Builds Greetings from Seattle...Fixing up "Blue Guy"

[NookShneer]

Back on its feet!

mmmmmm

Need to finish the driveshaft U-joints and bleed the brakes!

It'll clear the garage with the rack right?

 

[red66toy]

It'll clear the garage with the rack right?

It's on the dollies so it looks higher than it will be. I sure hope it fits!

 

[AbsolutGT]

Back on its feet!

mmmmmm

Need to finish the driveshaft U-joints and bleed the brakes!

The more I see the steel wheels, the more I want them! Good job on your build! It's very inspiring but fun to see/read

 

[red66toy]

Thank you! I really liked the utilitarian style of the wheels and the price point is very nice, which always helps.

 

[TheNeek]

This is intense. Great work. I have so much mechanical work to do after I get my truck just put back together.

 

[4Cruisers]

In your last photo in Post #77, do you know what the thin-gauge steel u-shape feature is that's spot welded on the lower inside corner of the spring pad retainer? I've been cleaning parts to reinstall with my OME suspension upgrade next week and am wondering what the purpose of that feature is. There's another identical feature on the diagonally opposite corner of the retainer.

 

[red66toy]

In your last photo in Post #77, do you know what the thin-gauge steel u-shape feature is that's spot welded on the lower inside corner of the spring pad retainer? I've been cleaning parts to reinstall with my OME suspension upgrade next week and am wondering what the purpose of that feature is. There's another identical feature on the diagonally opposite corner of the retainer.

I was wondering that too! Mine were bent in a tight U-shape when they came off. Not exactly sure as they seem like they would do nothing as they are so thin. Some sort of spacer, guide as you slip the hat over the top of the spring?

 

[red66toy]

This is intense. Great work. I have so much mechanical work to do after I get my truck just put back together.

Ha, it only seems intense because I took so long to post up my previous work. I am a SLOOOOW worker I feel like. Your rig is coming along very nicely. Excited to see it all put back together. I need to get ours painted and some rust repaired, where did you get yours done?

 

[TheNeek]

Ha, it only seems intense because I took so long to post up my previous work. I am a SLOOOOW worker I feel like. Your rig is coming along very nicely. Excited to see it all put back together. I need to get ours painted and some rust repaired, where did you get yours done?

I had a friend who works at an Abra in Kirkland do it. Very happy with his work (considering I'm not trying to win any concourse events). There are a few local mud members who have asked.

 

[red66toy]

I had a friend who works at an Abra in Kirkland do it. Very happy with his work (considering I'm not trying to win any concourse events). There are a few local mud members who have asked.

Thanks, yeah it looks like they did very good work.

 

[red66toy]

Well, I tried to bleed the brakes yesterday and ran into a couple hurdles. I used a "Motive" brake bleed system that worked great (if you also used speed clamps to keep the lid on the MC).
Rear cylinders bled just fine.
Then I moved to the LSPV. This is what came out :

Not sure what that means, if the valve is rusty and not even doing anything? Really bummed about that nasty fluid and surprised as the cruiser is not really rusty or bad underneath.
Going to look into replacing the system with a Wilwood proportioning valve. But for now I will run it as is so we will see how bad the brake balance is.
Then I moved onto the front calipers..... Front left caliper would not bleed. Nothing worked. I removed the bleeder screw (with 15psi of pressure still in the system) and nothing. I could see corrosion/gunk in the hole. Bummer as these are new remans from Toyota. Good news is Onur is on it and shipping me a new one ASAP. Front right caliper bled just fine with nice clean fluid.
So in the end its one step forward and one step back! I'll get this beast back on the road soon!

 

[4Cruisers]

Well, I tried to bleed the brakes yesterday and ran into a couple hurdles. I used a "Motive" brake bleed system that worked great (if you also used speed clamps to keep the lid on the MC).
Rear cylinders bled just fine.
Then I moved to the LSPV. This is what came out :

Not sure what that means, if the valve is rusty and not even doing anything? Really bummed about that nasty fluid and surprised as the cruiser is not really rusty or bad underneath.
Going to look into replacing the system with a Wilwood proportioning valve. But for now I will run it as is so we will see how bad the brake balance is.
Then I moved onto the front calipers..... Front left caliper would not bleed. Nothing worked. I removed the bleeder screw (with 15psi of pressure still in the system) and nothing. I could see corrosion/gunk in the hole. Bummer as these are new remans from Toyota. Good news is Onur is on it and shipping me a new one ASAP. Front right caliper bled just fine with nice clean fluid.
So in the end its one step forward and one step back! I'll get this beast back on the road soon!

When I was cleaning up all of the parts on the underside of my '89 FJ62 to swap everything over to my '86 FJ60, one of the filthiest parts I ran across was the LSPV. I took everything apart and cleaned it up real good on the outside, but didn't flush out the innards. I just finished installing all of the fuel and brake lines along the PS frame rail yesterday, so I have everything for the brake system in place, except for the axles. After seeing this, I'm curious as to what I'll find when I get to the point of bleeding my system.

 

[red66toy]

When I was cleaning up all of the parts on the underside of my '89 FJ62 to swap everything over to my '86 FJ60, one of the filthiest parts I ran across was the LSPV. I took everything apart and cleaned it up real good on the outside, but didn't flush out the innards. I just finished installing all of the fuel and brake lines along the PS frame rail yesterday, so I have everything for the brake system in place, except for the axles. After seeing this, I'm curious as to what I'll find when I get to the point of bleeding my system.

I'll keep my fingers crossed yours is clean! The LSPV is discontinued so I think the only option is the wilwood or a questionable used LSPV.

 

[cruisermatt]

I've found that normal driving without it is fine, except for hard panic stops where I lock up the rears, I have discs though so I don't know how that will go for you.
I'd delete it for the sake of simplifying and eliminating several feet of brake line. I made a thread on which fittings to plug how I did it.

 

[red66toy]

Got the replacement caliper from Mr. Onur mounted and bled. Hopefully I can fire it up and test drive in the next couple days!
Need to drain the old gas and add fresh. Purge PS system of air and top off with fluid and top off tranny fluid, and diff fluid as well. Hopefully the new brakes work!

 

[mattv94]

Great work on this build.

When I see inevitably see a super clean blue 62 around town I'll know who's work to admire

 

[gt7058a]

The smoothies, FF rear, and red head gear box will definitely differentiate it.

 

[red66toy]

The smoothies, FF rear, and red head gear box will definitely differentiate it.

Haha, when I see a guy with his head in the wheel well looking at the steering box I'll know it has to be someone from Mud.

 

[GunDriver]

Really enjoyed reading this thread and seeing all the work you've done- very nice job. Fun Fact: My sad blue fj60 will have been sitting out in the elements in the same spot for nearly a year before I get home, will definitely have to use some of your work as inspiration!

 

[red66toy]

Got the brakes bled and squared away... hopefully. Thanks to @NookShneer , @LAMBCRUSHER and @3_puppies for the help. Maiden voyage tomorrow around the block!
Put on the powder coated steering shaft protector. Shiny!

New steering column cover. Makes the rest of the dash look like crap.