October 2024:
An idea was birthed in October 2024 at Dom and Brandi's wedding. We sat around a camp fire in Moab. We drank sake, Coors Banquet, and an relished in each other's company. @DanS wanted to sell his FJ60 that was big chillin' in NM (read more about it here.). I suggested we head out that way, get it running, and hammer back to CO with it in tow.
Chapter 1: Pickup in NM (December 2024)
The Plan: Arrive in NM, get the 60 started, and drive it onto the trailer. Easy as.
Out the gate, it wouldn't start, so we climbed the troubleshooting tree.
Check spark, check fuel. Spark was good. Fuel seemed to be a problem.
Fuel pump was pumpin'. Fuel lines/filter were a bit crusty. There was a good deal of varnish in the filter, and the same was true for the carb. The fuel stunk. Like... really stunk. We pulled the air horn to get access the fuel bowl, float, etc. There was varnish all up in that fuel bowl, and potentially everywhere else. We performed a hasty, shade tree cleaning, blew fuel back into the tank, plugged a funnel/good fuel into the pump inlet, and cranked. She started after a little coaxing. It was rough, but we had a running engine. There was much rejoicing.
It was time for the first drive. It made it 20 ft down the driveway. We pulled the airhorn again and gave it another once over. More gnarly fuel. Eventually, after some head scratching, TLC, clean fuel, dinner... breakfast, more head scratching, and a more thorough teardown of the carb, we got it running well enough to drive around the neighborhood.
Gnarly as fuel bowl.
We loaded it on a trailer and boogied on up to CO after a couple good night's sleep. Somewhere in there, I had the privilege to drive/gawk at a BJ40, FJ40, HJ60(?) and sweet Dodge Power Wagon. It was a good weekend with good company.
Chapter 2: Tune up and more troubleshooting
The intent was to get it running solid enough it could be a dedicated plow rig for Dan. We dropped it off at C&C HQ, so I could tinker with it on my days off. We pulled/ rebuilt the carb to get any remaining vanish/gunk out. Lean dropped the mixture and adjusted the idle. Tinkered with timing, swapped plugs, and ran down the "Engine Tune-up," section in the FSM. After the idle sat happy at 650 rpm at running temp, we adjusted valve lash. The FJ60 was running smooth. It was a good feeling. We swapped a few bits and bobs from other RS members.
Chapter 3: The Troubles.
The 60 had graduated to the "test drive," phase. I'd hold onto it for a couple weeks, drive it to/from work and update Dan on its "snow plowness." fast/slow idle, and mixture sat comfortable and the 60 hummed along. It was time for some longer test drives.
It did not make a long test drive. I made it a mile down the road, and I fought for the next hour to get it parked in a suitable spot. We jumped it, put some clean fuel in, and limped it back to the garage. The fuel filter was disgusting. More varnish and stinky fuel. The tank was in an abysmal state. The clutch release cylinder had also decided it was real tired, and dumped the majority of its fluid.
It sat for a few months. Work ramped up at the shop, other items ate up our collective time. It sat through Cruise Moab. May rolled around and it was time for Sara and I to get married (Semi-related).
Chapter 4: (Insert Next Chapter Title Here.)
After a fair amount of deliberation between Dan, Nancy, and Sara, the 60's next owner was decided. I would be its next caretaker. I don't have the words to express my gratitude. The plan is to keep it near stock and drive it. 60's have soul baby.
The first Item on the list: Swap the tank, suction/return tube, fuel level sender, soft lines, and clean the fuel system as best as possible.
Rusty as fuel...
The pickup/return tubes hinted at the state of the tank. Bonus mouse poop.
New tank donated by an RS member/local. Installed with the aid of @Johnny Utah
There's still a few items that need to be addressed before it becomes the new fair weather daily driver:
An idea was birthed in October 2024 at Dom and Brandi's wedding. We sat around a camp fire in Moab. We drank sake, Coors Banquet, and an relished in each other's company. @DanS wanted to sell his FJ60 that was big chillin' in NM (read more about it here.). I suggested we head out that way, get it running, and hammer back to CO with it in tow.
Chapter 1: Pickup in NM (December 2024)
The Plan: Arrive in NM, get the 60 started, and drive it onto the trailer. Easy as.
Out the gate, it wouldn't start, so we climbed the troubleshooting tree.
Check spark, check fuel. Spark was good. Fuel seemed to be a problem.
