Build 1995 80 Series Land Cruiser Build Thread - "Red"

[Phares]

I came across these pictures while digging through old thumb drives. It is from a camping trip in Maui back in 2008ish. I don't have a thread going in the pickup section anymore so I figured I'd add them here for your viewing pleasure. I am pulling my friends Dodge Dakota out of the mud in these pictures. We were camping on Maui's highest mountain. It was a hairy trip as there was no cell reception and it was unlikely anyone would be coming by anytime soon. It was awesome. I was reading Ernest Shakleton at the time so it was all a grand adventure.

 

[ranma21]

I came across these pictures while digging through old thumb drives. It is from a camping trip in Maui back in 2008ish. I don't have a thread going in the pickup section anymore so I figured I'd add them here for your viewing pleasure. I am pulling my friends Dodge Dakota out of the mud in these pictures. We were camping on Maui's highest mountain. It was a hairy trip as there was no cell reception and it was unlikely anyone would be coming by anytime soon. It was awesome. I was reading Ernest Shakleton at the time so it was all a grand adventure.View attachment 1545128 View attachment 1545129 View attachment 1545130 View attachment 1545132

This is my favorite Toyota Hilux pickup of all time!

 

[Phares]

Well, what I thought was an exhaust leak turned out to not be an exhaust leak. I finally got a check engine light today and on the way to the auto store something went POP some white smoke escaped around the hood and I immediately pulled into a parking spot and stopped the truck.
The problem is exactly where I said the noise was coming from but I’m waiting on a tow truck and when I get home I’ll dig into it. A picture is attached. I will link to the troubleshooting thread when I get to a desktop.
I knew something bad was coming. I’m picking up a 99 BMW M3 in the morning for a second vehicle so that I can work at a good pace on the land Cruiser.
UPDATE
The #1 cylinder spark plug came out with the plug wire on early inspection. I don't yet know the extent of the damage. With "family time" during the holidays I won't be able to dig into this until Sunday more than likely.

 

[Phares]

Spark plug ejected - need advice on repair

Found this thread using "search". It's an amazing new tool on Mud. Hopefully I can report successful completion within two weeks. I might just pull the head and do the head gasket since I have a back up vehicle now. We shall see.

Plugs and wires on order from Kurt and the guys @cruiseroutfit. Absolutely recommend them!

 

[Phares]

Over the last week I have investigated, repaired, and put back together the motor on Red. I pulled the spark plugs and inspected them. I pulled the valve cover and chased all the spark plug threads and inspected the piston heads as much as I could through the spark plug port. I inspected and checked my valves and my cam shafts. Everything checked out and I could not find anything that would have caused the number 1 spark plug to be blown from the motor.
Two theories: my spark plug wire deteriorated to the point where the spark plug was able to rattle loose. The plugs were replaced approximately 15000 miles ago by me OR I failed to torque down the number one spark plug. I tend to believe this has been completely my own fault and tend to go with Theory 2.
I installed new spark plugs and torqued them to 22 ft-lbs. I will recheck at each oil change for the next several to verify they are not coming loose. New spark plug wires were also installed.
The truck started and ran on the first crank with no noises or issues. My "Exhaust leak" has been found and corrected. I was extremely lucky that this occurred in a parking lot going 5 mph and I was able to immediately turn the motor off, though I'm not really sure what would have failed if I kept driving.
Enjoy some pictures and help me diagnose my spark plugs! They are ordered left to right 1-6. 1 is obviously discolored due to it being the culprit but 2 has an excessive amount of oil on it. All the others looked pretty good.

 

[Malleus]

Glad to know the problem wasn't more serious.

From what I can see of the valve train, I like it.

The electrodes look good to me; I have an NGK primer on electrode diagnosis somewhere. I'll post it here for you when I find it. The plug threads are likely oily because your plug gaskets are shot. I need to replace these on my '94 and both '95s; I'm still looking for a part number. It's one of those Christmas list items for @beno.

 

[CruiserMarine]

You have a good looking 80! I had a ‘95 80 for about 5 mins. I bought it sight unseen but it needed more work that I could do or had time for. What are the plans for the ‘99 M3? Anyway just want shout out to a fellow M3/ cruiser owner. Oh and if any former baseball players give you a hard time about driving a BMW, I’m pretty sure they are mostly just jealous!

 

[Phares]

You have a good looking 80! I had a ‘95 80 for about 5 mins. I bought it sight unseen but it needed more work that I could do or had time for. What are the plans for the ‘99 M3? Anyway just want shout out to a fellow M3/ cruiser owner. Oh and if any former baseball players give you a hard time about driving a BMW, I’m pretty sure they are mostly just jealous!

