I have owned a 40th Anniversary for the past 10 years and it has become an essential part of our family.
Having watched many build threads here over the years, I have finally decided to take the plunge and take our 140,000 mile LandCruiser (Special Edition #4110) back to something closer to "original" vs. building a more off-road ready rig.
The benefit of going this approach is that it can still be comfortably driven by everyone in my family - and yes this includes my wife. May sound crazy but I have found that the secret to having "classic" cars around is to have something that more than just one person likes to drive.
The Citadel build was incredible. I know many of us lived through his seemingly unlimited energy, patience, and budget as he made a truly magical truck out of his 40th anniversary. And then sold it.
My plan is inspired by his, but it doesn't go as far. I welcome your thoughts on what I plan to do, even though I do recognize up front that this may seem a bit lightweight for most of this forum.
My driving principle is: what if it was 1997 and I had could buy this truck new? What would I do to it then. I probably wouldn't replace everything on it. I'd probably drive it and have fun with what Toyota built. My wife could drive it to the grocery store AND we could take it up into the mountains onto steep dirt roads and camp in the wilderness. It wouldn't need much other than what it had.
Put simply: We have a beloved 40th Land Cruiser and we want to recondition it, make it like it was when it rolled off the line but with various upgrades that make sense. We are not interested in making an offroad behemoth, but rather a fantastic car for driving around.
With that in mind, I am going to try to do a similar build thread as citadel for my own 40th Anniversary. I will post as many photos as I can as we go.
I bring the truck in on February 25 to begin the disassembly and paint prep.
Will report back.
Meanwhile, here is my plan along with some rough cost estimates for various parts. I don't want to guess at the all in cost at this point. I do feel confident that it will cost less than buying a new LandCruiser, RangerRover, or even fully equipped 2019 4Runner - and give me 10 more years with way more joy in ownership.
So here is my plan to make a new old LandCruiser.
Paint Prep
(estimated costs 10-15K including paint)
Remove windshield, windows, emblems, body moldings, latches, cowl, door handles, antenna, etc.
I have a new set of the right color 40th anniversary emblems (grill, rear hatch, antenna nut). Except of course for the 40th Anniversary Edition raised emblem and decal. I have actually printed and die cut new decals to replace the "th Anniversary Edition". I am currently working with someone to try to effectively match the 40 through a couple of processes (3D printing didn't work particularly well).
Glass
(Estimated $375)
Replace windshield (it has cracks) – HUGE GOAL IS AN OEM windshield
Unlike many, I like the bronze tint and want to keep it "as is".
I will try not to replace sunroof, passenger doors, rear hatch and liftgate glass (to keep factory bronze tint)
If the sunroof does need to be to be replaced, do everything possible not to break the inner trim. Learned that from citadel.
Body Work and Paint
Remove fender flares and other necessary disassembly
The door handle gaskets are no longer available so we need to make sure we dont damage them. Another lesson from citadel's build.
Repaint car factory Sage color
Colormatched flare gaskets are apparently still available.
Front Bumper
Replace front bumper - want what I think is called the ARB commercial bulbar with Warn M8 (~$2000 for both)
Rear Bumper
Keep rear bumper as is, repaint
Odd as it seems, for max visibility, we will keep the spare tire stored underneath the car. This is one of those things that most people wouldn't do. We could perhaps change this later, but for now we are not doing a different bumper with swing outs.
Existing Hitch Assembly
Remove, repaint (or replace if absolutely necessary)
Roof Rack and Accessories
Add roof rack – ARB Deluxe Roof Rack $1500
Slightly debating the best roof rack. We ski a lot and what would be ideal is something covered like a Thule box. I have not found something that seems like the best combination of "big rack" for when you need it and "covered box" for when you need that.
Winch
Warn M8000S Synthetic Winch
Interior Winch Controls (not sure how strongly we need interior controls)
You may question a winch given the rest of the simple "non-offroad build" but given the ski roads and places the family does go, there have been multiple times when a winch would have been essential for me and I wish I had had one for my less intelligent fellow drivers.
