Holy Mother of Smog Testing! Now I have to choose...

[JeffJ60]

It just dawned on me (I am kinda slow that way) that my 1987 60 will not require any more smog tests here in Summit County. They test odd model years on odd years, which would have put my next test at 2013, where my 60 would be >25yrs old. That being so, my list of stuff to do *may* shift a bit. How would you rank these in terms of priority and benefit to effort(or cost) ratio?

1. Desmog (cough - Jim - cough, cough)
2. Jim Carb (now related to #1 - I have had a carb for rebuild in a box with Jim's address on my workbench for a year - looks like my forgetfullness may have a silver lining in that the carb rebuild for desmog is different)
3. Clutch Rebuild
4. TRE & Knuckle Build
5. 4Runner Brake conversion
6. H55
7. Rust Prevention

I do not wheel this thing like you guys do...yet. Mostly used for light camping and hauling stuff. I am so surrounded with technology **** all the time that I relish the opportunity to drive a tractor occasionally. I am mostly looking to drive it daily, and preserve it for future generations to fix, I mean enjoy.

 

[gothodgie]

desmog and the carb rebuild should be #1 for sure... IMO that will be the best bang for the buck... Jim can hook you up, it always amazes me how just a carb rebuild by him can make such a difference...

 

[94SRUNNER]

Well you have a nice list there.

I would say a Jim built carb is a great start, followed by some desmogging. Has your 60 had a good tune up lately? If not that might be good to add in there. I would say if you really are looking for the H55F transmission conversion, to wait to do the clutch at that point if at all possible as you will be able to do them at the nearly the same time. But if your clutch is to a point where it is performing poorly, then you may just want to take care of that so it remains drivable until you procure a H55F. As for rust prevention, it is always good practice to stay ahead of that as best as possible. How bad are things? As for the TRE & Knuckle Build,
and 4Runner Brake conversion, they sound like they should be done as needed. If the current knuckles and/or brakes are on the way out, then it sounds like time to tackle them. Otherwise, focus on the priorities.

Good luck and keep us posted. Any pics of your 60?

 

[94SRUNNER]

Dang it Chris...you beat me to it!

 

[zebrabeefj40]

If you wanna hand the carb to Jim face to face he will be in Garrettsville, OH for the Chumpcar World Series race at Nelson Ledges Roadcourse(http://www.chumpcar.com/event_pdfs/Nelson Ledges 2011 Supplemental Rules.pdf). Race date is Oct. 7-9. Big fun is usually had by all. Come out and spend the day.

You should also have Jim recurve the distributor to take advantage of the desmog.



Nick

 

[FJ40Jim]

1. Rust Prevention (ongoing)
2. 4Runner Brake conversion (do this when changing front pads next time)
3. TRE & Knuckle Build (knuckle bearings only last 100K miles, tops)
4. Carb rebuild (recommended every 10 years or 100K miles)
5. Desmog (is something broken? then don't mess w/ it.)
6. H55 & new clutch(nice to have, but hella expensive)

That should do it.

 

[JeffJ60]

Thanks Jim,

I am going to try to get out to Garretsville when everyone is in for the Chump. I would like to see what others are doing for the degree of rust my rig has- have read 7 thousand blog posts and have 6,500 different views. In person might be best. Also, OK with you if I give you my carb core at that point? I still have the sputtering lurch-o-rama and I think it is just time and gunk in the carb. Still less than 50K on it, but that does not change the calendar, eh? I think this winter will be the winter of rustproofing.

 

[JeffJ60]

Here's my oldest in the 60. This was the first "Dad, can I have your truck when I am olde enought to drive?" moment. Had to dash her little heart! "Maybe a 62," I told her. "And if you misbehave, a Jeep."

 

[94SRUNNER]

Jeff...great looking 60! So Clean!

How is the undercarriage?

 

[PHAEDRUS]

Fricken Pristine.
Glad to see you are still rolling around there Jeff

 

[JeffJ60]

Thanks guys... You know, the undercarriage is not bad. Starting to get some rust on the frame, and I am not entirely sure how to approach it. Also have a small bubble emerging by the passenger side back window.

Looking up "rust prevention" on mud is like looking of political preference on google - lots of opinions, all based on some version of personal experience... I have scraped off rust, sprayed on rust encapsulator, rinse, repeat. Can't find any services out there who do this stuff except a few randon oil-coating centers and I don't know if I want to go that route. Me = lost on this one. thoughts?

Would LOVE to feel good about driving in the winter. I am pretty good about hosing it off when it gets salty, but the answer always comes back - "don't drive it in winter dumba$$!"