Slow and Steady (1 Viewer)

[Ironclad]

Received some cool stuff in the mail just now from @ToyotaMatt @ChaserFJ60 and TLCA…

…mere hours AFTER my truck is in someone else’s good hands before heading to Fredericksburg, VA, for some diagnostics and potential head gasket work. Here she is waiting for a tow.

Hahaha so it goes!

Regardless, looking forward installing the unleaded fuel decal, hood prop stay, and dash blanking plate (after some prep and SEM paint) in the future and keeping the fusible link as a spare.

I’ve also got interior trim inbound from @FJ40GURU that I will have to wait a bit to install. My originals are badly cracked on both sides at the seat latches and look like this.

Here is what Amir is sending me.

Should be a big visual improvement in my quest to keep my rig close to stock.

 

[Ironclad]

Just a quick update. My FJ62 is still at Iron Pig Off-Road in Fredericksburg so I haven’t done anything with it recently, but these bad boys just arrived from Australia.

Amir (@FJ40GURU ) hooked me up. These trim pieces are becoming very difficult to find in excellent (used) condition. They matched his description and surprisingly were more affordable to buy and have shipped from Australia than I’ve been able to source regionally in the States. I was a little worried about the shipping because they are thin and somewhat brittle pieces, but he packed them very carefully and they made trip around the globe successfully. I’m not sure what other parts he has for an FJ62 or other LCs, but you guys should hit him up.

I plan on installing them once my rig is back home and will post updated pics.

 

[Ironclad]

Picked up my 62 from IPOR in Fredericksburg this morning. So many incredible Land Cruisers there but I forgot to take any pics while my jaw was on the floor.


Fortunately, no HG problems. No gases in coolant, no coolant in oil, no exhaust in crankcase. She fires up right away now after some TPS voodoo which is great, but I’ll likely be looking at new valve stem seals and perhaps some crankshaft bearings in the future due to current drivetrain noise and minor smoke at startup.

After I got home, I didn’t waste any time and knocked out a few projects on my to-do list.

I finally installed my Hella high beam housings and bulbs. That completes the wiring harness upgrade and conversion of all 4 sealed beams to housings and halogens.

I then replaced my cracked/broken hood prop clamp and rubber grommet.

Lastly I replaced my cracked plastic trim pieces beneath the cargo windows with OEM replacements from @FJ40GURU . This involved removing the cargo panels and speakers on both sides, partially removing the door/body seals (not sure exactly what they are called), pulling out the old cracked trim, then finessing the the new ones in place without cracking them.

Not sure what Toyota was thinking with the design of those things. Even in good shape, they don’t fit well around the rear seat latch brackets. I can see why the originals cracked in the first place. And you have to carefully finesse the top edge in place beneath the window gasket because it helps hold the trim piece in place. Easy in theory but thick stubborn rubber and thin plastic are not very compatible.

But all in all, it really cleaned up the look of the interior. Here are a few pics.

BEFORE

AFTER

 

[FJ40GURU]

Nice transformation! Thanks again for your support, @Ironclad

 

[Ironclad]

Worked a deal with @matzell today and scooped up a decent set of used Yakima rain gutter towers and cross bars.

I just disassembled and cleaned the components. Also ordered a set of replacement lock cores and cross bar end caps.

Once those arrive, I’ll reassemble and mount to the rain gutters. Planning on some river adventures this year.

 

[Ironclad]

Finally took the time to remove the previously-disconnected aftermarket temp gauge from my dash.

I believe it was installed by the original owner or his mechanic, and it was a total bootleg job. They drilled into the lower T-stat housing and shoved it in there, sealed it up with something (JB Weld?), then ran it to a giant dash gauge, pictured above. @matzell replaced the lower T-stat housing (eliminating the aftermarket sensor) during the recent cooling system refresh and cut the aftermarket temp gauge wire at the firewall. I simply fished it through the firewall, disconnected the associated gauge lightbulb wiring that was connected to the “Tail” fuse in the dash, then yanked out the guts.

The OEM dash blank plate was butchered to accommodate for this gauge. So I purchased a new one from @ChaserFJ60. It
fits like a charm, but I want to sand the surface more finely then hit it with SEM prep/paint. Gonna wait until the weather is a bit warmer and less windy to do that. I’m leaving it in place as-is for now.

