Builds Where it all began... an FJ62 story (4 Viewers)

[jesus888]

The FJ62 cranked right up and the motor sounded like a sewing machine instead of a tap dancing class… just the right amount of clicks. I will note that since ambient temp was 39 degrees this morning, we used the cold tolerances for the valves (.016 and .010) and once the engine got some heat in her, she sounded great.

Also changed the oil and filter and keeping an eye on the side cover gasket. I’m out of town for a week, so it’s definitely a relief to know this part is done.

After lunch, I replaced the original spare tire with the fifth wheel and tire that I had mounted last week. Looks (and will probably function) far better.

While I was in the I white lithium grease lubed the mechanism, and it was smooth as silk.

 

[jesus888]

Here’s a list of things to come… I’m out of town for the weekend but planning on knocking out the thermostat replacement when I’m back (for one day before we leave again for thanksgiving)

• Thermostat and radiator flush
• Exhaust gaskets and O2 sensors
• VSV and EGR bracket
• Headlights install
• Stereo and backup camera

 

[jesus888]

Also just a note, and I don't have a lot of miles on her since replacing the AFM with the Camry unit (maybe 40 or so on 3 separate occasions) but I haven't had the s***ty stumble (that makes me so angry that I momentarily want to buy a 2014 Nissan Leaf and replace the full drivetrain in the FJ62 and call it a day) that has plagued this girl since I got her (and from the PO, even before). #fingerscrossed

 

[atlshaun]

Todays activities…

Adjusted the valves, and there were a few pretty outta whack (on the tight side), I’d post lots of pics, but it was mainly audio of us cursing with the amount of space in some spots…

Got the freshly cleaned valve cover back on, with a (greatly needed) new gasket and grommets for the bolts

New PCV and grommet…

Just a note… I know the motor has had a rebuild in the last 5K miles but sheesh, to go through all of that effort and not replace some of these gaskets and small stuff blows me away… grommets and gasket may have been from the factory.

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This is coming along great. What hose is that you used for the pcv valve? I want it.

 

[jesus888]

This is coming along great. What hose is that you used for the pcv valve? I want it.

Thanks! And it was what was already there... I'll see if I can take a look and give you a better idea!

 

[Xavier97fj80]

The FJ62 cranked right up and the motor sounded like a sewing machine instead of a tap dancing class… just the right amount of clicks. I will note that since ambient temp was 39 degrees this morning, we used the cold tolerances for the valves (.016 and .010) and once the engine got some heat in her, she sounded great.

Also changed the oil and filter and keeping an eye on the side cover gasket. I’m out of town for a week, so it’s definitely a relief to know this part is done.

After lunch, I replaced the original spare tire with the fifth wheel and tire that I had mounted last week. Looks (and will probably function) far better.

While I was in the I white lithium grease lubed the mechanism, and it was smooth as silk.

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If you don't have a use for that spare, let me know I need one bad for my 62. I am in Chattanooga but near Atlanta quite a bit. Thanks and amazing work so far on your rig.

 

[jesus888]

If you don't have a use for that spare, let me know I need one bad for my 62. I am in Chattanooga but near Atlanta quite a bit. Thanks and amazing work so far on your rig.

I don’t need it as a spare… shoot me a PM, and I’m sure we can work something out…

 

[dogcruiser]

Few updates to report…

• New windshield installed, and they were able to retain the chrome, which is great…
• All other windows tinted with Lumar CTX brand tint… ceramic with very light coloring… I don’t like the dark colored tint and this looks great
• I also got the windshield done with a clear ceramic film that blocks UV etc, but the installer (super nice guy) wasn’t pleased with the outcome, he said there were a couple of lines that bothered him, in the film, so he removed it and we’ll go back and get that done later.

I’ll get more pictures of the rest of the windows later…

Jesus, who did you windshield? I'm in Orlando and need to have mine replaced. Do you know what brand of glass was used? Thanks

 

[jesus888]

I

Jesus, who did you windshield? I'm in Orlando and need to have mine replaced. Do you know what brand of glass was used? Thanks

I used a local guy that was recommended. He found a gasket and was able to reuse the chrome trim from the old gasket.

I will say they installed and it leaked a little at the bottom corners, but they came back and added some more sealant and alls well that ends well!

Not sure about what type of glass they used though… I’m sure you could shoot him a text and reference Sanjay’s FJ62

 

[jesus888]

Was gonna tackle the thermostat and flush the radiator on this one day I'm in town but my helper got held up, so I settled on some small odds and ends.

