I've just purchased my very first 1994 FZJ 80 Toyota Land Cruiser and I'm super stoked to get started on this new project to turn this thing into a solid driver and overland rig. NOTE: I'm a rookie LC owner and learning its nuances as I go. I love the FZJ 80's stout looks and solid reputation. Looking forward to learning from everyone here, documenting the good and the bad and getting this thing looking like the rigs I had overseas. Speaking of the bad:
I Picked up my "new" Cruiser for $4600 with 159K on the odometer. Interior is cloth but overall I grade the interior a 9/10 for condition. The rig has been sitting for over a year not driven and came with a decent maintenance history. The drive home via one of our ferries here in WA state was hilarious.
Problem #1 - Front steering knuckles blew their load all over the axles and inner side of the brakes. Definitely need a rebuild (moving forward here I just received a quote from Toyota to rebuild the front knuckles all with seals, bearings and new rotors since they will be off, for $1940 (1200 labor, rest in parts)). I think I am going to do a little searching on alternatives.
Problem #2 - On start with the A/C off the belts squeal like a stuck Alabama pig. Once I dropped in D squeal stopped.... Made a stop one mile after the buy to get gas and after a fill, restarted the rig, popped in Drive and the thing begins to crawl forward like it was starting in 2nd gear despite flooring the SOB. Moved at 5 mph and couldn't climb a damn speed bump to save my life. I look at the speedo and sure as anything the trip meter and speedo are inop, RPM gauge working fine however. I had to drop the thing in L and then move back up to Drive and now it cycles through the gears and go's fine. Cruise control is also inop.
Lucky me - Stopped by a pick and pull yard on the way to pick up gray leather jump seats off a wrecked 95 LC. They're a bit dry but a good restore candidate. Cant beat 50 dollars for the pair.
Problem #3 - Get the LC home, power off and I've got a steady radiator fluid leak flowing down the back/middle of the block and also down the underside of the drivers side area along the frame rail. Suspect the PHH but not sure.
Problem #4 - Many of the vacuum hoses look shot along with some select others. I learned all about the PHH here (quoted $300 for replace at a local LC specialty shop)
Fluids looked low so as a safety measure I went ahead and replaced all fluids at Jiffy lube until I can iron out the real issues.
Flush and fill Oil
Flush and fill radiator (previous fluid was cloudy so didn't want to have it sit any longer than need be)
Flush and fill tranny
Drain/Fill diff and XFer case
New wipers Front/back
New radiator cap
$800 dollars but after military discount ended up $600. (Learned I should have used Toyota Red Antifreeze. Shame on me).
Took the LC to Toyota for a diagnosis and they didn't get far. (See quote on knuckle rebuild up front and Rotor replace).
- Toyota identified a radiator fluid leak at the #1 bypass valve. Said it would need to be replaced. Because they have to remove the manifold to get to it and the PHH they will have to remove most all other hoses in the area so low and behold they said they will have to remove/replace all hoses (although I disagree not all hoses are in crap shape, mostly the upper vac hoses. For bypass hoses, evap hoses, intake hose and radiator hose purchase in parts and in labor I got a quote for 599.99 total! Holy SH&%
- Toyota also says there is a slight leak in the radiator so that too should be replaced. Parts and labor = 1133.99. OMFG.
- They identified a very slight tranny, diff and oil pan leak but no quote on a reseal.
- Toyota identified an open circuit in the speedometer circuit causing the speedo and odometer to stop working. Guessing this could be the cruise control issue as well.
Toyota suggested I not spend the money and encouraged me to dump the 6 and do a V8 engine swap. Taken aback by that but Im determined to bring this thing back to its glory.
Parts ordered so far:
- Used but operable instrument cluster with 155K on it. Im wondering now whether that will fix the Cruise Control issue. Shot in the dark but will see.
- LED gauge cluster lights
- 10 Feet of blue silicon vacuum tubing, 3.5 mm ID with 60 psi pressure rating.
- Left rear (used) fender flare to replace damaged one I have. Going to Plasti Dip all fender flares black anyway.
- Hood lift supports, $25 dollars. Worth not getting my head smacked again.
SO.... long post but I wanted to kick off the fun, the screw ups and the lessons off the bat. Any opinions on the swap? The engine runs smoothly and is solid so im scratching my head on that. Hoping the transmission crawl issue may be a vacuum leak or a solenoid? Going to work on the vacuum hoses tomorrow and find a shop to do the knuckle rebuild. Never done it before and think it may be out of my wheel house. Found a kit for $219 with made in japan bearings and power stop rotors for $183. Was told I have to remove the manifold to get to the #1 bypass hose that has a leak in the metal portion. Complete hose replace doable or worth having a shop do it? Im going to go ahead and throw new belts on hoping that will get rid of the squeal.
