The belts on my FJ62 are starting to squeal a little, and I don't know when they were last changed, so I think it's time to change them. I have a repair manual, and I know how to loosen the pulleys, but the spacing around the fan and fan shroud looks tight. Can you change the belts without taking anything else apart?
changing belts on FJ62
- Thread starter RangerDave
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Its a bitch but make shure you find out how to work all of the tensioners. Also, It becomes a lot easier if you cut your fan shroud in half. I have not done this yet buy many on the 3FE list have. Here is Chad's method.
How to cut the fan shroud in half.
Cut it in top and bottom halves. I used a hacksaw….was going to use a power saw with a metal cutting blade but, when I tested the hacksaw approach it went through the shroud pretty easy and straight.
Mine is cut just about mid-point….or halfway between the two side bolts on either side. Even when cut in half the shroud remains pretty stiff but I screwed on some springs type clips I found at HomeDepot to cinch the seams together…..not even sure they are necessary but I did it anyway. Hit the cut with a little spray paint to prevent any rust.
I also made a notch in the shroud under the top radiator hose inlet so it would be easier to lift past the inlet sticking out.
To remove it on future projects just take out the two bolts on either side, remove the top rad hose from the rad inlet and work the shroud toward the driver side to get it out from under the AC bottle then start working it up and out.
ChadK
Also, If you do not have the FSM get it.
Good Luck,
Dunbar
How to cut the fan shroud in half.
Cut it in top and bottom halves. I used a hacksaw….was going to use a power saw with a metal cutting blade but, when I tested the hacksaw approach it went through the shroud pretty easy and straight.
Mine is cut just about mid-point….or halfway between the two side bolts on either side. Even when cut in half the shroud remains pretty stiff but I screwed on some springs type clips I found at HomeDepot to cinch the seams together…..not even sure they are necessary but I did it anyway. Hit the cut with a little spray paint to prevent any rust.
I also made a notch in the shroud under the top radiator hose inlet so it would be easier to lift past the inlet sticking out.
To remove it on future projects just take out the two bolts on either side, remove the top rad hose from the rad inlet and work the shroud toward the driver side to get it out from under the AC bottle then start working it up and out.
ChadK
Also, If you do not have the FSM get it.
Good Luck,
Dunbar
I just swapped mine a few weeks ago. I've heard of this shroud cutting business, but it seems unnecessary. Getting the belts around the fan only took a few minutes of the total time. What stumped me was getting the A/C belt idler pulley to loosen up. As it turns out you you have to loosen the nut on the its face first. One belt gave me some grief until I realized that I just had to get it on most the way and then punch the ignition for just a moment to get it on all the way.
All in all not to difficult, especially with the warmer weather. The new belts are pretty stiff and uncooperative in a sub-freezing garage.
Bill
All in all not to difficult, especially with the warmer weather. The new belts are pretty stiff and uncooperative in a sub-freezing garage.
Bill
loosen EVERY pulley, alt, idler, ect, if something isn't moving easily then check for another bolt or nut, if not loose you can bust a adjuster bolt easily. New belts are a PITA because they are tight, one of them you might need to use the bump start method to get the belts on. I have never pulled the shroud to change belts.
Oh and use ONLY Toyota belts.
Oh and use ONLY Toyota belts.
I never had problems changing the belts with the shroud on. It's a pretty tight fit though, and takes some time to work with. Just replaced my engine fan with an electric fan designed for a big block 350 though, sooo much more room without that giant shroud and engine fan. Might be a good idea for the future 
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Thanks for the replies. I like the 2-piece shroud idea, though maybe next time I get the radiator out, which, hopefully, won't be for awhile.
replaced my engine fan with an electric fan
I'm thinking about this. What fan did you use? How's it working out? How hot does it get in your neck of the woods?
Thanks!
I'm thinking about this. What fan did you use? How's it working out? How hot does it get in your neck of the woods?
Thanks!
anti-friend said:I never had problems changing the belts with the shroud on. It's a pretty tight fit though, and takes some time to work with. Just replaced my engine fan with an electric fan designed for a big block 350 though, sooo much more room without that giant shroud and engine fan. Might be a good idea for the future
I recently changed all three belts. It was not a problem. Loosen all "hinge" bolts and work the belts around the fan. I thought it was easy. I used a long pry bar on good pressure points to tighten the new belts. Get a buddy to help and pry off the engine block or the frame. Tighten the bolts when the appropriate tension is made. If you change one belt; change them all, and get OEM! I think OEM was Mitsubishi belts from Toyota (go figure)?
The tensioners are awsome to help get good tension. I actually replaced a few of mine cause the bolts were stripped from the PO.
Remember: belts should be tightened just enough not to slip, and not too much to wear out the particular part it attaches to. Some play, but not too much.
