Builds 1997 FZJ80 to HDJ80 1HD-FTE + H152F (2 Viewers)

[jomelo]

I had a Lexus Lx450 a year or so ago but a colleague of mine fell in love with it and bought it off of me. It wasn’t my favorite cruiser but - after I sold it - I realized I actually missed it. A few months ago, I came across this clean 1997 in California. It was a two owner truck with the second owner having owned it since 1999. This one appealed to me because it had front/rear lockers, factory roof rack delete, and factory running board delete. The P.O. claimed it had been garage kept the entire time he owned it and the paint is in such good condition that appears to be true.

The rig has 177k miles and has been really well maintained. No fluid leaks anywhere other than a very minor power steering leak.

 

[jomelo]

First order of business was installing the factory CDL switch. I ended up using the power antenna slot since my antenna had some issues going up and down. While I was in there, I decided to install a new Sony stereo with Apple CarPlay. Who even listens to the radio anymore?

Thanks to @beno for hooking me up with the factory switch.

 

[jomelo]

Next order of business was my bungee cord visors.

I came across some threads that discussed going with LS400 options. Then, a good friend of mine mentioned maybe installing some Rosen visors.....sign me up!

These things are awesome!! I liked them so much that I bought a set for my Troopy and another set just in case they ever stopped making them.

 

[jomelo]

I have not quite figured out the “woodgrain” aspect of these land cruisers. I see some models that have woodgrain everywhere, and others that have woodgrain on certain parts but not others. I’m generally not a fan of the woodgrain look.....so of course this cruiser had woodgrain everywhere. Bonus points because it was showing its age and a b*tch to get off.

I was not thrilled with the finish beneath the adhesive so I opted to just order another set of woodgrain. The finish is actually pretty nice and much better than what was on it.

 

[jomelo]

This past weekend I tackled the typical wobbly drivers mirror. In addition to the broken bracket, my mirror was actually missing the bottom screw that holds the mirror assembly to the exterior housing. I have no idea why this thing had not fallen completely off.

I tried the JB weld fix but really was not happy with the result. Side note, I’m not really much of a fabricator.

My mirrors were actually pretty faded.

I ended up finding some new replacements in the factory correct color. Since the truck’s paint was in such good condition, they look really nice. Problem solved.

 

[jomelo]

I think next up on the build will be suspension, tires and bumpers. I should have some Cooper ST MAXX tires installed next week. Decided to go with 305/70/16’s with the stock wheels. As far as suspension, I have the OME BP51’s at the shop but I have to wait until after September for install as my mechanic is trying to get a few things done to my Troopy for the 70 series meet and great.

I also ordered a new ARB front bumper. Undecided for now on the rear bumper. Leaning Slee but open to suggestions. I really just need a tire carrier - nothing crazy for rock crawling. We don’t have rocks in Florida.

 

[jomelo]

I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself, but I’ve got a very strong desire to convert this truck to diesel. I use Odd Iron Off-road in South Georgia and he really digs the diesels. He has been working on a pretty cool HDJ81 with a 1HDT this past week and sent me a photo of the finished top mount intercooler setup.

He is currently working on a turbo/intercooler setup on my 70 series Troopy but I had never really considered putting a diesel in this 80 series. This top mount version from Australia is pretty legit.

I have a 1HD-FT that was going to go in a FJ45 Troopy project but I ultimately lost interest in the project and sold to a friend. So it seems like fate? Otherwise, I am back to the drawing board on what to put the 1HD-FT into.

I am still not sure on the transmission if I go down this path. It appears finding a LHD manual transmission shifter console will not be easy. I have not been able to find any diesel swaps that maintained the A343. There is still plenty of time though before this goes down so I may change my mind 100 times. Still pretty fun to think about this truck with the nice tone of the 1HDFT.

 

[jomelo]

We got some new shoes this week. Ended up going with the Cooper ST MAXX in 305/70/16. They look great and were a definite upgrade - the old tires were some BFG KO’s from 2004.

The spare is now too big too fit underneath so I need to get started on selecting a rear bumper with a tire carrier.

 

[BILT4ME]

Next order of business was my bungee cord visors.

