FJ80 Rebuild

[cjoez13]

Radiator blew today, question, I purchased a CSF 2709 Radiator, I am also replacing the water pump/hoses and the radiator fan clutch, I have a question about the fan clutch, there is a direct replacement from AISIN that is $200 or so dollars (FCT-049), then there is a FZJ80 (FCT-004) series for $90.

Is there any reason I can't use the FCT-004? it's nearly half the price and looks some what identical (some minor differences)? I have seen back and forth on this when I used the search function, blue vs green vs red, etc.

 

[clx16]

FCT-004 works fine for me. Mind if I ask about that thing you have over your grille? What is that for?

 

[cjoez13]

FCT-004 works fine for me. Mind if I ask about that thing you have over your grille? What is that for?

My dad has been driving it but I am assuming he put it there because of the frigid temperatures the last couple weeks it has been sub 15 degrees F. I went to pick it up because he said the heat stopped working and this happened lol.

This is a 3FE, do you have a 3FE?

 

[clx16]

I don't have a 3fe and that grille covering for cold isn't needed and might have cause the issue... Antifreeze and the thermostat are what is needed to function properly. I don't think you should worry about anything above -36 degrees F being too cold for antifreeze

 

[cjoez13]

I don't have a 3fe and that grille covering for cold isn't needed and might have cause the issue... Antifreeze and the thermostat are what is needed to function properly. I don't think you should worry about anything above -36 degrees F being too cold for antifreeze

I don't think this caused it to explode, what he didn't tell me was that there was a leak and he used one of those sealants, probably caused over pressure by blocking something and it exploded.

The covers are popular here in the Midwest, mostly on diesel/older vehicles, I am not going to debate whether they work or not but I think it would be more of a prevalent problem if it did, since it's very popular here to the point people would stop doing it.

 

[alia176]

The covers are popular here in the Midwest, mostly on diesel/older vehicles, I am not going to debate whether they work or not but I think it would be more of a prevalent problem if it did, since it's very popular here to the point people would stop doing it.

I lived in the Midwest and did the same thing to all of my SUVs. It helped with heating up the engine quicker and not cooling down as soon as the cold air hit the radiator while driving during winter.

 

[clx16]

I've used them before also, not here in GA but when i lived up North and it was only after we struggled to get them up to temp. I remember pulling over so the heater could warm the cabin up!

The sealant might have killed that heater core too... The sealant can be expensive.

 

[Kernal]

Where exactly is the leak on the radiator? Got photos?

What product (brand/part number) did your father dump in the radiator?
Some products, IME, can be cleaned out easier than others.

What Thermostat (OEM, Aftermarket) is being used and how old?

If a soldered seam between the core and a tank failed it might could be repaired and if the radiator is clogged with a sealant, that also might could be "rodded out", that is if you can find a radiator shop that does that type work.

 

[alia176]

Where exactly is the leak on the radiator? Got photos?

What product (brand/part number) did your father dump in the radiator?
Some products, IME, can be cleaned out easier than others.

What Thermostat (OEM, Aftermarket) is being used and how old?

If a soldered seam between the core and a tank failed it might could be repaired and if the radiator is clogged with a sealant, that also might could be "rodded out", that is if you can find a radiator shop that does that type work.

From my latest radiator shop experience, at least in albuquerque, they do not like to mess with our radiators. Radiators with plastic tanks are considered disposable items in their world and the cost to repair them is not worth it. Radiators are becoming so cheap, like anything else, they are consumable items that should be replaced every few years.

 

[Kernal]

The radiator the OP mentioned (CSF 2709) should have been an all metal type so maybe fixable if it burst at a tank seam.

 

[cjoez13]

The radiator the OP mentioned (CSF 2709) should have been an all metal type so maybe fixable if it burst at a tank seam.

Sorry the confusion, but the radiator is OEM, no way it is being repaired now, like the other poster said, I wanted to repair it in the summer but shops didn't want to touch it. So my dad was driving it occasionally now (snow got bad so he thought he would use it) until it got warm enough for me to work on it. The plan was to replace the radiator this summer or spring as soon as the temps hit.

I just bought a radiator today, CSF 2709, and I was buying a new clutch as well, my question was mainly about replacing the clutch with a 1fz model instead of the 3FE model because the price difference.

 

[clx16]

Unfortunately I don't know if your fan will be in the right position with the 1fz model.

 

[cjoez13]

So the main physical difference between the FCT-049 and FCT-004 is the flange (outside of internal performance) after examining pictures, the blue (FZJ80) is longer than the flange for the FCT-049, so the offset clearance will be different. I will see how much clearance there is for the new radiator and or if the flanges can be swapped (does anyone know this?).

 

[clx16]

Can you just rebuild your current one?

 

[Irish Reiver]

FWIW Rockauto show an Aisin FCT017 for a 1990 LC. They are in stock for less than $70.

 

[alia176]

Can you just rebuild your current one?

That's a good point actually. Let's see a pic of the current fan clutch once you have it on the bench. If it has screws, bet you can split it open then swap out the fluid inside with the correct CST for MN, which I'm guessing will be in the 7,000CST range. I'm running 15,000CST here in the Southwest.

 

[cjoez13]

That's a good point actually. Let's see a pic of the current fan clutch once you have it on the bench. If it has screws, bet you can split it open then swap out the fluid inside with the correct CST for MN, which I'm guessing will be in the 7,000CST range. I'm running 15,000CST here in the Southwest.

Didn't see this post before replacing the radiator,

Ended up trashing the original one because it wasn't in the best shape, the blue fan that is used in the FZJ80 ended up working despite the difference in the flange mount (3/4" longer").

 

[cjoez13]

Hi again all,

Starting to work on the land cruiser again now that the weather is warm.

Next thing I am working on are the front brakes/calipers. The calipers have seized and they are not worth refurbishing. Can anyone confirm whether or not I can use FZJ80 calipers and rotors? I already deleted the splash shield and upgraded my rims to 16" tacoma wheels so I am not worried about the physical dimensions. From what I could pull from other threads, it seems possible.

 

[Marco Lau]

i have owned my 91 for 6 years and not once have i felt the need to upgrade my front brakes and i can still lockup my 4 tires on 37s and the factory drum brakes work very well if working correctly. However, if you rig is lifted, you should look into deleting or adjusting your rear brake bias proportion valves, this is the biggest upgrade you can do to make you brakes working like a new car.

btw...get the Aisin green hub for the 3fe. upgrade thicker oil if needed.

 

[cjoez13]

i have owned my 91 for 6 years and not once have i felt the need to upgrade my front brakes and i can still lockup my 4 tires on 37s and the factory drum brakes work very well if working correctly. However, if you rig is lifted, you should look into deleting or adjusting your rear brake bias proportion valves, this is the biggest upgrade you can do to make you brakes working like a new car.

btw...get the Aisin green hub for the 3fe. upgrade thicker oil if needed.

I am not necessarily looking for an upgrade, this is for the front, just parts accessibility locally was convenient/more affordable since I have access to a few FZJ80s for some parts. The old calipers are done for.