View Full Version : Ridgerunners's '97 FZJ80
RidgeRunner
November 23rd, 2014, 01:02 PM
As much as I loved my '87 4Runner, it just wasn't cutting it for a family of 4. Not enough interior space and not really enjoyable to drive around town, but it was a beast offroad. Decided it was time to move on to something more family friendly so I sold the 4Runner last month and started looking for an 80 series Landcruiser. I briefly considered a Land Rover Discovery II but reliability seemed to be an issue so I stuck with the Landcruiser, which is what I really wanted.
I started looking for a '95-'97 with factory lockers and preferably under 200k on the clock. Mileage wasn't a huge concern as the 1FZ-FE motors are fairly reliable. Finally came across one I really liked on Friday and was able to talk the price down to what I was comfortable paying.
The new rig: bone stock 1997 Landcruiser, 205k miles & factory lockers, leather, and 3rd row seats.
http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss16/ridgerunnerxj/D70801C8-CECC-4DB0-AF3F-01206614E9AD.jpg (http://s557.photobucket.com/user/ridgerunnerxj/media/D70801C8-CECC-4DB0-AF3F-01206614E9AD.jpg.html)
http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss16/ridgerunnerxj/F83C711A-D19B-4842-8F42-29D41E729EF1.jpg (http://s557.photobucket.com/user/ridgerunnerxj/media/F83C711A-D19B-4842-8F42-29D41E729EF1.jpg.html)
http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss16/ridgerunnerxj/F6500544-6CD2-4755-B67D-F65B682FBC46.jpg (http://s557.photobucket.com/user/ridgerunnerxj/media/F6500544-6CD2-4755-B67D-F65B682FBC46.jpg.html)
http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss16/ridgerunnerxj/3F0A9A60-4B43-40FF-A4A4-4C4D35A00366.jpg (http://s557.photobucket.com/user/ridgerunnerxj/media/3F0A9A60-4B43-40FF-A4A4-4C4D35A00366.jpg.html)
http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss16/ridgerunnerxj/139A3E4F-1A3D-4550-8912-07D6172841EC.jpg (http://s557.photobucket.com/user/ridgerunnerxj/media/139A3E4F-1A3D-4550-8912-07D6172841EC.jpg.html)
http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss16/ridgerunnerxj/9324AAB2-23A1-41D3-96B3-558F412DC9B6.jpg (http://s557.photobucket.com/user/ridgerunnerxj/media/9324AAB2-23A1-41D3-96B3-558F412DC9B6.jpg.html)
It has a few minor mechanical problems but runs super smooth and drives very nice. It looks like it has the typical oil pump cover leak which I've already ordered OEM parts to repair. The airbag light is on, a scan indicated that it's the clockspring so I'll be ordering one of those as well. I used to do airbag work so changing it out won't be a problem.
I spend yesterday giving it a once over and tune-up, front brakes, a good interior cleaning, and replacing a few burnt out bulbs.
Immediate plans are used 285/75-16 tires from Joe (Zukrider) and drive it. This winter I plan on removing the running boards, building sliders, front winch bumper, and possibly a rear bumper. As soon as money allows I'll pick up an Old Man Emu 2" lift.
RidgeRunner
November 23rd, 2014, 01:07 PM
My first "mod" was to repair a floppy passenger side mirror. A quick google search found this to be a common problem. I pulled the mirror and used JB Plastic Repair to rebuild the mount.
Broken tab:
http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss16/ridgerunnerxj/B2EB5F0A-1D87-4A5D-81FC-8EAB4CA19B3A.jpg (http://s557.photobucket.com/user/ridgerunnerxj/media/B2EB5F0A-1D87-4A5D-81FC-8EAB4CA19B3A.jpg.html)
JB Weld applied:
http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss16/ridgerunnerxj/FBEB4829-B9DD-428D-AC66-308157DC553A.jpg (http://s557.photobucket.com/user/ridgerunnerxj/media/FBEB4829-B9DD-428D-AC66-308157DC553A.jpg.html)
Cleaned up and slotted:
http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss16/ridgerunnerxj/F806AD08-3350-4F2F-9378-0901D12811DE.jpg (http://s557.photobucket.com/user/ridgerunnerxj/media/F806AD08-3350-4F2F-9378-0901D12811DE.jpg.html)
Worked like a charm.
