This thread gave me anxiety. Looks great now!
Builds 1997 LX450 Ute
- Thread starter yohavos
- Start date
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hicruise55
IH8MUD VOYEUR
Hey now, bro'd out lol, my 18" Mojave's have been more places than most, you'll love em!
Congrats on everything! Hope to see you guys soon! don't forget to change your location!
Congrats on everything! Hope to see you guys soon! don't forget to change your location!
- Thread starter
- #403
Yeah, yeah... I know how the ML crowd bros down!!
Not too many updates as we've purchased our first house, I got an adult job, and we're doing some renovations. Throw in a move across the state and I've got two lonely cruisers.
Once again, after weeks of neglect, we asked more of the ute than we should, and she delivered flawlessly:
As we get settled in, updates will come. I think we'll be extending the frame 18" or so for a more conventional pickup truck configuration.
Not too many updates as we've purchased our first house, I got an adult job, and we're doing some renovations. Throw in a move across the state and I've got two lonely cruisers.
Once again, after weeks of neglect, we asked more of the ute than we should, and she delivered flawlessly:
As we get settled in, updates will come. I think we'll be extending the frame 18" or so for a more conventional pickup truck configuration.
- Thread starter
- #405
Got a new winch line for the M12000
(the decal looks strikingly similar to a decal I got with my Viking line...)
Jumped the wagon because I never drive it. Even Floyd the dog disapproves of this Land Cruiser neglect.
Then took a load of yard waste to the dump.
Betty's been running great, though I've got a front axle job in my future.
(the decal looks strikingly similar to a decal I got with my Viking line...)
Jumped the wagon because I never drive it. Even Floyd the dog disapproves of this Land Cruiser neglect.
Then took a load of yard waste to the dump.
Betty's been running great, though I've got a front axle job in my future.
I've loved following this thread, i plan to do this myself someday. thank you for documenting.
2fpower
SILVER Star
Just starting our Ute project with my son. Next step is to fill in the sunroof, as our rear section appears to intesect the roof right at the rear of the opening. Any suggestions on the sunroof fill? What gauge steel did you use?
As the gas tank is strapped to the body, what did you do to mount the straps?
Also, overall, anything you would do differently?
FYI, We are planning on doing a 8-14" stretch of the frame at the same time. Looks like a great point to do this is at the LCA frame attachment point.
As the gas tank is strapped to the body, what did you do to mount the straps?
Also, overall, anything you would do differently?
FYI, We are planning on doing a 8-14" stretch of the frame at the same time. Looks like a great point to do this is at the LCA frame attachment point.
Last edited:
- Thread starter
- #408
@2fpower Great call on the frame stretch... mine will hopefully happen this year.
I used 18 gauge steel on the sunroof. As far as anything I would do differently, I'd say I would probably use larger tube to make the corners and explore a more conventional rear solution for the cab instead of the tailgate and hatch to make it more truck like, though this was a cheap and quick solution.
Also--add vents! I have to crack a window before closing the door.
I ran 2x2 square tube as a crossmember that supports the flatbed and has the mounts for the OEM gas tank strap on it.
Finally, I was lazy and didn't strip down the wiring harness. This would have made things a little cleaner in the end.
I used 18 gauge steel on the sunroof. As far as anything I would do differently, I'd say I would probably use larger tube to make the corners and explore a more conventional rear solution for the cab instead of the tailgate and hatch to make it more truck like, though this was a cheap and quick solution.
Also--add vents! I have to crack a window before closing the door.
I ran 2x2 square tube as a crossmember that supports the flatbed and has the mounts for the OEM gas tank strap on it.
Finally, I was lazy and didn't strip down the wiring harness. This would have made things a little cleaner in the end.
2fpower
SILVER Star
Great thought on vents. I totally forgot about that. Will have to hit the junkyard to find something that will work.
- Thread starter
- #410
Small update, more for record keeping sake...
After a year or two of listening to wind noise from a completely destroyed window run, I finally got around to replacing this thing.
I found the spot welds on the lower run bracket broken, so out came the drill and welder.