Grill
Will keep grill and replace emblem with new OEM black pearl emblem I already have
Nets
Will tighten up nets on back of seats per the tutorial on the site
Window Runs
Replace window runs for perfectly smooth windows.
I don't trust myself to do this, and I estimate $700
Interior Lights
Replace dash lights not LED (ie D, 2, 1, etc.) where needed. Don't want to deal with bigger changes than just changing the bulbs where needed. This should buy me another 100K miles vs. futzing with LEDs
Rear Wiper
Replace motor and blade
Mirrors
Repaint and fix jiggly mirror issue OR replace mirror with working mirror
Engine
This is the biggest unknown. I do not want to replace the engine, ideally. Last compression/leak down showed no need at all for rebuild let alone replacement.
I will adjust my plan here once I really get into it.
At minimum I would do a "everything but" in the engine compartment: replace all radiator hoses and fittings, steering pump, o-ring, metal gasket and all the associated hoses, replace any other \ “obvious” and easy issues within the engine compartment, without a rebuild
Suspension
$800 – ARB Old Man Emu (stock height spring). This is another different choice than most rebuilds. By using the stock height spring, the lift will be just under 3/4 inch. This is in part because I don't truly need this rig for overlanding AND because it makes it easier to use as a family vehicle.
Wheels
estimate $100 a wheel
Sandblast and powder coat to original
Have been debating this decision - might wish to get all black wheels rather than reusing the original.
Having trouble finding just the right simple wheel in just the right size.
Seats
estimate $1100 leather + 7 hours of labor etc.
New leather and seat cushions for front
New leather for rear
considering Katzkin
I will not replace 3rd row seats
Seat cushions available (LandCruiser Heaven, other places)
Carpet
New OEM Oak Carpet set, if it can be found, or close aftermarket
$300
Floor Mats
Add Weather Tech set – Tan front and rear
I have the original mats, untouched, if I plan to reuse them, which I probably won't.
Seat Belts
This one is killing me.
Some folks have told me they are willing to Disassemble, clean, and where needed rebuild seat belts to maintain original color.
Other folks said "under no circumstances" will they open and mess with the seatbelt.
I will see how it goes.
I would do anything for a reliable tutorial on how I could, myself, open up the seatbelts that I have, clean or replace whatever needs to be cleaned up, and put them back together. I have searched for years for a pair of front seatbelts in the 40th anniversary color but no luck.
I don't want to replace with gray but I will if I absolutely have to.
Rear Hatch
Replace or repair lower hinges
Sound Deadener
I liked Sound Deadener Showdown (floors, doors, quarters, tailgate) – and all that citadel liked about it - the CLD tiles; CCF decoupler on top of CLD, Mass Loaded Vinyl on top of CCF. I will not needed in headliner – as I assume not replacing headliner. My headliner and dash are in effectively perfect condition.
However, around these parts, the more common than Sound Deadener Showdown solution is Cascade Audio's system for $2000.
Both seem about the same for my purposes.
Will make that decision soon.
Audio
Another thing that i realize most people do but we do not want to do is to replace CD head unit. Here's why:
- We actually have a new head unit such that, if the one in there failed, it would be relatively easy to put a new one in.
- We like listening to tapes still sometimes (children of the 80s)
- We like the original look and we are used to it.
Speaker replacement is so hard, will do later if ever. I have watched so many build videos, it all seems like a lot of work for little gain if you don't replace the head unit. Perhaps I will just repalce the front speakers one of these days but only if I can just reuse the grills.
Would like to find a way to add bluetooth simply, invisibly. Ideally not something that plugs into a cigar lighter.
Considering:
ARB Front and Rear Lockers
OEM Factory Locker Knob to control lockers
Considered but not doing:
Replacing headlights with HID or LED
Replacing backup lights with LED
Front and rear speakers (but not dash or headliner speakers)
Short Bus front LED Light bar
4x4Labs rear bumper with Ladder
Don't need:
Stainless Extended Brake Lines
Headliner
Sliders (unless there is absolutely no way to keep the current side steps)
Having watched many build threads here over the years, I have finally decided to take the plunge and take our 140,000 mile LandCruiser (Special Edition #4110) back to something closer to "original" vs. building a more off-road ready rig.