Patrolman
November 23rd, 2014, 02:33 PM
Looks like a decent clean rig with some minor things you can repair/improve upon. Congrats on the find!
javaman34
November 23rd, 2014, 02:38 PM
Looks good, now to get out the gremlins out of it.
Chris
November 23rd, 2014, 02:46 PM
Congrats Dave, looks really nice and will look even better when you do the mods.
tmleadr03
November 23rd, 2014, 04:51 PM
Both my mirrors do the wobble. I am starting to get used to it. One of these days I will get around to doing something about it... Maybe... LOL
Oh, and from experience with a 2 in lift on mine and 33 in tires. That tow hitch will drag all over everything in the mountains. I want a rear bumper almost as much as I want a set of ATKO2s.
Haku
November 23rd, 2014, 06:48 PM
Sweet....there are some days where I consider selling my Crawler and "Stockish" rigs and getting an FJ80 or similar too. They really don't take much to get them fully wheeling capable. I know Dave Nay fit 37's under his with only a 3" lift supposedly.
Let us know if you want to go try and get that thing stuck in the snow knock those running boards off on Chinaman's or something.
RidgeRunner
November 23rd, 2014, 07:12 PM
I know Dave Nay fit 37's under his with only a 3" lift supposedly
I remember his rig on Chinamans, that thing was mean. I need to get out at some point and try it out.
That tow hitch will drag all over everything in the mountains
I've been thinking that one over, the receiver just looks like a land anchor back there. I wonder if I can flip it and flush it into a rear bumper. I need to pull the bumper and see what is behind it.
Haku
November 23rd, 2014, 08:45 PM
I've been thinking that one over, the receiver just looks like a land anchor back there. I wonder if I can flip it and flush it into a rear bumper. I need to pull the bumper and see what is behind it.
Just do this....I think that will fix that problem nicely :P
http://www.risingsun4x4club.org/forum2/attachment.php?attachmentid=11997&stc=1&d=1234806345
In all seriousness though....it appears that there is a large bumper beam behind the plastic bumper that you can modify with a hitch. I'd want to add some metal in to strengthen it, but that shouldn't be too hard I don't think. Here is a pic...
http://greg-catherine.smugmug.com/Trucks/The-Lexus-LX450/P9100483-Medium/1002365883_Goins-M.jpg
It looks like the rear frame butts right up to that bumper beam too, so maybe just cutting it off and adding a nice burly piece of rectangular tubing on with the capacity to mount a hitch into.
http://www.4x4grace.com/Coppermine/albums/userpics/10001/normal_bumper08.JPG
Chris
November 23rd, 2014, 09:18 PM
Here you go, this is what's on my son's truck.
Brucker
November 24th, 2014, 08:28 PM
Congrats on the purchase! Should be a fun build.
Haku
November 24th, 2014, 08:36 PM
This one from DC Fabrication looks really nice, though its a bit expensive. Looks strong and protects everything it needs to, but is still super low profile...
http://www.dcfabrication.com/gallery/landcruiser/_MG_8013.jpg
http://www.dcfabrication.com/gallery/landcruiser/_MG_8045.jpg
http://www.dcfabrication.com/fj80_armor.html
tmleadr03
November 25th, 2014, 09:20 AM
I remember his rig on Chinamans, that thing was mean. I need to get out at some point and try it out.
I've been thinking that one over, the receiver just looks like a land anchor back there. I wonder if I can flip it and flush it into a rear bumper. I need to pull the bumper and see what is behind it.
