Builds 40 Guy Builds a 100 Series

[REZARF]

So I am just over 6 weeks away for a 10 day road trip with the family to the 3 Colorado National Parks we haven't been to yet, Great Sand Dunes, Mesa Verde, and Black Canyon of the Gunnison. We live about an hour from Rocky Mountain National Park and we visit there monthly if not more. This should be an awesome trip of exploring, camping, driving and family time. We plan on 2 days camping, 1 night hotel, rinse, repeat.

That said, I've got a fire to finish up a bunch of projects before we go:

1. Replace starter contacts. (DONE)
2. Replace steering rack bushings
3. Realignment
4. Dual Battery setup (home brew)
5. Change all fluids and filters PM
6. Install winch (DONE)
7. Wire Hella 4000
8. Install rear camera
9. Install rear back up floods/camp lights (DONE)
10. Repair and repaint Thule roof box.
11. Figure out a CB antenna (time permitting) (DONE)
12. Plan a road trip! (DONE)

 

[DanInDenver]

Nothing like a looking looming deadline to kick things into high gear.

 

[MadDuo]

Inspirational build...I also have 99. Gonna use your snorkel mod instructions when I do mine. Thanks for the great build.

 

[REZARF]

Well, I finally got the last little details done on the HAM radio, hooking up the wires, and mounting the external speaker. I used a Motorola External Speaker at some friends recommendations from my local Denver 4x4 Club, Rising Sun. This is a small speaker but it is really clear and has a lot of volume. I bought a 3 pack of them off ebay and plan on adding the other two into my FJ40 for my HAM and CB radios. I will toss them on with a quick fist and attach them to the roll bar, but for the 100 I went ahead and hard mounted the speaker.

I just used the supplied bracket and screwed it into the kick panel, high and tight along the upper edge and as far back as I could mount it and still get the little "nut" that secures the kick panel. I did this on the passenger side aimed at the driver. It came out clean and works great. I can hear it very clearly and it is barely noticeable (visually) from the drivers or passenger seats. It doesn't interfere with any foot room in the passenger area. I might add a little piece of foam behind the speaker as it is now pretty heavy and could rattle against the kick panel structure behind the plastic but I will wait to see if that is an issue off road, on road it hasn't made a peep.


First up... mark up the bracket and drill some holes. I am not a fan of drilling a bunch of holes into things, but for the right reasons it is the best option. I wanted a secure mount and didn't trust any other fasteners with something as heavy as this little speaker. It has some heft to it.

I had the multi meter out because my radio called for a speaker impedance of 8 ohms. Just an FYI but speakers have an impedance of around 6.3ish when they are an 8 ohm speaker, not sure why, but a 4 ohm speaker runs around 3.2ish as well. I just used a few countersunk sheet metal screws to attach the bracket to the kick panel, just be sure not to strip the plastic when you tighten them up.

Here is the speaker tucked up into the passenger foot well. It is nice and out of the way and still very loud and clear when needed. I am stoked about hiding such a relatively large speaker without adding clutter to the cockpit.

Here is my view from the drivers side seat (actually I had the camera low so you could even see it), it is barely noticeable that it is even down there. In fact, it has startled a few people when I have the squelch turned up and a signal breaks through. I am glad I wired an external speaker that can be run totally separate from the stereo and runs with the power of the vehicle and accessories turned off. The bonus was I bought it off a friend and local cruiser head and it has all of his repeater stations and popular local stations already programmed and listed by name... JACKPOT!

 

[Knox_Overland]

Well, I finally got the last little details done on the HAM radio, hooking up the wires, and mounting the external speaker. I used a Motorola External Speaker at some friends recommendations from my local Denver 4x4 Club, Rising Sun. This is a small speaker but it is really clear and has a lot of volume. I bought a 3 pack of them off ebay and plan on adding the other two into my FJ40 for my HAM and CB radios. I will toss them on with a quick fist and attach them to the roll bar, but for the 100 I went ahead and hard mounted the speaker.

I just used the supplied bracket and screwed it into the kick panel, high and tight along the upper edge and as far back as I could mount it and still get the little "nut" that secures the kick panel. I did this on the passenger side aimed at the driver. It came out clean and works great. I can hear it very clearly and it is barely noticeable (visually) from the drivers or passenger seats. It doesn't interfere with any foot room in the passenger area. I might add a little piece of foam behind the speaker as it is now pretty heavy and could rattle against the kick panel structure behind the plastic but I will wait to see if that is an issue off road, on road it hasn't made a peep.


