Someone Talk Me Out of Getting An FJ60 (1 Viewer)

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Your fuel pump and filter both look new-ish. At first glance, it does not appear that your dizzy is properly vented. I'd like to see some more pictures of that area. And the driver side of the engine bay as well.

Overall, this looks like a fabulous find. It was obviously somebody's baby. It looks well maintained. Interior even looks great. Nice score.

Apologize for sounding like the obvious noob I am with this.....dizzy?
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Additional shots of the engine bay....
 
So I have been driving her most of today. Several times she has started the low power, shuddering, bucking thing. Seems like she wants to die. Since the fuel filter appears new (plan on replacing anyway), is there any chance something electrical could be causing that sort of issue? Maybe coil is bad or something? Seems to happen at various speeds and temps. Fast, slow, high RPM, low RPM, cold, hot. New plug wires on there so seems unlikely to me that could be the issue, although I did have a brand new set of plug wires do this same sort of thing to me in my CJ5 years ago. Brand new set and the wire to the rotor cap was bad and would intermittently cut out delivering power to the cap as the Jeep bumped along.

Also some of the previous photos showing rear of engine, the engine/transmission look pretty wet with oil to me. The rear main seal was replaced during clutch install as well as the transmission input seal. Any reason to see that sort of wetness with all that buttoned up. Maybe just the oil drain plug is leaking? It might be hard to see in the photos. Thanks for the help.
 
In my sig line are pdf downloads for the emissions manual and other FSMs. You'll need them.

Also, that pipe off the front of the air cleaner, open and pointing toward the radiator need to be capped. It's letting unfiltered air into the carb.
 
Also, I would suggest, for each new issue start a new thread and if you want you can put a link here to the new thread. Otherwise, people tend not to want to wade through 10 pages...

Just sayin' ...

And buy a silver star membership (or higher) 'cuz you will need to be posting LOTS of pix to help us help you.

Believe me, MUD will save you THOUSANDS of dollars.
 
In my sig line are pdf downloads for the emissions manual and other FSMs. You'll need them.

Also, that pipe off the front of the air cleaner, open and pointing toward the radiator need to be capped. It's letting unfiltered air into the carb.

OK thanks. Is there something specific to cap it with or just see that its covered and not letting air into the carb?
 
Also, I would suggest, for each new issue start a new thread and if you want you can put a link here to the new thread. Otherwise, people tend not to want to wade through 10 pages...

Just sayin' ...

And buy a silver star membership (or higher) 'cuz you will need to be posting LOTS of pix to help us help you.

Believe me, MUD will save you THOUSANDS of dollars.

Understood. Thanks.
 
Nothing specific, just need to block it. In most auto parts places, there's the "Help" parts section that has some rubber caps. There's usually one (or a selection) that fits.

Also, the dissy, as noted, is not plumbed correctly. Of the two ports one should be to a small air filter, the other goes to a VCV

1072768
 
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A couple of comments. That 60 has been desmogged, I think. I don't see the usual rat's nest of vacuum tubing over on the driver side of the motor. On balance a good thing if done right. Is the air pump still in place?

Your aircleaner housing has open holes. That will let unfiltered air go into the carb. I'd fix that pronto. A rubber crutch tip can fix that basically permanently.

The distributor is not really vented right. One of the vents is plumbed into the advance mechanism. Watch out because poor venting can turn the inside of these distributors into a frozen rust thing that will kill the advance with RPM.

You have some original heater hoses! THey are 33 years old. Replace with some Green Stripe 5/8 hose and dive with confidence.
 
A couple of comments. That 60 has been desmogged, I think. I don't see the usual rat's nest of vacuum tubing over on the driver side of the motor. On balance a good thing if done right. Is the air pump still in place?

Your aircleaner housing has open holes. That will let unfiltered air go into the carb. I'd fix that pronto. A rubber crutch tip can fix that basically permanently.

The distributor is not really vented right. One of the vents is plumbed into the advance mechanism. Watch out because poor venting can turn the inside of these distributors into a frozen rust thing that will kill the advance with RPM.

You have some original heater hoses! THey are 33 years old. Replace with some Green Stripe 5/8 hose and dive with confidence.

It has been desmogged. In fact, it apparently was not done correctly and the LC specialist in Austin had to fix it. Or at least that's what the work order says. I believe the air pump is still in place and serves as a pulley. Under the power steering pump correct?

I'll get the heater hoses going and plug the holes. Just got back from getting dinner and the 60 totally died while out. I got it started using the choke but it died again. I thought maybe it was out of gas (again PO said there was an issue with the gauge he tried to have fixed but was not sure if it was). I limped into a gas station and filled up and put 15 and some change gallons in it with the gauge at a quarter tank. I think that works out correct if the tanks are 23 gallons which I believe they are. Now if the tanks are 16 gallons then I would have been out of gas most likely. Does running out of gas damage the pump like it can in fuel injected cars or does that not hurt anything. PO states he had run this thing out of gas several times prompting the fuel gauge fix. Thanks everyone.
 
