Another Mall Cruiser Rescue - San Diego

[SanDiegoCruiser]

I picked this up yesterday from Los Angeles. 1999 FZJ 100 with only 80K miles on the clock - Mica Green is the color I believe.

Yes, I am going to sell the wheels and use the funds to purchase some new tires for the stock rims.. Probably go with 285/75/16 BFG. I've been lurking around here for a few months and am looking forward to see some of the back country around Southern Ca and Utah etc in my new Cruiser.

Any local San Diego Curiser guys here? I'd love to learn about some of the fun places to go 4X4 around here in Southern Cal.

I can't take it off road currently with those racing tires on it!!


Order of immediate mods:

• Have the timing belt and a complete fluid baseline done by San Diego Trux - John is world famous down here in SD
• Remove the Roof rack so it will fit in my low garage. I'm hoping the stock rims with new tires will lower it 1'' so it will fit. The current tires are 275/65/18...I"ll do the math to make sure the new ones will be smaller.
• Remove the running boards
• New tires on the stock wheels

Once I've determined it is a solid rig, I'll sell the 2006 4-Runner I have to help fund further mods

• Sliders, bumpers etc

Questions -
1. What is the biggest size spare tire that will fit under the cruiser? I assume if my spare is smaller than the rest of my tires, I'll have issues if I ever have to use it.

2. Where do I purchases the roof rack plastic trim pieces to cover up the old bolt hoes from the removal of the stock roof rack? I don't like seeing a big gap in the top of the trim. It appears I need 3 pieces on each side (total of 6). Also, how do you stock water from getting into the old holes? Place shorter bolts with rubber washers to seal the holes up?


I'll post some much better photos when I get a chance.

Here are some better photos:

Wheels and tires that I will be selling. Anyone interested? PM me..

Stock rims that I will put new tires on. They are chrome. Is this normal?

Discoloration of the wood trim. Anyone know how to fix this? Better yet, can this wood trim be removed?

SD Cruiser

 

[Anthony.L]

1. 285/75/16 BFG will have no troubles fitting underneath. With removal of the hitch and some slight mods you can get a 35" under there.

2. Call CruiserDan and ask him for the parts. He will know exactly what you need and take good care of you. That's where I got mine.

P.S You really want 295/75/16 BFG AT's.

 

[pfran42]

Congrats on the purchase! That is the same color as mine (Riverock Green Mica). Paint code is 1C3. I think you can stuff a 295 in the spare tire location. Check with Toyota on the plastic covers, they can bring up a diagram of what you are talking about and quote you from there.

And yes...you really want 295s right?

Here is a pic of what you are looking for. I don't see a part number but show this to Toyota and see what they say.

 

[SanDiegoCruiser]

I need to do the math on the height if I use 295's. My parking garage at work is only 6'5. Will 295's put me over that height? Will 295's fit rub with no lift?

Another question... Gas tank says Premium Gas only. What's the worst that can happen if I put regular unleaded? I'm assuming the cruiser will be OK?

 

[pfran42]

I need to do the math on the height if I use 295's. My parking garage at work is only 6'5. Will 295's put me over that height? Will 295's fit rub with no lift?

Another question... Gas tank says Premium Gas only. What's the worst that can happen if I put regular unleaded? I'm assuming the cruiser will be OK?

I played the 93 game. No difference in performance or MPG using 87. Search around and see what others have said. IMO, it is perfectly safe. It's a Land Cruiser for 's sake!

 

[Mxndrnks]

Welcome! I'm here is SD too! Just moved down from San Francisco. So looking to getting out and exploring once I finish rebuilding the underside of my rig. I have noticed we have a pretty good representation on here from San Diego. We are going to have to coordinate a 100 series run!

Before I got an after market rear bumper, I used to keep my spare 296/75/16 in the stock location with the factory hitch installed. It is tight, but it fits fine.

Forget about the garage. You will eventually put a lift on this..... Especially if you are already thinking about new tires and rims... Although, I understand the rim issue you have. Want some parts to get your lift going????

Edit:

Regarding 295's and your garage at work. When I was running my rig stock I would tap my Thule Hang Two surf rack on the sign entering the garage at my work (max height was 6'-7". Once I went with a lift and 295's, I never tried again. You will gain some by loosing the rack but it will be lost by bigger tires and a lift if you do it... and you will want to. Stock it was supper close and always made me feel a little nervous. With a lift and bigger tires... no way!

