Build New Bluey - 1987 HJ61 Ownership and Build Thread

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36 years as a surf truck, now a city truck
 
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)


 
What kind of mpg are you seeing? What are you doing to recent theft? This is a super cool truck, and I’m glad it’s worked out for you!
 
What kind of mpg are you seeing? What are you doing to recent theft? This is a super cool truck, and I’m glad it’s worked out for you!
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.
 
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
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Great photo with the canoe on top - fitting that its an old school style one too!
 
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
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Clutch booster from a diesel 60? I'd love to hear more about that.
 
Yes! A vacuum-powered clutch booster, just like the brake booster (but smaller). With the vacuum reservoir full I can press down the clutch pedal with my pinkie

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Nice. I’ve seen photos of diesel 60s that had that stock but never really looked at what it would take to retrofit one.
 
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