1997 LX 450 Triple Locked Bugout / Expedition Build (1 Viewer)

[alexkay]

Hi all -

This marks my attempt to document the build progress of my FZJ80 over the past two years. Here, I'll share my mistakes and lessons learned, along with any regrets coupled with successes. I hope that I can give back to this community as much I have learned. I've added fewer than 5,000 miles in the past two years since much of the time has been invested in baselining the vehicle and head gasket repairs.

I purchased the vehicle from its only owner in late 2020. I reviewed the maintenance record and it suggested more maintenance needed to be performed. The vehicle was stock, other than lights above the front bumper. Most notably, it suffered from some surface rust as it was a vehicle from New Jersey that was used to drive up to upstate New York. Otherwise, everything worked as expected, including a D light that functions to this day!.

1997 Lexus LX 450
FZJ80
Purchase Date: November 2020
Mileage: ~265,000
Factory Triple Locked

Service performed under my ownership:
[being updated]

• Machined block (Mountain Machine and Performance in North Carolina)
• Engine Rebuild (Trollhole Cruisers)
• [Additional work by Trollhole Cruisers]
• [Work by OTRAMM]
• Ron Davis Aluminum Radiator
• 150 Amp Sequoia Alternator mod with Photoman Bracket
• Dual battery installation
• Long Range America 42 Gallon Auxiliary Fuel Tank
• 2.5" Old Man Emu suspension
• ARB Front and Rear Bumpers
• eBay Snorkel
• Weboost Signal Booster

 

[alexkay]

I immediately drove the truck from New Jersey down to Florida and it drove perfectly. Down in Florida, I had two shops work on the truck. First, one shop added ARB front and rear bumpers. The tires were changed 285/75/16 KO2s. The wheels were original and needed to go. In their place are Pro Comp Stryker wheels. Supporting all that is a 2.5in Old Man Emu suspension kit. In addition, a WARN winch was added. The other shop replaced the valve cover gasket, spark plug wires, air intake, radiator hoses, and added a Yellow Top battery.

 

[alexkay]

During this period of time, I moved to a cabin in the mountains of Western North Carolina. It was a small town. At an elevation of 4,000 feet and a bit of isolation, the truck was not anywhere near a Land Cruiser mechanic so I had two goals: 1) Perform as much preventative maintenance as possible and 2) Ensure the truck's capability to go up and down steep mountain grades across all types of weather. During this period, I also added sound deadening mats.

The winch came in handy on the mountain. A Dodge Ram truck slid into a ditch and was unable to gain traction to get out. The WARN winch performed as expected and pulled the Dodge back onto the asphalt.

 

[alexkay]

I added a Bowfin Cruisers roof rack. Incredible customer service from Patrick who helped ensured the roof rack would be delivered up to the cabin since I don't get regular mail service there. As I drove the truck around the mountains, I envisioned a build that would 1) Be the vehicle platform to get me to Alaska and 2) Serve as a bugout vehicle in the event of a natural disaster. My next item on the to-do list was to address the surface rust. I wire wheeled some areas of the frame and added POR15 and was satisfied with the result.

I was preparing to replace the rock sliders until one day, while driving up the steep mountain grades up 4,000 feet, I smelled a sweet odor entering the cabin. Then, steam began appearing from under the hood. I pulled the truck to the side. The radiator, still the original, had cracked and the pressure spewed coolant on the engine.

 

[alexkay]

The truck made it to the top of the mountain but my immediate thought was a blown head gasket. I started by removing the front grill and taking out the old radiator and the fan clutch. I didn't like what I saw. In addition to the symptoms of a blown head gasket, the engine was also caked in grease.

 

[alexkay]

It was time to start pulling the engine apart.

Also, since I was now effectively stranded on the mountain, I had Carvana deliver the only other Toyota that could help average out the miles per gallon used among the two...