- Location
- United States
Sad day. Period. My Land Cruiser has become "toy" status, and I cannot keep the "responsible" wolves at bay any longer. I have owned this truck for eight years. In that time I have meticulously taken care of it, and upgraded it, so that it has become the best that I could make it.
Firstly, I bought it from a gentleman in Sundre, and it had 178,000kms on the odometer. It already had a full OME suspension underneath it, but was bone stock otherwise. It had the "magic diff lock" dial and was rust free. I had been looking for a very long time, as I wanted to replace my 1997 LX450, because I was not happy with its performance (power whilst towing and fuel economy whilst towing). I am a fishing guide, and routinely tow a drift boat. The hdj81 fit all my parameters, and I gave the man the money he wanted, and drove it home a happy man.
I then, over the following six years, began to research and build (I payed others to build rather) what I thought would be the best example of an 80 series Land Cruiser, with the full expectation of keeping it forever.
My initial impressions of the truck were that it was not as powerful as I had imagined it to be. My LX450 had been re-geared to 4.88, and in stock form the hdj81 was very similar. The "unobtanium" of the diesel engine had morphed me into thinking that the diesel was to be my answer to less than adequate power on grades. In effect, the bone stock hdj81 was better, but marginally so, than the 4.5l engine (and 4.88 gears) of the LX450. The fuel economy was better in the diesel. Comparison: I could get 500ishkm on a tank of diesel, and only 350ishkm on a tank of gasoline.
I sold the LX450 to fund the upgrades to the HDJ81. First I baselined everything and I had the front end all done at Pro-Active in Calgary. After many phone calls to the previous owner, I was given the receipts showing that the BEB's were previously done on the truck. I had a speed shop in Calgary fabricate a 3" mandrel bent, stainless steel exhaust from the turbo back. I did not have them attach a muffler. I also had them install a full set of gauges (water, boost, pre turbo exhaust, and transmission) to be able to monitor the truck. The alternator was showing its age, and I sourced a Denso unit, and had it replaced factory OEM. At the same time, I installed two Odyssey batteries.
Still not happy with the power, and distinctly, the lag that was occurring prior to the transmission locking up at around 80km/h. I did some more research, and knew that an upgraded valve body in the transmission was the fix. I could not find anyone in Calgary that I could trust do the mechanical work, and ended up driving the truck a province over, where I left it with the guys at ATEB. Their reputation is stellar and they gave me the confidence I needed to leave my truck in their hands. With ATEB, the truck received a new G Turbo Extreme, an air to air intercooler, new Denso injectors, the Injection Pump fully serviced, new Fuel Rod, all valves adjusted and everything tuned to purr like a Rolex watch. They also installed the Heavy Duty Extreme valve body from Wholesale Auto. in the transmission. The torque converter was beefed up also. I flew to Vancouver to pick up the truck and drove it home. HOLY CHRISTMAS! It was like driving a completely different truck. The valve body upgrade is like adding another gear, and there is no longer any lag before lock up, as it locks up in third gear now. The G turbo makes boost fast, enabling the truck to hold most any grade without downshifting, and maintaining, seemingly any speed you damn well please. The intercooler keeps EGTs down. The truck can now cruise at 110km/h at 2200rpm with 35" tires (and all the jewellery), with EGTs at 500-600 degrees F pre-turbo, and at 8-9psi boost on a flat highway (at 4500 feet above sea level). I still, to this day get 16-20mpg empty.
I had an Espar heater installed with timer/programmer. No need to plug it in, in the winter, the diesel fired coolant circulator ensures that the truck is toasty warm before you go to start it up. The programmer allows you to have the Espar fire up for up to 45minutes before you decide to leave in the morning. A pleasant offshoot of this, is the heater in the vehicle blows hot air instantly.
The truck also has this:
-ARB front bumper rhino lined
-Factory Denso Winch with factory controls
-Aluminum full size roof rack, purchased at Slee
-Slee transfer case protection
-Front and back Escape Gear seat covers in khaki
-custom rear drawer system
-Big brake upgrade (Toyota OEM parts)
-16" LX450 wheels with Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac 315/75/r16 x 5
-cocomat custom floor mats throughout
-factory Toyota snorkel
-fully functioning factory diff locks (magic dial)
-upgraded (as big as would fit) transmission cooler
-all fluids are synthetic: 5w40 Mobil Delvac @ 5000km interval with OEM filters, transmission is Allison Transynd (full 12l when I had the valve body installed) Amsoil in the diffs
-timing belt was done @ 237,819 km
I change the fuel filters every 10000kms religiously with factory OEM filters. Every fill up with diesel I used Opti religiously, but now use Archoil fuel additive. There are no leaks, nor is there any rust. I fluid film the undercarriage once a year.
I am a fishing guide, and this is the truck I use for business. It has not been "off-roaded" aggressively. The worst it has seen is goat trails, and in all honesty, mostly highway pulling a drift boat. I hate to sell her, wanting to keep it forever, as I think it is the best Land Cruiser iteration, beautifully maintained and upgraded. Alas, as a father with three dependants and a flagging economy, i'm forced to let her go. It is JDM, so right hand drive. It presently has 265000 kms, but still growing as I continue to enjoy her, before I cannot. I'm asking $25,500.00 Can funds for her, obo. It is able to be imported to the States, as it is 25yrs old.
What it needs: The heated seats no longer work, and the runners for the drivers side window are starting to stick. The clear coat on the fender flares is flaking in some spots.