Fuel pump was pumpin'. Fuel lines/filter were a bit crusty. There was a good deal of varnish in the filter, and the same was true for the carb. The fuel stunk. Like... really stunk. We pulled the air horn to get access the fuel bowl, float, etc. There was varnish all up in that fuel bowl, and potentially everywhere else. We performed a hasty, shade tree cleaning, blew fuel back into the tank, plugged a funnel/good fuel into the pump inlet, and cranked. She started after a little coaxing. It was rough, but we had a running engine. There was much rejoicing.
It was time for the first drive. It made it 20 ft down the driveway. We pulled the airhorn again and gave it another once over. More gnarly fuel. Eventually, after some head scratching, TLC, clean fuel, dinner... breakfast, more head scratching, and a more thorough teardown of the carb, we got it running well enough to drive around the neighborhood.
Gnarly as fuel bowl.
We loaded it on a trailer and boogied on up to CO after a couple good night's sleep. Somewhere in there, I had the privilege to drive/gawk at a BJ40, FJ40, HJ60(?) and sweet Dodge Power Wagon. It was a good weekend with good company.
Chapter 2: Tune up and more troubleshooting
The intent was to get it running solid enough it could be a dedicated plow rig for Dan. We dropped it off at C&C HQ, so I could tinker with it on my days off. We pulled/ rebuilt the carb to get any remaining vanish/gunk out. Lean dropped the mixture and adjusted the idle. Tinkered with timing, swapped plugs, and ran down the "Engine Tune-up," section in the FSM. After the idle sat happy at 650 rpm at running temp, we adjusted valve lash. The FJ60 was running smooth. It was a good feeling. We swapped a few bits and bobs from other RS members.
Chapter 3: The Troubles.
The 60 had graduated to the "test drive," phase. I'd hold onto it for a couple weeks, drive it to/from work and update Dan on its "snow plowness." fast/slow idle, and mixture sat comfortable and the 60 hummed along. It was time for some longer test drives.
It did not make a long test drive. I made it a mile down the road, and I fought for the next hour to get it parked in a suitable spot. We jumped it, put some clean fuel in, and limped it back to the garage. The fuel filter was disgusting. More varnish and stinky fuel. The tank was in an abysmal state. The clutch release cylinder had also decided it was real tired, and dumped the majority of its fluid.
It sat for a few months. Work ramped up at the shop, other items ate up our collective time. It sat through Cruise Moab. May rolled around and it was time for Sara and I to get married (Semi-related).
Chapter 4: (Insert Next Chapter Title Here.)
After a fair amount of deliberation between Dan, Nancy, and Sara, the 60's next owner was decided. I would be its next caretaker. I don't have the words to express my gratitude. The plan is to keep it near stock and drive it. 60's have soul baby.
The first Item on the list: Swap the tank, suction/return tube, fuel level sender, soft lines, and clean the fuel system as best as possible.
Rusty as fuel...
The pickup/return tubes hinted at the state of the tank. Bonus mouse poop.
New tank donated by an RS member/local. Installed with the aid of @Johnny Utah
There's still a few items that need to be addressed before it becomes the new fair weather daily driver:
Swap Clutch release cylinder. Bleed 'em.Adjust fuel float in carb. We were overzealous in our previous adjustment.Fuel Level sender. On order.Heater valve. On order.Driver window function. Parts on order.- Rebuild Knuckles
- New Brakes. Bleed 'em.
- Adjust E-brake
New tires. Installed.
- Long list of heater/vac hoses that could use some updating.
Rear lift gate stays (gas struts.)Wipers.Front Bumper(Donated by Telly)- Sand clear coat, apply poppy's patina.
- Rust mitigation.
- Passenger seat belt (Clean, service, or replace.).
- It needs a cup holder(s)
- It could use a radio with the bluetooths.
- The list continues...
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Funnest vehicle I've ever owned, too! Happy to help you sort the truck in any way that I can. Congratulations.
![IMG_3675[1].JPG](https://risingsun4x4club.org/xf/data/attachments/129/129265-9b5a39eb9e38cc97fbe73567564e66c3.jpg?hash=g8DHDIbFMO "IMG_3675[1].JPG")
![IMG_3676[1].JPG](https://risingsun4x4club.org/xf/data/attachments/129/129266-3ef3d4c5e30c42a25536833dd88f7d1e.jpg?hash=qvjxY6H7FJ "IMG_3676[1].JPG")
