Tapage
Club 4X4 Panamá
Light upgrade ( inside out ) would be my first move .. then lift will be according with your future plans and along that all your other upgrades .. so focus in put it tip top shape ..
Your Opinion: Top 5 Upgrades for FJ60?
- Thread starter Roger Martiinez
- Start date
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- alternator ome saginaw weber
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My top 5 upgrades so far
1. Desmog and $17 dizzy recurve
2. Hella Headlights
3. Interior LED's and added tailgate light strip
4. Stereo and speakers
5. Boss airbags on the tired stock suspension (just got them installed last week or they'd probably be higher on the list)
Top 5 maintenance Items on my truck with unknown maintenance history
1. Replaced brake and clutch masters, so rear drums actually engage (safety has to be #1)
2. New stock replacement Steering stabilizer and alignment set to 1/8" toe-in (seriously night and day)
3. Carb rebuild, fuel pump replacement and sealed gas tank (all in the driveway)
4. Resealed gutters and sealed under drivers fender (no more water in the driver footwell)
5. Cut out and replaced some of the drivers seat foam (sit higher and way more support)
1. Desmog and $17 dizzy recurve
2. Hella Headlights
3. Interior LED's and added tailgate light strip
4. Stereo and speakers
5. Boss airbags on the tired stock suspension (just got them installed last week or they'd probably be higher on the list)
Top 5 maintenance Items on my truck with unknown maintenance history
1. Replaced brake and clutch masters, so rear drums actually engage (safety has to be #1)
2. New stock replacement Steering stabilizer and alignment set to 1/8" toe-in (seriously night and day)
3. Carb rebuild, fuel pump replacement and sealed gas tank (all in the driveway)
4. Resealed gutters and sealed under drivers fender (no more water in the driver footwell)
5. Cut out and replaced some of the drivers seat foam (sit higher and way more support)
- Thread starter
- #63
Yes, the motor has definitely been rebuilt. We (my neighbor rebuilds engines for a living) checked and adjusted the valves almost immediately after I purchased it. Remarkably, they didn't need much attention. Also, the truck does not seem to burn oil. I do lose some oil, but that's from the lousy job I did installing that insane one-piece oil pan gasket. I overtightened the bolts and that pushed out the gasket a little bit and created some minor leaks. Its the first item I will replace once I get home to Colorado (after three years abroad). When I pulled the oil pan, the engine from below was really clean. I haven't done a compression check and I should do that -- but this 2F engine is just remarkable. Thanks!
- Thread starter
- #64
We have an old reliable -- the state vehicle of Colorado -- a Subaru
- Thread starter
- #65
Nice!
- Thread starter
- #66
Great list. Thanks. I've elected to swap to a Saginaw pump as well.
- Thread starter
- #67
Well -- howdy neighbor! I usually live in Colorado Springs, but have been away for the last three years. This is very helpful advice regarding tire size and gearing. I've worried about that because we have big plans to explore the 14'ers in the next couple years after we get home from Europe. After visiting Norway, Switzerland, and northern Spain's mountains, we've gone crazy for mountain beauty. Yes, I am not adding any weight in terms of bumpers -- the stock ones are fine for me -- I like all that chrome. ha ha. Oh geez, Raton Pass, and a VW bus blew by you. I didn't want be that guy.
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- Thread starter
- #68
Mine had the saggy ass -- it was just embarrassing. And after we put about 20 bags of mulch in it -- the old springs just about were inverted. OME to the rescue (but with a tiny lean).
- Thread starter
- #69
Okay. I realize that "Top 5" upgrades is a ridiculous idea. How about I rename it -- the Top 5 upgrades I tell my wife about so she doesn't lose it when I tell her I've just dropped another couple hundred dollars to make the Land Cruiser more awesome!
Mine is a 62, so my priorities were a little different. In a 60, I would probably substitute fuel injection for the H55. I have played with enough trucks to have adjusted my priorities so that money goes first to the things I will use and benefit from the most often. Here's what I went with:
(1) H55 - I hate automatics - use it every day
(2) Long Range tank - use it every day
(3) Big Tuffy center console - use it every day
(4) 33 x 10.50's on stock suspension - Not necessary, but a dramatic upgrade over the stock 27-inch tires.
(5) ARB front bumper and 8274 - I like to travel alone and in places without cell phone coverage. This allows me to go further without worrying about it.
Those five allow me to do everything I want to do with it. The rest are just frosting . . . .
Honorable mention:
(6) LED interior lights - Thanks Mud
(7) Rear bumper to get the spare out of the cargo area
(8) headlight buzzer - Thanks Mud
(9) magnetic LED light inside the rear hatch - lights up the tailgate area when camping
(10) On board air - Not really critical, but I had the parts from another vehicle, and I'm a big believer in airing down.
(11) dual batteries - still a work in progress. Everything functions, but it isn't recharging the house battery as fast as I would like.
Somewhere out in the future:
(12) headlight upgrades - need need need
(13) DIY drawers
(14) suspension upgrades - don't want lot of lift, but want better ride and the drawers/rear bumper are asking for some help in the rear.
