"Project F'd"

[dirtysouth]

I had been toying with the idea of selling the cruiser or keeping it and fixing it up, so...... as my title may suggest, I am keeping it and plan on some lonely nights because the wife isn't happy about it. I should probably start with making the cargo area a little more homey so that I can sleep in it versus the couch but after that, where do I start? For starters, I have no history whatsoever of fixing anything. If I pick up a screw driver or hammer, there will be blood involved so to say the least, if you guys follow my progress or lack thereof, you may be able to pick up some parts of my FJ62 in the future . My intentions are to make this a "Family Expidition" vehicle, meaning a family camping wagon for the North Ga. mountains/dirt roads. I don't plan on spending alot of money on this project as I hope to do alot of the actual work myself. As I said earlier, I have no mechanical skills whatsoever but I did pick up a new FSM off of ebay a couple of weeks ago. I will admit that right now I am not in fear of what lies ahead, mainly because this vehicle isn't my daily driver and surely I can't tear it up too bad, I mean it is a Toyota right ? I spent a little time today deblinging it and came across my first with a small rust area behind one of the rear wheels. I pushed a screwdriver through it. My cruiser is completely stock with all the little chrome pieces and mudflaps intact which is the culprit it seems so I took the flaps and the snake blinders off in order to prevent anymore problem areas. I also took off the front grill pieces and the vents on the side. I plan on blacking as many of the chrome pieces out as I can and eventually having the bottom half of the body sprayed with line-x, after of course I get the rust area taken care of. I have a oil leak that is bothering me, not a small leak but a big one at times so I think that is the direction I will head in first, isolating the leaks and fixing them. Is there any suggestions you guys could give to a total flunky before going into this thing guns a blazing? As much as I would like to start throwing sliders and bumpers on it, I think the top priority is to get all the mechanics of it worked out. Any suggestions you guys may have, feel free to let me have it. Here is a before shot.

 

[dirtysouth]

And here is some after shots.

 

[nuclearlemon]

does the oil leak appear to be from the rear of the tranny? if so, check and make sure your oil pan bolts aren't loose.

sounds like you already know where to start.

 

[dirtysouth]

does the oil leak appear to be from the rear of the tranny? if so, check and make sure your oil pan bolts aren't loose.

sounds like you already know where to start.

I believe it is coming from the front of the engine and blwoing back, or so it appears. I took it to Urban Landcruiser awhile back and David replaced some gaskets and such including the timing cover gasket and when I got it back, it was leaking pretty bad from the front whereas before it was leaking from the oil pan. You can actually see some drops of oil in one of the pics and see it is closer to the front. I will take it to the carwash and try to get as much oil off the engine and undercarriage as I can in order to better isolate it.

 

[tcb]

If any of the clips that hold on your snake blinders survived the removal process, I would love to buy them. I only need a couple for my PS blinder. It's saggin.

PM me if you can help, I will pay a reasonable amount + shipping.

-TCB

 

[lovetoski]

Sounds like you have a pretty good idea of how to go about your project. FWIW, in stock form it's an awesome family expedition vehicle, so keep that in mind as you go.

Once you have the FSM in hand, go through all the various engine covers/pans/etc and torque all the bolts to the correct value. This can make a big difference.

Change all the fluids. Do a tune-up. Fix the rust!

Take a short trip with the fam, and then ask them what they think. Find out what they don't like and do like. Fix whatever they don't like. Do more of what they do like. Keep doing this, and they'll be hooked.

Have fun!

 

[PortFJ62]

I was in the same spot your in 3 years ago. I have no wrench experience other than changing my oil. Bought the cruiser stock as well, but little did I know was that I bought it right when every mech problem needed dealing with so the next 2 years were hell. Spent bout 7000 and it took its toll on me, bank account, wife etc.. almost sold it. Stuck it out and since then has been a wonderful truck. Drove it to florida from tn and to the outer banks, and GSMTR(2times) then to Portland OR without any problems. Just take it one step at a time. Sort through all the mech issues first and get it running top notch. Then start looking at the fun stuff. Mine was 33" tires and a TPI 3" lift and roof rack, cargo mat from Spector(for the dogs). When its time for mods, my advice, think it through with plenty of research, ask questions. For ex. I went straight to sua lift kit. Now I wish I had just kept the stock springs and SOA the truck. Meaning just think down the road what purpose you are wanting the truck to serve and upgrade accordingly. By the way, I have the same exact rust spot as you. Rust sucks. Good Luck with her and the wife Just did the black out thing to thr grill, mirrors, and vents and love it.

 

[dirtysouth]

I went out on my own full time back in february with my business which is a land surveying based business and this time of year for any construction type business is full tilt, so I recently sold my adventure bike in order to spend more time with the family now that my daughter is getting old enough to know what's going on. She is 15 months old and has become a daddy's girl all the way so I want to have a vehicle that will allow us to camp in comfort versus setting up a tent like I have done in the past when I was on my bike. I plan on getting the mechanics worked out and then start adding farkles. This project will take time in order for the cost of it to fly under the radar a little more smoothly . I'll be asking questions that is for sure, but I'll try to use the search button beforehand.

 

[dirtysouth]

If any of the clips that hold on your snake blinders survived the removal process, I would love to buy them. I only need a couple for my PS blinder. It's saggin.

PM me if you can help, I will pay a reasonable amount + shipping.

-TCB

Shoot me a pm with your address. Do you need just the plastic clips themselves or the plastic clips and the rubber female pieces as well.

Tommy

 

[BGarcia88FJ62]

Hey Tommy,
I'm glad to see you decided to keep your truck. Your wife will get over it, especially when your out camping and enjoying the great outdoors in a bad ass expedition vehicle that everyone compliments. Send me a PM if i can be of any assistance. I have a project of my own I got a few weeks ago a 1985 FJ60 its a trail rig in process. Good luck on your project.

 

[Chase77]

Glad to hear you are keeping it. I have the exact same truck/color/rust/leaks etc and am also married to a member of WAC..... (Wives Against Cruisers). She'll get over it the first time it saves her from getting stuck in the snow and as soon as you start using it for family outings/memories. Never show her receipts and never hesitate to sway her WAC allegiance with some Cruiser propaganda such as you'll never get stuck, it'll last for 300k miles, its the world standard for harsh terrain, etc etc. Good luck.

- Chase

 

[dirtysouth]

Glad to hear you are keeping it. I have the exact same truck/color/rust/leaks etc and am also married to a member of WAC..... (Wives Against Cruisers). She'll get over it the first time it saves her from getting stuck in the snow and as soon as you start using it for family outings/memories. Never show her receipts and never hesitate to sway her WAC allegiance with some Cruiser propaganda such as you'll never get stuck, it'll last for 300k miles, its the world standard for harsh terrain, etc etc. Good luck.

- Chase

She told me we could use her vehicle to go camping in, a 2005 4runner sport 4wd . I told her it was way too nice. The only advantage I've seen to owning a business for yourself is you can write stuff off, you know tires and such so I hope it will pan out. Hey Ben, I'll shoot you a pm later on in the project I'm sure. I just need to tackle the oil leaks first so that I can drive her around.