 

[Ironclad]

Explored James River National Wildlife Refuge earlier today.

 

[Ironclad]

Finally mounted the Yakima crossbars. Was able to do it solo with minimal difficulty. The only issue was with the end caps, which I have yet to install. The interior of the metal cross bars has a pretty noticeable raised metal seam. I need to get a round file to file it down before the end caps will actually fit.

 

[Ironclad]

Hit 146,000 miles today. It happened on the way to the most fitting of locations for a thirsty FJ62 - the gas station. Talk about sticker shock.

 

[Ironclad]

Lions Bridge at The Mariners’ Museum & Park in Newport News, VA. One of my favorite places.

 

[Ironclad]

Putting in some work.

 

[Ironclad]

Land Cruisers are pretty large but this elderberry bush is even larger.

 

[Ironclad]

This is one of my favorite pics.

 

[Ironclad]

 

[Ironclad]

 

[Ironclad]

 

[Ironclad]

 

[Ironclad]

This is a summary of all work completed during my ownership:

-Purchased and insured at 142,850 (9/28/20)

-Registered w/ VA DMV (9/30/20)

-Center console: tightened loose fasteners

-Dynamat installed under passenger seats and cargo area (10/4/20)

-Replaced OEM windshield wiper fluid reservoir cap (10/10/20)

-Installed rear window wiper blade (10/12/20)

-Replaced First Aid kit contents (10/12/20)

-Installed silicone license plate frames (10/12/20)

-Installed rubber floor mats (10/14/20)

-Installed new fire extinguisher (10/14/20)

-Installed new bushings on gear selector/shifter to eliminate slop/wobble (10/14/20)

-Replaced headlight bezel/door gasket with Bushwacker Fender Flair Edge Trim (10/16/20)

-Installed 1/4” Dynaliner in cargo area (10/22/20)

-Installed 1/4” Dynaliner beneath rear bench seat (10/23/20)

-Installed 1/4” Dynaliner beneath front seats (10/24/20)

-Replaced driver’s side rear bumper cap/extension with OEM cap (11/7/20)

-Replaced driver’s side windshield wiper arm assembly and blade with OEM components (11/7/20)

-Replaced PCV valve and grommet with OEM components (11/7/20)

-Replaced passenger’s side windshield wiper arm assembly and blade with OEM components (11/16/20)

-Added BG 44K fuel system cleaner (11oz) to nearly full gas tank at 143,140

-Replaced rear hatch wiper arm assembly with OEM components (12/5/20)

-Replaced lift gate struts and ball studs with OEM components (12/5/20)

-Valve adjustment, new valve cover gasket/washers, valve cover clean and re-paint @ 143,268

-Side cover gasket replaced, side cover cleaned and re-paint @ 143,268

-Oil pan gasket replaced, pan cleaned @ 143,268

-Drive belts tightened @ 143,268

-Oil, filter change @ 143,268

-New spark plugs, cap, and rotor @ 143,268

-Steering stabilizer installed @ 143,268

-Replaced horn contact pin, spring, and clip w/ OEM (12/24/20)

-Lubricated horn contact plate with dielectric grease (12/24/20)

-Sanded and primed three bare spots (around rear wiper blade post, passenger front quarter panel air vent, and lower left spot of rear when tailgate is lowered) (1/1/21)

-Applied color-matched 045 paint to three bare spots (around rear wiper blade post, passenger front quarter panel air vent, and lower left spot of rear when tailgate is lowered) (1/3/21)

-Repaired driver’s seat vinyl tears and replaced driver’s seat bottom foam (cushion from SOR) (1/7/21)

-Applied color-matched 045 paint to three bare spots (around rear wiper blade post, passenger front quarter panel air vent, and lower left spot of rear when tailgate is lowered) (1/10/21)

-Mounted, balanced, and installed five new BFG KO2 31x10.5 on 15” OEM chrome wheels @ 143,400 (2/12/21)

-Replaced transmission pan gasket, filter, filter gasket, and transmission fluid @ 143,400 (2/12/21)

-Removed OEM flaking grille and headlamp doors; replaced with new aftermarket grille from Relik Garage and headlamp doors from Cruiser Corps (2/23/21)

-Replaced dash pad with OEM dash pad (purchased from City Racer) (2/27/21)

