Brando1 2001 Land Cruiser build

[KCErnest]

Did your Lseat order come with headrests and arm rests? Strangely I only need the passenger seat back and all the rest's so I'm trying to figure out who has what.

 

[brando1]

YUP, AND A NEW CENTER CONSOLE TOO.

 

[brando1]

Finally got the right spare on truck. Also installed the 4foot firstik. Haven't wired it yet. Trying to decide the best place to hook it up to one of those midland handheld jobs. I hate looking at wires. Right now I'm leaning towards running it through the center console under the armrest if possible. I can plug it in next to the power outlet. Looking forward to using her in September in hard rock.

 

[brando1]

Added the high lift jack to the bior rear bumper. It fit perfectly. I got the 60 inch version. Unfortunately the powder coating does not seem to be sticking as well as it should, pretty sure they didn't prep it well enough. Storing her away for hurricane Irma.

 

[brando1]

PSA.
If your car starts to overheat and you think it's a good idea to wash the bugs and crap off your radiator, then start to rinse off the engine bay, then see dirt on your skid plates, then crawl underneath and start washing the underside of your already been detailed truck. Do not do it in your OWN driveway. Your wife will be pissed.
But your mechanic will thank you.
This public service announcement has been brought to you by me.

 

[bucfl]

What have you done?

 

[brando1]

THAT WAS JUST THE CRAP I'D BUILT UP OVER THE YEARS ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE TRUCK.
Pretty crazy. At least 50lbs of dirt came off the old girl. The crazy thing is I've had her cleaned twice since my last outing, and that was almost two months ago.
Now I just need to find out why she's overheating.

 

[bucfl]

I don't wash mine on the drive way anymore. Got old cleaning two things. Lol

 

[brando1]

Added the 864 rear coils. I was nervous that they would be too stiff. I actually think it drives a little smoother. The front end doesn't crash over the bumps any more. Feels more like factory. I haven't touched the torsion bars yet. I might leave it this way. Drives better with a little bit of the "stink bug" look.

 

[brando1]

Yota md key. The execution of this key is brilliant. I put it together at work today and my colleagues at the store( a lexus dealership) were even impressed.

Also went to bear island this week.

 

[brando1]

Bear island was completely flooded. Lots of trees still down from the hurricane. Deer everywhere. Even saw a bear and a Florida panther. All the animals are on the trail because of the water. Almost finished the trail, but had to turn back after a huge pine tree was crossed over the path. Found out my winch wound over itself, and I didn't think it wise to mess around with the tree because I was out there solo.

 

[brando1]

Replaced HID lights with some eBay LED lights. Wow. What a difference. Just need to make them a little more waterproof.

 

[brando1]

Trip to citrus wildlife management area. Great time with Florida over landing community. Good mix of trucks and 1 very cool old Range Rover. Stopped for a bbq

 

[brando1]

 

[brando1]

 

[brando1]

 

[brando1]

Finally got around to placing the microphone for the ilx107 where it belongs.
Big difference in sound quality when you are using the phone

 

[brando1]

Discovered I really needed back up lights when I braved a solo trip to bear island and ended up out there after sunset with no auxiliary lighting. Ended up backing up by feel, kinda felt like I was driving a drunk elephant. Thank god for steel bumpers. Ordered amazon light switch and got some led light pods from a buddy. No need to spend big money on leds. These cheap eBay light up fantastically.
Zombie switch because, well, why not.

Not sure of the light placement yet. Might need to make an adjustment or two but at least I ain't backing up blind anymore.
Can't wait for a tailgater to pull up on me.

 

[geanes]

Hey, those eBay lights on the bumper....they look like a flood/spot combo (starboard flood/port spot). I like that setup. I have the Lumitek versions off Amazon that are essentially both "driving" lights....a mid-point between spot and flood. I'd rather have 1 of each though.

 

[brando1]

They come with covers for flood light, I keep one of each on. I haven't try these on th trails yet, but they light up my neighborhood like its daylight.