Fuel Filter Found in a Fuel Separator Line, and Insulation Questions (1 Viewer)

[adamdallas]

I finally removed the cargo area panels in my '83 60 yesterday, and found a Wix fuel filter in the line going into the top of the fuel separator unit. I am new to these vehicles, but I did some research and no images or diagrams show a filter there. What's that all about? They used clips that look stock, but who knows.

I took it out, and it was totally dry and clean, and only had a faint gas smell to it. I happened to have another new inline filter on hand so I replaced it, but could I/should I just bypass this?

ALSO, when I took the panels off, the cavity between the panel and the body of the truck was totally stuffed with newspaper! Date on it was 2004.

Is there supposed to be some kind of insulation in there from the factory, or did a previous owner just decide to do that for some reason?

I'm throwing around the idea of using the drivers side area for storage like a lot of people do, but if I don't, is it wise to insulate that?

 

[4Cruisers]

Definitely get that paper out of there! Just a big old moisture trap and source for rust to begin (if it hasn't already). While you're in there make sure the two drain holes in the bottom are open. You can see them by looking from underneath the vehicle - along the area where the inner and outer sheet metal is spot welded together - just behind the rear wheel well and at the back.

When I was prepping my '86 FJ60 for my build recently (the PO hadn't had it on the road since 1995) I found these, along with the remains of the cardboard packaging, which had obviously been soaked with water at some point:

And in the same spot in the '89 FJ62 donor vehicle I discovered two Craftsman combination wrenches, a 10mm and a 12mm, that the PO must have left in there at some time.

To answer your other question, there is not supposed to be a filter back there.

Ignore these first two diagrams, obviously for an FJ40.

This is the diagram you're looking for:

 

[adamdallas]

Oh yeah, that paper is GONE. I wish I would have snapped a photo of that because it was totally ridiculous. I managed to fill up a whole black trash bag with crap I pulled out of the cruiser yesterday.

Thanks for the reply about the filter. Super weird right? It didn't seem to make any sense.

I suppose I should get a length of fuel line and just replace that whole line.