80 Series Maintenance

[Schattenjager]

Having done basic base lining on the '97 Cruiser, I am tempted to delve a little deeper before I head off to America from Alaska. Primarily focusing on the transmission, transfer case, and coolant, I'd like to know that these are up to snuff and ready for the long trip home. Coming from a long line of sports cars, few were automatics. One car, a Buick Grand National, lost an auto transmission due to the dealership 'not following the correct procedure.' It was dealer warrantied, but the long ago incident has stuck in my mind and I fear to tread into those waters myself, sans a service manual (JUST FOUND FSM PDF - SEE BELOW) and only the voices in my head to guide me.

Regarding toyota red (in it now) coolant, are there any tricks here, such as opening the heater core via temp controls, need / procedures for bleeding air, etc? Built a 1974 240Z with a 3.1 (2.8 stroker) that developed hot spots from air bubbles accumulating in the head and robbing the metal of coolant. Was easily fixed with no problems, but these things cross your mind during a rapidly approaching winter in the Yukon.

So, any tips would be appreciated! Info on capacities and coolant to water ratio's would be really super cool too! (got to get the fsm)


EDIT: - found electronic FSM online. DOWNLOAD HERE

 

[uncle_git]

When I did my cooling system refresh I ran the rear heater blower as there is a separate heat exchanger under the driver for that system.

If you've not done it yet read up on the pesky heater hose (PHH). It's well named...

If you've not been there, head over to ih8mud.com and search around - more answers then you have questions - I'm yet to have a problem with my '97 that couldn't be resolved by a quick search on mud.

 

[94SRUNNER]

Schattenjager...One method that I have used to insure that I eliminate as much air from the system as possible, is to elevate the front end of the 80 and let it run with the radiator cap of and the heater valve wide open to circulate all of the coolant through the system. Having the truck elevated and the radiator cap off will give the air a high point to escape to. I personally only use Toyota Red in my 80 and it has served me well.

Since you are focusing on your cooling system, pay close attention to all aspects of it, especially the fan clutch, as it is a key piece in the system. While the blue hub fan clutch will greatly improve the cooling systems efficiency, one thing that can be done to the fan clutch, that will insure even greater cooling is to open it up and dump the fluid and exchange it for a heavier weight silicone oil. The oil that has been found to work best is the same oil that is used in the R/C world for diffs and shocks on RC cars and trucks. I currently have a 15,00 weight silicone oil in my fan clutch and with the use of a ScanGauge II, I was able to monitor the changes in the cooling systems temperature. In my case a significant drop (i.e 4-8 degrees F). I know guys on Mud who are running even higher oil weights in their fan clutches for greater cooling performance. if anyone would be interested I can post up some links that better explain this process.

Here are few links that will further explain if you are interested.

There is quite a bit of information and chat in these threads, as is common on Mud, but if you take your time and read through them there is a great deal of information that one can glean from them.

http://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/366322-early-1fz-fan-clutch-black-blue-hub.html

http://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/404015-97-fan-clutch.html

http://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/404320-20k-blue-hub-still-hot.html

http://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/299592-results-w-blue-hub-fan-clutch.html

In the fifth link, a Mud member "Landtank" (who is a fan clutch guru, not to mention TLC master) talks about adjusting the timing on the fan clutch, below is a thread that discuss this topic in vast detail.

http://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/102633-blue-fan-clutch-mod.html

In the above linked threads there is tons of info and more can be had with a search of Mud, so find some free time and get reading.

 

[Schattenjager]

Thanks Pete! Great work!

 

[94SRUNNER]

Schattenjager...no problem, glad to pass along the information. As far as coolant ratio, I run about an even 50/50 split between the Toyota Red and store bought distilled water. I am not sure about you coolant systems history, but depending on your 80's age and mileage, it is probably time to go through the entire system. If you have not seen this page, it will have several threads that will lend you some useful information.

http://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-t...oncretejungles-1fze-overhaul.html#post1012356

I wish i could offer additional information on your transfer case and transmission threads, but I am not as well versed in those areas. One thing I can say in regards to both is that if you keep the fluids in check, they are fairly bullet proof. When I picked up my 80, several years back, the only thing I did in regards to the transfer case and transmission, was to drain and refill the TC and visually check the transmission oil and it was looking good. Now the year before last, I got in the habit of draining the transmission fluid every oil change and refilling it with about 4 fresh quarts. I think I did that 3 or 4 times over the course of maybe a year. It was a little easier than taking it in for a full transmission flush.

Good luck and look forward to hearing of your progress.