Hi All.... I purchased a 1994 FZJ80 back in the end of November. Its been sitting for about 4 years though the previous owner did start it up and move it around once a month or so. He started to gather parts to fix it up and then a tree branch fell on the hood as it sat behind his Dads garage. He picked up a hood and mounted it up and put in a new radiator and core support and thats as far as he got.
This LC has had alot of work done to it at the Toyota dealership over the years as I have a folder of receipts about an inch thick. Its had 3 owners before me though the guy I bought it from didnt put too many miles on it. The 2nd owner over heated it and the dealership put a new head gasket on it and rebuilt the entire cylinder head and replaced various other parts at 98K. Then at about 99K the motor developed a rod knock so the dealership rebuilt the entire motor (except cylinder head). They bored the block and put in first oversize pistons, new rods, main bearings, cam, everything pretty much. Then the guy sold it to the guy I bought it from with about 105K on it. It now sits with 149K on it with basically a brand new motor that only has 49K on it. It sounds like a swiss watch.
It has factory lockers too, I knew as soon as I heard the story on it I had to have it . Its my first LC too but not my first Toyota. I've had a Tundra and a few 4Runners over the years and they all served me well.
Overall its in good shape and the previous owner gave me a bunch of spare parts too. 2 knuckle rebuild kits, wheel bearings, toyota oe brake lines, rear brake caliper, factory tool kit and a few other goodies. I bought both toyota shop manuals too and they have already paid for themselves. I think they are a must when working on the LC.
So far I've replaced almost all of the brake lines and one drivers side rear caliper. The brakes have had their challenges and its been a learning experience for me especially with the LSPV and how important it is to bleed that after bleeding each wheel. As you can see by the pics the LC was in pretty rough cosmetic shape when I picked her up.
Ive done alot of scrubbing, sanding, painting and polishing both inside and out to get her to look half way decent. Still have a ways to go but making some progress. I just ordered a new complete exhaust with new O2 sensors and all.
spent alot of time on the hood. previous owner had put waaaaay to much bondo in it and with the help of my friend we were able to get it looking pretty good. I used ALL METAL to fill a few dents and dings across the front lip then a coat of evercoat filler and finally some two part spot putty with etching primer on all bare metal and then some filler primer and lots of sanding. Doing this one hood gave me a whole new respect for body guys. This is white which is easy, couldnt imagine doing a black LC.
Did two coats of base and two coats of clear. I hope it comes out OK after final sanding and rub out. Definately better then it was.
Taking care of various rust spots and door dings and stone chips that turned into little rust spots too
All wet sanded and blended. Hit it with some triple cut and finesse it and it turned out pretty good.
Interior is in good shape. Unfortunately both driver and passenger foot well carpets were soaked as the sunroof drains were plugged as well as the windshield had a leak at the upper corner which I fixed. I pealed up carpet and let a blower run on it for 3-4 days and was able to get all the backing and everything dried up pretty good. Now I just need to give the carpets a good cleaning. This summer I will probably take it all out and replace with new.
I love how this paint and clearcoat clean up. I want the whole truck to look this good eventually.
Things I still have to do are the complete exhaust, replace the rear window (see my other post on that debacle!
)
I currently have the center console out of it and am working on freeing up the H to L shift lever linkage as that lever will not budge.
Finish tweaking the brakes.
All the windows are pretty slow too. Going to have to pop a door panel off and see whats going on in there and then address each window.
I think the ignition switch might need replaced as I cannot get the radio to come on in "ACC" mode unless I have the key in exactly the right position and then when the LC is running I cant get the radio, clock to come on at all. So something to figure out there.
Put the grill, turn signals and front valance in. I also installed a new hood release cable but the hood will not release. I have to prop the release up with a stick and then push down on the hood and it'll release. I've cleaned and lubed the hood latch a couple times but cant quite get it yet.
