First FJ60 Build - 1983 Land Crusier

[ashack2004]

Hey Everyone, I am new to the site and wanted to start my Build on here. I have been checking out some of the other LC on the site and you guys have some very nice rides. I would also have to say that you guys are very talented. I am looking forward to posting and getting ideas.
So Lets get started!!!!

 

[Kynot62]

Welcome to the madness...

Tony

 

[shancerlelby]

Always glad to see another cruiser build up! Welcome aboard!

 

[ashack2004]

About the Land Cruiser

Old Betsy is what I like to call her. My buddy Wayne knew someone that had her and knew that I am a Toyota guy, so he had tell me when his buddy decided to sell her. I went up to Georgia to take a look and when i got there I was just blown away. The LC just had a couple scratches and huge dent the hood. No rust except for some surface rust where the back tire blew. After talking to the seller (The guy I bought it from) I knew that I was going to try really hard to buy it. So when it was all said and done I was able to pick it for 500 BUCKS!!! The only issue is the Stock 2f had a Blown Head Gasket.
Here is some pics:

 

[ashack2004]

Replacing the Head Gasket

When I started with the Head gasket replacement, I asked my self, should I pull the intake off with the head or not? Well after debate with my self I decided to just pull it off. I wanted to go ahead and replace the Gasket for the Carb and the gasket for the intake/exhaust that goes between the intake and Exhaust. I started pulling everything off, not too bad of a job. By having about 10 years of Auto/engine building experience seemed like any other head job on a Straight 6. I did not take any pictures at the time, wish I had. But will for now on for the build up. I was able to get everything unbolted from the engine and take everything out. I made sure I keep the push rods all in order for reassembly. I cleaned everything and painted the valve cover. Was able to put the engine back together and fire her up. She started right up with no issue. After Idling for a while I notice she started to get hot and was like WTF. Figured out that since the Head Gasket blew, someone, put BARS (I will clog everything up in your cooling system)Stop Leak! So the whole Radiator was clogged. I could touch the top of the Rad and it would be Hot, the Bottom cold. So I could tell that something was wrong.
That leads into my next Adventure:
Radiator Replacement!

 

[ashack2004]

Radiator Replacement

Now, since I have time I decided to pull the Radiator and take it to a local shop to have roded out. So I started pulling the Radiator. I know that some of you here on the site state that you can pull the rad and not have to take out the AC condenser, but I figure since there is no Freon in it any way I would just remove the AC condenser. I pull the Grill out with the from Parking Light Assembly since you have to get to the bolts. From there I was able to undo the bolts holding the AC condenser and the take off the Lines going to the condenser. You then have to remove the Top cross member, so you can lift the Rad out. Was able to unbolt everything and it out.
Here are some pics:

So once I got that all done I took the Radiator over to a Local shop to have repaired. After a couple Days the shop called me, hoping that I can pick it up, i got told the bad news. Butch, the owner of the shop told me that the Radiator was too badly corroded to be repaired, and there was so much stop leak they must have 3 bottles in it....lol....
So.... I decided to get a new Rad.
After Calling around I found out quick that they are not cheap!!!
The Cheapest price I got was around $400 Shipped.
I think turned to the best Auto Parts house I have ever found.
RockAuto.com
They had one with a 2 year warranty for $279 Shipped.
I was able to order on a Wednesday and got Today!

Can't Wait to fire her up again!

When I pulled the Rad, I also pressure washed the engine, I think I am going to do it one more time, really want to clean her up really good. I used the Gunk Engine Brite, is there something better I should use. Normally I use Purple power, but that is when I have an engine on the stand where I can clean and scrub, any suggestions on a good cleaner!

 

[FJ Jake]

Radiator Fun

Hey first comment on the site here. Sweet looking rig! Good luck with the new radiator-SHINY. Just my .02, I had a similar situation with my 84 FJ-60. Just started to tear into the rebuild. The PO had also used that leak stop garbage and I had replaced the radiator but also now see that the heater core is completely solid as well. New core is in and onto the rebuild after an overheat awhile back due to no flow through the heater core. Boo.

 

[ashack2004]

Man that sucks, Yea I have not check the HC yet. I hope it is ok. Thanks for checking it out!

