HOW TO: FZJ80 Throttle Cable Replacement (1 Viewer)

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www.dariengear.com
I'm sure everyone knows how to do this, but i did not see any threads showing the steps; this might help a newbie prepare for the job.

So, ever since i bought my LX, it's had a pretty excessive idle. After drives, when it went in park it would jump from 800 to about 1.5k RPM. When i put my foot behind the gas pedal and pulled towards me, the high idle would immediately stop. Not good! after looking at my throttle cable and finding it was disintegrating, i knew it was time for a replacement.

SO... here's how i did it.


DIFICULTYTIME INVESTMENTREPLACEMENT PART NUMBER
:banana: / 2
30 Minutes​
78180-60280​

TOOLS I USED
  • Ratchet
  • 10 mm Socket
  • 12 mm wrench
  • 10" extension
  • 18" extension
  • Swivel Adapter
  • Head Lamp (not pictured)
1989802


REMOVAL

STEP 1: Make yourself some space

Move seat all the way back, remove any floor mats if applicable, fold carpet to completely uncover accelerator pedal assembly if needed. Put on your handy head lamp on at this time; there is no real estate down there for a light, and holding one in your hand just makes you 50% less efficient.​

STEP 2: Remove the accelerator pedal

The pedal is held on by two 10 mm bolts. One at 12 o'clock, one at 6 o clock. Use your ratchet with the 18" extension and the 10 mm socket to get these bolts out.​

STEP 3: Separate cable from pedal

The pedal has a hole with a slot where the end of the cable rests. To remove this, simply pull the cable head (cylinder looking part) and then slide it towards the slot. At this point you can put the accelerator pedal aside.​

STEP 4: Unbolt cable bracket from firewall

Now you have a better view for the two 10 mm bolts holding the cable assembly to the firewall. Use the ratchet with the 10" extension, swivel joint and 10 mm socket to remove this. I find it most comfortable to lay on my back, route the socket with my right hand, and then work the ratchet with the left hand.​

STEP 5: Pop the hood and unhook cable

After you remove the two bolts, you'll have to unhook the cable from the throttle body. Use the 12 mm wrench to loosen one side. If your nuts are tight (hehe) i recommend using a second wrench on the second nut to avoid bending or breaking anything.​
With the cable removed from the base, use one hand to pull the throttle body valve towards the cab, to remove cable tension. Hold the valve open while you work the cable loose from its slot. You will have to raise the cable until it is aligned with the open slot on the valve, then you simply pull it off to the side.​
Once the cable is undone, route it towards the drivers side, and pull it out of the three hold downs. Make sure you pull back on the cable and not down; pulling down will bend the bracket open and it will not hold the new cable in properly.​
Here are pics of the three hold downs​

1989803

1989804


STEP 6: Feed wire into the cab

With the cable completely loose, try to align it with the hole in the firewall to begin feeding it through to the cab. The cable needs to be above the center line of the master cylinder for it to easily slide into the cab. If it does not want to go in, it is because the cable is bent too far down.​

INSTALLATION

I could just say install is reverse of removal.. but that would be half-assing things. So...

STEP 1: Feed wire into the engine bay


Feed the new cable through the hole in the firewall. make sure you don't drag it to much, as that can chafe the cable. Start with a short section, move to the engine bay to route it where it has space to move, then continue feeding it out from the cab. Do not push it all the way back, having it closer to you is better for step 2, below.​
1989805

STEP 2: Sandwich the brackets together, and attach to firewall

It is way easier to mount the metal bracket to the cable bracket, and then both of those together to the firewall, than it is to do it separately. Align the metal bracket with the cable bracket and feed both 10 mm bolts through the holes. The cable bracket has two tabs that fit into slots on the metal bracket, make sure those seat properly. Then, align the bolts with the holes in the firewall and start driving the bolts in. You can tighten them at this time.​

1989806


STEP 3: Place cable in the hold downs

Back in the engine bay, route the cable through the original location, making sure that you place the cable in all the original hold downs. The cable includes nuts at specific portions of the cable. These nuts indicate that a hold down point comes immediately after.​

STEP 4: attach cable to throttle body.

NOTE: I found it much easier to attach the cable to the throttle body first, and then attach the cable to the accelerator pedal. Your experience may be different. Steps 4 and 5 can be interchanged per your preferences.​

Once properly routed, pull on the throttle valve to insert the new cable end in the hole. Align the cable with the open slot, feed the cable end bead into its hole, and then let go of the throttle valve. Watch your fingers!​

STEP 5: Attach accelerator pedal
Get your pedal, and place the end of the new cable through the hole with the slot. Make sure the clip behind the cable end seats properly onto the pedal.​
Grab your two 10 mm bolts, feed them through the accelerator mounting bracket, and put the assembly in its original location on the firewall. You can tighten these bolts at this time.​

STEP 6: Adjust cable slack

Push the throttle valve all the way down until it hits its stop. If your cable is loose when doing this, adjust it so that it provides slight tension to the valve at the end of its motion.​
If the cable is too tight and it does not allow the throttle valve to fully close, loosen accordingly.​
I like to adjust throttle with the rig on. Once you made the adjustments above, start up the Cruiser and listen to the engine while you look at the RPMs. remember the sound while you adjust the cable. The warmed up idle for these trucks is 650 +/- 50 RPM per the Toyota FSM.​



And that is about it! go out and enjoy your car-like smooth idle, being able to hold conversations at red lights, and getting 0.25 mpg more! 🍻 :grinpimp:
 
Thanks for the great write up with excellent details and pics!

