New to the FJ60 world, come share my pain

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It wasn't the EGR tube missing the nuts - it was the exhaust down pipe where it bolts to the ex manifold, and all 3 were missing - we put 'em on and it quieted down a bit, but still some leaks somewhere....

Oh, well, inevitable will be the manifold will have to be disconnected from the truck :D --

It's gonna rain middle of the week, Joey, so maybe it might have to wait... ?
 
NLXTACY said:
Well I figured I would tell a funny story about my adventures picking up this vehicle and maybe someone can laugh at my pain. BTW I am normally in the 80 section but we needed a second vehicle so I picked up this gem:

https://forum.ih8mud.com/vehicles-trailers-sale-wanted/226192-fj-60-nor-cal-$$1300-00-obo.html

Left Thursday morning from LAX to Sacramento to pick up the truck from Zach (Flight: $140; Running total: $140). His 18 year old sister and her BF pick me up. We almost run over a pedestrian. Sister starts the conversation with, "BTW, Zach said you need to buy a new battery because he couldn't get one". So we stop off at Autozone (Battery: $75.00; Running total: $215).

It takes us 2 hours and 15 minutes to get where the truck is first because I didn't think anyplace had worse traffic than LA, I was wrong. Then where we are going is waaaaay out in BFE. I was waiting for the banjo to start playing. I was starting to feel like I was in a horror movie. You know the one where the star crossed lovers pick up a poor sap trying to buy a truck and they take him out in the middle of no-where and precede to torture and ultimately dismember said poor sap.

So we get there, I still have my arms and legs. We are meeting his mom at her work. So I check out the truck, looks the same as the pics. I check out everything. Checked the fluids, added one gallon of water to the radiator. Checked p/s fluid, whoops! No p/s belt. Ooookaay.

I handed his mom the cash, she fills out all the paperwork. All is well the truck starts fine. It feels JUST like my old FJ40. Nite and day between the LX450 and this. But I like it. They hook me up with a bucket of ice and cold water. Cuz the A/C no workie.

I look down, hmmm, fuel tank is empty. I guess I'm going to the gas station. (Gas: $78.00; Running total: $293)

So I start on the road...windows rolled down. Figured I would start taking notes on little things that I know I will need to fix/change as I notice them. Visor, fix. Seat, replace. Headliner, clean. Ashtray, dump out the packed tight stash of cigarette butts. Ugh.

I've taken enough notes for now. Time for some tunes. Hmm, the radio isn't in its cubby. Must be in the glove compartment. Nope. Maybe in the center console. Nope. Time to pull over and check the back. I pull over and check the back. Awesome...I see the 6x9 holes, but no 6x9 speakers. Hmm, I see wiring for bass tube but no bass tube. Hmm, I see wiring for amp, but no amp. Then I look closer at the radio. The wires have been cut. All of them.

I drive back to Zach's mom's work and ask if MAYBE the radio equipment has been removed and gingerly packed for me just in case someone were to steal it all. Nope, turns out from the time it was at his mom's house to the time I picked it up (less than 24 hours), some knuckle dragger decided he wanted the stereo stuff more than I did. (I'm not going to add the cost of the stereo yet because I have no idea what its going to cost me to replace). At this point I am thinking about walking away from the deal. But I decided you know what, Zach will make good on it and we'll just work it out somehow. Besides, his mom gave all the cash to his sister and she took off with her BF. My cash is long gone by now.

Oh well, on the road again.

So I start driving. I am now at mile 111 WITHOUT a radio!!! and I'm falling asleep. Ok time for food. I stop off in Merced (armpit of California) at the Carl's Jr. on V Street. Judging by the copious amounts of tweakers I'm going to guess that "V" stands for "Venereal".

Food in stomach and I'm feeling awake again. Start truck, back up, break for tweaker, put in into first. Hmm, that's strange, the shifter won't go into 1st. Maybe 2nd? Nope. Reverse? Yup. I can drive home in reverse for the next, oh I don't know, 309 FUTHER MUCKING MILES!!!!

