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landscrambler

landscrambler

10 Year
Joined
Dec 22, 2015
Threads
20
Messages
150
Location
San Francisco
Website
www.landscrambler.com
Hello All,

I've been reading on here for months, with some slight participation, but decided to start a thread in order to track progress (like so many others). I've already met many outstanding folks on here and it feels nice to be part of such a unique community.

Quick backstory on Banff. I met the PO through total serendipity. I had been looking for a 62 for a few months with little luck. PO pulled up at the Dry Creek General Store as my wife and I were eating outside. She said I should go talk to him and see if he was interested in selling it (I'm sure that never happens to any 60/62 owners). Anyway turns out he was slightly interested in selling it but it had been his baby for 22 years and was still 50/50. Long story longer, I ended up swapping info with him. A few weeks later, we met up and took a drive together, I was in love. A few days later, I made an offer. He was not ready to sell. Four months went by but I kept in touch, each time learning more but also attempting to nudge him towards selling it. Finally, during one email exchange he said I had 'worn him down' which he later jokingly said I was just persistent. In the end, it was really cool to get to know him and learn about all the adventures (including multiple surf trips down to Mexico) he had with the Cruiser (he never named her, it was just the Cruiser).

Now to present day, I've been in learning mode. Studying the FSM and reading on here. I was lucky today to be able to meet Gary at Mudrak, who is an awesome dude, by the way. He was very friendly and took the time to look over Banff and help create a chore list of what needs to get done. When I told him I was interested in learning how to do my own work, he was very supportive of that idea.

His first recommendation was replacing my water pump. A question for the audience:
is this a feasible first repair for a newbie? (I'm very novice with wrenching and curious about what tools I would need)

If anyone read this far, thanks!
DSCF9736-3.webp

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Nice cruiser.. Also a bit new on the landcruisers i'm sure somebody will chime in. I guess your persistence paid off.. :cheers:
 
Thanks @dahlmaker! You're absolutely right, my main focus right now is preventive maintenance. It was not an easy battle to convince the wife that an almost 30 y/o car would make for a practical DD, so the last thing I need is a major repair. Having said that, when I'm confident she's ready to drive anywhere, I'd like to add:
  • OME 2.5" lift
  • Fresh BGF ATs (when needed) probably stick with 31"
  • Maybe new wheels, haven't began looking in that rabbit hole
  • Security Console from CruiserCrap
  • Bumpers from Trail Tailor
What do you guys think? Anything major I'm forgetting?
 
If it hasn't recently been done, I'd go through and do a full baseline of basic maintenance. Stuff like the air filter, spark plugs, plug wires, distributor cap and rotor, oil change for engine transfer case and diffs, and if Mudrak sugested a water pump I'd do that along with a new thermostat and coolant flush too.

Most of these are pretty simple projects so it will be a good way to get you started wrenching. I'd save the water pump for last though since it is the most involved of that list. (read up on 'Mud prior to starting and you'll do fine)
 
@landscrambler Let me welcome you to the insanity and to MUD,like what everyone suggested fix what needs fixing and do mods later when she is running like a well oiled machine. Mudrak went trough your rig start with what was suggested like the water pump but if you don't mind getting dirty and learn at the same time it will be money saved for later mods or other maintenance stuff. A good friend who I met here on mud bought his 60 8 years ago and never wrenched in his entire life but with the help of the MUD community he basically did 90% of the work that went into his rig with his trusted FSM. Don't be afraid that things could go wrong or things could break just take your time and MUD will be there for you and use search when needed,BTW MUD likes more pics of your rig for sure this group always request for pics don't ask me why.
 
Great Story!
You never know if you never ask!
Seems the PO kept it up on maintenance if he has had it for 22 years. and traveled with it. But still doesnt hurt to baseline and get that water pump replaced. Piece of mid at least knowing you did it.
good find
 
Alright, as @vipergrhd requested, more photos have been added at the top. I love taking photos of Banff, so there'll be many more in the future.

When it comes to wrenching, I'm currently in a 40/60 (confident / no-confidence) in myself. I'm a tinkerer and love taking things apart, my only concern is f**king something up and then being SOL for my daily driver.

#1 - Can anyone recommend what tools are essential or if there's a good starter kit? I have basic household tools for home maintenance but until recently, haven't had my own garage. I had a great set when I was younger and was in auto-shop but I imagine my folks donated those out of their garage many years ago.

#2 - Is this the correct FSM? (one of the best shades of green)
DSCF9738.webp


Thanks!
 
Your manual looks good as long it's not missing any pages,so did you order parts for your water pump or your just gonna send it down to a shop?
 
@vipergrhd all pages intact! I haven't ordered any parts yet, still doing research. I'll probably end up having the work done, too afraid to mess something up. Did I read that you have an Ironman lift on your 60? If so, can you describe the change in ride? My current ride is pretty flat and my wife says her abs hurt during a long ride with turns haha. Thanks
 
Welcome to the club. Nice truck. Are you mechanically inclined? If yes, then you should replace the waterpump. Do you have a friend/neighbor who's wrenched on old vehicles...even better. Bribe him/her with something and ask them to coach you through it. There are posts on here about replacing the waterpump. And the full FSM is available on line, and has all the info you need. Buy the OEM waterpump from cdan or beno, along with a new thermostat and assorted gaskets. Does the PO have maintance records? If yes then check to see when the cooling system hoses were last replaced. I am guessing that most/all of the ones to/from the waterpump are original. Now is the time to do it right and replace all of these. Take your time, read up on how to do it, stop and ask questions if stumped. You can do this. A basic set of metric spanners and sockets + a torque wrench, and assorted pliers/screwdrivers is all you'll need. After you get it all back together...run it on distilled water for a few days to confirm no leaks. If it leaks, fix it. Once it's good and watertight...take it to a reputable shop and have them flush the cooling system and put in new coolant. Remember to burp the system. You'll then have a cooling system that can handle any temps on earth and will require nothing for the next 2-3 years.
 
@landscrambler Funny thing you asked about my suspension coz i think it's still sitting on my garage floor collecting dust as we speak. A lot of guys here have used the Iron Man lift and they are happy with the outcome just search it and i'm sure a lot will come up. You have to really try hard to break something on any Landcruiser parts are plenty from Mr.Toyoda and few guys here will be more than happy to hook you up with parts like @beno,@cruiserdan (Retired?) and a few on top of my head which i can't remember.
 
Check engine light came on two days ago, 25 and 26. I've been reading on MUD what others have prescribed to solve this, seems the solution is replace the 02 sensors. However, I can't seem to find any threads where someone has done this and it solved it.

Before I order sensors, should I try to replace the air filter (I already have a spare) and then reset the CEL?
 
The Next Thing: I'm a Cyclops.

I noticed while driving home last night, in the rain, I didn't have much vision. Pulled over and sure enough, the passenger-side low beam headlight was not producing any light.

However, when I switched the high-beams, it shined bright.

Any clues as to what may be causing this? Thanks!
 
Since it seems to be an epidemic lately, install a security system. Some kind of kill switch,
driveline lock. That is a really nice truck, J
 
Thanks @dkyuss - - Waiting for the rain to stop so I can go look around under the hood.

@cruiserpilot I am definitely looking into it. A friend of mine is restoring VW Bug and just installed a BLE kill-switch to his fuel pump. Do you have any for the 60s you recommend?
 
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