I've got a bone stock '88 FJ62 with around 210K on the engine, unknown mileage on the tranny (replaced that a year a half ago after it failed). I've recently started camping with an old fiberglass travel trailer weighing around 1600 lbs, and the truck seems to not like towing it at all. First, the temp climbs waaaay up soon after starting out and then sits just below the red mark, until it flys all the way up to vertical, where it sits for a second before dropping back to just beyond the red. I've read that some of the temp gauge weirdness may be due to bad contacts on the back of the gauge - sound possible? Also, the shift lever gets scorching hot, as do all the screw heads that hold the selector shroud on - like I have to hold my leg away cause of all the heat coming off. Engine power up the modest hills of Minnesota has never been very good, but with the camper it's down to 45 mph on some.
Sooo, am I expecting too much outta the old girl? Is it time for a rad. replacement? Chevy 350 transplant?
Thoughts?
Sooo, am I expecting too much outta the old girl? Is it time for a rad. replacement? Chevy 350 transplant?
Thoughts?