(15) rear locker
(16) Some day the engine is going to need help. It runs great, but 11mpg leaves a lot of room for improvement.
(17) seats
(18) soundproofing - you don't notice how loud it is until you come to a stop light and have to turn down the radio.
(1) H55 - I hate automatics - use it every day
(2) Long Range tank - use it every day
(3) Big Tuffy center console - use it every day
(4) 33 x 10.50's on stock suspension - Not necessary, but a dramatic upgrade over the stock 27-inch tires.
(5) ARB front bumper and 8274 - I like to travel alone and in places without cell phone coverage. This allows me to go further without worrying about it.
Those five allow me to do everything I want to do with it. The rest are just frosting . . . .
Honorable mention:
(6) LED interior lights - Thanks Mud
(7) Rear bumper to get the spare out of the cargo area
(8) headlight buzzer - Thanks Mud
(9) magnetic LED light inside the rear hatch - lights up the tailgate area when camping
(10) On board air - Not really critical, but I had the parts from another vehicle, and I'm a big believer in airing down.
(11) dual batteries - still a work in progress. Everything functions, but it isn't recharging the house battery as fast as I would like.
Somewhere out in the future:
(12) headlight upgrades - need need need
(13) DIY drawers
(14) suspension upgrades - don't want lot of lift, but want better ride and the drawers/rear bumper are asking for some help in the rear.
(15) rear locker
(16) Some day the engine is going to need help. It runs great, but 11mpg leaves a lot of room for improvement.
(17) seats
(18) soundproofing - you don't notice how loud it is until you come to a stop light and have to turn down the radio.
I've spent 22,000 miles daily driving my 87 60 series. I bought it with 277,000 miles on it. It was bone stock. A cracked exhaust valve, 28" Highway tires, a dead suspension and some rust.
I can now get it in it with complete confidence and drive anywhere. It has never left me, tried to not start or had an issue. My wife is now begging me to trade her cars on Fridays.
If I had to rank the updates I've done, this is how it would go:
1. ALL OF THE OVERDUE MAINTENANCE
All of it. All the rubber hoses, leaks that have gone overlooked, all the noises that you turn up the radio just a little bit to ignore. They will dam up, and you'll get stuck.
For me, it was the following:
Cylinder head refresh to get the engine back to 95%.(I still needed work on it after all this for fine tuning) Its pretty close to factory compression still and it uses minimal oil.
All the hoses. Coolant, fuel, oil cooler, delete rear heater (Subjective to area). All of my stuff was starting to bubble and go.
Complete cooling system. When you break coolant, do it all at once. I tried to avoid the hoses after the cylinder head refresh and it warned me by pissing coolant a few times before I replaced all of it again.
Fuel system hoses. All original and dry rotting. Huge safety bullet that I dodged.
2. Fresh suspension. Doesn't matter which one. Completely changed the truck. Considering how two of my springs were broken at diagonal ends, and my shocks were blown...also my rear shock crossmember failed eventually...it was all needed.
I ended up with CS005F and CS005RA/B. I've got front to rear rake which levels with load and no lean. Im happy. I used Bilstein shocks and I really like it.
3. ARB Bumper. I fear nobody on the road, and they will not cut me off. Winch is optional, I added it. May never use it til I need it. I can live with that. Mine was the old style and used so I get patina points.
4. PFRAN Led lights inside. So simple but made it much more functional. Also get the back up lights. Well worth it.
5. CityRacer Fuji Carb. I tried a stock unit that was rebuilt by the PO, A trollhole carb that currently collects rain water, a stock 200,000 mile carb and the FUJI. The CityRacer Fuji has a very clean transition between all three circuits and starts quickly. I'll never put any Chinese junk on my truck like that TH carb again. Honorable mention to the JimC rebuilt carb but I was on a time crunch.
Honorable mentions:
Desmog, if you can. No need to explain.
H55F. I'm going to be buying and installing one this summer along with a new transfer case from @orangefj45
Rebuilt and recurved distributor by JimC. Set it to run on 89 with about 10* initial and it felt way better off idle. Pulls cleanly to 3200 if needed and runs all day long as 2800-3000 rpm.
Long range tank: I don't need the range, I can't sit in the truck for more than about 2 hours anyway but it would be nice to be able to run more of the good and consistent fuel like the Non Ethanol Gas. It really liked that stuff.
Good insulation and a good stereo. I used some foamy boat engine compartment insulation combined with dynamat. Dropped the interior resonance a bit and made the doors sound more solid when you shut them. I've got a a good headhunt with full connectivity, a small motorcycle amp under the dash behind the radio powering just the front door speakers, a set of 6.5" in the doors and a small underseat amp about the size of a large book that fits under the seat. Can be pulled easily and the seat still folds down.
Currently at 299,050 and rolling up to the big 300,000 miles. The H55F and Tase are its present.
I can now get it in it with complete confidence and drive anywhere. It has never left me, tried to not start or had an issue. My wife is now begging me to trade her cars on Fridays.