Hell, I wish there was a way to measure the correct tension a belt should have. I only know mine from experience; and my experience is very little.
On a FJ60 I know you don't need to take the fan shroud off, but on the 62????
Cheers
The tensioners are awsome to help get good tension. I actually replaced a few of mine cause the bolts were stripped from the PO.
Remember: belts should be tightened just enough not to slip, and not too much to wear out the particular part it attaches to. Some play, but not too much.
Hell, I wish there was a way to measure the correct tension a belt should have. I only know mine from experience; and my experience is very little.
On a FJ60 I know you don't need to take the fan shroud off, but on the 62????
Cheers
Benji said:
Hey Benji,
There is a devise to measure the tension in a belt. I've seen 'em. If we had this guage the next question is what is the correct tension ? And then, tension at what temperature ?
I'm a tool nut and I don't have one. Go figure. I set my belts by feel. If it slips I tighten. I also have to re-adjust too a day or so later. Go figure.
Cheers,
Cahil
Nerdy? but I'm a nerd. I would love to have it. And yeah, it all changes with temperature, wear (age), and what type (brand of belt you have), and if you have an aftermarket alternator e.g. mean green, fan, power steering, etc..... Must be complicated, but would be fun.
Any suggestions on tension besides the ol'e human TOUCH?
Any suggestions on tension besides the ol'e human TOUCH?
Benji said:
I took a quick look ... nut-n-honey ... if I find one it's yours.
:+)
It was a three pronged device. Two prongs went under the belt and the top prong was above and between the lower prongs. Was a very compact device and had a very simple dial guage. Crank on the belt ... read the guage. Kinda reminds me of the 'ole spark plug gaping plyers. Actual hand plyers which would automatically gap plugs. Insert the plug, crunch the plyers, spark plug gapped perfectly. No joke.
Belt tightness ? Without getting personal, how about the same tightness as the belts we wear to keep our pants up ? Not to tight and not to loose. Or a measurement, about +/- 1/4 inch. Total of 1/2 inch total up and down play. Kinda hard to describe a tension done by feel.
Cahil
cahilc said:
The FSM gives you the tension settings if you have the tool. I did it by feel, and though it was too loose. Took it to a local dealer that had service guys in TLCA and he felt it and said it felt good to him and to tighten if it started slipping.
Worked for me! Still need to do the AC- did mine when i had the alternator rebuilt.
Cheers- Ken
Go at it from the bottom. Take the front plate off, with two long extensions, maybe three and a knuckle you should be able to snake up between the power steering/ac hoses and hit the back of the tensioning bolt.
By front plate, I guess you mean the pulley axle front plate/bolt? So, I took the "front plate" off, then removed the pulley, along with the old belt. Then, in order to tighten, loosen, or remove the tension bolt I am going to need to brace one side of the bolt while moving the other end, right?
Is everybody else out there able to change belts without removing the bolts to and moving the a/c pump?
Thanks very much, colin
Is everybody else out there able to change belts without removing the bolts to and moving the a/c pump?
Thanks very much, colin
It required a pretty complete set of ratchet extensions and a few wrenches for the idler pulleys, but yes I did not need to remove a single part to change all three belts on my 62. Just go slow and ensure that all adjustment points have been loosened and be mind full of belt routing. If you are concerened about remembering the routes I would highly suggest that you draw a quick sketch of how everything is currently run.
Another tip: after you feel you have loosened everything trace the belt routes with your hand and physically touch each pulley for that belt and determine if you could have provided the system with more slack at that point.
Another tip: after you feel you have loosened everything trace the belt routes with your hand and physically touch each pulley for that belt and determine if you could have provided the system with more slack at that point.
I don't recall bracing mine on the top. Maybe because it was so junked up. I did loosen it with a small box end before I went at it from the bottom. Either way, you'll be much happier doing it this way. YOu can get a more solid tension and once you have it where you want it, tighten up the pulley bolt and you're set to go.
As imp silvia said, all belts can be replaced without removing anything. I was able to successfully replace all the belts on my 1990 FJ62 without removal of any parts, all belts will snake around the fan and shroud, just use your surgeon's patience and dexterity.
As imp silvia said, all belts can be replaced without removing anything. I was able to successfully replace all the belts on my 1990 FJ62 without removal of any parts, all belts will snake around the fan and shroud, just use your surgeon's patience and dexterity.
After slowly thinking about this, is it correct that the a/c idler pulley tension bolt must be tightened or loosed from the bottom, not the top. I think that is where I might be going wrong.
Thanks so much, I could really use a bit of that surgeon's patience of which you speak. colin
Thanks so much, I could really use a bit of that surgeon's patience of which you speak. colin