:cheers:
 
It should be said early on in this thread that AFTERMARKET THROTTLE CABLES DONT WORK. They STICK and suck even though they appear to be fine uppon inspection. DO NOT WASTE MONEY on anything OTHER than OEM Toyota parts.
 
here is a pic of the old cable vs the new.. notice all the sheathing missing on the old one.. yikes!

View attachment 1989814
Thanks for this write up! I Just finished swapping out mine, this made it quick and easy. Especially with the note about removing the old cable and it needing to be higher than the brake resivour. OEM picked up for about 75 bucks. It's butter smooth! My 95' has 240k on it. Stock cable was toasted.

MVIMG_20190730_184257.jpg
 
I will be doing mine soon, but have been thinking of giving it a bit more heat/abrasion protection as it appears these things all shed the cover in the same place, right above the valve cover.

Ideas anyone?
 
Thanks for this write up! I Just finished swapping out mine, this made it quick and easy. Especially with the note about removing the old cable and it needing to be higher than the brake resivour. OEM picked up for about 75 bucks. It's butter smooth! My 95' has 240k on it. Stock cable was toasted.

View attachment 2044826

Mind sharing where you got it for $75? that's a lot cheaper than I've been able to find.
 
Some have put shrink wrap over them. Other than cosmetic improvement, not sure it has any affect?

We lube them. Disconnect the throttle body end, pop the little boot back, apply silicone lube, work the cable in and out, more silicone, hang that end from the hood so it runs down into the cable. Repeat as needed until the cable moves freely. This has made some pretty stiff cables work like new again.
 
Nice work. When i replaced my throttle cable I also should have replaced the firewall steering shaft seal. Contorting under the dash wasn't fun two times.

Also, you should stop driving your truck through mud, its all over the engine bay. :bounce:
 
Tools: what type of silicone lube do you use?

LC4LIFE: to protect a replacement cable I got maybe a 20" section of 3/8 fuel hose and split it lengthwise down one side, then slipped that over
the section of the new cable that runs over the engine/valve cover. Has kept it intact for over 10 years now. Could do the same to an older functioning cable where the rubber coating has already come off. FWIW.
 
I'm sure everyone knows how to do this, but i did not see any threads showing the steps; this might help a newbie prepare for the job.

So, ever since i bought my LX, it's had a pretty excessive idle. After drives, when it went in park it would jump from 800 to about 1.5k RPM. When i put my foot behind the gas pedal and pulled towards me, the high idle would immediately stop. Not good! after looking at my throttle cable and finding it was disintegrating, i knew it was time for a replacement.

SO... here's how i did it.


DIFICULTYTIME INVESTMENTREPLACEMENT PART NUMBER
:banana: / 2
30 Minutes​
78180-60280​

TOOLS I USED
  • Ratchet
  • 10 mm Socket
  • 12 mm wrench
  • 10" extension
  • 18" extension
  • Swivel Adapter
  • Head Lamp (not pictured)
View attachment 1989802

REMOVAL

STEP 1: Make yourself some space

Move seat all the way back, remove any floor mats if applicable, fold carpet to completely uncover accelerator pedal assembly if needed. Put on your handy head lamp on at this time; there is no real estate down there for a light, and holding one in your hand just makes you 50% less efficient.​

STEP 2: Remove the accelerator pedal

The pedal is held on by two 10 mm bolts. One at 12 o'clock, one at 6 o clock. Use your ratchet with the 18" extension and the 10 mm socket to get these bolts out.​

STEP 3: Separate cable from pedal

The pedal has a hole with a slot where the end of the cable rests. To remove this, simply pull the cable head (cylinder looking part) and then slide it towards the slot. At this point you can put the accelerator pedal aside.​

STEP 4: Unbolt cable bracket from firewall

Now you have a better view for the two 10 mm bolts holding the cable assembly to the firewall. Use the ratchet with the 10" extension, swivel joint and 10 mm socket to remove this. I find it most comfortable to lay on my back, route the socket with my right hand, and then work the ratchet with the left hand.​