I try everything. Finally I turn off the truck and jam the gear into first. I push in the clutch and as I start it, the truck's starter is lurching the truck forward. Clutch is totally toast. I start pushing the truck AFTER I manage to get the thing out of gear, which took a good 20 mins. Which turns out to be pretty nerve racking when you are stuck in the middle of the intersection where the off ramp to the 99 freeway is. Two guys take pity of me and help push me to the Jack in the Box.

From here I call my wife, Zach, Zach's mom and of course...good ole AAA.









Then my cell phone battery dies. Dead. Nothing.

So AT LEAST everyone knows I'm stuck and roughly where I am. By the time AAA gets there with a flatbed its now 8:45PM. I had been waiting for him for over 2.5 hours! During this time I went walking for a few blocks to learn that the wonderful city of Merced has done me the favor of ridding itself of payphones. Awesome.

Drop off truck at the Toyota Stealership. I ask the tow truck driver where the nearest train station is. "Oh its about 3 miles South on 16". Ok, so I ask to see if MAYBE he would be driving that way and can take pity. Nope, no such luck. So I hoof it. AT night. In Merced. The tweaker capitol of California. I make it to the train station. Next train is at midnight. Screw that noise. I walk to Greyhound, the doors are locked. I'm screwed. I look out back and I see people so I go back there. I talk to the bus driver in my lousy attempt at sounding like I know Spanish. Sure he can take me, that'll be $40. (Bus: $40.00; Running total: $333).

I think I should have asked if there was going to be 6 stops with half an hour wait time at each stop. Man I'm dumb. I'll spare you the insights I gained while driving in a Greyhound bus. Needless to say we arrive in Downtown Los Angeles at 4:30. I walk outside and grab a taxi. I get home at 5:05AM. (Taxi: $80.00; Running total: $413). Shower and I cry myself to sleep by 6:00AM. Only to wake up at 7AM because I have to help the MRS. prepare the food for the 4th party we are going to.

So. I am out $1300 for the truck. I am out the truck. I am out $413. I will have to pay at least $300 for a piece of junk radio, amp, speakers to replace the probably $5-600 system he had in there. And I will be out the $800 the stealership will want to do the clutch job.

Needless to say I am pissed, I am angry. But I'm not pissed at Zach, just pissed at the lousy situation I am in right now. Sooo, I guess now I am hoping for suggestions. Somehow I need to get that truck here to LA, with or without a working clutch.
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Whoa, what a story. I hope it all works out for you.

Think you prolly need a few good beers! :beer:
 
It's funny to me because I had almost the same scenerio when I picked up my 85 8hrs away from LA and they whole, no radio, car broke down on the way back, towtruck and all. Now it is sitting on the driveway and everyday for the past 3 weeks, I go outside look at it and then go back inside thinking where to start first. I now know more of the car without touching it than touching it, jeje
Good luck!!
 
wow...

what a wild ride, just as any toy freak can attest, as we've all been there at one time or another!

this thread reads like a rollercoaster! good luck!!:p

one funny time:

when i test drove my 1977 fj40 (for sale in classifieds) farm-find about 1/2 of a mile before realizing the steering seemed a little wierd...
pulled back into the previous owners driveway and everyone was laughing as i pulled up...
turns out the tires were dry-rotted and i pulled back to their house on 2 rims and 2 tires (one in front and one in back-on opposite sides)
...obviously this helped with the final negotiations on the sale price...

-kayakpanic
 
clongacre said:
WOW! Ok here the deal hopefully I don't have your luck but I am driving to reno nv this weekend to pick up my 60 I am almost sorry I read this story wish me luck
Click to expand...

Ok words of advice:
• Hide the money
• Make sure you have more than you need
• Carry a cell phone AND CHARGER!!
• Make sure 17 people know where are going
• Tweakers can run....fast!
• Forget about trying to find a pay phone
• AAA sux ass in the middle of no where
• In a pinch, you CAN use a pine cone for toilet paper

:cheers:
 
Oh as another update...

Mark Algazy had an FJ60 he was parting out and I bought the suspension on it. Looks like about a 4" OME spring lift with anti-inversion greaseable shackles. All the bushings are energy suspension. Sway bar extension. Bump stops. The works.

