The Great Blue (or at least my blue) Cruiser Project

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ZDDP. Once again I find myself hopelessly behind the knowledge power curve.

The rig started squealing above 2.1k rpm the past few weeks so I'm off I replace a belt. NAPA or bust. While I'm out shelling out some change it think I'll pick up a drag chain, snatch strap, and a couple other things just in case... Heading off the road next weekend for the first time. Baby steps.
 
Drag chain is now part of the kit! Still need a snatch strap and maybe a Hi Lift to complete recovery kit but one step closer...

The belt replacement went less then smoothly... After getting the NAPA recommended 25-22434 for the fan / air pump, I was off to my garage where I spent the next 2 hours struggling in vain to install the belt. :bang:

After I got through the corrosion and was able to reduce the tension on both belts (20 min project) I tried unsuccessfully to put the new belt on (1 hr 40 min failed project that almost had me resorting to "pry-bar on the air pump" tactics). Turns out I needed the 25-22443 belt designed for CA emissions and is 22mm longer. What a difference that makes. 5 minute project to install new belt AND new belt on alternator (purchased correct size first time).

No squeaks. More lessons learned. Damn it. If only there were a Forum where such lessons could be read instead of learned....

Hope to go on a day trip this weekend if the weather holds up.
 
Finally got out and took a trip off the pavement up Mount Palomar via the Nate Harrison Grade Trail for those that are familiar with the area. A few of the bumps taken along the way has me wondering if the ass end of the truck needs a little suspension TLC.

The leaf springs are pretty flat as you can tell...

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I'm assuming it needs work (new springs, re-work old ones, or maybe a AAL) but are shocks part of the deal as well or is there some other way to tell when those things go?

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Those rears have negative arc....they're toast. An AAL is just going to do all the work in those packs and wear out pretty quickly. You could make them last longer by re-arching the stock springs...if you have a place in your area that does that. My rig has re-arched OEM springs and long add-a-leafs and it's been holding about 2.5" of lift for a couple years. Or you could just drop the coin now on a lift...good deals on here from many vendors.

To tell if a shock is toast, just take it off and compress it...if it's fairly easy to compress and doesn't rebound very quick, it's toast.
 
Time for a suspension kits w/shocks. Those things look beat!
 
My front springs were getting close to that so I put extendable shackles in there :D the rears should look like a half moon.
 
Trapper50cal said:
Those rears have negative arc....they're toast.
Click to expand...

Ha. Yes indeed they do. So new ones will be placed on order; thankfully the first mod I put on old Blue was a credit card reader making it far easier to dump money into it... dang it!

For those with more experience than I, how bad of an idea is it to replace just the ass end components? My assumption would be if I was going to consider some form of new suspension / lift (OME 2 or 3") I should do an all or nothing approach.

....but... if there is a chance that it's "okay" to do the rear now and the front later, I'd probably spread load the cost.
 
whirlybirdbrewing said:
Ha. Yes indeed they do. So new ones will be placed on order; thankfully the first mod I put on old Blue was a credit card reader making it far easier to dump money into it... dang it!

For those with more experience than I, how bad of an idea is it to replace just the ass end components? My assumption would be if I was going to consider some form of new suspension / lift (OME 2 or 3") I should do an all or nothing approach.

....but... if there is a chance that it's "okay" to do the rear now and the front later, I'd probably spread load the cost.
Click to expand...

Just spend the cash! You can by ironman suspension and tell me and dbleon what you think! Lol. If only I had a good excuse to get the suspension now but my springs have got a smidge of life left.
 
whirlybirdbrewing said:
Ha. Yes indeed they do. So new ones will be placed on order; thankfully the first mod I put on old Blue was a credit card reader making it far easier to dump money into it... dang it!

For those with more experience than I, how bad of an idea is it to replace just the ass end components? My assumption would be if I was going to consider some form of new suspension / lift (OME 2 or 3") I should do an all or nothing approach.

....but... if there is a chance that it's "okay" to do the rear now and the front later, I'd probably spread load the cost.
Click to expand...

If you do the rear and not the front, then you get the stick bug look or the red neck look:doh:

I was am in the same boat, I was lucky enough to get a pair of heavy duty springs for the rear off one of my many spare vehicles (sorry) so as I can't afford the new front springs, average $700, I purchased $100 extendable shackles so it sits flat.:D

:cheers: Spudman
 
So the suspension was the closest alligator to the boat until I happen to have the window down and heard the terrible sound that was my front brakes.

No problemo, swap the pads right? Well I can't get one of the damn pins out. Tried a gallon of WD-40 and using a punch (that's what it took to get the other pins out) but one pin just isn't moving. Any harder and I'm probably going to mushroom the back of the pin..

Any ideas short of replacing the caliper? If I replace one, must the other be replaced as well?
 
Calipers can be independent replace but if you can get the pin out then I would get a rebuild kit from Toyota and call it good. Try some penetrating lube like PBBlaster, remember WD-40 is not a lube, only a Water Dispersement.....
 
While I did go out and buy some PB Blaster for the next time, no amount of canned product can undo the magic that was me, my hammer, and my center punch on Wednesday night. Ha!

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Note the mushroomed caliper pin that is still stuck in the caliper and take a look at the fine job I did replacing the pads before they wore down. :doh:

The caliper didn't come off as easy as I would have hoped but a bit of PB Blaster mixed with a 3 foot breaker bar had the old 17mm caliper bolts off in no time. The new one went on with ease and had me wishing that I just replaced both calipers instead of fighting the stuck pins. My time is worth more than the $40 I paid for the new one at NAPA.

Based on the coffee color of the fluid I bled out of the brake lines... a full flush is in order next weekend and I think I'll swap the shoes as well.

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Well the truck is still running despite the negligence of its owner...

Finally pulled the trigger on a rear bumper and ordered Fourrunner's custom bumper. Dual swing arm with a tire mount! Can't wait to weld it together and get it on Old Blue. Just ordered the McMaster-Carr latches (51335A65) for it and the last thing I need to figure out is the best way to mount a jerry can holder on it.

I've seen custom fab'd baskets and I've also seen the single/dual adjustable and lockable holders that I could weld onto the bumper. A little more research before the project is complete I guess.
 
Well I finally got my head out of my ass and built a new bumper for the old rig. Was toying between Fourrunners home built special and a 4x4 Labs. Eventually the budget combined with the challenge of a project had me side with Fourrunner's Dual Swing Arm with Tire Carrier (https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/fj60-62-rear-bumper-kits.343628/) After some back and forth with Mark (bushings vs bearings), I settled on bearings and pulled the trigger.

So I'm not an expert welder.... but my buddy is. A case of beer and a weekend at his place and this bullet proof bumper was finished. This thing is solid. Hat's off to Mark for creating a good product. Some issues with the hardware that came in the mail (incorrect size top bearings that prevented the hub / bearing assembly from fully compressing) but Mark was more than helpful.

Pictures of the final product...
 
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I took the bumper kit and built it per the instructions with three additions: the trailer hitch receiver, the dual jerry can mount, and the swing arm latches. Two coats of Rustoleum (liquid not spray) and there you have it. Super happy with how it came out especially for $850 vice the $1600 4x4 Labs piece.
 
Welcome and congratulations on a good looking 60. In case you haven't heard or don't have one already, get a FSM (Factory Service Manual), it will save you lots of headaches in the long run.
 
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