If you look right about the hitch you can see four holes (you can on mine). Those line up with a pintle hitch mounting plate. Maybe something else but I have a pintle hitch for my trailers.
http://i.imgur.com/n1G8m2B.jpg
Patrolman
November 25th, 2014, 08:20 PM
Yep, that 4 bolt pattern was popular on vehicles that were sold in 3rd world countries. Cruisers, Rovers, Montero, Trooper, Patrol, etc. I have a couple different variants of that hitch. One of them is a pintle with a ball similar to this, which is super handy:
http://www.amazon.com/Reese-Towpower-74116-Ball-Pintle/dp/B001IH8ONY/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1416968367&sr=8-9&keywords=pintle+hitch
RidgeRunner
November 26th, 2014, 07:57 AM
Thanks for the pics and ideas guys. There is definitely a lot of sweet armor out there for the 80 series but they are sure proud of it. My build order will be sliders, front bumper, then rear bumper.
I picked up 4 - 285/75-16 Goodyear Duratracs from Joe last night. They sure look good on the truck and fill the wheel wells nicely but now it would look better with a lift on it.
Jeff - I like the idea of that combo pintle/2" ball hitch. I'll have to google the towing capacity of that mount. I thought I read someplace that they were rated to tow with a pintle bolted there in other markets but not in the states.
Haku
November 26th, 2014, 12:46 PM
Jeff - I like the idea of that combo pintle/2" ball hitch. I'll have to google the towing capacity of that mount. I thought I read someplace that they were rated to tow with a pintle bolted there in other markets but not in the states.
Not sure if you are talking about the bumper beam or the pintle hitch but as long as you get the right one the hitch part has plenty of capacity. I towed a 10,000 lb. generator with one that was bolted to a hitch receiver last winter. The mounting point on the bumper is likely the weak point of that setup, but for towing a camper or similar I'm sure it will be fine.
RidgeRunner
December 7th, 2014, 03:07 PM
Got some work done this weekend. I removed the running boards on Friday and picked up some steel to build sliders. You can also see the tires I picked up from Joe.
All 3/16" wall tube with a 1/2" skid plate for the cats. Just need to clean them up for paint then weld them on.
http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss16/ridgerunnerxj/46A251CC-5269-4295-A5F9-B69814FBF606.jpg (http://s557.photobucket.com/user/ridgerunnerxj/media/46A251CC-5269-4295-A5F9-B69814FBF606.jpg.html)
http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss16/ridgerunnerxj/3CBC8B35-FA6B-4930-9FE0-6A063C54C72D.jpg (http://s557.photobucket.com/user/ridgerunnerxj/media/3CBC8B35-FA6B-4930-9FE0-6A063C54C72D.jpg.html)
http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss16/ridgerunnerxj/EA9FDCCF-B84B-4254-9A33-064E2AF3862A.jpg (http://s557.photobucket.com/user/ridgerunnerxj/media/EA9FDCCF-B84B-4254-9A33-064E2AF3862A.jpg.html)
Now I can go wheel it without worrying about the rockers.
Next up is a front bumper, I really like the one this guy built: http://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/new-bumpers-and-sliders.547937/ so I'll probably shoot for something close. It will probably take a while with Christmas coming up and it's not really a necessity right now.
I fixed the check engine light which was for the EGR VSV. This thread was very helpful: http://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/egr-vsv-success-on-my-lx450-fj80.607811/
Then I pulled the drivers airbag to take a look at the clock spring. Both of the airbag codes were problems with the drivers side. Found both wires to the airbag broken and 2 of the 3 wires for the cruise control broken. Looks like I'll be ordering a new clock spring soon. The cruise will have to wait, it a $160 part and not critical.
Patrolman
December 7th, 2014, 06:31 PM
Glad that you are making progress and that the issues thus far have been relatively simple.
Chris
December 7th, 2014, 07:58 PM
Looking good, keep plugging way Dave. :thumb:
MultiScuf
December 8th, 2014, 12:27 AM
Its looking good.
