Builds Brought home a $2000 Land Cruiser!, Budget Overland Build (1 Viewer)

[JOMZSHAKES]

first post!
just bought a 1998 LC with 360k miles in very neglected condition.

heres what i see,
-damage from hitting a POLE at low speeds

-ABS light "scanner shows front right wheel speed sensor", im guessing this is what caused the pole hit

-rat droppings in and all over engine bay, hole chewed in air filter, air filter piece clogged MAF and i had to use paper towels wrapped around air filter to drive it the 2 hours home.

-disgusting interior

-new axles, but every bushing under car looks severly cracked

-no coolant in vehicle, refilled and i dont see a leak anywhere, no overheating, no white smoke out the back. im guessing its the water pump. im monitoring it for now but havent found any clues.

-needs timing belt kit, "aisin kit and oem cam/crank seals on the way"

-power steering was creamy and insanely low, added atf fluid, looks like sweating thru the hose, havent searched for leaks yet.

-replaced battery terminal, now holds 14.1 volts while running

HERE IS MY GOAL

-get whats needed to "safely" overland/car camp the vehicle in a groups "not solo"

-most basic tire/wheel/suspension set up for forest roads and beginner level offroading

-learn about 4x4's as ive been a lowered rwd sports car guy my whole life.

-meet local dudes here near Georgia to go on overland trips with

 

[JOMZSHAKES]

first thing ive been searching for and cant find an answer to is i have a big puff of smoke, like exhaust smoke, in engine bay only on start up.

no ticking from exhaust manifold, it goes away instantly.

is it EGR related or have something to do with a crankcase vent tube?

 

[Mike NXP]

first thing ive been searching for and cant find an answer to is i have a big puff of smoke, like exhaust smoke, in engine bay only on start up.

no ticking from exhaust manifold, it goes away instantly.

is it EGR related or have something to do with a crankcase vent tube?

Nice find, lift it, monster truck tires, cut the roof off and Plexi glass it.....jk

The smoke might relate to your low coolant levels...Or it may just be crap burning off. Need more details and troubleshooting on your end to narrow that one down...Maybe a pic or video of it happening

I don't know anything about the EGR on these vehicles, don't know if anyone has ever had a problem. I assume we have an EGR but I have no idea where it is or anything like that..........As for cranckase vent tube / PCV valve, its located on the top driver side of your motor. Try to remove the tube, pull the valve and check to see if it rattles. Rattle is good, no rattle means replace. Or just replace cuz its cheap.

 

[Mike NXP]

Good find either way....I paid almost that much just for the tires on my vehicle......Don't go crazy bringing this thing back to life. Start slow. keep the fluids in it, get yourself a scan tool, and monitor engine temps and other things before diving in deeper and spending money on stuff

On dirt, you should work out your center diff lock. Also work the 4H-N-4Low lever and make sure everything is all free'd up

-damage from hitting a POLE at low speeds
>> Real classy, at least the gold emblems are still in tact, that's worth $2k right there


-ABS light "scanner shows front right wheel speed sensor", im guessing this is what caused the pole hit
>> Could be loose wheel bearing preload or bad sensor. Need to inspect closer

-rat droppings in and all over engine bay, hole chewed in air filter, air filter piece clogged MAF and i had to use paper towels wrapped around air filter to drive it the 2 hours home.
>> Another class move, lol. Sucks that the rats have had their way in there for a while but get it all cleaned out and start over. Remove engine cover, and inspect with flashlight into the engine V. I've had a few nest form in there before. You can get it cleaned out with air and a long reachy graby tool

-disgusting interior
>> Less stuff to care about. Just send it.. I first replaced with full leather from Land Cruiser Heaven and then eventually covered them again with Cordura covers from Cal Trend lol damn dog....anyway they worked out really nicely but you lose the leather vibe

-new axles, but every bushing under car looks severly cracked
>> Bummer, don't worry to much about it. Maybe start with sway bar links and cushions front and rear then move to stuff like control arms and shock bushings if needed

-no coolant in vehicle, refilled and i dont see a leak anywhere, no overheating, no white smoke out the back. im guessing its the water pump. im monitoring it for now but havent found any clues.
>> This is the killer of the 2UZ motor , well s*** heat will kill any engine. The 2UZ rarely blows head gaskets or has major failures unless the owner runs coolant down too low / poverty heats. neglects the cooling system. Keeping coolant in and engine temps under 190 consistently would be my first priority

-needs timing belt kit, "aisin kit and oem cam/crank seals on the way"
>> Nice. No VVTI motor should make it a bit easier. If crank and cam seal aren't leaking. maybe just leave them alone, just my opinion . Be sure to replace idler pulley and tensioner as well. Be careful of wire routing and other small parts involved in this job

