the board.

Looks like rear main seal is leaking.

Going to be putting quite a bit of fun mods on hold until I can sort out the important stuff.

Very disappointing as seller talked about how amazing condition the truck was in. Just means more to learn!

Look at the bright side!
This 30 year old truck drove you over 500 miles to get you home and safe with a check engine light on and low on ATF!
Now the relationship can begin!
Stay positive, and keep us updated!