Bluesquirrel's '98 (1 Viewer)

[bluesquirrel]

First, let me say this will be long term.
Second, I appreciate this forum and the community of LC owners who love wrenching and driving.

So, in early 2017 I bought a 1998 LC, my first. I had been planning on a '94 80 series when I came across this one. 223K miles on it, and I was pleasantly surprised to find all of the power features still worked.
Purchased

April '18

Soon after I began to find the maintenance issues that had not been taken care of by the PO. The engine coolant had not been replaced in probably 10 years. This caused heater core leaks, and air mixer door servo failures. Then the radiator ruptured catastrophically... No really, it went boom.

So with a new cooling system, and apx $1200 later, she's up and running well. This will be the adventure rig for the woman and I, and I'm looking forward to many miles of good memories with it.

For the future:
Rear drawers
Lights: inside and out
Roof rack
Electric front locker
Bumpers & armor: I'm digging @benc rear bumper
Yatta yatta yatta

 

[bluesquirrel]

One of the first mods I started on was drawers for the rear. My planned usage was camping gear, spare parts, guns & ammo. I was a cabinet maker and designer in a previous career, so I like to draw everything out.

Built with 3/4" Baltic Birch, 1/2" Baltic Birch, and 1/2" MDF. I added seat track for cargo tie down. I'll have the drawers done soon. 40" deep, with locks.

 

[bluesquirrel]

While messing with the drawers, and replacing the cooling system, I did some lighting upgrades. I replaced all the interior lights with LED's. I wish I'd have found Pfran's kit before, but oh well.
I removed the rear power outlet and put a switch in it's place for two lights in the lift gate. I will have other power outlets in the rear in the future.

All red lights up front

Plenty of light in the back

 

[bluesquirrel]

Completed the DRL switch.
Stupid DRL...

 

[bluesquirrel]

Next was the nut/thread rivets on the top edge of the lift gate. The spoiler/wing was missing when I bought the truck, and I got some of the Labrak brackets to install rear lights in those two spots.
Well, all the old inserts were loose, and I unintentionally pulled one out with a pair of pliers. Then I pulled the rest... Here's what I found.

Toyota Fail.

So I picked up a river install tool off Amazon, and installed all new hardware. I imagine I'll be doing this for the roof rack as well.

 

[bluesquirrel]

Recently added a driver side A-pilar spotlight, and an "Amazon" snorkel.
Drilling these holes was puckering, but measure a lot, pay attention to all the variables, and all will be well.

*EDIT. The template for the spotlight had to be raised up 4 inches due to interference with the steering wheel. Luckily, I do not have side airbags to deal with

 

[bluesquirrel]

Next was the steering rack. This kicked my butt. But the forum threads on rack replacement were very helpful. I found that the unit I pulled from the truck was a POS reman'd unit. It was leaking on driver side, and the bushings we're SHOT.

Replaced with a new Toyota OEM unit, and added whiteline poly bushings. Had to hulk the hell out of them too. They were a tad too big for the holes.

I had just replaced the pump with OEM unit, so my steering is all new. Only thing to replace is a steering arm the the PO must've gotten mad at...

 

[bluesquirrel]

Next, wiring the switches and relays in preparation for a Dissent roof rack.
I fab'd a simple aluminum bracket for the center ceiling console. Not very much room up there, so it's angled for the rocker switches.

 

[chudly]

Next was the nut/thread rivets on the top edge of the lift gate. The spoiler/wing was missing when I bought the truck, and I got some of the Labrak brackets to install rear lights in those two spots.
Well, all the old inserts were loose, and I unintentionally pulled one out with a pair of pliers. Then I pulled the rest... Here's what I found.View attachment 1470491
Toyota Fail.

So I picked up a river install tool off Amazon, and installed all new hardware. I imagine I'll be doing this for the roof rack as well.

how did you pull them out? My screws are spinning and I'd like to reinstall my wing.

 

[bluesquirrel]

how did you pull them out? My screws are spinning and I'd like to reinstall my wing.

Large wire cutters. You can get the cutting edge under the riv-net lip, and pry. Mine were so poorly "installed", I removed a couple with needle nose pliers

 

[bluesquirrel]

The finished switch panel

*Edit
Follow up. The LED's in these switches are unbelievably bright. Even hooked into the dash light dimmer circuit. I'll have to put a resistor or two in line.

 

[PabloCruise]

Nice work mate!

Any details on the lights you added to the tailgate?

There are a lot of nice bumpers out there for the 100s. I have a BIO on the rear - I like it!

 

[bluesquirrel]

Nice work mate!

Any details on the lights you added to the tailgate?

There are a lot of nice bumpers out there for the 100s. I have a BIO on the rear - I like it!

Thx! Lots more to do.
Those were simple 6LED units I got from Amazon. Don't remember exactly which ones. I secured them to the lift gate plastic with screws and nuts. The unintended bonus was they make great lights for hooking up the trailer

 

[2001LC]

Next was the steering rack. This kicked my butt. But the forum threads on rack replacement were very helpful. I found that the unit I pulled from the truck was a POS reman'd unit. It was leaking on driver side, and the bushings we're SHOT.

Replaced with a new Toyota OEM unit, and added whiteline poly bushings. Had to hulk the hell out of them too. They were a tad too big for the holes.

I had just replaced the pump with OEM unit, so my steering is all new. Only thing to replace is a steering arm the the PO must've gotten mad at...
View attachment 1552008 View attachment 1552009

I just happen upon your thread. I'm curous as to why you replaced the new OEM rubber rack bushing with poly?

 

[bluesquirrel]

I just happen upon your thread. I'm curous as to why you replaced the new OEM rubber rack bushing with poly?

Longevity, and I don't like the amount of play in that rack with the rubbers.

 

[bluesquirrel]

Got the Dissent roof rack installed.
@Somebodyelse5 , I think you were wanting to see it.

 

[2001LC]

Longevity, and I don't like the amount of play in that rack with the rubbers.

Interesting.

I've done poly on both 98-02 (easy to remove) and 03-07 (PITA to remove) racks around 150K to 200K miles, because factory rubber at end of life.

I'm now going the opposite direction. By that I mean, going to great lengths to find and install aftermarket factory spec OE rubber bushings with cups. I wish Toyota would sell us OEM bushing.

 

[bluesquirrel]

Interesting.

I've done poly on both 98-02 (easy to remove) and 03-07 (PITA to remove) racks around 150K to 200K miles, because factory rubber at end of life.

I'm now going the opposite direction. By that I mean, going to great lengths to find and install aftermarket factory spec OE rubber bushings with cups. I wish Toyota would sell us OEM bushing.

Cool. I'm eventually going to replace a lot of bushings with poly.
Some I will leave OEM rubbers if I can replace them with new. Lower control arms for instance

 

[2001LC]

I'm doing front differential and stabilizer bushing now on The Unicorn, all OEM. Combine those with rack bushings, new OEM front drive shafts (CV), hub flanges with all new cone washers and they feel like just came off factory floor. It's so sweet! see Snowy in my signature for last one I did like this.

 

[bucfl]

Great work! I want some red led map lights. Do you have a link of what you used?