If I had to rank the updates I've done, this is how it would go:
1. ALL OF THE OVERDUE MAINTENANCE
All of it. All the rubber hoses, leaks that have gone overlooked, all the noises that you turn up the radio just a little bit to ignore. They will dam up, and you'll get stuck.
For me, it was the following:
Cylinder head refresh to get the engine back to 95%.(I still needed work on it after all this for fine tuning) Its pretty close to factory compression still and it uses minimal oil.
All the hoses. Coolant, fuel, oil cooler, delete rear heater (Subjective to area). All of my stuff was starting to bubble and go.
Complete cooling system. When you break coolant, do it all at once. I tried to avoid the hoses after the cylinder head refresh and it warned me by pissing coolant a few times before I replaced all of it again.
Fuel system hoses. All original and dry rotting. Huge safety bullet that I dodged.
2. Fresh suspension. Doesn't matter which one. Completely changed the truck. Considering how two of my springs were broken at diagonal ends, and my shocks were blown...also my rear shock crossmember failed eventually...it was all needed.
I ended up with CS005F and CS005RA/B. I've got front to rear rake which levels with load and no lean. Im happy. I used Bilstein shocks and I really like it.
3. ARB Bumper. I fear nobody on the road, and they will not cut me off. Winch is optional, I added it. May never use it til I need it. I can live with that. Mine was the old style and used so I get patina points.
4. PFRAN Led lights inside. So simple but made it much more functional. Also get the back up lights. Well worth it.
5. CityRacer Fuji Carb. I tried a stock unit that was rebuilt by the PO, A trollhole carb that currently collects rain water, a stock 200,000 mile carb and the FUJI. The CityRacer Fuji has a very clean transition between all three circuits and starts quickly. I'll never put any Chinese junk on my truck like that TH carb again. Honorable mention to the JimC rebuilt carb but I was on a time crunch.
Honorable mentions:
Desmog, if you can. No need to explain.
H55F. I'm going to be buying and installing one this summer along with a new transfer case from @orangefj45
Rebuilt and recurved distributor by JimC. Set it to run on 89 with about 10* initial and it felt way better off idle. Pulls cleanly to 3200 if needed and runs all day long as 2800-3000 rpm.
Long range tank: I don't need the range, I can't sit in the truck for more than about 2 hours anyway but it would be nice to be able to run more of the good and consistent fuel like the Non Ethanol Gas. It really liked that stuff.
Good insulation and a good stereo. I used some foamy boat engine compartment insulation combined with dynamat. Dropped the interior resonance a bit and made the doors sound more solid when you shut them. I've got a a good headhunt with full connectivity, a small motorcycle amp under the dash behind the radio powering just the front door speakers, a set of 6.5" in the doors and a small underseat amp about the size of a large book that fits under the seat. Can be pulled easily and the seat still folds down.
Currently at 299,050 and rolling up to the big 300,000 miles. The H55F and Tase are its present.
Hey Alex what tire are those?
33x10.5-15 BFG K02's
Nothing fancy. If I lived anywhere else but Texas, I'd have 31" MT's.
Honestly, My well tuned 2F and 3.7 gears has no problem holding speed over some of the big bridges and even throughout Big Bend.
Cool thanks - they look badass.
Thread hijack off.
Thread hijack off.
Zjohnsonua
SILVER Star
Alex, which shocks did you go with? Got any PNs? I'm sorting out what lift is on mine, but it sits very much like yours, and my shocks are beyond shot.
1 - new front seats
2 - aftermarket steering wheel thats nice like gripping a piece of fence wire
3 - better headlights H4's or LED
4 - mechanical refresh (change all fluids, rebuild knuckles if needed, new shocks and bushings, brakes, exhaust.... etc)
5 - new tires if needed else new windshield else new door mirrors.
2 - aftermarket steering wheel thats nice like gripping a piece of fence wire
3 - better headlights H4's or LED
4 - mechanical refresh (change all fluids, rebuild knuckles if needed, new shocks and bushings, brakes, exhaust.... etc)
5 - new tires if needed else new windshield else new door mirrors.
My FJ60 project thread...
Please provide your opinions on my new shocks search
Look at my post half way down on each thread.
I’m still loving the ride even with heavy springs. The truck is not harsh compared to the ome trucks I’ve driven.
Late to the party but it's a cool thread. I was fortunate to visit La Paz about 20 years ago and was given a Nissan Patrol to explore with by a friend. Sometimes I was amazed that the engine even ran at some of the altitudes you could get to.
My favorite mods have been Saginaw and Hella headlights. I need to do shackle bushing so I'm considering the lift, not sure my dogs will like the extra height though. I use the truck like you do and have done some of the Colorado passes. It's amazing how capable the 60 is basically stock.
My favorite mods have been Saginaw and Hella headlights. I need to do shackle bushing so I'm considering the lift, not sure my dogs will like the extra height though. I use the truck like you do and have done some of the Colorado passes. It's amazing how capable the 60 is basically stock.
Zjohnsonua
SILVER Star
Much appreciated. I'll get them ordered.