So all in all nothing too major. I am really looking forward to getting it back on the road. I did put it up for sale a couple weeks ago as is but then decided that it was better to see the project thru to the end and enjoy driving it for many miles to come. I know this summer I'm going to go over the whole underneath and detail that all out so it doesnt have any rust on it at all. Well Ive rambled long enough...time for a beer and some
This LC has had alot of work done to it at the Toyota dealership over the years as I have a folder of receipts about an inch thick. Its had 3 owners before me though the guy I bought it from didnt put too many miles on it. The 2nd owner over heated it and the dealership put a new head gasket on it and rebuilt the entire cylinder head and replaced various other parts at 98K. Then at about 99K the motor developed a rod knock so the dealership rebuilt the entire motor (except cylinder head). They bored the block and put in first oversize pistons, new rods, main bearings, cam, everything pretty much. Then the guy sold it to the guy I bought it from with about 105K on it. It now sits with 149K on it with basically a brand new motor that only has 49K on it. It sounds like a swiss watch.
It has factory lockers too, I knew as soon as I heard the story on it I had to have it . Its my first LC too but not my first Toyota. I've had a Tundra and a few 4Runners over the years and they all served me well.
Overall its in good shape and the previous owner gave me a bunch of spare parts too. 2 knuckle rebuild kits, wheel bearings, toyota oe brake lines, rear brake caliper, factory tool kit and a few other goodies. I bought both toyota shop manuals too and they have already paid for themselves. I think they are a must when working on the LC.
So far I've replaced almost all of the brake lines and one drivers side rear caliper. The brakes have had their challenges and its been a learning experience for me especially with the LSPV and how important it is to bleed that after bleeding each wheel. As you can see by the pics the LC was in pretty rough cosmetic shape when I picked her up.
Ive done alot of scrubbing, sanding, painting and polishing both inside and out to get her to look half way decent. Still have a ways to go but making some progress. I just ordered a new complete exhaust with new O2 sensors and all.
spent alot of time on the hood. previous owner had put waaaaay to much bondo in it and with the help of my friend we were able to get it looking pretty good. I used ALL METAL to fill a few dents and dings across the front lip then a coat of evercoat filler and finally some two part spot putty with etching primer on all bare metal and then some filler primer and lots of sanding. Doing this one hood gave me a whole new respect for body guys. This is white which is easy, couldnt imagine doing a black LC.
Did two coats of base and two coats of clear. I hope it comes out OK after final sanding and rub out. Definately better then it was.
Taking care of various rust spots and door dings and stone chips that turned into little rust spots too
All wet sanded and blended. Hit it with some triple cut and finesse it and it turned out pretty good.
Interior is in good shape. Unfortunately both driver and passenger foot well carpets were soaked as the sunroof drains were plugged as well as the windshield had a leak at the upper corner which I fixed. I pealed up carpet and let a blower run on it for 3-4 days and was able to get all the backing and everything dried up pretty good. Now I just need to give the carpets a good cleaning. This summer I will probably take it all out and replace with new.
I love how this paint and clearcoat clean up. I want the whole truck to look this good eventually.
Things I still have to do are the complete exhaust, replace the rear window (see my other post on that debacle!
)I currently have the center console out of it and am working on freeing up the H to L shift lever linkage as that lever will not budge.
Finish tweaking the brakes.
All the windows are pretty slow too. Going to have to pop a door panel off and see whats going on in there and then address each window.
I think the ignition switch might need replaced as I cannot get the radio to come on in "ACC" mode unless I have the key in exactly the right position and then when the LC is running I cant get the radio, clock to come on at all. So something to figure out there.
Put the grill, turn signals and front valance in. I also installed a new hood release cable but the hood will not release. I have to prop the release up with a stick and then push down on the hood and it'll release. I've cleaned and lubed the hood latch a couple times but cant quite get it yet.
So all in all nothing too major. I am really looking forward to getting it back on the road. I did put it up for sale a couple weeks ago as is but then decided that it was better to see the project thru to the end and enjoy driving it for many miles to come. I know this summer I'm going to go over the whole underneath and detail that all out so it doesnt have any rust on it at all. Well Ive rambled long enough...time for a beer and some