RidgeRunner
December 25th, 2014, 07:38 PM
For the front bumper, I found a design that I liked then laid it out in CAD mainly to get an accurate shape for the side plates but also to have a good idea of where I was heading. Last weekend I started mocking up the center section with cardboard:
http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss16/ridgerunnerxj/FZJ80/FD9DED12-CDAB-486A-91C3-17E9CD55428F.jpg (http://s557.photobucket.com/user/ridgerunnerxj/media/FZJ80/FD9DED12-CDAB-486A-91C3-17E9CD55428F.jpg.html)
http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss16/ridgerunnerxj/FZJ80/833C09AF-76D8-47E1-BB8F-824DE6BF51A9.jpg (http://s557.photobucket.com/user/ridgerunnerxj/media/FZJ80/833C09AF-76D8-47E1-BB8F-824DE6BF51A9.jpg.html)
http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss16/ridgerunnerxj/FZJ80/D80EFAAD-9D95-4C82-B996-FB8CE24BC252.jpg (http://s557.photobucket.com/user/ridgerunnerxj/media/FZJ80/D80EFAAD-9D95-4C82-B996-FB8CE24BC252.jpg.html)
http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss16/ridgerunnerxj/FZJ80/4BFE1ABD-15CA-4805-B634-539D26EC967E.jpg (http://s557.photobucket.com/user/ridgerunnerxj/media/FZJ80/4BFE1ABD-15CA-4805-B634-539D26EC967E.jpg.html)
RidgeRunner
December 25th, 2014, 07:47 PM
After I made a few tweaks to the templates, I started cutting steel. Most of the center section will be 1/4" plate. I'll be attaching it to the frame with 5 bolts on each side: 2 in the bottom plate, 2 in the side plate, and one in a tab on top of the frame. Fortunately there are already weld nuts in the frame.
Side plates:
http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss16/ridgerunnerxj/FZJ80/035D416A-22A8-4202-AE7A-E9E1B4956505.jpg (http://s557.photobucket.com/user/ridgerunnerxj/media/FZJ80/035D416A-22A8-4202-AE7A-E9E1B4956505.jpg.html)
I'll be adding another layer of 1/4" on each side of the D ring tab once I have the center and wings tacked on, so that it will be 3/4" thick.
Started tacking it together:
http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss16/ridgerunnerxj/FZJ80/C585A10B-EC08-4274-BD33-9683E718A43D.jpg (http://s557.photobucket.com/user/ridgerunnerxj/media/FZJ80/C585A10B-EC08-4274-BD33-9683E718A43D.jpg.html)
Put holes in the bottom plates for winch bolt access:
http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss16/ridgerunnerxj/FZJ80/99D26088-BF33-41D8-8865-A64E4076A20F.jpg (http://s557.photobucket.com/user/ridgerunnerxj/media/FZJ80/99D26088-BF33-41D8-8865-A64E4076A20F.jpg.html)
http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss16/ridgerunnerxj/FZJ80/7BFEEE27-533C-4FDF-B2D9-6FF4B94161E1.jpg (http://s557.photobucket.com/user/ridgerunnerxj/media/FZJ80/7BFEEE27-533C-4FDF-B2D9-6FF4B94161E1.jpg.html)
http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss16/ridgerunnerxj/FZJ80/FE686ED1-DFD0-4BF3-8C21-7C5CB3683CA8.jpg (http://s557.photobucket.com/user/ridgerunnerxj/media/FZJ80/FE686ED1-DFD0-4BF3-8C21-7C5CB3683CA8.jpg.html)
Added the winch platform inside, still need to add some bracing:
http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss16/ridgerunnerxj/FZJ80/1AE9DF19-59EE-427C-973E-BFE8E9B4F904.jpg (http://s557.photobucket.com/user/ridgerunnerxj/media/FZJ80/1AE9DF19-59EE-427C-973E-BFE8E9B4F904.jpg.html)
http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss16/ridgerunnerxj/FZJ80/FF34E507-EB10-4D5F-9E6E-896C2E152364.jpg (http://s557.photobucket.com/user/ridgerunnerxj/media/FZJ80/FF34E507-EB10-4D5F-9E6E-896C2E152364.jpg.html)
RidgeRunner
December 25th, 2014, 07:53 PM
Ran into a snag that I didn't think about. I was planning on recessing the fairlead about 1.5" but It might end up too high. The line in the pic is where the top of the bottom roller will end up. It doesn't quite line up with where to cable will come off the spool, the cable will need to go up ~1'. Anybody see an issue with this? My alternatives are to raise the winch, which I really don't have room to do, or lower the fairlead which will put it below the bottom of the front panel of the bumper where it will be a rock magnet.