First up... mark up the bracket and drill some holes. I am not a fan of drilling a bunch of holes into things, but for the right reasons it is the best option. I wanted a secure mount and didn't trust any other fasteners with something as heavy as this little speaker. It has some heft to it.
View attachment 1248151

I had the multi meter out because my radio called for a speaker impedance of 8 ohms. Just an FYI but speakers have an impedance of around 6.3ish when they are an 8 ohm speaker, not sure why, but a 4 ohm speaker runs around 3.2ish as well. I just used a few countersunk sheet metal screws to attach the bracket to the kick panel, just be sure not to strip the plastic when you tighten them up. View attachment 1248152
Here is the speaker tucked up into the passenger foot well. It is nice and out of the way and still very loud and clear when needed. I am stoked about hiding such a relatively large speaker without adding clutter to the cockpit.
View attachment 1248153

Here is my view from the drivers side seat (actually I had the camera low so you could even see it), it is barely noticeable that it is even down there. In fact, it has startled a few people when I have the squelch turned up and a signal breaks through. I am glad I wired an external speaker that can be run totally separate from the stereo and runs with the power of the vehicle and accessories turned off. The bonus was I bought it off a friend and local cruiser head and it has all of his repeater stations and popular local stations already programmed and listed by name... JACKPOT! View attachment 1248154

Everything looks great!! That speaker & bracket look familiar!! That's what I do for a living is install Whalen products & communications. Here in Knoxville were close to going digital 800mhz system!! So a lot will change in the radio world here!! But uhf & vhf will live on forever!! I just programmed these up last week!!

 

[REZARF]

Nice looking radios, thanks for the kind words.

 

[cwmoser]

I bought my 2002 LX as a "Mall Cruiser".
After reading these "build threads" I'm getting the itch for an adventure too

 

[REZARF]

I bought my 2002 LX as a "Mall Cruiser".
After reading these "build threads" I'm getting the itch for an adventure too

Just drive it boss, you'd be surprised what a factory spec Land Cruiser will do... even if it has an "L" on it!

Modify it only if you see fit (read added benefit) down the road. Buy some recovery gear, find some locals who head out and have fun. Building is just a by product of getting out more, it is not necessary to have a good time.

 

[dubitup]

@REZARF can you and I meet for a beer or ?, so I can check out the snorkel?

 

[SS100]

@REZARF How does the air intake on this snorkel compare to the Safari on your 40? I've seen that a lot of the knock-offs seem to have an unevenly shaped (lower quality?) air intake.

Could you please post a link to the exact model snorkel you bought? I searched for it on Amazon and can't seem to find the Land Cruiser one.

Thanks!

 

[REZARF]

@REZARF can you and I meet for a beer or ?, so I can check out the snorkel?

You asking me on a bro date!? A few of us north side cruiser heads are heading to breakfast on Friday if you want in. Otherwise, yes I'll let you buy me

@REZARF How does the air intake on this snorkel compare to the Safari on your 40? I've seen that a lot of the knock-offs seem to have an unevenly shaped (lower quality?) air intake.

Could you please post a link to the exact model snorkel you bought? I searched for it on Amazon and can't seem to find the Land Cruiser one.

Thanks!

eBay Item number: 181214700511
Seller: stoneined2009
The picture of the raised letters is only found through link in the description.

I think the quality is good I'd give it a 9/10. Mostly the surface texture was more "porous" than the Safari. As for the part that attaches the snorkel body to the air intake...it's rubber, probably 1/4" thick so some distortion in a picture might be expected.

Fwiw, I'd buy another one without hesitating.

 

[dubitup]

@REZARF you should see what happens on the 2nd bro date. Lol. Friday breakfast. Where when.

 

[SS100]

You asking me on a bro date!? A few of us north side cruiser heads are heading to breakfast on Friday if you want in. Otherwise, yes I'll let you buy me



eBay Item number: 181214700511
Seller: stoneined2009
The picture of the raised letters is only found through link in the description.

I think the quality is good I'd give it a 9/10. Mostly the surface texture was more "porous" than the Safari. As for the part that attaches the snorkel body to the air intake...it's rubber, probably 1/4" thick so some distortion in a picture might be expected.

Fwiw, I'd buy another one without hesitating.

Thanks!

 

[REZARF]

I was uncertain about what "CB antenna mount" to run, Lab Racks, Gamiviti, ended up going with Slee...

Stay tuned...