 

[SanDiegoCruiser]

Welcome! I'm here is SD too! Just moved down from San Francisco. So looking to getting out and exploring once I finish rebuilding the underside of my rig. I have noticed we have a pretty good representation on here from San Diego. We are going to have to coordinate a 100 series run!

Before I got an after market rear bumper, I used to keep my spare 296/75/16 in the stock location with the factory hitch installed. It is tight, but it fits fine.

Forget about the garage. You will eventually put a lift on this..... Especially if you are already thinking about new tires and rims... Although, I understand the rim issue you have. Want some parts to get your lift going????

Edit:

Regarding 295's and your garage at work. When I was running my rig stock I would tap my Thule Hang Two surf rack on the sign entering the garage at my work (max height was 6'-7". Once I went with a lift and 295's, I never tried again. You will gain some by loosing the rack but it will be lost by bigger tires and a lift if you do it... and you will want to. Stock it was supper close and always made me feel a little nervous. With a lift and bigger tires... no way!

My Cruiser is going to be my daily driver for a bit.. I work downtown and park underground. My company pays $$ each month for me to park in a particular building. I need to be able to park there.. else I have to pay for my own parking... Not worth $200 a month to me! So, I need to keep my total height below 6'5''.

Thanks for the info... Nice to know 295/75/16 spare fits in the stock location. More motivation for me to get a bigger tire. Anyone out there running 295's with stock suspension want to meausre their total Cruiser height for me?? Much appreciated!

I'm in for a 100 series run once I get my rig in shape.

 

[CappyKD]

Congrats nice RIG.

 

[no-pistons]

San Diego here too. Lots of good places east of SD; lots of good stuff in Anza Borrego, Corral Canyon, Jacumba area just to name a few...

Sometimes a park in downtown also and my garage is 7' and I still have pretty good room to spare so I think you should be fine. My rig is lifted 1.5" with 285/75-16 tires. Oh and I have a Yakima cargo basket on my roof too which adds lots of height.

 

[mechanixhorseman]

I'm up in North San Diego County and I go out pretty frequently to some of the local 4x spots. There is plenty to see out here and quite a few places that you'll need to utilize those lockers to get to.

I share your pains about the roof rack. After lifting and bigger tires my stock roof rack skims my garage door every time I enter. I'd like to upgrade to a real rack but parking is a limiting factor. Fortunately there are plenty of other mods you can do to increase your cruiser's off-road worthiness before a new rack. If you're worried about water getting into the old screw holes, why not just put the screws from the stock rack back in?

Mxndrinks mentioned a socal 4x4 trip once before and I'll second that it's a great idea. Just lose those "rims" first.

Congrats on the find.

 

[SanDiegoCruiser]

Tire Size Analysis

Using a cool little tire utility, I determined the following:

Going from the big 275/65/18 rims to 285/75/16 will only raise the hight of the cruiser by .4 inches (tire radius from 16.0'' to 16.4''). So it's looking good for 285 tire hight and my garage issue. Also, it says my speed would be only off a little. 60 mph is really 61.4 mph

Here is the site for those who want to play: Tire size calculator

 

[coveboy]

Nice cruiser! And the rims aren't...too bad... Maybe if they had some more aggressive tires on them they'd be a little more acceptable haha
I run 285's with cranked torsion bars (which wouldn't be a bad first "mod" at all for you, if you'll fit in the garage with cranked t-bars, that'll make those 295's look even better) and I fit in a condo parking garage with 6'6" clearance a few weeks ago, I think you'll be alright. As soon as I get a chance I'll measure what my height is and let you know. Have you measured what you're at now?

 

[Mxndrnks]

Also, it says my speed would be only off a little. 60 mph is really 61.2 mph

Take that with a grain of salt. I would be willing to bet your speed is already off by a couple MPH with your current tire and wheel set up. My speed has been off by approximately 5 mph when I went from stock 275's to 295's with a 2.5" lift. Just double check your speed. I always forget I am really going about 5 miles faster than I think I am.....

 

[bkgee]

error: use "275" and "295" in the calculator.

here is another good calc Tire Size Calculator - Compare Tire Sizes

should raise by ~2.1 inches...

 

[Layonnn]

Im not sure how mxddrinks got his 295 spare under there with the hitch, as my 295 BFG AT on stock 16s sits against the panhard/lateral rod of the rear axle with the hitch still in place.

But yes i ran 295s for a couple of weeks with no rubbing and no lift.