http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss16/ridgerunnerxj/FZJ80/4DC78802-93A4-4389-B1A5-029BB00E5E7C.jpg (http://s557.photobucket.com/user/ridgerunnerxj/media/FZJ80/4DC78802-93A4-4389-B1A5-029BB00E5E7C.jpg.html)
Patrolman
December 25th, 2014, 09:46 PM
The only issue I see with the design is that when you are pulling a hard load, there will be downward pressure on the roller, which could strain the bolts for the fairlead. The typical design where the fairlead lines up with the cable doesn't put near the force the fairlead whether up/down/sideways.
I think the risk is minimal though that anything would happen. There is even an Aussie company that sells an offset fairlead for issues such as this.
Brucker
December 27th, 2014, 01:34 AM
The only issue I see with the design is that when you are pulling a hard load, there will be downward pressure on the roller, which could strain the bolts for the fairlead. The typical design where the fairlead lines up with the cable doesn't put near the force the fairlead whether up/down/sideways.
I think the risk is minimal though that anything would happen. There is even an Aussie company that sells an offset fairlead for issues such as this.
What Jeff says. Basically it should be fine, but you are adding in an unneeded load and the stresses that are involved with that. In time it will lead to "early" failure, but probably not quick enough to matter.
So why did you need the cardboard templates after working in CAD? Seems like an extra unnecessary and time consuming step if you already have a CAD file made. Not ragging on the mockup technique, I usually do the exact opposite when fabbing on the fly. I mock things up quickly with cardboard/construction paper, then use them for measurements when creating a Solidworks file. From there I can tweak things, save for future reference, and/or load into my CAM software and then cut on one of the CNC's. Were you working only in a 2D program or something?
RidgeRunner
December 27th, 2014, 11:27 AM
So why did you need the cardboard templates after working in CAD?
I guess I didn't trust that what I had drawn would actually fit. I took some measurements of the body based on the front of the frame and I wanted to make sure that it was gonna fit the way I wanted it to before I spent the time cutting plate. This is my first time fabbing a plate style bumper from scratch.
I was working in AutoCAD 15 LT, that's what I use at work (we only work in 2d), and it's on my work laptop which I can bring home. I could get on the 3d version at the office after hours but I'm not really proficient with it as I don't use it regularly.
Drawing it gave me an idea of what it would look like in front, side, top, & bottom views but unfortunately it takes a lot of extra work to get a useable template/size of pieces that are not parallel with the view planes.
I went ahead and located the fairlead like a wanted to, we'll see how it works out. I'm headed to the garage in a bit to bolt what I have so far back on the Cruiser to see if I can raise the winch at all. Then I'll start working on the sides.
RidgeRunner
December 28th, 2014, 08:40 AM
Made some good progress yesterday. Got the sides tacked in place and a template made for the top plate. I ran out of 3/16" plate so I need to get some more to finish the top as well as some 2" strap for the bottom of the sides. I'll probably also add a couple if inner braces to the sides once the top and bottom plates are in place.