Adjusted the linkage connection to the wiper motor (made it at exactly 9 o’clock) and that seemed to do the trick with the throw and the parking of the wipers.
Got the passenger side 4runner wiper buttoned up and adjusted the driver side so they match and work great
2 x chrome gutter trim pieces were missing, ordered em up new from Toyota and while they’re nicer than the chrome that was already there, it’s not so noticeable and one day I’ll polish up what’s there to match. For now, it’s all there… which is progress.

 

[jesus888]

Next up… went to the car wash to knock some dust off of her and see if the windshield stopped leaking…
Windshield still has a tiny leak on the drivers side #fml
Stopped by oreillys and picked up a wiper blade to go with the FJ80 rear arm I purchased from Toyota (and took a glamour shot of my just-cleaned FJ62)… got home and installed the wiper and it works but it needs to be shortened, the Bosch blade I got is about 1.5” too long. Since it’s not something I use much, I’ll wait on figuring out a clean method to shorten OR find one that actually fits better…

 

[jesus888]

Back at it next week… with the thermostat, radiator flush, and exhaust gaskets. Now that the valves are quieter, the exhaust leaks are very noticeable… I have the gaskets, just gotta do the work.

Also a note, there’s still no stumble/hesitation event since replacing the AFM

 

[dogcruiser]

Before we put the new plugs, cap, rotor, plug wires in and some fresh oil to check on the handiwork with the side cover gasket…

It’s time to adjust the valves (time to pop my cherry) and I’ve read/watched enough videos to know it’s not too big of a deal but I need to learn sooner than later.

That being said, step 1 is completed, removed the valve cover along with the valve cover gasket, PCV valve, and grommets for the bolts.

While I know the engine was rebuilt 5K miles ago, I’m blown away at the condition of some of the dumb stuff… like all of the grommets including the PCV valve grommet being hard as a rock, and the gasket also barely remaining pliable…

All good though, that’s why we do it. To make sure it’s been done.

Man I wish I would have found your thread a week or 2 ago. I’d have come over and watched/helped. These are all things I’d like to be doing/checking/learning on my 62 as well

 

[jesus888]

So I’m back in town and had a few hours to do something in preparation for a drive to the mountains this weekend (a 3 hr drive) so I decided to tackle the lights. I had a box from Daniel Stern lighting, complete with a relay-upgraded harness, new low and high be lights and a few bulbs (brake lights and reverse lights).

Also before I got started, since I’m going to attempt to solve the exhaust leak(s) with new gaskets tomorrow, I went ahead and sprayed the bolts down with some PB Blaster (will most likely replace bolts with some new ones from Ace hardware)

 

[jesus888]

Everything went relatively well except that when I buttoned everything up, the low beams weren’t coming on at all.

Stepped away and got some help in a separate thread from @RockDoc and realized the DS harness had the high and low beam plugs swapped, so I made the swap and everything appears to be working now.

Going to aim the headlights once it gets dark and take it for a drive to see if it helped!

And just a note, ended up mounting the relays next to the battery because unfortunately the wires for the passenger side weren’t long enough to mount them where I wanted to, next to the air box…

 

[jesus888]

Today was thermostat day… the heat isn’t hot and while I know we don’t rely on the temp gauge inside, I can hardly get above the C and I’ve seen it move before so suspected the thermostat was stuck.

Also thinking that some of those thermostat housing EFI sensors may be contributing to the high-ish idle (950rpm), so was gonna clean those up as well.

What we found was a bunch of RTV and the rubber gasket that seals the thermostat was not there.

 

[jesus888]

So we cleaned up all the mating surfaces along with pulling all of the sensors and verifying they were clean and in working order and put it all back together.

My lower thermostat housing on the bottom is cracked in each bolt hole but seems to hold fine. I may track down another for when it’s time to do the water pump…

 

[jesus888]

Also replacing all of the hoses (upper and lower radiator, and thermostat bypass hose and some vacuum lines here and there) as we go… buttoning everything up and then gonna put some red stuff in the system and check for leaks/hang out in the 62 with the heater on.

 

[jesus888]

Everything buttoned up and filled it up with that red stuff…

 

[jesus888]

Mission. Accomplished. At least so far… waiting til it came up to temp, heard the fan clutch catch and start cooling, watched the temp plateau… ran for about 20 min and sat right where it is in the picture. Previously, it was pegged at C… I’m happy about the outcome.

VSV Reinstall may be coming next this evening…

PS Idle still hangs out between 900 and 1K which seems a bit high… still need to drive it a bit more, get that VSV plugged back in, and clean up my exhaust leaks and install new O2 sensors… we’ll see how far we get this week

PPS Once we're done with the needful, since there isn't oil/coolant/fluids slinging everywhere underneath the hood, I can finally remove/clean/the hood insulator and install the new one I have waiting, taking up too much room in the garage. These are the things we look forward to.