-Replaced sun visors w/ 70-series visors (purchased from Partsouq) (3/1/21)

-Installed Dynamat and 1/8” Dynaliner on lower tailgate (3/1/21)

-Rebuilt front knuckles @ 143,555

-Installed new break pads @ 143,555

-Changed front and rear diff fluids @ 143,555

-Changed T-case fluid @ 143,555

-Installed new magnetic fill & drain plugs on front, rear diffs and T-case

-Radiator leak at top weld/solder; removed, resoldered, tested, reinstalled @ 143,555

-Oil, filter change @ 144,663 (7/14/21)

-State inspection @ 144,663 (7/14/21)

-EGR valve gasket seeping; removed EGR valve, cleaned valve/pipe, removed/replaced gasket, re-installed cleaned EGR valve @ 144,663 (7/14/21)

-Replaced driver side A-pillar grab handle with OEM handle and screw covers (7/24/21)

-Replaced front turn signal light assemblies with DEPO assemblies from City Racer (8/14/21)

-Installed Dynamat and 1/8” Dynaliner beneath front seats and firewall (9/4/21)

-Replaced both threaded hex bolts on shift lever knob with OEM (9/10/21)

-Replaced front driver’s side bumper end cap with OEM (9/12/21)

-Installed LED dome & cargo lights and new OEM dome light lens (10/18/21)

-Replaced battery cable to starter (positive side) with OEM equivalent (10/31/21)

-Replaced starter motor to upper frame rail ground wire with OEM equivalent (11/6/21)

-Installed upgraded ARB/IPF headlight harness and Helle H4 housings/halogen bulbs, adjusted aim (11/11-11/12/21)

-Cleaned headliner with Folex (11/14/21)

-Replaced old gas gap with OEM gas cap (11/14/21)

-Added BG 44K fuel system cleaner (11oz) to nearly full gas tank at 145,330

-Cleaned cold start fuel injector, replaced gaskets with OEM (11/20/21)

-Replaced radiator cap with OEM (11/21/21)

-Re-tapped right-most cold start fuel injector threads and inserted longer bolt (12/22/21)

-Oil, filter change @ 145,XXX (12/22/21)

-Replaced negative battery cable to ground with OEM equivalent (12/22/21)

-Replaced fuel neck to body gasket, fuel pump, fuel filter, fuel sending unit, and fuel pulsation damper with OEM (12/22/21)

-Replaced radiator, water pump, thermostat, gaskets, cold start injector timer switch, all other thermostat sensors, VSV, hoses, and clamps with OEM or OEM-equivalent parts (12/22/21)

-Removed and replaced battery hold down with OEM (12/23/21)

-Removed and replaced rear view mirror with OEM (12/23/21)

-Removed and replaced fuel neck filler gasket with OEM (12/30/21)

-Removed and replaced headlight adjustment screws, sealed beam springs, headlamp assembly screws, self-tapping screws, retainer rings, and low-beam sealed beam mount rings with OEM (12/30/21)

-Shipped to Iron Pig Off-Road (IPOR) to diagnose hard starting and potential overheating (1/12/22)

-Block test performed: no gases in coolant, no coolant in oil, no exhaust in crankcase - head not leaking but valve stem seals are bad causing smoke at startup (1/17/22)

-Diagnosed hard starting: timing was maxed out, re-set timing to 750 (1/17/22)

-TPS tested good but was serviced (1/17/22)

-Cleaned plugs/coil (1/17/22)

-Replaced temp sender (2/4/22)

-Tested ECM temp sender, tested OK, replaced ECM sender pigtail and cold start injector pigtail (2/4/22)

-Replaced hood prop clamp and grommet (2/7/22)

-Installed Helle high-beam housings and bulbs (2/7/22)

-Replaced interior rear/cargo plastic trim pieces beneath side cargo windows with OEM (2/7/22)

-Replaced upper cargo door interior grab handle with OEM (2/12/22)

-Removed aftermarket temp gauge from dash (2/19/22)

-Installed Yakima roof rack/bars (2/27/22)

-Retorqued oil pan bolts (5/27/22)

-Valve adjustment, new valve cover gasket, lubed parking brake bell cranks, state inspection (9/15/22)

-State inspection (10/5/23)

 

[jpsfj60]

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