http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss16/ridgerunnerxj/FZJ80/1B79A8D2-38AB-4B72-A055-BBD03ADE7BA7.jpg (http://s557.photobucket.com/user/ridgerunnerxj/media/FZJ80/1B79A8D2-38AB-4B72-A055-BBD03ADE7BA7.jpg.html)
http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss16/ridgerunnerxj/FZJ80/FF95053E-22FA-4504-B3BD-E38797976EA2.jpg (http://s557.photobucket.com/user/ridgerunnerxj/media/FZJ80/FF95053E-22FA-4504-B3BD-E38797976EA2.jpg.html)
http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss16/ridgerunnerxj/FZJ80/E14732DC-384A-4AF9-962F-27203D4534FF.jpg (http://s557.photobucket.com/user/ridgerunnerxj/media/FZJ80/E14732DC-384A-4AF9-962F-27203D4534FF.jpg.html)
http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss16/ridgerunnerxj/FZJ80/021A4392-9B75-4666-A594-DADCC21AA7E4.jpg (http://s557.photobucket.com/user/ridgerunnerxj/media/FZJ80/021A4392-9B75-4666-A594-DADCC21AA7E4.jpg.html)
http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss16/ridgerunnerxj/FZJ80/A78BB964-ED42-47DB-97D7-5A39E6FDD236.jpg (http://s557.photobucket.com/user/ridgerunnerxj/media/FZJ80/A78BB964-ED42-47DB-97D7-5A39E6FDD236.jpg.html)
Added a tab to bolt to the top of the frame
http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss16/ridgerunnerxj/FZJ80/A1F64F7D-C6A1-4C58-A3F9-A1422B877FD3.jpg (http://s557.photobucket.com/user/ridgerunnerxj/media/FZJ80/A1F64F7D-C6A1-4C58-A3F9-A1422B877FD3.jpg.html)
Recessed the fairlead a little bit
http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss16/ridgerunnerxj/FZJ80/33A2CC8B-620C-4672-A5BE-6E261BCEE49D.jpg (http://s557.photobucket.com/user/ridgerunnerxj/media/FZJ80/33A2CC8B-620C-4672-A5BE-6E261BCEE49D.jpg.html)
Hoping to get some more plate this week but I'll be our of town next weekend so work will slow for a bit.
Patrolman
December 28th, 2014, 10:23 AM
Looks great!
RidgeRunner
February 12th, 2015, 07:18 PM
Quick update, pics to come this weekend. I finally got the bumper done and installed with the winch, and relocated the winch control to under the hood. At some point I'll wire up an in-cab winch control. I ordered a set of 30mm spacers from Man-a-Fre as a poor mans lift until I can get a 2" kit. I'm just going to install the front for now and see how it looks. The pumper is heavy, 103 lbs without the winch, and it lowered the front a little bit. I'll do the rears after I do a rear bumper. I'm also going to do the "Auto Up" mod for the drivers window so it will have the second click and go all the way up without having to hold it.
Other to-do list:
- Rebuild front knuckles
- Replace front main seal and oil pump gasket
I have the parts for both, just need the time. And to add to it, one of my best friends just bought a locked '97 LX450 that needs the same work. I for see side by side axle rebuilds in my future.
RidgeRunner
February 15th, 2015, 04:08 PM
Ok, so finally a couple of updated pics.
With front bumper and 30mm front coil spacers:
http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss16/ridgerunnerxj/FZJ80/1EF945B8-4B4E-49EF-988F-1CF1830607DE.jpg (http://s557.photobucket.com/user/ridgerunnerxj/media/FZJ80/1EF945B8-4B4E-49EF-988F-1CF1830607DE.jpg.html)
http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss16/ridgerunnerxj/FZJ80/3F8D1785-3C95-4853-B86F-685384C06830.jpg (http://s557.photobucket.com/user/ridgerunnerxj/media/FZJ80/3F8D1785-3C95-4853-B86F-685384C06830.jpg.html)
I like the stance and will wait to add the rear spacers until after I do a rear bumper.
I noticed that the vents on the passenger front brake rotor were full of dried mud. Had to use a cordless drill and old drill bit to clean it all out.
http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss16/ridgerunnerxj/FZJ80/219AA5A2-F143-489D-8D7C-B70B4B4B382D.jpg (http://s557.photobucket.com/user/ridgerunnerxj/media/FZJ80/219AA5A2-F143-489D-8D7C-B70B4B4B382D.jpg.html)
I also had to change out a leaking power steering line, and I degreased the motor so I can start tracking down the oil leaks and actually see where they are coming from.
Patrolman
February 15th, 2015, 05:01 PM
That was a lot of dirt! Think it has been offroad at all?
