Builds The Escape Wagon Restoration (3 Viewers)

[TexFJ]

Is self leveling sealer the way to go in the gutters up top? Any downside? Was yours Epoxy or Urethane? I just bought some 3M Seam Sealer as I don't think I can use the self leveling stuff on the front pillar gutter as it would just drip down. Wondering if I should change to self leveling stuff above or just stay with the same Seam Sealer.

Also.... what's up with the asymmetric FJ62 Hood beams? Never peaked behind the insulator. I'm guessing a version of an engine needed more room on the left side.

 

[samc2447]

Is self leveling sealer the way to go in the gutters up top? Any downside? Was yours Epoxy or Urethane? I just bought some 3M Seam Sealer as I don't think I can use the self leveling stuff on the front pillar gutter as it would just drip down. Wondering if I should change to self leveling stuff above or just stay with the same Seam Sealer.

The self leveling sealer works perfectly fine on the A pillars. It isn't really runny so won't run down. I forget the working time with it, but it's not that long and basically stays where you put it, it just flattens out. Use the self leveling type for the whole gutter.

 

[BHillteq]

More photos

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Looks absolutely incredible! I better not see this thing on Bring a Trailer anytime soon.

 

[TexFJ]

So is the 3M Epoxy self leveling sealer is best, right? There's the Polyurethane ones out there as well but not sure if that would work in this case.

 

[EscapeWagon62]

Is self leveling sealer the way to go in the gutters up top? Any downside? Was yours Epoxy or Urethane? I just bought some 3M Seam Sealer as I don't think I can use the self leveling stuff on the front pillar gutter as it would just drip down. Wondering if I should change to self leveling stuff above or just stay with the same Seam Sealer.

Also.... what's up with the asymmetric FJ62 Hood beams? Never peaked behind the insulator. I'm guessing a version of an engine needed more room on the left side.

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Self leveling is definitely the way to go. I had previously done the 3M seam sealer in the gutters but couldn't get it really smooth. It's like sticky peanut butter. My recollection is that the shop used self leveling in the gutters and seam sealer in the A pillar but I can't know for sure.
Not sure about the A symmetrical reinforcements on the hood. Luckily I have a hood insulator so the strange setup won't kick off my OCD every day.

 

[EscapeWagon62]

Looks absolutely incredible! I better not see this thing on Bring a Trailer anytime soon.

No BaT... I promise.
I'm revising my will to state that I want to be buried in it when I die.

 

[BHillteq]

No BaT... I promise.
I'm revising my will to state that I want to be buried in it when I die.

Happy to hear it! I feel like those are the only posts in the 60/62 Facebook group anymore. Either BaT or Craigslist ads.

 

[EscapeWagon62]

Well I have all the parts for H55 transmission swap on order, I’ll do it in the winter when the truck goes into hibernation. In the mean time I decided to tackle the front brakes having previously done the rears.
i had a squeak develop front right and figured a set of Denso/Advics ceramics would be in order.
The drivers side went as smooth as could be. The caliper, I thought both fronts, had been changed by the previous owner.
when I get to the passenger side (where the squeak was)....doesn’t look like the passenger side was ever replaced. All four piston boots are completely buggered, rust, etc etc.
have one on order.

 

[EscapeWagon62]

Brake caliper issue handled.

 

[EscapeWagon62]

Fixed an annoying problem where my right rear brake would over tighten after a few days if I used the the emergency brake. Not a big deal with an automatic transmission but I’m swapping to an H55f five speed in December. Thanks to @liveoak the issue is gone after installing a washer behind the auto adjust lever. While I was at it I replaced the brake shoes with OEM.
I also made a trip up to Sullivan New Hampshire to pick up more bits and pieces From CruiserParts for the H55 swap

 

[liveoak]

Brake caliper issue handled.

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Hate to say this, but why didn't you upgrade to 95 4Runner calipers and pads? If I'm not mistaken, they should be a direct bolt in (just a little backing plate trim) and have 4 large pistons instead of 2 large and 2 small with more pad surface area. They normally only cost about $10 more each. Parts counter won't care/know that the core is a bit different.

