- Thread starter
- #61
I used OEM wiring, but I’m sure new speaker wire Would be an upgrade. Worked just fine for mine though.
Build: 40th Anniversary Restoration
- Thread starter Charles4x4
- Start date
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Dude this thread is awesome and it’s just getting started. I will be following closely as I also bought a 97 40th, Antiique sage that was impeccably maintained by the single owner, bought from a southeast Toyota distributor dealer, and has the window sticker too! Such asimilar story! I love the speaker post and will be following for more as I want to “restore” and keep mine as factory as possible for now. Bravo!
- Thread starter
- #63
Pointless Dent Removal done. My guy is a perfectionist and put 10hrs in to it. Couldn’t get all of them, but got 95% and the body shop will get the rest.
- Thread starter
- #64
Once PDR was done, I pulled the steering wheel and mailed it off to Craft Customs in TX for an overhaul. It was really terrible. Should see it back in 3-weeks hopefully in time to head to the body shop.
- Thread starter
- #65
Update: the seats are done! The leather kit from Mosley motors turned out great! We even splurged a little for the heated and cold seats. Right now it’s all just sitting in storage while I wait on the body shop in early July. But glad to have another big item checked off the list.
Looks great! I would have replaced the seat cushions as well, readily available from Land Cruiser Heaven in MD.
- Thread starter
- #67
They re-did whatever foam needed to be replaced when the replaced the leather.
ranma21
Supporting Vendor
Hey Charles, how much it runs you for the PDR?
- Thread starter
- #69
My guy usually does mine for $300-400 depending on how many hours it takes him.
ranma21
Supporting Vendor
That is not bad at all for the amount of dent marked by green tape!
- Thread starter
- #71
It’s a steal!
- Thread starter
- #72
While I wait on my July slot at the paint shop, I happened to score the one thing this fully loaded 40th Anniversary cruiser was missing.
- Thread starter
- #73
Before and After on the Steering Wheel restoration from Craft Customs in TX. Mine was more damaged than usual, so they took 4-weeks in total as they had to do all new filler foam in addition to leather. So, it’s practically brand new now.
- Thread starter
- #74
Front axle rebuild on the factory locking axle set is done.
- Thread starter
- #75
New Disc and Drum (E-Brake) Rear Axle brakes on the 40th anniversary cruiser. One side was bone dry, but the other had a little evidence of gear oil, so I ordered a rebuild kit from Cruiser Outfitters so I can get it 100% back to factory condition matching the Front Axle I just finished last week.
- Thread starter
- #76
Finished a quick Rear Axle Rebuild on the 1997 40th Anniversary 3x Locked Land Cruiser Restoration today. I noticed gear oil where it shouldn’t be when I replaced the rear parking brake shoes, so new axle seals, gaskets, and Koyo Bearings/Races were installed from Cruiser Outfitters. Clearly I’m taking too long on the restoration as my 5-yr old son keeps asking “why do you keep taking things apart when it worked fine before?” 
- Thread starter
- #77
97 40th Anniversary Axle Swap and Dobinsons Suspension Upgrades Part 1:
Got all the parts unboxed and organized, current non-locked rear axle unbolted, OEM rear suspension removed, and factory locked axle ready for install.
Got all the parts unboxed and organized, current non-locked rear axle unbolted, OEM rear suspension removed, and factory locked axle ready for install.
- Thread starter
- #78
97 40th Anniversary Axle Swap and Dobinsons Suspension Upgrades Part 2:
Finished up the brakes on the now fully rebuilt factory locked rear axle, installed the Dobinsons 3” FlexiCoils and IMS Shocks, and got everything wrapped up (Slee sway bar drop, Delta rear panhard lift, Slee bump stop drop, extended brake lines, etc).
Finished up the brakes on the now fully rebuilt factory locked rear axle, installed the Dobinsons 3” FlexiCoils and IMS Shocks, and got everything wrapped up (Slee sway bar drop, Delta rear panhard lift, Slee bump stop drop, extended brake lines, etc).
- Thread starter
- #79
97 40th Anniversary Axle Swap and Dobinsons Suspension Upgrades Part 3:
Front Axle and Suspension all removed. The rear Radius Arm bolts were harder to loosen than I remembered. Had to get creative with a breaker bar, extension, and floor jack on 1 of the 4! Next time I’m loosening those while the tires are still on the ground! Having the axle loose and truck on jack stands trying to loosen them was bad sequencing on my part!
Front Axle and Suspension all removed. The rear Radius Arm bolts were harder to loosen than I remembered. Had to get creative with a breaker bar, extension, and floor jack on 1 of the 4! Next time I’m loosening those while the tires are still on the ground! Having the axle loose and truck on jack stands trying to loosen them was bad sequencing on my part!
I appreciate you sharing your restoration. I am also restoring a 40th anniversary and want to pick you brain regarding fender flare pads. Most I’ve seen go with the oem or generic black padding, but the original grey is NLA. Someone suggested pads from a 04-06 tundra and I ordered a set to see if the color would look right. What do you think?