RidgeRunner
February 15th, 2015, 05:10 PM
I does have some signs of being offroad. I noticed some gouges in the tranny cross member and t-case skid plate like it might have been high centered at some point. I doubt it was ever seriously wheeled, but you never know. It was just the passenger front rotor that was full of mud, drivers side was fine.
I really don't know any history on it. I bought it "as is" from a Toyota dealer that took it in on trade, it didn't pass their inspections and they were going to wholesale it. I felt like I got a good enough deal on it that I didn't even bother with a carfax.
Patrolman
February 15th, 2015, 07:18 PM
Yeah, sometimes you take it how it is if the deal is good!
RidgeRunner
February 15th, 2015, 07:24 PM
Yup, it helped that they handed me the list of problems that their service department found, so I had a pretty good idea of what needed to be done. Luckily, I found that some of it was overstated, and a lot of it was neglected routine maintenance that I'd be doing on any vehicle of that age.
Brucker
February 20th, 2015, 12:54 PM
Looking good!
RidgeRunner
February 6th, 2016, 08:04 PM
Long overdue update here. I haven't been active much lately due to other commitments but am looking forward to hopefully getting out more in the next wheeling season. I noticed that a bunch of pics on the first page aren't showing up which is strange as they are still on photobucket.
Since my last post I have completed more routine maintenance including a rebuild of the front axle/knuckles, replaced the oil pump cover gasket & front main seal, new distributor shaft o-ring, a few new vacuum lines, new PCV valve and hoses, & new radiator (due to me breaking the old one while working on the oil pump). Yeah, expensive OOPS!
We headed out on a camping trip last summer with a borrowed pop-up trailer.
http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss16/ridgerunnerxj/FZJ80/EAC0089E-E7DE-41D1-9CB4-6963A5A71901.jpg (http://s557.photobucket.com/user/ridgerunnerxj/media/FZJ80/EAC0089E-E7DE-41D1-9CB4-6963A5A71901.jpg.html)
During that trip the Cruiser ran way hot with the trailer and I ended up having to have a friend pull it home. It ran fine for the rest of the summer round town in traffic with the AC on full blast, but then I continued to have an overheating problem while pulling I-70 during hunting season. In attempt to remedy that I've done: a new fan clutch, water pump, radiator cap, & thermostat. All OEM Toyota. The only opportunity I've had to test the result was towing my old Subi home from my parents in Aurora last weekend and it ran fine but I really won't know until it gets hot out.
http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss16/ridgerunnerxj/FZJ80/BD86ABF3-E626-4A91-85DC-4A212220FF0E.jpg (http://s557.photobucket.com/user/ridgerunnerxj/media/FZJ80/BD86ABF3-E626-4A91-85DC-4A212220FF0E.jpg.html)
More to come.....
Chris
February 6th, 2016, 08:20 PM
Long overdue update here.
http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss16/ridgerunnerxj/FZJ80/BD86ABF3-E626-4A91-85DC-4A212220FF0E.jpg (http://s557.photobucket.com/user/ridgerunnerxj/media/FZJ80/BD86ABF3-E626-4A91-85DC-4A212220FF0E.jpg.html)
More to come.....
Nice Dave, the buildings in the background sure look familiar!
(Dave's parent's live where I do - I feel old when realizing I'm the same age og most of your parents/grandparents. :lmao:
RidgeRunner
February 6th, 2016, 08:24 PM
On to the new mods....
