New FJ62 Owner, 1988. P R O J E C T

[SteveH]

Lots of potential and low miles on that FJ62. Don't feel overwhelmed - you have a lot to do, but you'll get there. You might make a master list of all the 'needs' sorted by area (body, frame, suspension, interior) and then prioritize and knock them off the list.

 

[Gretsch]

You might make a master list of all the 'needs' sorted by area (body, frame, suspension, interior) and then prioritize and knock them off the list.

Its how I did things. Its fun to look back at the list now and see all the stuff I thought I'd never get to at the time, but that's now checked off. The instinct is to want to get in and do everything at once. Just a little at a time. Do it once and do it right. No shortcuts. Took me years to get to what's below and there is still stuff on the list not done. Just be patient and you will get there OP. Drivability and safety stuff first, then move to the fun stuff. Just so many steps to it, but its all part of the fun. Remember to support all the great MUD vendors whenever possible.

Vendors

IH8MUD.com is proud to have so many great Sponsors who support and participate regularly on the site. These companies cover a wide variety of products for your offroad vehicle, and we encourage you to look to these companies first for your upgrades! For the latest specials, check out the...

forum.ih8mud.com

GL and HTH.

 

[Hokie LX]

I just recently bought a somewhat rough 60 as well in November 2021 and have been going through every inch of it. I had never owned a solid axle truck either before the 60 so it was a learning curve for me as well. There's a ton of good info on this forum as well as knowledge from folks in our ONSC club.

Good luck with the project! I look forward to seeing your progress.

You can check out my thread in my signature to see the order of operations I went through with my truck over the past 8-9 months.

 

[BurntToast]

Its how I did things. Its fun to look back at the list now and see all the stuff I thought I'd never get to at the time, but that's now checked off. The instinct is to want to get in and do everything at once. Just a little at a time. Do it once and do it right. No shortcuts. Took me years to get to what's below and there is still stuff on the list not done. Just be patient and you will get there OP. Drivability and safety stuff first, then move to the fun stuff. Just so many steps to it, but its all part of the fun. Remember to support all the great MUD vendors whenever possible.

Vendors

IH8MUD.com is proud to have so many great Sponsors who support and participate regularly on the site. These companies cover a wide variety of products for your offroad vehicle, and we encourage you to look to these companies first for your upgrades! For the latest specials, check out the...

forum.ih8mud.com

GL and HTH.

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Love those classic wheels, do you have a link? (assuming they arent stock, im a newb)

 

[Gretsch]

Love those classic wheels, do you have a link? (assuming they arent stock, im a newb)

Some original used Toyota FJ40 15 inch steelies I had blasted and powder coated:

You can still get these new from Toyota. Just go to any Toyota dealer. I think the part number is 42601-60072 but will want to check me on that. City Racer LLC makes a 16 inch version of these as well I believe. I wanted some Toyota originals for my truck so got some from a guy here on MUD. HTH.

 

[HMP]

My wife, looking up 62s on social media while laying her head on my lap.

Last night I changed out the speakers in the front doors. Ordered some pioneer units that are a shallow design, so now both windows roll all the way down, no spacers etc

Ive got the bits to fix the glovebox on the way.
I'll LIKELY do the front shock bushings today, one is missing, the other is probably super worn.
Little by little

 

[HMP]

The knuckle is the assembly that pivots on the big ball at each end of the front axle. It has several components, including your front wheel bearings and spindle, the Birfield CV joint and stub axle, and locking hubs. The brake calipers mount to the knuckle, as do the relay rods for your front steering. Rebuilding the knuckles is a messy job but well within reach of a person with moderate mechanical ability. I did mine in my driveway over a weekend.

Anyway, if you see oil dripping from the bolts on the bottom of the knuckle, it means that the oil seal in your front axle has failed and gear oil from the diff is leaking out the end of the axle housing. You have to remove the whole knuckle to replace the seal, so that's as good a time as any to rebuild your front end. Might as well do tie rod ends and brake pads, too, while you're in there, haha. It's not something you have to do often, and your truck may not need it right away, but something to keep in mind as you work to make your truck a reliable go-anywhere vehicle.

Well, crap. I noticed an oil spot by my driver's front wheel. I guess my steering knuckle is going bad.
Is there a writeup anywhere on here? (Im sure there is, Im doing a search for 'knuckles' right now and on p6 looking around for information)

 

[Gretsch]

Is there a writeup anywhere on here? (Im sure there is, Im doing a search for 'knuckles' right now and on p6 looking around for information)

Toyota Steering Knuckle Reassembly - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyh89S6NHs4&list=RDCMUCmw1PqOdVnq6EvekwURDbBw&index=4

Some videos to get an idea of what's involved. Not a substitute for the FSM:

60-series

FJ60 / FJ62 and related models

forum.ih8mud.com

FSM - 1984 - 1990 Repair Manual, Chassis/Body

forum.ih8mud.com

HTH.

 

[belouder]

Were you able to find a FSM for your truck? I'm looking for a 3FE manual.

 

[Gretsch]

Were you able to find a FSM for your truck? I'm looking for a 3FE manual.

I have this one, but not sure it's the one you are looking for. It's not specifically for the 3FE but I think includes some 3FE information. Maybe not as detailed as you would like. I'll include it here in case its helpful. HTH.

 

[belouder]

Thanks this is great!!

 

[HMP]

Sup, been a while.
I posted in the NC section - Hurricane Helene and the relief efforts made me want to get the LC going again.
I know, strange motivation, but it's with best intentions, I swear.

Anyway, things are moving forward...sort of.

So I was taking some pictures of the LC this afternoon when the wife got home, as Im going to start documenting the progress.
She said, "I got a video for you, record this"
I said, "sure" and hit start

This is my wife and her pure thoughts on the 'rust bucket'





What she DIDNT know was that I already ordered some parts for it and Ive got a mechanic coming tomorrow about it.
I hate not working on my car, but time...
Mechanic is coming about the cooling system (have a new aluminum radiator, toyota water pump, hoses etc), the weeping steering knuckles...again, got all the parts already. And I'll have him flush the trans and do an oil change while it's there.
Ive got the antenna on the way already, as well as some other nick-nacks

I put new Falken tires on it this spring. Time to start enjoying this thing again. Will post updates.

 

[HMP]

Car gets picked up in a few hours (it's currently 5:30 am ha, about 8am he'll come)
I washed it! Holy crap it's white again
I also fixed the glovebox

Soon I'll be driving it again




ALSO
Package from a MudMember came this week, slowly but surely I'll be truly enjoying this again.

 

[HMP]

Cooling system is completed, got word on that Wednesday.
Bit by bit, dollar by dollar ha
I really wish I had the time to do this stuff myself, but I really just dont

 

[HMP]

Got home tonight from work and truck had been dropped off
First drive was with the wife to get dinner...been almost 2 years
Felt good
Lots of work to go though