1996 Triple Locked V8 swapped LC (1 Viewer)

[tgsher9329]

Hey all,

Figured it’s time to start a proper build thread now that I’ve finally picked up a Land Cruiser I can really dig into.

Just picked up this 1996 FZJ80 from a Facebook. It’s a bit of a project—about 85% finished per the previous owner. This thread will serve as a way to track progress, share solutions, and hopefully learn from you all along the way.

Starting Specs:

• 1996 FZJ80 – Factory triple lockers
• Swapped in a 2UZ-FE 4.7L V8 (from Tundra/Sequoia)
• 100-series automatic transmission
• Cranks and runs good
• OME 4” lift (exact components unknown) with caster & roll center correction plates
• LT285/75R16 tires – basically new
• Interior: Needs work—driver seat is pretty rough, passenger seat is missing
• I have the fender flares for it
• Center diff is stuck locked (first big mechanical issue I need to solve)

Immediate To-Do:

• Drain and replace all fluids
• Rebuild front and rear axles (kits already ordered)
• Inspect and replace bearings (front driver bearing likely bad)
• Replace battery ground cable (rusted & short)
• Diagnose and fix stuck center differential locked

I’ll post photos shortly. Happy to answer any questions and would love input—especially if you’ve dealt with a center diff stuck in the locked position.
Thanks for all the info shared on this forum already. Looking forward to contributing to the community and learning as I go.

 

[tgsher9329]

Interior Pics

 

[tgsher9329]

Motor/Engine Bay

 

[Skitz]

Nice pickup!

The center diff switch has 4 connections/wires you have to merge from the 80 switch to the 100 series TC actuator. Assuming those connections are good, then you might have stuck TC actuator motor and sometimes a couple wacks with a wrench might kick it.

Here's also some good info reference material for your 2uz swap.

2UZ Swap info

This is NOT a thread to compare the UZ to the LS or any other platform. Hundreds of those already exist, carry on those discussions elsewhere, please. Many threads exist in Mud asking about what's involved in swapping Toyota's 4.7L V8, the 2UZ-FE, but few of us that have done them chime in to...

forum.ih8mud.com

Hope this helps

 

[tgsher9329]

Nice pickup!

The center diff switch has 4 connections/wires you have to merge from the 80 switch to the 100 series TC actuator. Assuming those connections are good, then you might have stuck TC actuator motor and sometimes a couple wacks with a wrench might kick it.

Here's also some good info reference material for your 2uz swap.

2UZ Swap info

This is NOT a thread to compare the UZ to the LS or any other platform. Hundreds of those already exist, carry on those discussions elsewhere, please. Many threads exist in Mud asking about what's involved in swapping Toyota's 4.7L V8, the 2UZ-FE, but few of us that have done them chime in to...

forum.ih8mud.com

Hope this helps

Thanks!

And thank you for the info, while I was flushing coolant, power steering, and brake fluid I was messing with the interior. Long story short at some point in the truck's past someone swapped the button for the center diff for a button labelled for the hazard lights. The center diff seems to work fine... kind of an embarrassing thing to take so long to fix, but honestly it may be the best case scenario and easiest to fix a sticker.

 

[Skitz]

Thanks!

And thank you for the info, while I was flushing coolant, power steering, and brake fluid I was messing with the interior. Long story short at some point in the truck's past someone swapped the button for the center diff for a button labelled for the hazard lights. The center diff seems to work fine... kind of an embarrassing thing to take so long to fix, but honestly it may be the best case scenario and easiest to fix a sticker.

LOL makes sense... the Center Diff switch is like $150ish.... and the hazard switch is the alternative to use.... Glad to hear it worked out!

 

[tgsher9329]

Got most of the fluids changed. The only ones I have done yet are the diffs and transfer case. I will do the diffs when I do the axles bearings and seals. The main goal here is to get to a good foundation maintenance wise before I really start adding or changing things. Things I am trying to figure out or think through, I think it would be cool to cut down the rear bench seat to make them two buckets that can still flip up. I am still trying to figure out the AC. I'm thinking to get a stock 80 series condenser and getting hoses made to mate everything up and it might be done. The truck came with a bunch of extra hoses for the AC when I bought it so I think I have all the fittings. I took out the fuel pump and sending unit, I used my multi meter and I am pretty sure the fuel level bubble thing isn't working so I will be changing that and putting it back in when it shows up. Last thing for now, the carpet had oiled spilled in the entire truck and stunk really bad. Removing the stock insulation has been a pain but the plan is to put in marine carpet and replace basically all of the insulation with Thermo Tec and some Killmat. I think that's everything for now. Nothing worth taking pictures of yet.