FJ60 4 sp manual with transmission cooler?

[mrmanos]

Don't worry, Im sure people on here will be glad to give you helpful info and encouragement.
I was 16/17 when I had my rad problems. You learn as you go.
When I first pulled the chevy rad it took me many hours to get that thing out.
Having the need to do it many times, I got quick and could probably do it in an hour or so.
Same with my current DD Dodge. Granted it has a lot less to it but I can pull that thing in 20 minutes.

If you could, if you havent done the swap already, post some pics of the old and the new radiators side by side.

Perhaps even do a writeup for others.



Why would you cut the shroud in half?

I got the old one out, took A/C condenser and other parts, but not the compressor. After getting all nuts and bolts off, labeling them, I waited till Sat.a.m. to install new rad. When I was finished, I filled w/ coolant and distilled water, tested it , and then realized I forgot to put the shroud on! I couldn't bring myself to undo everything, so I tried to find a sawzall or something to cut shroud in half. No luck. So I went to my job, 20 miles north of here, up a small mountain pass(Willow Creek Pass), over the top, down a valley for 5 miles. The temp gauge ran a little below half all the way, heaters on, no leaks or drips. 11 pm, going home, same thing, ran perfectly. I am so grateful for all the tips and encouragement you'all gave me. Now I know how to do it. It really isn't that bad. And now that the a/c condenser is gone, the air flow seems good enough w/o the shroud. I am going to get it cut in half, as so many have recommended. Its impossible to install it without removing the rad, or fan( didn't want to do that). ANyway, where I live, it never gets very hot up at 8,000 ft. I'll wait till Spring to install the cut in half shroud. I was worried when I realized I'd forgotten to install it, but then thinking about the temps here, I figured I'd just check it out and see how it goes. Next project will be draining and refilling differentials, trans, and transfer case over the next few weeks.

 

[mrmanos]

L to R : Old rad w/ JB Weld all over, after removal of rad & condenser, new aluminum top view, front view w/ new rad

 

[TobyB]

Yeah, you really only need the shroud when the outside temps get hot, and you're not moving.

One thing that popped to mind when you were describing your problems- it might make sense
to have someone test your coolant for exhaust gasses. When I've had head gasket problems
(on other vehicles) one of the symptoms has been overpressurizing the cooling system.

Glad you're running again.

t

 

[mrmanos]

I don't believe there are any exhaust gas leaks, but I suppose its possible. After I wrote the above post, I drove to town to run errands, 15 miles each way, stop lights, WalMArt, NAPA for oil and fuel filter, etc. The temp gauge needle stayed below center the entire time, both heaters work fine, it all seems to be working as it should. Next project is to see if I can change trans and transfer case oils. Tried it before, but literally could not reach or even identify the correct bolts. That was after reading many threads and looking at my Haynes manuel.

 

[Slow Left]

Next project is to see if I can change trans and transfer case oils. Tried it before, but literally could not reach or even identify the correct bolts. That was after reading many threads and looking at my Haynes manuel.

If you remove the skid plate, then you will have access to the drain/fill plugs (not my picture, but I don't recall the original thread it came from, but it should still be out there...somewhere...):

 

[mrmanos]

Thanks for posting the photos. Now I can see those plugs. Have to remove skid plate, then it looks pretty straightforward. Shouldn't be difficult at all. Just put on jackstands, cardboard on ground. Check to see what type of tools are needed. The Haynes book has capacities, lube specs, etc. I may go check it out in about 20 minutes.

 

[Slow Left]

Thanks for posting the photos. Now I can see those plugs. Have to remove skid plate, then it looks pretty straightforward. Shouldn't be difficult at all. Just put on jackstands, cardboard on ground. Check to see what type of tools are needed. The Haynes book has capacities, lube specs, etc. I may go check it out in about 20 minutes.

I just use my boot (steele toe) or a soccer ball to hold the skid plate in position while I get a bolt or two in on one side...then that is enough to move to the other side and get a bolt or two in...

The skid plate isn't so heavy that you can't push it around...it is just awkward and heavy enough that you've got to be assertive about the whole business...the transmission is held by the transmission cross member, so you can remove the skid plate without worrying about the tranny falling...

When I change my gear oil, I drain the old stuff out (just like a motor oil change...removing the fill plug also helps speed up the draining). Then to fill it, I reinstall the drain plug (with a new gasket/washer) and pump the new gear oil in through the fill plug until it starts coming out the fill plug and that is how I know it is full.

You can buy a plastic pump (at any aftermarket auto parts store) that will attach to the gallon jug of gear oil and allow you to pump it up into the fill plug through a hose.

You can download the Toyota FSMs here:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/fsms.743084/

 

[Slow Left]

Found the thread(s):
https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/transmission-fluid-change-how-to-write-up-for-fj60.408857/
https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/fj60-transmission-fluid-check-fill.809373/#post-9241566

 

[GasganoFJ60]

Congrats on tackling the radiator!
That new one sure does look pretty.

 

[Slow Left]

I am going to get it cut in half, as so many have recommended. Its impossible to install it without removing the rad, or fan( didn't want to do that). ANyway, where I live, it never gets very hot up at 8,000 ft. I'll wait till Spring to install the cut in half shroud.

Here's the sticky on the fan shroud mod:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/timesaver-mod-to-fan-shroud.194976/

 

[mrmanos]

Thanks for the link. Since its getting cold here, and snowed a little already, and we get around 4-500"(it stays until May), I am going to leave the shroud off until next Spring. It seems to run on the cool side of normal. Now that the radiator is done, I'm thinking of all the other stuff I should do. Its a long list, but thankfully the Blue Bomb runs pretty well most of the time. Transmission and transfer case are next, then steering knuckles, brakes and thats about all for now. Oh yeah, a better job would help too.

 

[Slow Left]

Thanks for the link. Since its getting cold here, and snowed a little already, and we get around 4-500"(it stays until May), I am going to leave the shroud off until next Spring. It seems to run on the cool side of normal. Now that the radiator is done, I'm thinking of all the other stuff I should do. Its a long list, but thankfully the Blue Bomb runs pretty well most of the time. Transmission and transfer case are next, then steering knuckles, brakes and thats about all for now. Oh yeah, a better job would help too.

Understood. I approach my wrenching the same way...priority list that takes into consideration the weather (among other things)...

I wonder, tho, once you cut that fan shroud in half, if you can install the bottom half without removing a thing (the top half should be able to be installed/removed without removing anything...that is kinda the point of doing the mod).

What if you held the cut off bottom half over the fan blades upside down and rotated it either clockwise or ccw? Is there enough room to have it spin around along with the fan until it finds it's correct spot/orientation at the base of the radiator? Maybe that top rad hose is in the way...

Just wondering. Anyway, installing the fan shroud as a whole unit isn't that complicated. Should just need to remove the fan...and maybe move the AC condensor out of the way...don't believe you need to break open a hose, but I could be wrong...

Anyway, sounds like old man winter is on your side for a while...