-power steering was creamy and insanely low, added atf fluid, looks like sweating thru the hose, havent searched for leaks yet.
>> Hoses at the res tank almost always leak. I clipped mine down a half inch and resecured them to fix that problem. Parts for PS system are fairly cheap and easy to repalce. Be careful of the brittle idle up air valve on backside of power steering pump. Two vac lines connecting to it, the valve gets brittle and may break when you pull vac hoses. ATF fluid only no PS fluid

-replaced battery terminal, now holds 14.1 volts while running
>> sweet

 

[excessive]

Great platform! and your plan looks solid. Make a list, and prioritize it. i am doing the same thing , reviving a neglected 98 cruiser. there's a thread for my buid on here.
Good luck!

 

[Coin]

A perfect candidate!
Personally, I hate seeing people buy cherry rigs and then proceed to best the snot out of them on trails. Just leaves fewer and fewer nice ones on the road.

 

[JOMZSHAKES]

 

[JOMZSHAKES]

damage doesnt look bad, i used a 2" ratchet strap to bend back the radiator support by attaching it to my datsun in the garage. i replaced the hood and now just need a grill support and a winch bumper

 

[Import Driver]

That's a fun project! I'll say it again - I'm a sucker for a transformation. Transformations are my weakness. Enjoy!

 

[excessive]

the best excuse in the world to get an aftermarket bumper !

 

[robs friend]

first post!
just bought a 1998 LC with 360k miles in very neglected condition.

heres what i see,
-damage from hitting a POLE at low speeds

-ABS light "scanner shows front right wheel speed sensor", im guessing this is what caused the pole hit

-rat droppings in and all over engine bay, hole chewed in air filter, air filter piece clogged MAF and i had to use paper towels wrapped around air filter to drive it the 2 hours home.

-disgusting interior

-new axles, but every bushing under car looks severly cracked

-no coolant in vehicle, refilled and i dont see a leak anywhere, no overheating, no white smoke out the back. im guessing its the water pump. im monitoring it for now but havent found any clues.

-needs timing belt kit, "aisin kit and oem cam/crank seals on the way"

-power steering was creamy and insanely low, added atf fluid, looks like sweating thru the hose, havent searched for leaks yet.

-replaced battery terminal, now holds 14.1 volts while running

HERE IS MY GOAL

-get whats needed to "safely" overland/car camp the vehicle in a groups "not solo"

-most basic tire/wheel/suspension set up for forest roads and beginner level offroading

-learn about 4x4's as ive been a lowered rwd sports car guy my whole life.

-meet local dudes here near Georgia to go on overland trips with



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Good luck , looks like a lot of general work ,but if it runs good patience is your friend.

 

[Xavier97fj80]

You beat me to this one! Only 15 mins from where I live but I was out of town when it was posted. I didn't need it anyways haha. Good Luck! Looks like it found a good home.

 

[JOMZSHAKES]

Got the detail done!, shampoo'd the beat up carpets and used an OZONE machine to remove all the smells.
now its time to take off all the fckd up wood trim everywhere.

 

[benznotmercedes]

I think I saw this one posted on FB Marketplace! I'm just down the road from you in Woodstock and picked up an 00 with 365k. Nice work cleaning it up so far.

 

[Exiled]

That interior looks great! Heat gun (applies gently) and plastic trim tools -and patience- are great for removing the wood trim, then denatured alcohol to remove the adhesive remnants. I've done this one four different 100s, works like a charm.

 

[sterling]

Nice to see some new trucks around GA!
We usually have a great mix of vehicles at the monthly yota meetups, happens to be one in the a.m.

Yota Atlanta - Monthly Meeting Information

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[JOMZSHAKES]

Nice to see some new trucks around GA!
We usually have a great mix of vehicles at the monthly yota meetups, happens to be one in the a.m.

Yota Atlanta - Monthly Meeting Information

forum.ih8mud.com

I cant wait to meet up with you guys, i need some weeks to get it running relaibly tho. it sat for a while so problems are popping up one after another really fast lol.
im looking for a group to do overlanding with as well , i want to hit the Georgia traverse

 

[JOMZSHAKES]

I think I saw this one posted on FB Marketplace! I'm just down the road from you in Woodstock and picked up an 00 with 365k. Nice work cleaning it up so far.

thats awesome! let me know if you wanna wrench together sometime.

 

[JOMZSHAKES]

Painted these after my goof off melted my paint , they're looking great now

 

[JOMZSHAKES]

This was a first for me, did really good with a couple inconsistencies. almost wish i went with the darker walnut, but the grey is close enough