What are the main things to check on a FJ62?

[Wander]

If it hasn't sold already I am going to look at a FJ62 (1988). Everything I've seen so far from the pictures is very clean but I'm new to these so what are the first things I should check?

 

[Merc62]

Be patient and compare the price/milage with similar trucks. Dont rush it. Get up under the truck with a light and look for frame and body rust, leaks around the tranny and transfer case. Look for coolant leaks around hoses. Check oil/tranny fluid. Find out what major maint if any has been done. Front end rebuild yet? Leaks around the knuckles? Engage 4x4high and low. Look for areas that might have been painted/bondo. Test drive. just a few common sense things to look at. Remember its a heavy truck with a slow but strong long lasting motor. So dont plan on going up hill or anywhere fast for that matter.

 

[Maddmatt]

Key rust points are the rear hatch, rear fender wells and bottoms of the doors and, the real problem one (in my opinion) around the windshield.

There's about a mile of vacuum tubing in the engine - a bad tube can cause some surging in the engine, but on mine at least it was a pretty easy fix.

They do not go fast. Keep it well stocked with mellow music.

Then check yourself in the mirror for awesomeness. In hindsight I loved my FJ62 as much as my FJ40 and more than my 4runner or double cab Taco.

Also> The tie rod ends came from the factory (at least on my '89) with some rubber boots around the end. Mine rusted out inside that boot, causing a complete lack of steering. Luckily I was in a parking lot when it failed.

 

[uzj100]

Is it NC?

There maybe guys that know the rig already on www.ih8mud.com

Also, check out the chapter site for Old North State Cruisers.

http://forum.ih8mud.com/60-series-wagons/13183-fj60-fj62-faq-start-here-come-back-often.html

http://forum.ih8mud.com/nc-olde-north-state-cruisers/

Good Luck - 62s kick butt!

 

[Wander]

It's the one in Raleigh that is ARB'd.

I'm trying to make contact with the owner but so far no luck, I'm afraid it maybe sold. If it is there are several more not too far away 60's and 62's. and they are a good price these days.

 

[uzj100]

I think I sold that guy a Turbo Diesel benz. I will ride by his place on the way home and see if the 62 is still there.

 

[Wander]

Thanks, I was able to reach him.

If the weather is not crappy and he's not busy I might go see it Saturday.

 

[jbarnhill]

I wll be in raleigh, Saturday working on my brother-in-laws fj62. I also have 62 I live in Tarboro. PM me if I can be of any help.

 

[cruiser guy]

I don't know how the later ones are but mine is an '82 BJ60. I'd check the frame carefully for rust from the middle of the truck back. Get underneath and see how it looks from the other side as well. Usually the first area of the frame to fail is the rear shock mount tube.

 

[MoGas]

Key rust points are the rear hatch, rear fender wells and bottoms of the doors and, the real problem one (in my opinion) around the windshield.

There's about a mile of vacuum tubing in the engine - a bad tube can cause some surging in the engine, but on mine at least it was a pretty easy fix.

They do not go fast. Keep it well stocked with mellow music.

Then check yourself in the mirror for awesomeness.

X1.5 million. Check all the body seams very close for rust. These things don't wear out, they rust out. Especially if you are near the coast.

Also> The tie rod ends came from the factory (at least on my '89) with some rubber boots around the end. Mine rusted out inside that boot, causing a complete lack of steering. Luckily I was in a parking lot when it failed.

Relay rod ends. They like grease and an occasional adjustment. Field rebuildable, though.


Dave

 

[uzj100]

Very cool.

I saw that 62 he has a while back it was really well equipped.

 

[Wander]

Well I looked it over and was a little disapointed. It is well equipt with an ARB front roo bumper, ARB roof rack and an ARB rear bumper that isn't easily availible in the USA. It also had Ausie convex mirrors and some cheap off road lights. Someone had attempted to set up a dual battery but the second battery was unhooked. The interior was OK-not great but it had a good headliner and would be an easy fix up. The was no rust to be concerned with. I saw some very small specs that were really just surface only and if addresed now would be easy and prevent it for becoming a problem. The areas of greatest concern was the steering and tranny. The steering had a lot of play which surpirsed me as the truck had the full OME suspention kit. I'm not sure if had dakar springs or not but they weren't stock. With the steering stabilizer in place you would think they would have also addresed the ball joints. With that in mind I would also wonder about the birfs. The engine idled well but I did notice the exhaust was a little too white but not bad. The engine was rebuilt recently but the tranny seemed sloppy. There was play in the selector and the shifts weren't very solid. The transfer case shifted in and out hi and lo but that's about I had a chance to do. The tranny concerned me the most as that would cost a lot. The guy is asking a pretty good amount for a 62 and even though they seem to cost more in this coast and the lack of rust is good the problems indicate to me that several thousand will be needed soon to get it right. I haven't made up my mind yet, I'm going to think it over and not the negatives cloud the positives.