The benefit of going this approach is that it can still be comfortably driven by everyone in my family - and yes this includes my wife. May sound crazy but I have found that the secret to having "classic" cars around is to have something that more than just one person likes to drive.
The Citadel build was incredible. I know many of us lived through his seemingly unlimited energy, patience, and budget as he made a truly magical truck out of his 40th anniversary. And then sold it.
My plan is inspired by his, but it doesn't go as far. I welcome your thoughts on what I plan to do, even though I do recognize up front that this may seem a bit lightweight for most of this forum.
My driving principle is: what if it was 1997 and I had could buy this truck new? What would I do to it then. I probably wouldn't replace everything on it. I'd probably drive it and have fun with what Toyota built. My wife could drive it to the grocery store AND we could take it up into the mountains onto steep dirt roads and camp in the wilderness. It wouldn't need much other than what it had.
Put simply: We have a beloved 40th Land Cruiser and we want to recondition it, make it like it was when it rolled off the line but with various upgrades that make sense. We are not interested in making an offroad behemoth, but rather a fantastic car for driving around.
With that in mind, I am going to try to do a similar build thread as citadel for my own 40th Anniversary. I will post as many photos as I can as we go.
I bring the truck in on February 25 to begin the disassembly and paint prep.
Will report back.
Meanwhile, here is my plan along with some rough cost estimates for various parts. I don't want to guess at the all in cost at this point. I do feel confident that it will cost less than buying a new LandCruiser, RangerRover, or even fully equipped 2019 4Runner - and give me 10 more years with way more joy in ownership.
So here is my plan to make a new old LandCruiser.
Paint Prep
(estimated costs 10-15K including paint)
Remove windshield, windows, emblems, body moldings, latches, cowl, door handles, antenna, etc.
I have a new set of the right color 40th anniversary emblems (grill, rear hatch, antenna nut). Except of course for the 40th Anniversary Edition raised emblem and decal. I have actually printed and die cut new decals to replace the "th Anniversary Edition". I am currently working with someone to try to effectively match the 40 through a couple of processes (3D printing didn't work particularly well).
Glass
(Estimated $375)
Replace windshield (it has cracks) – HUGE GOAL IS AN OEM windshield
Unlike many, I like the bronze tint and want to keep it "as is".
I will try not to replace sunroof, passenger doors, rear hatch and liftgate glass (to keep factory bronze tint)
If the sunroof does need to be to be replaced, do everything possible not to break the inner trim. Learned that from citadel.
Body Work and Paint
Remove fender flares and other necessary disassembly
The door handle gaskets are no longer available so we need to make sure we dont damage them. Another lesson from citadel's build.
Repaint car factory Sage color
Colormatched flare gaskets are apparently still available.
Front Bumper
Replace front bumper - want what I think is called the ARB commercial bulbar with Warn M8 (~$2000 for both)
Rear Bumper
Keep rear bumper as is, repaint
Odd as it seems, for max visibility, we will keep the spare tire stored underneath the car. This is one of those things that most people wouldn't do. We could perhaps change this later, but for now we are not doing a different bumper with swing outs.
Existing Hitch Assembly
Remove, repaint (or replace if absolutely necessary)
Roof Rack and Accessories
Add roof rack – ARB Deluxe Roof Rack $1500
Slightly debating the best roof rack. We ski a lot and what would be ideal is something covered like a Thule box. I have not found something that seems like the best combination of "big rack" for when you need it and "covered box" for when you need that.
Winch
Warn M8000S Synthetic Winch
Interior Winch Controls (not sure how strongly we need interior controls)
You may question a winch given the rest of the simple "non-offroad build" but given the ski roads and places the family does go, there have been multiple times when a winch would have been essential for me and I wish I had had one for my less intelligent fellow drivers.