Thanks for the advice about baseball players. He is definitely jelly. There are no plans for the M3 short of fluids. I have big plans for the 80 next year so I need the M3 as my DD. It's crazy we have the same vehicles. Thanks for reaching out.

 

[Phares]

I’m not sure why I didn’t change these out when I replaced the plugs and wires but I took care of this today. New cap and rotor. It did seem to help with the start and seems to be running a little stronger. Might just be me though.
The cap points were pretty worn. I have no record of it ever being replaced. How often are the rotor and cap supposed to be replaced? I’ll have to check the FSM.

 

[Phares]

I got a new muffler in the mail so parts for the new exhaust are starting to show up. That'll be a project where I acquire it piece by piece slow so it may be June before that actually gets done. My power steering pump is starting to groan a little bit on full turn and has leaked the entire time I've owned the truck so thats on the plate for 2018 now. So long bumpers, maybe 2019 will be your year.

 

[Phares]

It's that time of year again where I get some cash from work and Uncle Sam put together for my 80 projects. The research is just begining but if you know of a particularly good thread please attach a link. I'm changing the oil this weekend and sending off a sample to blackstone but since I'm burning a quart of oil every 1000 miles plus the exhaust evidence, I think it's time the head gets worked anyway. (This is in regards to the HG job). I will be sourcing all the parts I can from @cruiseroutfit and communicating with them as far as what I need. I'm really looking for any input on while I'm in there kind of things.

Plan so far:

Head Gasket Replacement
Starter Rebuild
PHH replacement
Power Steering System refresh (it is groaning a little too much for my liking)
Exhaust replacement
SS brake lines
Transmission flush
Diff Breather Lines
PCV valve and line replacement
Alternator brush replacement

All of this maintenance has put off the bumpers etc. I really want. But this stuff is more critical to DD enjoyment so it gets priority.

 

[Saito]

The intention of the build is as a DD (I have a 3 mile commute to work), a family camping rig and as a vehicle to get me and 3 other guys to shooting competitions and events.

What type of shooting competitions and events do you participate in ?

 

[stevezero]

Chris, the "while youre in there list" on the HG project. I dont recall if youve done any of these prior.

Oil Pump cover gasket and screws
Front Crank Seal
Alternator brushes to go with the starter contacts and plunger
Distributor O ring
Alternator belt tensioner pulley
AC Belt tensioner pulley

PHH or bypass
All the hoses on the firewall for heater (or rear heater delete if you dont want to keep it).
Heater Control Valve on the back of the firewall

Check wiring harness around EGR, fix any melted insulation, and wrap with thermal tape

Replace vacuum lines
PVC Valve/oring, maybe change the hose and add a catch can to that line.

EGR Delete/Resister mod.

 

[Masud]

Lol here's my red fjz80

 

[Phares]

Well, this changes everything. Opening up a black stone oil analysis report is better than Christmas! This turned out to be a super easy process and at 28$ provides some serious peace of mind. I highly recommend it.

The report showed no abnormal levels and no indication of a HG failure. I am burning a quart of oil every 1000 miles. As soon as I can figure out how to upload the report as a picture I will do so.

Any thoughts on performing the HG replacement as a PM versus waiting on it to blow?

 

[Phares]

@stevezero thanks for the recommendations. I will add the PCV valve to my list of items to do. I have taken care of a lot of your list already. Again, thanks for your input!
@Masud that is a pretty cruiser. Do you have a build thread? Did you build it or buy it that way? The view from your front street is pretty impressive! You couldn't pay me enough to move back to CA but the scenery was very nice if you pick up what I'm laying down.

 

[Masud]

@stevezero thanks for the recommendations. I will add the PCV valve to my list of items to do. I have taken care of a lot of your list already. Again, thanks for your input!
@Masud that is a pretty cruiser. Do you have a build thread? Did you build it or buy it that way? The view from your front street is pretty impressive! You couldn't pay me enough to move back to CA but the scenery was very nice if you pick up what I'm laying down.

Actually I did build it, but it was a slow processs thus I don't have a build thread and yea the scenery and the weather is something one will have hard time to find elsewhere.

 

[Phares]

Unless you're rich these builds are always a slow process but enjoyable with the right state of mind.

 

[stevezero]

Since you now aren't in a rush, find a decent head (maybe @roadstr6 has one from his rolled parts truck still), get the valve grind kit, and get the head to a machine shop. have them press in the valve stem seals as part of their work. you may get a break in price since you aren't in a hurry now.

 

[roadstr6]

Since you now aren't in a rush, find a decent head (maybe @roadstr6 has one from his rolled parts truck still), get the valve grind kit, and get the head to a machine shop. have them press in the valve stem seals as part of their work. you may get a break in price since you aren't in a hurry now.

My parts truck was sans engine when I got it. Sorry, guys.