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So after a couple of weeks of driving the 60, wanted to post some observations from the experience. For the most part the advice I have gotten in this thread was spot on. Everyone here will know this stuff already, but from a purely Jeep to 60 switch standpoint, I wanted to post my thoughts in the hopes others thinking about the same thing will be better equipped to do so.
1. Its true what they say about slowness with these trucks. The thing I find is not so much the speed of the truck, but more the time it takes to do things in the truck. When driving it, every move needs to be planned for. Getting into the flow of traffic takes longer. Gotta wait longer for cars to clear before you get in as it just won't accelerate like a Jeep (never thought I would say that). You have to take more time to stop the truck although the brakes on mine are much better than I thought they would be. I liken it to driving a rented moving box truck. Its sort of familiar but just different enough as to have to pay close attention to what you are doing. Once you get into what you are doing, its really not unlike any other truck/Jeep you drive. I can keep up with and even pass traffic around me. It actually makes you focus on driving some. It take more time to turn. It turns wider and takes a little more effort.
2. The truck sort of floats along (at least this one does). Feels like an old Cadillac with a stiff suspension. After getting bucked around in a Jeep the last 9 years with its short wheelbase, this is a welcome but somewhat unexpected change. I had assumed the leaf springs would be pretty stiff on these. But the truck for the most part glides along. Not to the point of being soft, but just a nice mix of tough and tender.
3. The range on the 60 is about the same as the Jeep, even with the 60's 24 gallon tank. The PO said he had the gas guage worked on because it was not reading correctly. PO ran out of gas a few times so he suggested I keep a close eye on it. Last fill up was 15 gallons but that was with the guage at a quarter full. So I think the guage is accurate. I have not gone through a full tank yet for fear of running out of gas but early math seems to indicate the range on this will be slightly better than the Jeep. Of course depends on what type of driving you are doing.
4. You can see for miles in these all around. Its a little like riding in a fishbowl or something. I never realized how hard the Jeep was to see out of with the top up until I drove the 60. My 60 does not have tinted windows so its very bright in there. Pretty nice. The dash is very low so it feels as though you are up high looking down while driving it. The TJ dash is way up high and when you look out front you are looking over the dash. In my Jeep I cannot even see my hood unless I sit up some to look over the dash. There feels oddly like the Jeep has more room up front in it. You are sitting a little more up and over aside from the Jeep where you sit more leaned back and stretched out.
5. The overall vibe of the 60 is old. As much as I like it, it feels very old. Mine has this sort of a mixed smell of gas, exaust, gear oil, glue, and old carpet revealing all the many adventures this truck has most likely seen in its 170,000 mile journey to my driveway. The steering wheel is large and very thin and is plastic. Overall the whole truck is a definite throwback from another time. I find this both charming and oddly desperate. The interior is all business. Even the dash seems to be made of steel. Its absolutely solid though. Driving it feels so solid. None of the familiar creaks and squeaks my Jeep routinely echoed from the plastic the interior is finished in. The Jeep is obviously much more modern and finished inside and getting into the 60 I can't help but feel it is a step backwards, as if what I am doing here is a little bit of a mistake. This is more to do with my personal situation I think and not really any comment on the FJ60 itself. My 60's transmission is very tight and feels super solid. My 6-speed transmission in the Jeep is notorious for feeling notchy while sifting. Just does not feel very solid and never has. The 60's transmission feels smooth and super tight. Just feels very solid compared with the Jeep.
The overall theme here is that the two vehicles are different, but anyone thinking of such a switch to the FJ60 should know that it can easily be done. The FJ60 is really tough to drive but feels very solid. It feels much more like the cars of my youth than I thought it would. I had always imagined these as small tough utility vehicles. I am suprised at how much more 'American' this thing feels. Big, heavy. Closing the driver's side door echoes that familiar 'clunk' I remember as a kid. Even the sound of the engine reminds me of the cars I remember as a child. While the best option for owning one of these is have an everyday commuter car and drive the 60 as a secondary vehicle, anyone used to a Jeep should have no problem making the transition even with the 60 as a daily driver. I could see myself getting tired of the 60's slowness and the effort required to drive it over time, but it right now is a lot of fun. Even with my Jeep, I somtimes opt to take the wifes car instead of it for shear ease and my own laziness. I have yet to get this thing off road other than to test the 4WD works before purchasing it. I plan on taking this to Colorado this summer so hopefully I'll get some off road seat time then. Thanks again to all for the comments and support in figuring this out.
 
Good info , I bought my 60 while owning a 05 rubicon , I sold the jeep shortly afterward and have been happy ever since, neither were daily drivers
 
It will help if you are Catholic.

Please send a photo of the cars that you are able to pass.
 
I remember edging out a Toyota Chinook camper on White Bird Hill in Idaho three summers ago.
 
There feels oddly like the Jeep has more room up front in it. You are sitting a little more up and over aside from the Jeep where you sit more leaned back and stretched out.

Jeep no doubt does have more room, as in legroom, up front. All older Land Cruisers are too short on this. I had special seat brackets made to accommodate my length.

Many vehicles have been passed by my 62, but never up hill!

Good review, Robert. Now try an FJ40:D
 
I like your comparison to a Cadillac. That was our CB handle when we were in Southern Nevada Land Cruisers, after we parked in front of the picture window at Shakey's Pizza at the first club meeting we went to. Our '84 was brand new, and there were very few members at the time with FJ60s. We walked into the meeting room just about the time someone asked "Who's driving the Cadillac?"

One thing that struck me from day one is how nimble the FJ60s are on difficult terrain, it just feels like they're made to drive on steep rugged trails.
 
I rocketed around a VW bus clattering up Raton Pass. I was going 29 mph in 2nd gear, towing a pop-up trailer. The VW was going, well, less than 29 mph.

The overall vibe of the 60 is old. As much as I like it, it feels very old. Mine has this sort of a mixed smell of gas, exaust, gear oil, glue, and old carpet revealing all the many adventures this truck has most likely seen in its 170,000 mile journey to my driveway. The steering wheel is large and very thin and is plastic. Overall the whole truck is a definite throwback from another time. I find this both charming and oddly desperate. The interior is all business.

Yeah, baby!
 

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