Front brake 95 4runner calipers on 85 FJ60

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[NearJetties]

Fixed an annoying problem where my right rear brake would over tighten after a few days if I used the the emergency brake. Not a big deal with an automatic transmission but I’m swapping to an H55f five speed in December. Thanks to @liveoak the issue is gone after installing a washer behind the auto adjust lever. While I was at it I replaced the brake shoes with OEM.
I also made a trip up to Sullivan New Hampshire to pick up more bits and pieces From CruiserParts for the H55 swap

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can you document the h55f swap very thoroughly? It’d be super helpful or if you have a good thread you’re using that’d be great too.

someone shared a detailed parts list and cost in Excel that I have saved—let me know if it’d be helpful.

 

[Gretsch]

Hate to say this, but why didn't you upgrade to 95 4Runner calipers and pads? If I'm not mistaken, they should be a direct bolt in (just a little backing plate trim) and have 4 large pistons instead of 2 large and 2 small with more pad surface area. They normally only cost about $10 more each. Parts counter won't care/know that the core is a bit different.

Front brake 95 4runner calipers on 85 FJ60

forum.ih8mud.com

Aside from the H55, I think he is trying to keep it as stock as possible.

 

[EscapeWagon62]

Hate to say this, but why didn't you upgrade to 95 4Runner calipers and pads? If I'm not mistaken, they should be a direct bolt in (just a little backing plate trim) and have 4 large pistons instead of 2 large and 2 small with more pad surface area. They normally only cost about $10 more each. Parts counter won't care/know that the core is a bit different.

Front brake 95 4runner calipers on 85 FJ60

forum.ih8mud.com

@Gretchet is correct. Mostly keeping it as built. Headlight upgrade for safety, radio for handsfree compliance and H55 since the A440F is dying (and it’s a pig of a trannny which nobody rebuilds with quality)

 

[EscapeWagon62]

can you document the h55f swap very thoroughly? It’d be super helpful or if you have a good thread you’re using that’d be great too.

someone shared a detailed parts list and cost in Excel that I have saved—let me know if it’d be helpful.

I plan on it @NearJetties You’ll have to be a little patient as I won’t convert until Christmas break since my kid off at college wants to help.
Ive read most of the swap threads and I’m sure once I get into the build it’ll all make sense but a step by step would have been great.
I plan to document it with photos specifically for an A440F to H55F Swap without any ToyBox/crawler add ons and and I’m keeping the vacuum activated transfer case that came stock.
I have a feeling many more members will be doing this as the A440Fs reach the end of their useful lives. When I met with Craig up at CruiserParts.net he said this was the 5th conversion kit he’s sold in the last month.

Note - CruiserParts sells a complete kit (bell housing, clutch arm, pedal bucket, updated transfer case linkage etc etc etc) with or without the H55 itself but it takes them about a month to pull all the needs parts off donor rigs.

 

[EscapeWagon62]

Just starting to clean up all the parts for the conversion to H55f

 

[hobbadehoy]

Those parts look great! What were they painted with?

 

[EscapeWagon62]

I used Rustoleum Rust Converter as the primer and Rustoleum Automotive Enamel Gloss on top
Ill see how it lasts!

 

[BHillteq]

SO stoked for you. Just picked ours up last Friday night from getting the H55 swap done. I am obsessed with driving this truck now. 1st gear is sooo low, it's fantastic offroad. But I can't say enough about how big of a game changer this is.

 

[EscapeWagon62]

SO stoked for you. Just picked ours up last Friday night from getting the H55 swap done. I am obsessed with driving this truck now. 1st gear is sooo low, it's fantastic offroad. But I can't say enough about how big of a game changer this is.

Thanks! Congrats on your swap. Since I run stock tires I have a feeling that first gear will rarely be used Around town. It’ll just be nice to have a trans I have confidence in when taking trips. My luck the A440f would puke on me in the most inconvenient location possible and my wife would be yelling at me for insisting on driving the cruiser vs her (more comfortable) modern SUV.