I have lots of pictures, and will do everything I can to answer questions or show in pictures, in the interest of full transparency.
Firstly, I bought it from a gentleman in Sundre, and it had 178,000kms on the odometer. It already had a full OME suspension underneath it, but was bone stock otherwise. It had the "magic diff lock" dial and was rust free. I had been looking for a very long time, as I wanted to replace my 1997 LX450, because I was not happy with its performance (power whilst towing and fuel economy whilst towing). I am a fishing guide, and routinely tow a drift boat. The hdj81 fit all my parameters, and I gave the man the money he wanted, and drove it home a happy man.
I then, over the following six years, began to research and build (I payed others to build rather) what I thought would be the best example of an 80 series Land Cruiser, with the full expectation of keeping it forever.
My initial impressions of the truck were that it was not as powerful as I had imagined it to be. My LX450 had been re-geared to 4.88, and in stock form the hdj81 was very similar. The "unobtanium" of the diesel engine had morphed me into thinking that the diesel was to be my answer to less than adequate power on grades. In effect, the bone stock hdj81 was better, but marginally so, than the 4.5l engine (and 4.88 gears) of the LX450. The fuel economy was better in the diesel. Comparison: I could get 500ishkm on a tank of diesel, and only 350ishkm on a tank of gasoline.
I sold the LX450 to fund the upgrades to the HDJ81. First I baselined everything and I had the front end all done at Pro-Active in Calgary. After many phone calls to the previous owner, I was given the receipts showing that the BEB's were previously done on the truck. I had a speed shop in Calgary fabricate a 3" mandrel bent, stainless steel exhaust from the turbo back. I did not have them attach a muffler. I also had them install a full set of gauges (water, boost, pre turbo exhaust, and transmission) to be able to monitor the truck. The alternator was showing its age, and I sourced a Denso unit, and had it replaced factory OEM. At the same time, I installed two Odyssey batteries.
Still not happy with the power, and distinctly, the lag that was occurring prior to the transmission locking up at around 80km/h. I did some more research, and knew that an upgraded valve body in the transmission was the fix. I could not find anyone in Calgary that I could trust do the mechanical work, and ended up driving the truck a province over, where I left it with the guys at ATEB. Their reputation is stellar and they gave me the confidence I needed to leave my truck in their hands. With ATEB, the truck received a new G Turbo Extreme, an air to air intercooler, new Denso injectors, the Injection Pump fully serviced, new Fuel Rod, all valves adjusted and everything tuned to purr like a Rolex watch. They also installed the Heavy Duty Extreme valve body from Wholesale Auto. in the transmission. The torque converter was beefed up also. I flew to Vancouver to pick up the truck and drove it home. HOLY CHRISTMAS! It was like driving a completely different truck. The valve body upgrade is like adding another gear, and there is no longer any lag before lock up, as it locks up in third gear now. The G turbo makes boost fast, enabling the truck to hold most any grade without downshifting, and maintaining, seemingly any speed you damn well please. The intercooler keeps EGTs down. The truck can now cruise at 110km/h at 2200rpm with 35" tires (and all the jewellery), with EGTs at 500-600 degrees F pre-turbo, and at 8-9psi boost on a flat highway (at 4500 feet above sea level). I still, to this day get 16-20mpg empty.
I had an Espar heater installed with timer/programmer. No need to plug it in, in the winter, the diesel fired coolant circulator ensures that the truck is toasty warm before you go to start it up. The programmer allows you to have the Espar fire up for up to 45minutes before you decide to leave in the morning. A pleasant offshoot of this, is the heater in the vehicle blows hot air instantly.
The truck also has this:
-ARB front bumper rhino lined
-Factory Denso Winch with factory controls
-Aluminum full size roof rack, purchased at Slee
-Slee transfer case protection
-Front and back Escape Gear seat covers in khaki
-custom rear drawer system
-Big brake upgrade (Toyota OEM parts)
-16" LX450 wheels with Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac 315/75/r16 x 5
-cocomat custom floor mats throughout
-factory Toyota snorkel
-fully functioning factory diff locks (magic dial)
-upgraded (as big as would fit) transmission cooler
-all fluids are synthetic: 5w40 Mobil Delvac @ 5000km interval with OEM filters, transmission is Allison Transynd (full 12l when I had the valve body installed) Amsoil in the diffs
-timing belt was done @ 237,819 km
I change the fuel filters every 10000kms religiously with factory OEM filters. Every fill up with diesel I used Opti religiously, but now use Archoil fuel additive. There are no leaks, nor is there any rust. I fluid film the undercarriage once a year.
I am a fishing guide, and this is the truck I use for business. It has not been "off-roaded" aggressively. The worst it has seen is goat trails, and in all honesty, mostly highway pulling a drift boat. I hate to sell her, wanting to keep it forever, as I think it is the best Land Cruiser iteration, beautifully maintained and upgraded. Alas, as a father with three dependants and a flagging economy, i'm forced to let her go. It is JDM, so right hand drive. It presently has 265000 kms, but still growing as I continue to enjoy her, before I cannot. I'm asking $25,500.00 Can funds for her, obo. It is able to be imported to the States, as it is 25yrs old.
What it needs: The heated seats no longer work, and the runners for the drivers side window are starting to stick. The clear coat on the fender flares is flaking in some spots.
I have lots of pictures, and will do everything I can to answer questions or show in pictures, in the interest of full transparency.
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