View attachment 1780822



I came across some threads that discussed going with LS400 options. Then, a good friend of mine mentioned maybe installing some Rosen visors.....sign me up!



View attachment 1780823
View attachment 1780826


These things are awesome!! I liked them so much that I bought a set for my Troopy and another set just in case they ever stopped making them.

View attachment 1780829

Would you be so kind to take a couple pictures of the interior showing both visors up as well as in the down position together? I want to understand size relationship as well as color contrast.

I am seriously considering these visors and have not been able to find picture showing that. Maybe even one from outside the truck with the visors down?

 

[jomelo]

Would you be so kind to take a couple pictures of the interior showing both visors up as well as in the down position together? I want to understand size relationship as well as color contrast.

I am seriously considering these visors and have not been able to find picture showing that. Maybe even one from outside the truck with the visors down?

Here you go. The biggest difference in size is that the Rosen’s do not have the narrow portion that extends toward the rear view mirror. I like these much better than the stock ones as they have numerous options for adjustment.

Here is a shot of how the mounting compares to the original visors. The mounts are smaller but not really noticeable.

 

[BILT4ME]

Thank you!
Thank you!
Thank you!

That's exactly what I was looking for!

 

[jomelo]

Thank you!
Thank you!
Thank you!

That's exactly what I was looking for!

Glad I could be of some assistance @BILT4ME. I liked them so much I ordered two additional sets. Do you have the contact at Rosen?

 

[BILT4ME]

Glad I could be of some assistance @BILT4ME. I liked them so much I ordered two additional sets. Do you have the contact at Rosen?

I don't at this time, only because I haven't searched for it yet.

 

[Duplex Dave]

Where did you source the wood panel replacements? Got a '97 40th that could use a refresh.

 

[jomelo]

Where did you source the wood panel replacements? Got a '97 40th that could use a refresh.

Sorry just saw this. I got mine from Dash Kit Trim, Custom Auto Dashboard Kits - Superior Dash. Took less than 2 weeks for processing. Very satisfied.

 

[jomelo]

Sooo....it looks like this 1HDFT thing is going to happen. I’ve been struggling with whether I really wanted to go down this road. On one hand, this rig is super nice and there is nothing wrong with the drivetrain. On the other hand, it would be super sweet with the 1HDFT.

I originally wanted to swap in the H151 5-speed but I’ve been having a hard time sourcing a LHD manual console. That’s not really a good reason, but this truck is clean and I wanted it to be perfect.

Along comes @wardharris putting ideas in my head and suggests going with a hydraulic A442F transmission from a JDM cruiser. Next thing you know and we are ordering an Extreme A442F transmission from Wholesale Automatics via Cruiser Brothers. Here is the link for more info:

Extreme A442F Transmission Build Up - Wholesale Automatic Transmissions

Ward can probably detail it better than I can, but this thing is going to be a beast. The transmission will be built in Australia so I’m looking at end of year delivery. That gives us some time to collect parts for the rest of the build.

 

[jomelo]

I took a spin in the national forest this morning. I had yet to check and make sure the lockers engaged and worked properly. Found a nice sandy spot and got front, rear and center lockers engaged. The rear took a little bit of back and forth to engage, this is my first 80 with factory lockers so not sure if that is normal. The rear definitely preferred a little incline or decline - really anything other than flat terrain.

It is getting time to replace the OEM suspension with the BP51’s back at the shop. The factory setup is really tired. That will probably the next upgrade that gets tackled after the 70’s Meet and Greet in late September.

 

[BDA130]

Next order of business was my bungee cord visors.

View attachment 1780822



I came across some threads that discussed going with LS400 options. Then, a good friend of mine mentioned maybe installing some Rosen visors.....sign me up!



View attachment 1780823
View attachment 1780826


These things are awesome!! I liked them so much that I bought a set for my Troopy and another set just in case they ever stopped making them.

View attachment 1780829

Those are great! They look like aircraft equipment in the C-130...

 

[jomelo]

Those are great! They look like aircraft equipment in the C-130...

No clue about the C-130 but I have a set in my Cirrus. Very well made.

 

[saltycoconuts]

Dang you got some for your 80 too!