Introduction: Here's the situation (FJ60)

[pmccraney]

I've had the pleasure of knowing some of you like minded fools for a long time. Others, I met as recently as last night when I officially joined this motley crew. Thanks again for the warm welcome.

I always had a mild case of the bug (drove a 100 series for several years), but it recently escalated when I came across the 60.

I promised some of the guys last night some pictures in the daylight, so here's the situation:

Body (other then the front bumper) and suspension are stock. Body is in good shape: No rust, paint and clear coat still looking good. Got one little dent on the passenger side nose from the P/0.



Engine is the original 2F with the spider web of smog hoses:



On the bright side, engine only has 113K original miles (a mild case of the cold starts, but otherwise as good a runner as a 28 year-old 4 speed 6 cylinder can be).



Interior condition is pretty clean (has the common tear in the driver's side seat):



It's got a couple of minor heat cracks in the dash (I've got the aftermarket cover for it, but I'm not sure I will use it):



Here's the bench seat:



Still figuring out the plans. I have a couple of small projects that need attention and then a lift is in its near future. Bought some springs yesterday from our friend Rob - just need to piece together a few other parts. Look forward to spending more time on here (and out there), and I truly appreciate the help I have already received.

 

[MScruiser]

Looks great.

Pleasure meeting you too. That thing looks very clean.

De-smog, throw on the H55 and maybe a different bumper, and ride off into the sunset (I say).

I love the 2010 join date with the 1st post today.

 

[Bodean]

Man that is one nice 60! Loved looking it over last night at the meeting. Great to meet you and we look forward to helping you spend your money!

 

[cyberfalco]

So that's what a clean silver 60 looks like.

 

[wngrog]

Great find

 

[wct49]

Sweetness.

 

[fountainhead]

Sweet truck.

 

[Bomar]

She is pretty...

 

[Deltadukman]

Beautiful! I'm the guy who met you at robs shop with DP(and I mean that respectfully) yesterday.

 

[southff4]

Welcome! Nice 60!

 

[MScruiser]

DP is very different than DNP.

Although, Rob's bill may have been so much, you felt like you may have been DP'd.

 

[pmccraney]

Thanks guys, appreciate the feedback. Excited to own it. I'm sure I'll have lots of questions once I dig in.

 

[FJ60Cam]

Nice clean truck!

Glad to see another 60-series driver show up. We are way under-represented.

 

[wngrog]

If you plan to keep it, do a de smog. If you plan to flip it, keep that stuff on it.

 

[FJ60Cam]

...a mild case of the cold starts, but otherwise as good a runner as a 28 year-old 4 speed 6 cylinder can be)...

Do you perform the sacred cold start ritual? No one does, but I think it is in the manual. It usually starts right up if you do. If you don't, it is near impossible to start.

I think it is something like full choke, two-three long pumps of the throttle, start with no throttle.

 

[pmccraney]

If you plan to keep it, do a de smog. If you plan to flip it, keep that stuff on it.

She's a keeper, so its probably coming off at some point. I don't expect any life-changing performance gains. Just a cleaner look and hopefully wakes her up a smidge. I'll keep all of the stuff (if its salvageable) for when I sell the 2F in a year or so in connection with the V8 swap.

Do you perform the sacred cold start ritual? No one does, but I think it is in the manual. It usually starts right up if you do. If you don't, it is near impossible to start.

I think it is something like full choke, two-three long pumps of the throttle, start with no throttle.

I have a ritual, but's its a little different -- primarily insofar as it involves a little less throttle and substantially more cussing. Thanks for the tip, though! P.S. I read your swap thread the other night all the way through. Very entertaining and informative. You are a brave and committed person. Strong work!

 

[euclid]

Welcome. Sweet truck.

 

[77TLCFJ40]

Welcome Patrick! You know who to call if you ever get tired of it. I'm not holding my breath.

 

[third coast cruisers]

Nice 60!!! Great meeting you. Welcome.

 

[pmccraney]

Okay,
After quick visit with Rob & DNP; a lot of reading on here; and chewing the fat with some of you at the meeting, I think the following projects are in order for this rig:

* Power Steering Box. A lot of play in the steering. I initially thought it was the pump (so did the p.o.). However, I don't see the pump leaking, but I do see fluid (Dexron) all over my undercarriage and have to top of the pump fairly often. I've read that a lot of folks ship them off to West Texas offroad for a rebuild. Is that still considered the best option?

* Front Knuckles. I have the visible sludge build up on the inside of the driver's side wheel indicating (I believe) that my seal is blown and creating the unwanted mix with the diff oil. I've read and watched some videos and I feel this is probably beyond my skill (and tool) set. I'll probably get it done professionally, unless you guys think I could do it myself with some care and diligence. I'd like to learn (a big reason I bought this), but I also don't want to get way out of my depth without floaties on. Whether I even think about depends on the approximate cost of a pro job?

* Cooling Issues: It has not run hot on me at all. However, the prior owner indicated that it would sometimes run hot in the heat of summer when going down the interstate with the A.C. on full blast. I understand it could be something other than the radiator/pump (fan clutch, t-stat), but the t-stat is new. I'd like to address this before the summer out of an abundance of caution, and feel like this might be a good place for me me to start learning. Any suggestions on where to start addressing the problem first and locating parts. Again, somewhat difficult to diagnose when I haven't experienced the problem yet, but I am willing to throw some parts at preventing this issue before I experience it.

If yall would rather me start a new thread on projects instead of continuing the intro, just let me know. Still learning my way around the sandbox.

Thanks very much,
Patrick