I ordered the u-bolt flip kit from LCWIZARD and they already showed up...in THE heaviest USPS delivered box I have ever lifted. Its gotta be 50#. So I gotta spray paint the u-bolts. All I think I need now are the extended brake hoses and I should have everything I need. I am looking forward to documenting the whole process.
 
Nice! Make sure to get the stainless braided extended lines.
 
NLXTACY said:
Oh as another update...

Mark Algazy had an FJ60 he was parting out and I bought the suspension on it. Looks like about a 4" OME spring lift with anti-inversion greaseable shackles. All the bushings are energy suspension. Sway bar extension. Bump stops. The works.

I ordered the u-bolt flip kit from LCWIZARD and they already showed up...in THE heaviest USPS delivered box I have ever lifted. Its gotta be 50#. So I gotta spray paint the u-bolts. All I think I need now are the extended brake hoses and I should have everything I need. I am looking forward to documenting the whole process.
Click to expand...

sweet! that rig rode pretty well so yours should too. you can get the brake lines from marlin. the ones they sell are dot approved ( most kits are not ) with the clear palstic sleeve on the outside. i use them almost everytime i install a lift or do an SOA conversion.:wrench:
 
Wow, this truck has come a long way! I was at Georg's when this 60 first came in, and I can attest to the time and effort already put into it.

A suggestion when doing the manifold: Remflex strongly recommends against using any sealant on their gaskets. Typically the burn temps of the sealants are much lower than the gasket is rated to (especially the spray on copper sealants) and often below the temps the manifold reaches. I've done three manifolds now using the dry gasket and have had excellent results with them all. Make sure you torque properly and evenly, and although they say you don't need to re-torque, I always check just to make sure. If you have any questions feel free to hit me up.

David
 
Thanks for the advice!

iron_giant said:
Wow, this truck has come a long way! I was at Georg's when this 60 first came in, and I can attest to the time and effort already put into it.

A suggestion when doing the manifold: Remflex strongly recommends against using any sealant on their gaskets. Typically the burn temps of the sealants are much lower than the gasket is rated to (especially the spray on copper sealants) and often below the temps the manifold reaches. I've done three manifolds now using the dry gasket and have had excellent results with them all. Make sure you torque properly and evenly, and although they say you don't need to re-torque, I always check just to make sure. If you have any questions feel free to hit me up.

David
Click to expand...
 
Quickie update:

Putting in the lift kit AND doing the manifold this Sunday/Monday. I was at Mark's today and while I was there he was taking off his headers from his 40. The exhaust flange had a Remflex gasket. It was toast. It was broken in three pieces and brittle. I have the feeling that this is definitely a single use gasket. I'm still going to give it a try. Depending on how warped the manifolds are will determine if I go to Martin Davidson machine shop and have them surfaced. Anything more than 1/16" and I will get them ground down.

So by Monday my lift will be on, my exhaust/intake leak will be gone and I will have my new to me 80 series wheels. All I need now are some tires (275 or 285/75/16) if anyone has some to sell :cheers:

I have been SERIOUSLY considering using SecondSkin's DeadLiner roll-on/spray on bed liner to put OVER the Damplifier Pro I will eventually be getting. This is instead of the Rhino Lining. Any thoughts?
 
Awesome, big weekend ahead! The Remflex gaskets are realistically a single use gasket. Unfortunately exhaust gasket materials tend to have an inverse relationship between between sealing tolerances and re-usability. The harder and reusable gaskets like compressed steel, aluminum, even copper, require more precise surfaces to seal and and are much less forgiving as far as the heat cycling. The combination steel gaskets like OEM and Fel-Pro are often reusable and more forgiving but as experience has shown, long term sealing on older engines and with custom headers has been hit or miss. The Remflex gaskets are a soft and thick graphite designed with large sealing tolerances and for longevity (high heat tolerance plus malleability). Unfortunately, once they are torqued and especially after they have heat cycled they pretty much bond with the surfaces and are difficult to reuse. Good luck and be sure to PM if you have any questions.
 
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