STEP 5: Pop the hood and unhook cable

After you remove the two bolts, you'll have to unhook the cable from the throttle body. Use the 12 mm wrench to loosen one side. If your nuts are tight (hehe) i recommend using a second wrench on the second nut to avoid bending or breaking anything.​
With the cable removed from the base, use one hand to pull the throttle body valve towards the cab, to remove cable tension. Hold the valve open while you work the cable loose from its slot. You will have to raise the cable until it is aligned with the open slot on the valve, then you simply pull it off to the side.​
Once the cable is undone, route it towards the drivers side, and pull it out of the three hold downs. Make sure you pull back on the cable and not down; pulling down will bend the bracket open and it will not hold the new cable in properly.​
Here are pics of the three hold downs​

View attachment 1989803
View attachment 1989804

STEP 6: Feed wire into the cab

With the cable completely loose, try to align it with the hole in the firewall to begin feeding it through to the cab. The cable needs to be above the center line of the master cylinder for it to easily slide into the cab. If it does not want to go in, it is because the cable is bent too far down.​

INSTALLATION

I could just say install is reverse of removal.. but that would be half-assing things. So...

STEP 1: Feed wire into the engine bay


Feed the new cable through the hole in the firewall. make sure you don't drag it to much, as that can chafe the cable. Start with a short section, move to the engine bay to route it where it has space to move, then continue feeding it out from the cab. Do not push it all the way back, having it closer to you is better for step 2, below.​

STEP 2: Sandwich the brackets together, and attach to firewall

It is way easier to mount the metal bracket to the cable bracket, and then both of those together to the firewall, than it is to do it separately. Align the metal bracket with the cable bracket and feed both 10 mm bolts through the holes. The cable bracket has two tabs that fit into slots on the metal bracket, make sure those seat properly. Then, align the bolts with the holes in the firewall and start driving the bolts in. You can tighten them at this time.​

View attachment 1989806

STEP 3: Place cable in the hold downs

Back in the engine bay, route the cable through the original location, making sure that you place the cable in all the original hold downs. The cable includes nuts at specific portions of the cable. These nuts indicate that a hold down point comes immediately after.​

STEP 4: attach cable to throttle body.

NOTE: I found it much easier to attach the cable to the throttle body first, and then attach the cable to the accelerator pedal. Your experience may be different. Steps 4 and 5 can be interchanged per your preferences.​

Once properly routed, pull on the throttle valve to insert the new cable end in the hole. Align the cable with the open slot, feed the cable end bead into its hole, and then let go of the throttle valve. Watch your fingers!​

STEP 5: Attach accelerator pedal
Get your pedal, and place the end of the new cable through the hole with the slot. Make sure the clip behind the cable end seats properly onto the pedal.​
Grab your two 10 mm bolts, feed them through the accelerator mounting bracket, and put the assembly in its original location on the firewall. You can tighten these bolts at this time.​

STEP 6: Adjust cable slack

Push the throttle valve all the way down until it hits its stop. If your cable is loose when doing this, adjust it so that it provides slight tension to the valve at the end of its motion.​
If the cable is too tight and it does not allow the throttle valve to fully close, loosen accordingly.​
I like to adjust throttle with the rig on. Once you made the adjustments above, start up the Cruiser and listen to the engine while you look at the RPMs. remember the sound while you adjust the cable. The warmed up idle for these trucks is 650 +/- 50 RPM per the Toyota FSM.​



And that is about it! go out and enjoy your car-like smooth idle, being able to hold conversations at red lights, and getting 0.25 mpg more! 🍻 :grinpimp:
This post is incredibly helpful. I'm running into the same problem with a stuck cable that idles at 1300 to 1500 RPMs.
 
:smokin: This is some good stuff, that's fer sure. Be sure and heed the reassembly directions. Stick it thru the firewall, then let if drop over the grille/ARB/whatever you're rocking up front like that tongue on a Stones album, then hook up things under the dash.

If you have a hand throttle, it will not make this easier. Pop the little square retainer fitting that surrounds the hand throttle cable so it pops loose and get the pedal out of the way.

With some care taken to match the adjusted positions of the old cable, things settled down to a 650 rpm idle after installation. :cool:
 
Last edited:
Good write-up. I did mone a couple of weekends ago. I had tried a cheap one from from Rockauto some time back and returned it because the threaded end at the throttle body was too short. You couldn't adjust it enough to not be keeping the throttle slightly open at all times. As usual, go with the OEM part.
 
Wrap/sleeve from Heat shield products.

Do you know what product you went with? How is it working out so far? Was it the thermaflect sleeve by chance?
 
Do you know what product you went with? How is it working out so far? Was it the thermaflect sleeve by chance?
No, actually I replaced my cable and didn't re-wrap it with anything. I did however wrap my wiring harness by the egr with heatshield products metal exhaust shield, it's like foil on both sides with fiberglass between.

Works out well so far, but not my entire engine is removed and getting rebuilt so I'll be redoing it with something...Im trying to source a good wrap for the wiring harness that I can wrap as the motor goes back in..
 

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