The difference in a new vs old window run is incredible!
Broken thing:
The cab is surprisingly quiet now.
After a year or two of listening to wind noise from a completely destroyed window run, I finally got around to replacing this thing.
I found the spot welds on the lower run bracket broken, so out came the drill and welder.
The difference in a new vs old window run is incredible!
Broken thing:
The cab is surprisingly quiet now.
The
pre 2000 models had the 1.8 tray but everything newer had 2.4 traysExactly the bed I want!! I'll be taking many style cues from the factory toyota tray. I'm bidding on factory tail lights on eBay.com.au right now
I'm also in touch with Ute Ltd. about getting an aluminum tray.
I'm going 6.5 feet. 70's come with 1.8 or 2.4m I believe... So a bit off, but good for what in up to.
Night mode... I like that she moves now!
View attachment 1045629
- Thread starter
- #413
I have a slight vibration at speed when the bed is empty. I’m thinking it’s time for ujoints, but pulled the front prop shaft to see if not having a DC was the culprit.
It didn’t change anything, so more investigation to come.
And, a few of Betty just being doing truck stuff:
It didn’t change anything, so more investigation to come.
And, a few of Betty just being doing truck stuff:
- Thread starter
- #414
I’ve got a reman starter sitting in the garage that will go in eventually, but otherwise the ute has been steadfast.
I took the old springs off and brought it back down to 2.5”; I’ve been considering airbags for the rear for heavier loads.
Random pics of ute life:
I took the old springs off and brought it back down to 2.5”; I’ve been considering airbags for the rear for heavier loads.
Random pics of ute life:
- Thread starter
- #416
Lol, been driving around with the reman starter sitting behind the seat since August 2018 apparently. It’s getting harder to start but keeps turning over!
I lost a brake caliper bolt a few weeks ago, my first after over a decade of 80 series ownership. I’ve got a set of them and some other goodies sitting in my wits’ end cart. I should go buy those, but have a spare in there for now.
Other than that, Betty is still cruising around. My buddy came over with an actual camera and tested some glamour shots out. I do love how this pile of parts looks in pictures!
And one of the pups:
Anyways, I’ve seen a ton of new threads on here with folks in the area. If you see a single cab 80 series in the south sound, give a wave. I’m the guy that will pull over to talk cruisers, and I’d like to get the south sound cruiser crowd going again.
I lost a brake caliper bolt a few weeks ago, my first after over a decade of 80 series ownership. I’ve got a set of them and some other goodies sitting in my wits’ end cart. I should go buy those, but have a spare in there for now.
Other than that, Betty is still cruising around. My buddy came over with an actual camera and tested some glamour shots out. I do love how this pile of parts looks in pictures!
And one of the pups:
Anyways, I’ve seen a ton of new threads on here with folks in the area. If you see a single cab 80 series in the south sound, give a wave. I’m the guy that will pull over to talk cruisers, and I’d like to get the south sound cruiser crowd going again.
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Nice build, cool conversion and Cruiser!
I am considering doing one myself but it think I have decided if I do I am going to stretch the wheel base.
Cheers
I am considering doing one myself but it think I have decided if I do I am going to stretch the wheel base.
Cheers
2fpower
SILVER Star
For what it is worth, we did 9" stretch on Yota, and it really changed the turning radius; however, it is so nice to drive and smooth on the highway. I have 7" stretch on the new project, will see how it is.
- Thread starter
- #419
If you have the capabilities, stretch the frame. It’s silly looking from the side. I do like that it’s all just an 80 though!
I’d love to have an 8’ bed at this point.
- Thread starter
- #420
Random record keeping post... I changed the starter and it still starts intermittently. I’ll revisit in a few years.
Still doing ute things on the homestead. Note the black gorilla tape over the area I was too heavy handed with bondo, and the monstaliner chipped open. I’ll revisit another application of monstaliner someday as well.
Still doing ute things on the homestead. Note the black gorilla tape over the area I was too heavy handed with bondo, and the monstaliner chipped open. I’ll revisit another application of monstaliner someday as well.