 

[ashack2004]

Gutted the Smog Pump for Pulley

I was able to get the Smog pump off and take all the fins out. Check out some pics:
[URL="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ME1ZzjBGuME/TxxOc5k1ecI/AAAAAAAADgk/nK2QiJgvLzk/s640/IMG_0152.JPG"][/URL]
[URL="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-zebiM67HVMA/TxxOdD27Q7I/AAAAAAAADhU/1uAjRllZV2c/s640/IMG_0154.JPG"][/URL]
[URL="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ja9g4WY3qFI/TxxOdf-NgDI/AAAAAAAADg4/ZvK9F-nBvrQ/s640/IMG_0156.JPG"][/URL]
[URL="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-DC8KAcut-Y0/TxxOefDosSI/AAAAAAAADkU/FLZxTVXRncs/s640/IMG_0159.JPG"][/URL]

Found the Guy that caused all the issues!!!!!
[URL="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-C4qdyWbCIVs/TxxOfFxD4KI/AAAAAAAADh4/9c1-1Kw54_g/s640/IMG_0162.JPG"][/URL]

All Gutted!
[URL="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-sd6aXaYrDE4/TxxOgBHBX-I/AAAAAAAADkc/jFzJ-4aCbJc/s640/IMG_0166.JPG"][/URL]

Cleaned the Bearings and repacked Them.
[URL="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-1oIyf9BS6S0/TxxOhRYIIaI/AAAAAAAADi4/LccRLzpFZys/s576/IMG_0171.JPG"][/URL]

All Back togahter.
[URL="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-RWbSpKucYHU/TxxOhfc-WlI/AAAAAAAADi0/GOY_0XRqPD8/s576/IMG_0172.JPG"][/URL]

Overall The Smog Gut was not that hard. I was able to install and it seems to be working great, no crazy noises.
I will post some pics when I get them form my other Camera.

 

[ashack2004]

Smog Pump Gutted and installed!

So I got it installed and new belt, working great, no crazy noises so far..

I am hoping that it will last a year or so, we will see what happens.

 

[ashack2004]

New Radiator and Fan Shrod Installed

I was able to get the new rad installed, I figured since I have it all out I would clean up the Shrod and paint it. Turned out pretty good I think.

When installed the new rad was not too bad. I was able to take off the grill and get to the AC condensor. From there I was able to disconnect the AC lines running in front of the condensor. Since the AC system was empty I did not care to keep them connected. I removed the Top support that goes over the Rad and then took out all the bolts not to hard at all. I then decided to clean up the Fan shrod and repaint, turned out awesome.

I was able to fill it out with coolant and crank her up.

Since I did somewhat a desmog she is running great, was able to get warmed up and not over heating issues at all. Clutch fan is engaging just fine. Cant wait to get her out on the road and into some mud.

But first I am going to do the following:

1. SOA Conversion
2. Aussie Lockers back and front.
3. New seals back and front.
4. New brake lines
5. Paint the out side with Raptor Liner
6. Paint the inside with Raptop Liner

I know there are somethings that I am forgetting but will post when in the process.

I am getting ready to go on Vacation so I will gone a week, happy, but will suck not to work on her.

Will keep you posted!

 

[TremorX]

Now that's a familiar rig...

Yeah, that's my old 60... Time and money finally got away from me and I just didn't have either to really put into her anymore. I loaned her out to my brother in law, who ran it without water and blew the head gasket in it. He kept promising to fix it and anytime I brought it up had some excuse not to work on it, so I finally said screw it and sold it to Andy just so it'd have a good home.

I think that smog pump is one I got from eBay when mine seized. Same deal with the leaky power steering pump over it (which I figure is what killed the SP), which just needed $10 a seal kit.

As for the radiator... I never put a drop of stop leak in it, only distilled water and antifreeze, so I'm guessing my brother-in-law did that crap and is probably a contributing factor to the HG blowing. When I bought it, the radiator was fairly new and still had the receipt for it from the PO.

The alternator has a new set of brushes in it (or at least, they were new like 2 years ago). I also replaced the clutch Slave cylinder but not the master, so you probably want to go ahead and replace that master cylinder soon, they usually fail together. There's also a plastic bushing for the gear shifter that needs to be replaced and might stop it from popping out of first gear... I figured it was either that or a weak/loose motor mount causing that, but I could be way off. The fan clutch is fairly new, and the starter & solenoid were cleaned out recently but could probably use some attention.