 

[Derrick Willis]

I picked this up yesterday from Los Angeles. 1999 FZJ 100 with only 80K miles on the clock - Mica Green is the color I believe.

Yes, I am going to sell the wheels and use the funds to purchase some new tires for the stock rims.. Probably go with 285/75/16 BFG. I've been lurking around here for a few months and am looking forward to see some of the back country around Southern Ca and Utah etc in my new Cruiser.

Any local San Diego Curiser guys here? I'd love to learn about some of the fun places to go 4X4 around here in Southern Cal.

I can't take it off road currently with those racing tires on it!!


Order of immediate mods:

• Have the timing belt and a complete fluid baseline done by San Diego Trux - John is world famous down here in SD
• Remove the Roof rack so it will fit in my low garage. I'm hoping the stock rims with new tires will lower it 1'' so it will fit. The current tires are 275/65/18...I"ll do the math to make sure the new ones will be smaller.
• Remove the running boards
• New tires on the stock wheels

Once I've determined it is a solid rig, I'll sell the 2006 4-Runner I have to help fund further mods

• Sliders, bumpers etc

Questions -
1. What is the biggest size spare tire that will fit under the cruiser? I assume if my spare is smaller than the rest of my tires, I'll have issues if I ever have to use it.

2. Where do I purchases the roof rack plastic trim pieces to cover up the old bolt hoes from the removal of the stock roof rack? I don't like seeing a big gap in the top of the trim. It appears I need 3 pieces on each side (total of 6). Also, how do you stock water from getting into the old holes? Place shorter bolts with rubber washers to seal the holes up?


I'll post some much better photos when I get a chance.

Here are some better photos:

Wheels and tires that I will be selling. Anyone interested? PM me..

Stock rims that I will put new tires on. They are chrome. Is this normal?

Discoloration of the wood trim. Anyone know how to fix this? Better yet, can this wood trim be removed?

SD Cruiser

Sweet looking rig, congrats and welcome. The PO of my truck replaced the wood grain with carbon fiber. It looks great - I can take a couple of pics and post if you like. Not sure where he got it from, but I have his contact info and can ask if you are interested.

 

[larryt]

I have a 295/75-16 in the spare well. It's a pretty bald tire, but it fits aired up. I haven't done the spare tire mod either. Mine's a 2000.

Welcome to the forum. That's a sweet, low mileage 100 you got.

 

[pfran42]

My Cruiser is going to be my daily driver for a bit.. I work downtown and park underground. My company pays $$ each month for me to park in a particular building. I need to be able to park there.. else I have to pay for my own parking... Not worth $200 a month to me! So, I need to keep my total height below 6'5''.

Thanks for the info... Nice to know 295/75/16 spare fits in the stock location. More motivation for me to get a bigger tire. Anyone out there running 295's with stock suspension want to meausre their total Cruiser height for me?? Much appreciated!

I'm in for a 100 series run once I get my rig in shape.

I had this concern too b/c I do a lot of contract IT work in Downtown/Midtown Atlanta. I started parking away from this one major client that I had there but one night I was in a hurry and accidentally happened on the loading dock entrance. Once inside I could see that they had regular parking for vehicles over 6'7". You might want to check with your parking garage to see if they have any special parking set aside for vehicles that would not traditionally fit. Now that I know, I find this type of parking at almost every major building.

 

[Mxndrnks]

Im not sure how mxddrinks got his 295 spare under there with the hitch, as my 295 BFG AT on stock 16s sits against the panhard/lateral rod of the rear axle with the hitch still in place.

Yes it does sit against the panhard, But not tight enough to restrict it from working. I wouldnt recommend leaving it there for off road unless we are talking fire roads. When I would venture out of harder trails (rated 5-6), I would pull it out and put it on the roof. I wouldnt recommend any of road activities other than Fire Roads with a spare in the stock location. There is too great a risk of damage to the spare in my opinion. Especially with our limited lift and that big back end. When I pulled pan hard last week to check the bushing and strip the factory finish off before repainting it, there was definitely a bare metal spot from where the tire had rubbed against it. It is now a non issue that I have a BOIR rear bumper with tire carrier on the back. I hope to one day have an aux tank in that location...

 

[Mxndrnks]

One more thing.... SanDiegoCruiser.... you are going to have to strip and repaint those stock chrome rims. I did mine the graphite and it looks great! But, I may go black next time I do them. I think Black looks better on rigs our color (we have the same color).....