I picked up a set of Old Man Emu Medium duty 2" lift springs from Brandtrbs, and finally got some FOX 2.0 IFP shocks to go with them late last summer. I also picked up some castor correction bushings and stainless brake lines from Slee Offroad.
http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss16/ridgerunnerxj/FZJ80/B8B42506-898B-4931-816A-34DC97DC6A74.jpg (http://s557.photobucket.com/user/ridgerunnerxj/media/FZJ80/B8B42506-898B-4931-816A-34DC97DC6A74.jpg.html)
http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss16/ridgerunnerxj/FZJ80/3AB28C13-FB08-4FCE-8ABE-70629E2CEF84.jpg (http://s557.photobucket.com/user/ridgerunnerxj/media/FZJ80/3AB28C13-FB08-4FCE-8ABE-70629E2CEF84.jpg.html)
Before with 30mm spacers up front:
http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss16/ridgerunnerxj/FZJ80/1EF945B8-4B4E-49EF-988F-1CF1830607DE.jpg (http://s557.photobucket.com/user/ridgerunnerxj/media/FZJ80/1EF945B8-4B4E-49EF-988F-1CF1830607DE.jpg.html)
After w/ same spacers up front:
http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss16/ridgerunnerxj/FZJ80/44196128-3A60-46AE-9D7A-37F3697D4BF6.jpg (http://s557.photobucket.com/user/ridgerunnerxj/media/FZJ80/44196128-3A60-46AE-9D7A-37F3697D4BF6.jpg.html)
A friend of mine that works at a machine shop also custom milled me some aluminum front and rear bump stop spacers. I wish I had taken some pics of them before they went it because they looked cool.
I also picked up some new shoes right after Christmas, another set of 285/75-16 Duratracs:
http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss16/ridgerunnerxj/FZJ80/1ADFB1E5-8ED6-409D-AB70-9746EA66386A.jpg (http://s557.photobucket.com/user/ridgerunnerxj/media/FZJ80/1ADFB1E5-8ED6-409D-AB70-9746EA66386A.jpg.html)
Due to the lift the rear axle was pulled to the passenger side by ~3/8". I got the idea off Ih8mud to modify the rear trac bar by adding threaded tube inserts and use a 3/4" 16 x 6" grade 8 bolt as the adjuster. I got that done today.
http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss16/ridgerunnerxj/FZJ80/5B0123E0-A222-4CA9-864B-C09847FAB992.jpg (http://s557.photobucket.com/user/ridgerunnerxj/media/FZJ80/5B0123E0-A222-4CA9-864B-C09847FAB992.jpg.html)
http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss16/ridgerunnerxj/FZJ80/AFF6DFD6-29A6-482F-BCD5-3259B21ADB69.jpg (http://s557.photobucket.com/user/ridgerunnerxj/media/FZJ80/AFF6DFD6-29A6-482F-BCD5-3259B21ADB69.jpg.html)
http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss16/ridgerunnerxj/FZJ80/738F367E-FA78-45FD-A01F-F1BB37172800.jpg (http://s557.photobucket.com/user/ridgerunnerxj/media/FZJ80/738F367E-FA78-45FD-A01F-F1BB37172800.jpg.html)
RidgeRunner
February 6th, 2016, 08:31 PM
A few other pics from this last few months:
Obligatory flex shot pre-lift on OCG last summer.
http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss16/ridgerunnerxj/FZJ80/32CEE1FC-9F42-4D0D-ADFC-56D9F4788751.jpg (http://s557.photobucket.com/user/ridgerunnerxj/media/FZJ80/32CEE1FC-9F42-4D0D-ADFC-56D9F4788751.jpg.html)
Got onto a pretty nasty road during hunting season in September, doesn't look bad here but there were a few good pucker moments. The Taco in front of me didn't know he had a rear diff lock until he burred it in a mud hole and I finally asked since I saw the TRD sticker. Had to explain how to turn it on and he drove right out.
http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss16/ridgerunnerxj/FZJ80/43E506EF-56E0-4306-9617-0B17341B1A71.jpg (http://s557.photobucket.com/user/ridgerunnerxj/media/FZJ80/43E506EF-56E0-4306-9617-0B17341B1A71.jpg.html)
Top of Rollins/Corona pass in October:
http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss16/ridgerunnerxj/FZJ80/62C4E9F9-856A-4F89-AAB6-EF44C3F2E622.jpg (http://s557.photobucket.com/user/ridgerunnerxj/media/FZJ80/62C4E9F9-856A-4F89-AAB6-EF44C3F2E622.jpg.html)
That's it for now, time for some more adventures!
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