First FJ60 Build - 1983 Land Crusier

[TLC Norway]

Watching this thread, a good build!

 

[ashack2004]

Watching this thread, a good build!

Thanks TLC

 

[ashack2004]

Hey everyone, it has been a little bit since I posted on here. I wanted to give everyone an update on what I have been working on.

1. The AC is still working great I have not had any issues so far, keep my fingers crossed.
2. I removed the bike rack from the top so the 60 would fit in the garage, and I was right, when I remove the bike rack it barley fit in the garage with the list and tires installed.
3. I was able to take a trailer hitch for a 80s Dodge Ram Charger, made some 1/4 steel plates which allowed the trailer hitch to adapt and bolt right up. I then installed the trailer light adapter for the lights since the FJ60 has separate stop and turn signal lights. The only issue I am having, which I have read that others have had the same issue also is, it seems that there is not enough power for the lights to work properly.

When you hit the brakes the brake light will light up on the trailer but they are very deem, you almost do not see a change. This also happens when you turn on the blinkers.

Would someone know how I could fix this or what would I need to buy and or install to fix?

I would like to pull my popup trailer with the 60 but I need to get the lights working.

I hope everyone has been doing well.

Here are some picks of the plates I made for the trailer hitch.

 

[TLC Norway]

Measure how much voltage you actually get back at the trailer bulb socket.
Could be old, poor wires.
Or a bad ground somewhere.
Try grounding the frame of trailer to rig with jumper cable.

If it's still too low voltage, you could consider putting in led bulbs as a cheap fix.

Sounds like the other route would be relays and a solid feed of power from a fused fresh source.
Cold be nice if you're planning on running lights/charge battery in the camper from the rig.

 

[ashack2004]

TLC, thank you for the information. Yea i checked the voltage coming to the pig tail going to the camper and the voltage is the same going to the tail lights on the 60. I was able to hook up the camper to my truck and the lights work just fine, no issues at all. If i was to run a separate power wire from the battery to the lights do you know if there a wiring schematic on the internet some where and what materials would i need?

Thank you for your help.

 

[ashack2004]

Hey everyone I started a Youtube Channel that has a couple Videos that you might be Interested in, please check it out.

How to change your Diff Fluid
Toyota Axle Tool I made

I also have a Birfield Joint replacement Video coming up once I am done editing.

Please comment and subscribe.

 

[ashack2004]

Hey everyone here is my YouTube video on how to change out the birfield on my dads 1994 fj80.

 

[jzilla]

Loving the build. When doing aircon, should the dryer be replaced with a new one? Mine doesnt have aircon at all and i have to install it all from scratch from a donor car.

It is always recommended to replace the drier anytime the system is opened up...

 

[ashack2004]

Hey everyone just wanted to give an update on everything. I have not posted anything in a while. Well for the AC, it is working awesome I have not had a single issue of as yet(Knock on wood).

I am trying to put everything togather to start working on the Body work on the 60. There is not too much to be done, just some minor roof rust and the Tail gate, which I am going to end up replacing the Tail gate once I dive into the body work. I am also thinking about trying to get everything togather to start a H55 conversion but I keep asking around and can not get a solid answer to my question.

Question:
I want to do the upgrade to the H55, I know there are some mods that I will have to make to the Drive shafts, cross member and the Transfer case, which I am not concerned with. But my main reason for going to the H55 would be the 1st gear ratio and the 5th gear ratio. So my question is with my current setup, which I will list below, what kind of difference will I see with taking off with the H55 first gear? Will there be a big differece? I would like the lower gear ratio for better take offs and for 4x4 gearing.

Setup:
FJ60
Tires: 35x12.50
Gears: Stock 4.11
Current Trans: Stock 4 speed

There is a pretty good price tag for the whole conversion, I really like have the Toyota running gear and would like to keep it Toyota. Even though I would not mind getting a Crawler box from Marlin Crawler, that would be pretty awesome and I might consider with the swap.

Thank you everyone in advance.

I hope you all have a great day.

 

[cruisermatt]

The Marlin Toybox hasn't been available for a few years now. I wish it was.

There is a TON of h55f information on here. You will need to shorten the rear shaft and lengthen the front shaft, but I'd just buy driveshafts from an 85-87 60, much less hassle. I'd also get a a second transfer case and build it on the new transmission to also help minimize downtime.