 

[REZARF]

Replaced #1 Cylinders Igniter Coil after getting a rough idle and P0301 Code on the ScanGauge 2. Picked up a spare for igniter for my spares bag and future incidents. Fwiw, I picked up the igniters from amazon for ~$50 bucks and they are OE Denso units that are made in Japan. The dealer wants BIG $$$$$ for the same.

 

[REZARF]

The other day I stopped into Slee Offroad, as it is local to me. It is a store filled with man jewelry and a staff that truly knows their stuff. As I was poking around the store front I got to looking at the tire carrier/bumper on display and realized it was the older centered version for the 100. I asked if it was for sale and was told it wasn't welded up correctly and that it won't bolt right up to a 100 do to the clearance of the mounting brackets and the frame. Bummer... I left thinking, "what a waste, there is the bumper I have been hunting for a few years sitting there new on the rack but it doesn't fit."

By the time I got home, I had decided to give Christo a holler and see if he'd sell me the "blemished" bumper without warranty and I'd chop, cut, re-weld, grind it till it fit! After his initial concern of what I was getting into and a few emails Christo gave me a VERY generous price and I took the deal. This gives them a chance to display their new current offering on tire carriers/bumpers and I win with a "new" Slee Rear Bumper and tire carrier at a steep discount.

On a side note, I went by yesterday to bring it home and the shop was busy as they were leaving for Cruise Moab today. I did see the 200 they built to debut their new products and all I have to say is WOW! Great, now I want a 200... BAD!

My initial measurements show it won't take much to make it work, I think a little grinding and I am there... famous last words right!?

Onto the pics...

Man Candy!

I'm SOOOOO stoked, I got this for about the same or a little less than I could build it myself, and it is the older grey metallic that will match my ARB Sahara bar well. Christo makes some of the very best equipment for the Land Crusier community and he's a stand up guy to boot! He and his staff are first class all the way and the Land Cruiser community is a lucky to have them! Thanks again Christo!

I plan on:

• Hard mounting my Partner Steel Stove to the rear of the tire carrier,
  
• Mounting my 60" Hi Lift
• Flush mounting some LED rear flood lights into the bumper
• Using the tire carrier to mount my rear camera.
• Adding a gas strut to assist in opening.
• Using the Antenna mount to mount an 11# propane tank in a custom mount.

Stay Tuned.

 

[dubitup]

YOUR ALIVE! Glad she didn't kill you! Looking forward to seeing progress.

 

[REZARF]

YOUR ALIVE! Glad she didn't kill you! Looking forward to seeing progress.

Yes, my wife and The Lord both treat me WAY better than I deserve! Now to shop for hard wood floors.

 

[REZARF]

So I tore into my engine to get at the starter contacts. I went by the local auto parts store to have them test the battery and alternator just to make sure and everything came out peachy there, so I knew it was the starter. Well, it took me an afternoon into the evening with some breaks and dinner, and reading in the manual but alas I got down to the starter and replaced both sides of the contacts and the plunger with OEM parts from Toyota.

If you didn't know the starter is conveniently located under half of the engine Robbie of Toyota Trails Tech Guru Extraordinaire happens to be a friend and local mechanic to me. He said that the starter is located there to avoid the heat soak factor of the factory exhaust system, he talked about it being smart and that it helps the longevity of the starter itself... that may be, but it sucks to get to it.

You only need to unplug, unbolt, unclip everything that attaches above the cylinder heads. All in all it wasn't hard, just time consuming.

It was a welcome sight to actually see the starter.

Here is a shot of how dusty and worn my contacts were. The unit smelled like burnt electronics... yummmmm. I cleaned it up, checked all the wires and started replacing parts.

I think the plunger and both contacts sets were only around $30ish bucks from my local Mr. T parts dealer. I could be off but I don't have the receipt handy. I am glad I replaced the plunger too as mine was very worn.

Out with the old, in with the new. These are about 1/2" on each side... this is the culprit if your 100 begins to start intermittently. The new one is on the right

 

[REZARF]

I thought this pic was telling if you are trying to decide to splurge or not on a new plunger...

Cleaned out and ready to reinstall

New plunger, new contacts, cleaned, and reinstalled. The awesome part about this is getting this far is exactly 1/2 way to finish! Arggg :rant:

Most awesome part was the truck started up first time. I was bracing for the idea that I had to have missed something in all the reconnecting and wiring but what do you know... even a blind dog finds a bone sometimes. Fired up on the first try.