Build New Bluey - 1987 HJ61 Ownership and Build Thread
- Thread starter marshcat
- Start date
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marshcat
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- Thread starter
- #42
New bluey is driving great! One issue I'm currently experiencing is smoke for the first few minutes with a cold engine. Once the engine warms up and I get into boost, the smoke goes away.
First video is about 1 minute after starting the engine on a 40F day (lots of smoke). Second video is after a 10 minute drive (no smoke)
photos.app.goo.gl
photos.app.goo.gl
First video is about 1 minute after starting the engine on a 40F day (lots of smoke). Second video is after a 10 minute drive (no smoke)
New video by Daniel Sheiner
photos.app.goo.gl
New video by Daniel Sheiner
photos.app.goo.gl
marshcat
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- Thread starter
- #44
Mpg is surprisingly good, in the low 20s with mixed driving. Around town I fill up about half as often as with the LX470.
Smoking at startup is also fixed. Local diesel shop pulled the head and completed a full valve job, including the valve stem seals which were leaking.
I haven't paid much attention to theft prevention, to be honest. Auto theft is not common in my area, and I think a manual transmission is its own theft detterance these days. I purchased an agreed value policy with my insurance company at a $40k valuation, so if anything did happen I'll be covered.
marshcat
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- Thread starter
- #45
Just tucked away the 60 for its winter hibernation! All-in-all was a successful season of daily driving a 38-year-old car. Knock on wood but it is driving great and feels well sorted, just like it rolled away from the dealership back in '87.
#1 most important drivability upgrades so far have been the brake booster from an 80-series and a new clutch booster. I do a lot of driving in traffic and having nice, light pedals makes a world of difference.
Pic from a camping weekend in VT
#1 most important drivability upgrades so far have been the brake booster from an 80-series and a new clutch booster. I do a lot of driving in traffic and having nice, light pedals makes a world of difference.
Pic from a camping weekend in VT
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Great photo with the canoe on top - fitting that its an old school style one too!
Clutch booster from a diesel 60? I'd love to hear more about that.
Nice. I’ve seen photos of diesel 60s that had that stock but never really looked at what it would take to retrofit one.
marshcat
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- Thread starter
- #50
2026 update! LOTS more work transforming the 60 into a true, "no compromises" daily driver. Been driving it as my only car the past month and I'm having a blast.
If anyone is curious about the work required to daily a 60 in a major city in 2026, I've included my list below.
I started with a one-owner, rust-free truck from the Canary Islands. Passed rigorous Spanish inspection every year, with maintenance history all the way back to the original window sticket
Full fluid service
Injection pump re-seal
Reupholster seats and door cards with Scottish tartan wool
Rebuild leaking A/C compressor. Has held its charge for 2+ years so far since the rebuild
Installed Dobinsons suspension
New KO2 tires
Shipped the turbo and injectors to rural austrailia for a full rebuild by the best guys in the world at old diesel toyotas
Had a local diesel shop pull the head for a top end rebuild by a well regarded local machine shop
Installed a brake booster from an 80 series and a brand new clutch booster so both pedals are feather-light
Brought the power steering pump to an industrial hydraulic shop for a rebuild so parallel parking is a breeze
Install hidden speakers in the rear deck, a 24v Continental head unit, and a 24v subwoofer tucked under the drivers seat. Looks stock, sounds modern
Install all new brake components including master cylinder, hoses, and calipers. Used stainless steel hardware from home depot to adjust the brake proportioning valve for the dobinsons lift.
Replace thermostat and all heater hoses
Pull driver's door lock cylinder for rebuild
Install 4runner windshield wipers, replace windshield washer pump
Replace voltage regulator
Replace glow screen relay and engine coolant temperature sensor
Replace hood and tailgate struts
Replace hood pad
Krown rust prevention service (annually)
If anyone is curious about the work required to daily a 60 in a major city in 2026, I've included my list below.
I started with a one-owner, rust-free truck from the Canary Islands. Passed rigorous Spanish inspection every year, with maintenance history all the way back to the original window sticket
Full fluid service
Injection pump re-seal
Reupholster seats and door cards with Scottish tartan wool
Rebuild leaking A/C compressor. Has held its charge for 2+ years so far since the rebuild
Installed Dobinsons suspension
New KO2 tires
Shipped the turbo and injectors to rural austrailia for a full rebuild by the best guys in the world at old diesel toyotas
Had a local diesel shop pull the head for a top end rebuild by a well regarded local machine shop
Installed a brake booster from an 80 series and a brand new clutch booster so both pedals are feather-light
Brought the power steering pump to an industrial hydraulic shop for a rebuild so parallel parking is a breeze
Install hidden speakers in the rear deck, a 24v Continental head unit, and a 24v subwoofer tucked under the drivers seat. Looks stock, sounds modern
Install all new brake components including master cylinder, hoses, and calipers. Used stainless steel hardware from home depot to adjust the brake proportioning valve for the dobinsons lift.
Replace thermostat and all heater hoses
Pull driver's door lock cylinder for rebuild
Install 4runner windshield wipers, replace windshield washer pump
Replace voltage regulator
Replace glow screen relay and engine coolant temperature sensor
Replace hood and tailgate struts
Replace hood pad
Krown rust prevention service (annually)