There was a really good thread from a few weeks ago about all the transfer case differences and issues with h55f mating.

Did you swap out your diffs? If not, then you 3.73's. FJ60's had 3.73's stock and FJ62's had 4.11's stock. I can't imagine 3.73's and 35's, that is really tall gearing! Switching to 4.11's will be a good "highway" setup with the h55f and regearing what you have to 4.56 or 4.88 will be a good "off road" setup.

The h55f first gear compared to the h42 (stock) is pretty good change, there is ~1.5:1 lower. With 35's and 4.11's you will need first gear on the street, however you will be shifting before you are out of the intersection.

 

[klinetime574]

With 35's and 4.11's you're going to be geared very similar to me. I have 33's and 3.7's. It moves well in first. Much better than it did with the 4 speed. As cruisermatt noted above a stock FJ60 will have 3.7's/ FJ62 has 4.11.

If I was running 35 inch tires I would probably swap to an appropriate gear ratio that retains the stock ratio. i.e. - 35's and 4.56's

With my 33's I have a lot less weight per tire so I think the combination of the lower first and minimal difference in size is okay. (Ideally I should re-gear to 4.11, but I'm happy) Big tires IMO require appropriate gearing. I've seen a FJ60 run 35's and 3.7's with a 4 speed and it was a SLUG.

Your 1983 may not have the provision for the oiler cup. So sourcing a unit that does is probably going to be a safe bet. Then build it up (also as cruisermatt suggested (he beat my typing speed))

If I had 4.11 gearing with my 33's I could probably turn 'em and burn 'em for lack of a better term. But this is an FJ60, not a racecar

HTH

 

[cruisermatt]

for gearing down (with 35's I definitely would if I had 3.73's) going to 4.11 will help but not be a drastic change, but you will notice it. 4.11's are easy because they came in cruisers so you can get a set already setup, and then use your old 3.73 cases to practice setting up 4.56's or 4.88's on your own.

 

[ashack2004]

Thank you guys, that makes sense. Someone before, not on Mud, told me they have 4.11 stock. I would like to do the 5 speed conversion first and then if that is not enough I will move over to the 4.11 or maybe 4.88s. I dont want to switch the motor out. I really like the I6 and the reliability of the motor.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

In your 1983 FJ60, you have 3.73 gears stock. If you want to know for sure, put the transfer in neutral, put the rear wheels off the ground and turn the wheels 4 times, then count how many times the driveshaft turned.

 

[SteadyT3ddy]

Nice progress! keep up the good work.

 

[ashack2004]

I haven't posted in a while and I wanted to give an update.

To start off I havent been driven the 60 for a while since the rear universal went out on the rear drive shaft. I was able to replace that and now that seems to be good.

My brake master cylinder went out some time ago leaking from the rear seal of the cylinder into the brake booster. Since the land cruiser sat for a while when I tried to drive it one day I noticed that the brake pedal was hard as could be. I was able to look at the brake booster and could hear a vacuum leak. Crappppp!!!! I said!!! So doing some research on the web. Yea as you can guess no body sales them. If you can find them there is a nice price to pay. So I decided to say hey you know what? What would happen if I decided to take it apart and see what is wrong and why it could be leaking. So my buddy Mike and I pulled the booster out and pulled it apart. Looking at the diaphrams, since there is two, we could not see anything wrong but maybe some brake fluid in the front. So getting to look at the housing I found that the front seal looked like it took a beating from the brake fluid. ? What do I got to lose? I said. We cleaned all the parts and then pulled the front seal out. Using some silicon we sealed the front seal into the housing. Greased the needed parts. Put everything back together and guess what!!!!

It is working like a champ, no issues!!!

From there I am working on getting her ready for a hunting trip this weekend. Should be a good time and I hope everything goes well. We will see. I wish I took some pictures of the booster apart but that's ok.

I will try to get some photos and maybe a video of this weekend.

I hope everyone is doing well.

 

[ashack2004]

Went hunting with the father-in-law!

 

[EBBB]

Went hunting with the father-in-law!

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building an 83 right now as well or should i say resurrecting? i found her in someones yard, she was sitting there for 20 years. your build is very similar to my project. saving it to reference back to