BCM's HZJ73: Maintenance & Mods

[BCM]

Long time cruiser owner and longer time fan, finally found a 70.

My first cruiser was a black 1997 80 that I'd love to have back.

After a year or two of no cruiser, I picked up a 1999 100 series. Enjoyed driving this rig, but hated working on it. It was a bit crusty!

After doing a couple cross country trips in the 100 series, I figured it was time to upgrade to a 200. Drove this 2014 for a few years.

Surprising to many, I liked driving a 100 better than the 200 and in 2018/2019 sought out to find the best example I could. This 2007 is my current daily driver.

Scored 2007 LC W/63K No AHC Clean. Adding Lift, Sliders & skids!

Meet "Merlot" a 2007 Land Cruiser w/63K Black Garnet Pearl which came from factory without AHC. Found this one in south central TX. I jumped on this one fast when I saw color, miles, year and no AHC. I've really developed a love for this color, it is very cool as it changes with lighting. Had...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[BCM]

In the fall of 2020, I made a visit to the LC Heritage Museum in SLC and decided I needed to find a 70. I started searching in November of 2020 and had about given up hope on find anything. I attended the most recent 70 series meetup in TN. This made me want a 70 even more. Finally found one and picked it up in November of 2021.

1990 HZJ73 RHD from Japan
Manual; H55F
F/R Lockers

I plan to use this thread to document my maintenance, mods, questions, and random thoughts.

 

[BCM]

First mod was to find a license plate bracket to adapt the rear mounting location to the USA plate. Found a low profile adapter from RareForm 3D on Etsy. Sorry, no pic. This adapter works very well and included nice hardware.

Second up, was a method to mount my phone and an app to display speed in MPH. Found a RAM mount on Amazon that looked like it would work.

Amazon product ASIN B00HR883RK
Mount is very solid and may add one to my 100 series.

I have been using the 'Speedometer' app to monitor speed. Appears quite accurate but has a second or two lag. (verified against a GPS and pacing another car)

 

[BCM]

Replaced interior dome light with LED option from Odd Iron. Night and day difference

Also replaced dented step assembly in rear bumper (part # 52351-60070)

 

[BCM]

Started baselining

Replaced non-OEM radiator cap with new OEM; 16401-54750
Replaced air filter; 17801-68020
Changed oil (9.9qt 15w-40 Amsoil Diesel syn), filter (90915-30002), drain plug (90341-12012) and gasket (90430-12031)
Drain and fill of front diff (Amsoil 75w-90 2.8qt), fill plug (90341-18006), drain plug (90341-18040), and gaskets (12157-10010 x2)
Replaced reverse lights with LED bulbs from Odd Iron

Later this week, I'll get to the rear diff, trans, and x-case, as well as mounting the sweet cupholder from Odd Iron.

 

[OGBeno]

You should have upgraded your drain and fill plugs to 90341-18021

 

[Gun Runner 5]

LED upgrade looks good.

 

[Shyrock]

You should have upgraded your drain and fill plugs to 90341-18021

For future consideration, how would we know to look for this?

 

[BCM]

You should have upgraded your drain and fill plugs to 90341-18021

Thanks. I will update this for future reference.

Will the transmission and x-case accept the same upgraded part? I was planning to use 90341-18006 for x-case drain/fill and trans fill, while using 90341-18057 for the drain plug.

 

[OGBeno]

Thanks. I will update this for future reference.

Will the transmission and x-case accept the same upgraded part? I was planning to use 90341-18006 for x-case drain/fill and trans fill, while using 90341-18057 for the drain plug.

Yes they will.

 

[OGBeno]

For future consideration, how would we know to look for this?

You wouldn’t unless you searched on MUD or had a parts professional who could guide you.

 

[Gun Runner 5]

Please don’t email me or send private messages, I’m not the ”parts professional” that Onurs referring to.

 

[BCM]

Completed drain and fill of rear diff (Amsoil 75w-90 ~3qt), fill plug (90341-18006), drain plug (90341-18040), and gaskets (12157-10010 x2)

Installed Odd Iron Cupholder...

 

[BCM]

Completed more baselining today

Drain and fill of transfer case (Amsoil 75w-90 ~2.3qt), fill plug (90341-18006), drain plug (90341-18057), and gaskets (90430-18008 x2)
Drain and fill of transmission (Amsoil 75w-90 ~5.1qt), fill plug (90341-18006), drain plug (90341-18057), and gaskets (90430-18008 x2)
Drain and fill of PTO drive case (Amsoil 75w-90 ~1.7qt), fill plug (90341-18006), drain plug (90341-18057), and gaskets (90430-18008 x2)

Plan to drive for a few days, then move on to cooling system and hydraulic fluids (brake, clutch, PS). In the mean time, I'll do some more research on floor mats and seat covers. Seat covers looks more straight-forward...just contact Equipt. Seems like I'm in for more of a research project on the floor mats.

 

[OGBeno]

For those who don’t buy their parts from abroad, in the US market, 90430-18008 supersedes to 90430-A0003.

 

[BCM]

After driving for a couple of days, the gear box seems to like the Amsoil fluid. Could just be clean, fresh fluid, but the old fluid was not that dirty. Overall, shifts and gear changes feel 'better'. Not sure how to describe other than that.

Found some interim floor mats at Auto Zone; Goodyear D9104NRBLK on clearance for $20. For the price, I'm quite happy with the fit and quality.

Driver's Side

Passenger Side

 

[BCM]

Also replaced the broken shroud panel on the dash around the radio; part # 55413-90K00

Broken one

New one

 

[adspiegs]

After driving for a couple of days, the gear box seems to like the Amsoil fluid. Could just be clean, fresh fluid, but the old fluid was not that dirty. Overall, shifts and gear changes feel 'better'. Not sure how to describe other than that.

Found some interim floor mats at Auto Zone; Goodyear D9104NRBLK on clearance for $20. For the price, I'm quite happy with the fit and quality.

Driver's Side
View attachment 2880260

Passenger Side
View attachment 2880261

Did you end up finding a better solution? I’m searching for the same thing.

 

[BCM]

Did you end up finding a better solution? I’m searching for the same thing.

Not yet, but saw a thread recently in this section about a new possible option

 

[barrett1]

BCM,

I have looked and looked in the online resources but cannot find torque specs for the t-case fill/drain plugs, transmission fill/drain plugs, front/rear diff fill/drain plugs, and engine oil drain plug. I have found fluid recs and volumes. I have a HZJ73 with manual transmission headed this way and want to refresh all fluids like you did right off the bat. Wondering if you happen to have these on hand.

Appreciate it in advance,

Sean