Grill
Will keep grill and replace emblem with new OEM black pearl emblem I already have
Nets
Will tighten up nets on back of seats per the tutorial on the site
Window Runs
Replace window runs for perfectly smooth windows.
I don't trust myself to do this, and I estimate $700
Interior Lights
Replace dash lights not LED (ie D, 2, 1, etc.) where needed. Don't want to deal with bigger changes than just changing the bulbs where needed. This should buy me another 100K miles vs. futzing with LEDs
Rear Wiper
Replace motor and blade
Mirrors
Repaint and fix jiggly mirror issue OR replace mirror with working mirror
Engine
This is the biggest unknown. I do not want to replace the engine, ideally. Last compression/leak down showed no need at all for rebuild let alone replacement.
I will adjust my plan here once I really get into it.
At minimum I would do a "everything but" in the engine compartment: replace all radiator hoses and fittings, steering pump, o-ring, metal gasket and all the associated hoses, replace any other \ “obvious” and easy issues within the engine compartment, without a rebuild
Suspension
$800 – ARB Old Man Emu (stock height spring). This is another different choice than most rebuilds. By using the stock height spring, the lift will be just under 3/4 inch. This is in part because I don't truly need this rig for overlanding AND because it makes it easier to use as a family vehicle.
Wheels
estimate $100 a wheel
Sandblast and powder coat to original
Have been debating this decision - might wish to get all black wheels rather than reusing the original.
Having trouble finding just the right simple wheel in just the right size.
Seats
estimate $1100 leather + 7 hours of labor etc.
New leather and seat cushions for front
New leather for rear
considering Katzkin
I will not replace 3rd row seats
Seat cushions available (LandCruiser Heaven, other places)
Carpet
New OEM Oak Carpet set, if it can be found, or close aftermarket
$300
Floor Mats
Add Weather Tech set – Tan front and rear
I have the original mats, untouched, if I plan to reuse them, which I probably won't.
Seat Belts
This one is killing me.
Some folks have told me they are willing to Disassemble, clean, and where needed rebuild seat belts to maintain original color.
Other folks said "under no circumstances" will they open and mess with the seatbelt.
I will see how it goes.
I would do anything for a reliable tutorial on how I could, myself, open up the seatbelts that I have, clean or replace whatever needs to be cleaned up, and put them back together. I have searched for years for a pair of front seatbelts in the 40th anniversary color but no luck.
I don't want to replace with gray but I will if I absolutely have to.
Rear Hatch
Replace or repair lower hinges
Sound Deadener
I liked Sound Deadener Showdown (floors, doors, quarters, tailgate) – and all that citadel liked about it - the CLD tiles; CCF decoupler on top of CLD, Mass Loaded Vinyl on top of CCF. I will not needed in headliner – as I assume not replacing headliner. My headliner and dash are in effectively perfect condition.
However, around these parts, the more common than Sound Deadener Showdown solution is Cascade Audio's system for $2000.
Both seem about the same for my purposes.
Will make that decision soon.
Audio
Another thing that i realize most people do but we do not want to do is to replace CD head unit. Here's why:
- We actually have a new head unit such that, if the one in there failed, it would be relatively easy to put a new one in.
- We like listening to tapes still sometimes (children of the 80s)
- We like the original look and we are used to it.
Speaker replacement is so hard, will do later if ever. I have watched so many build videos, it all seems like a lot of work for little gain if you don't replace the head unit. Perhaps I will just repalce the front speakers one of these days but only if I can just reuse the grills.
Would like to find a way to add bluetooth simply, invisibly. Ideally not something that plugs into a cigar lighter.
Considering:
ARB Front and Rear Lockers
OEM Factory Locker Knob to control lockers
Considered but not doing:
Replacing headlights with HID or LED
Replacing backup lights with LED
Front and rear speakers (but not dash or headliner speakers)
Short Bus front LED Light bar
4x4Labs rear bumper with Ladder
Don't need:
Stainless Extended Brake Lines
Headliner
Sliders (unless there is absolutely no way to keep the current side steps)