Builds Baselining, maintenance, and build of Paddy - 97 LC (1 Viewer)

[schradec]

After looking at the rear heater hard lines, by passing was a must. Hit pause on everything, ran to the parts store for a couple feet of hose to finish the hose overhaul. PHH was a real monster...Im a pretty tall dude which didn't help either. Long arms helped a bit but either way that thing sucks. Highly recommend using a 90 deg bent pair of needle nose pliers to get the last clamp off at the block. As far as removing it, after undoing the 12mm lower bolt on the metal tube/bracket that runs up to the heater control valve I took a sharp knife and cut into the tube. Then followed it up with some dikes. Once at the factory Toyota clamp, I just hacked through it and cut it as turning it in that area is highly unlikely. All in all it was a pretty smooth job, took some time but the piece of mind is well worth it.

Few pics of the job for anyones ref need. I can snap some more as well for the rear heater bypass if anyone wants it. Highly recommend bypassing that thing as it is likely cancer infested. Huge thanks to @beno and @Houston FZJ80 for the quality parts and info.

Note the photo below has the normal hoses on, and not the bypass. I pulled off the lower small hose after finding pretty good cancer on my rear heater lines. Swapping it for a longer length to by pass and go straight to the firewall.

Do you guys see the slight angle of the hoses being an issue? They are not being forced or pushed up, simply how the hoses sat. I would imagine over time they will settle and come a little more horizontal. I can imagine they will be an issue, but worth asking. New heater control valve, new green stripe hose on top there and white strip below ( parts store only had the white ).

 

[ironbinder]

...next is the windshield seal/sunroof drain clean...which I should have done first bc its still raining haha.

I just got my first Land Cruiser. I am doing similar maintenence. Thanks for all the posting. check out my FOB repair. It is next to your post in the forum.
Hey, so how do you 'clean out the sunroof drain ports'? Just wondering, as I have heard it is an issue with LC 80 series.
I have a '96 FZJ80. I wish it did not even have the sunroof. I will never use it. Just another place to develop a leak.

 

[schradec]

I just got my first Land Cruiser. I am doing similar maintenence. Thanks for all the posting. check out my FOB repair. It is next to your post in the forum.
Hey, so how do you 'clean out the sunroof drain ports'? Just wondering, as I have heard it is an issue with LC 80 series.
I have a '96 FZJ80. I wish it did not even have the sunroof. I will never use it. Just another place to develop a leak.

This is actually next on my todo list as well. Hit the search box in the upper right and you will find a bunch of various threads walking through different ways to do this. Here is what you will find though:

Search Results for Query: cleaning sunroof drains | IH8MUD Forum


I also have a leaky windshield (common as well). Here is the link to that as I was just reading it.

HOW TO: Fix your leaky windshield

As far as the sunroof goes, I'm with you...wish it wasn't even there. Some guys even seal theirs off completely. I will be going the drain cleaning route as the GF likes having it working. Good luck, this site is full of amazing info, tips, etc. Cheers!

 

[schradec]

Quick shot of the new HU and cubby installed and on.

 

[schradec]

So finally got some quality long drive time this past weekend. Drove from San Clemente to Mammoth...and stopped in at Death Valley as well. Drove great all the way there, and back. Zero issues. I was particularly attentive to the coolant temps as I had just recently flushed the whole system, installed all new hoses, bypassed the rear heater, new heater control valve, new t-stat and 50/50 red coolant fill. Pulling the grade into Bishop saw 190.4 (uphill, sustained, mid day, full fuel and loaded withe 2 people, a dog and gear for a weekend away) ...pretty happy with that. Will be getting ready to do the blue fan mod here next to see if I can't knock it down a touch, all in all though very pleased.

Did some very light off road driving on the forest service roads outside town, down in Owens Valley. Aired down and headed for the hot springs on Saturday. Roads were for themes part clear, however some had snow and one spot had enough to get a pals Explorer stuck nicely. Yanked him out and parked their car for the remained of the day.

If you guys are near the East side of the Sierras start getting stoked...warms days and clear roads are in the near future. Should be a great summer up there. Can't wait to explore some more!

Here are a few pics from the weekend. Cheers!

 

[schradec]

Been a while since I kept up on this so figured I would add in some recent work done/add ons etc.

• Finally got the OME springs and bushings installed with a little help from the folks at Yotamasters. My old bushings were so seized up that after breaking the press plate I called it quits and let them finish off the from end. New height is great and rides well, couldn't be happier!

• Pulled all the rear heater items from under the front seat (anyone need a rear heater blower?)

• Got rid of some more chrome via plastic dipping the grille.

• New VC gasket, TB gasket, Tube seals, PCV. Runs much nicer and much better oil pressure. (111,XXX on the clock)

• Picked up a trasharoo and strapped it to the tail gate, honestly worst pretty well mounted that way too.

• Was given a smittybuilt basket from a friend so figured I will run until it breaks or see how long its holds up. Cross bars seem a little flimsy, so we shall see.
• Drove from San Clemente to Tahoe and back with ZERO issues . Took a detour into Yosemite, and off to Laurel Lakes via Laurel Lakes Rd, a fun 4x4 road.

COUPLE PICS FROM THE WORK AND THE TRIP.

To check out more photos Instagram is probably the easiest way @campncruise

Thanks to this wonderful site for all the help and info, such a great place.