Any advice or I told you so's are always appreciated. I'll post pics tomorrow of where I am starting. Cant I just get through this in a day and go straight to ARB front bumper, OME lift, new wheels, tires.... blah blah. I'll get it done!
I Picked up my "new" Cruiser for $4600 with 159K on the odometer. Interior is cloth but overall I grade the interior a 9/10 for condition. The rig has been sitting for over a year not driven and came with a decent maintenance history. The drive home via one of our ferries here in WA state was hilarious.
Problem #1 - Front steering knuckles blew their load all over the axles and inner side of the brakes. Definitely need a rebuild (moving forward here I just received a quote from Toyota to rebuild the front knuckles all with seals, bearings and new rotors since they will be off, for $1940 (1200 labor, rest in parts)). I think I am going to do a little searching on alternatives.
Problem #2 - On start with the A/C off the belts squeal like a stuck Alabama pig. Once I dropped in D squeal stopped.... Made a stop one mile after the buy to get gas and after a fill, restarted the rig, popped in Drive and the thing begins to crawl forward like it was starting in 2nd gear despite flooring the SOB. Moved at 5 mph and couldn't climb a damn speed bump to save my life. I look at the speedo and sure as anything the trip meter and speedo are inop, RPM gauge working fine however. I had to drop the thing in L and then move back up to Drive and now it cycles through the gears and go's fine. Cruise control is also inop.
Lucky me - Stopped by a pick and pull yard on the way to pick up gray leather jump seats off a wrecked 95 LC. They're a bit dry but a good restore candidate. Cant beat 50 dollars for the pair.
Problem #3 - Get the LC home, power off and I've got a steady radiator fluid leak flowing down the back/middle of the block and also down the underside of the drivers side area along the frame rail. Suspect the PHH but not sure.
Problem #4 - Many of the vacuum hoses look shot along with some select others. I learned all about the PHH here (quoted $300 for replace at a local LC specialty shop)
Fluids looked low so as a safety measure I went ahead and replaced all fluids at Jiffy lube until I can iron out the real issues.
Flush and fill Oil
Flush and fill radiator (previous fluid was cloudy so didn't want to have it sit any longer than need be)
Flush and fill tranny
Drain/Fill diff and XFer case
New wipers Front/back
New radiator cap
$800 dollars but after military discount ended up $600. (Learned I should have used Toyota Red Antifreeze. Shame on me).
Took the LC to Toyota for a diagnosis and they didn't get far. (See quote on knuckle rebuild up front and Rotor replace).
- Toyota identified a radiator fluid leak at the #1 bypass valve. Said it would need to be replaced. Because they have to remove the manifold to get to it and the PHH they will have to remove most all other hoses in the area so low and behold they said they will have to remove/replace all hoses (although I disagree not all hoses are in crap shape, mostly the upper vac hoses. For bypass hoses, evap hoses, intake hose and radiator hose purchase in parts and in labor I got a quote for 599.99 total! Holy SH&%
- Toyota also says there is a slight leak in the radiator so that too should be replaced. Parts and labor = 1133.99. OMFG.
- They identified a very slight tranny, diff and oil pan leak but no quote on a reseal.
- Toyota identified an open circuit in the speedometer circuit causing the speedo and odometer to stop working. Guessing this could be the cruise control issue as well.
Toyota suggested I not spend the money and encouraged me to dump the 6 and do a V8 engine swap. Taken aback by that but Im determined to bring this thing back to its glory.
Parts ordered so far:
- Used but operable instrument cluster with 155K on it. Im wondering now whether that will fix the Cruise Control issue. Shot in the dark but will see.
- LED gauge cluster lights
- 10 Feet of blue silicon vacuum tubing, 3.5 mm ID with 60 psi pressure rating.
- Left rear (used) fender flare to replace damaged one I have. Going to Plasti Dip all fender flares black anyway.
- Hood lift supports, $25 dollars. Worth not getting my head smacked again.
SO.... long post but I wanted to kick off the fun, the screw ups and the lessons off the bat. Any opinions on the swap? The engine runs smoothly and is solid so im scratching my head on that. Hoping the transmission crawl issue may be a vacuum leak or a solenoid? Going to work on the vacuum hoses tomorrow and find a shop to do the knuckle rebuild. Never done it before and think it may be out of my wheel house. Found a kit for $219 with made in japan bearings and power stop rotors for $183. Was told I have to remove the manifold to get to the #1 bypass hose that has a leak in the metal portion. Complete hose replace doable or worth having a shop do it? Im going to go ahead and throw new belts on hoping that will get rid of the squeal.
Any advice or I told you so's are always appreciated. I'll post pics tomorrow of where I am starting. Cant I just get through this in a day and go straight to ARB front bumper, OME lift, new wheels, tires.... blah blah. I'll get it done!