I couldn't be happier to see it going and in the hands of someone who knows what they're doing!

 

[ashack2004]

Update

I know it has been a little while since my last update on the FJ60. I have been working like crazy. I wanted to start messing around with the brakes and getting them all working. About a month after I got the FJ60 the break fluid has been leaking, so this tells me there is a leak in the front or the rear somewhere. My first thought was well most likely it is going to be a Wheel cylinder. Everyone knows that they are notorious for going bad and that goes for any vehicle, especially one that you off road.

Here is what I have done:
1. Tried to get the back brake drum off and was not successful. Is there something special you need to do to remove the brake drum? I know that there is a set screw that holds the drum in place. Put I was not able to remove the drum. I was able to pull it off a little but would not fully come off. I never worked on a set of drum brakes on a FJ60 before and did not know if there is something special you have to do. If there is not anything special then the most likely someone adjusted the brake and it is sitting in the groove and just does not want to come out.
2. I pulled off the front Wheel and checked the front rotors and Calipers. Bad news, all the boots in the Caliper are messed up. Dried up and cracked, pretty much fell apart when I touched them. So I searched around and was able to find 2 Calipers from O’Reilly’s in stock.

Cardone Friction Choice 19-826 - Unloaded Brake Caliper | O'Reilly Auto Parts

3. I also noticed that the front rubber brake lines are in bad condition also. So I jumped on Rockauto.com and order the 3 break lines. I should be able to install them this week! With the new calipers.

4. Something Funny, I was working on the carb and trying to get the engine to run right. Was running great and then all of a sudden the engine started missing really bad. I checked all the lines and wires and everything looked good. I pulled the first spark plug wire when I was running and there was no difference. I put it back and did the same for the rest. I was like what!!!??? Why is this doing this, when I pull a wire there is no change. I tried to rev the engine and it wanted to die. So I kept messing with the engine and still did not work right. Then something clicked inside my head, like a light bulb coming on. How much gas do I have ? lol the FJ was on dead empty, It was out of gas and Dieseling!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just AWESOME

Questions:
1. Is there something special you must do to remove the back brake drum?

 

[ashack2004]

By Looking at the pictures on this post:

https://forum.ih8mud.com/60-series-...-brake-soft-brake-pedal-help.html#post7296578

I think the brake drum should just come right off.

 

[Kurtis]

To get the drums off you back off the shoes by turning the star wheel on the inside of the backing plate. There is a slot in the plate big enough for a screw driver where you can access the wheel and turn it.

You then insert two bolts in the drum itself on the front side in the two threaded holes. Turn these equally until the drum falls off.

 

[ashack2004]

That what I figured that someone tighten up the pads in the drum. I know that sometime that drum will wear a groove into the pad and when you adjust the brakes it will not allow the drum to slide off.
Awesome thanks for the help!
I am going to try to get the Drums off tonight and take some more pictures.

 

[ashack2004]

Front Brakes and Calipers

Well everyone I was able to get the Front Brakes and new Calipers installed. I also installed the new Rubber break lines I got from RockAuto!

Here are some Pics:

Here are the Old ones I pulled off. Man all the Boots were torn and the pistons were rusted. $33 bucks a piece for new ones

 

[ashack2004]

Inside of the FJ60

Here are some of the Pics of when I gutted the inside of the 60. I was thinking about doing raptor liner in the inside but i dont know just yet. I am happy to say that there is no rust no where in the inside. The couple darks spots you see is Power steering fluid in the back and Lucas oil treatment in the front. Thats why is prob has no rust

check out some pics:

Do you guys know of the best way to remove all the fuzzy insulation/sound deading I guess is what you would call it. I am still thinking about Raptor Lining the inside.

 

[gregnash]

There have been a few different ways that guys have removed it.. If you do a search for sound deadening you will see all what I am talking about. It seems that most of the guys use a palette knife or spackle knife to get the crap off then will use dry ice to get ride of the clear sound deadener that was installed at the factory. There are a few methods, all are tedious.

 

[ashack2004]

Awesome thanks, I will check into that. I am not sure what I want to do at this point, but I know I will think of somehting. I have been trying to find some cool rubber mats I can get.