Hi guys I have been in the forum for a while mostly learning but now I want to share my 76 with you. It’s located in Panama, so if any of you is around Panamá and wants to go wheeling just let me know.
A little background on me; I used to drive sport cars but after a while I got tired of having to watch out for pot holes and speed bumps. Driven by the desire to drive careless in the city and to drive off the grid for a couple of days at a time I decided to buy another 4x4. I was looking for a 70 series but new ones were hard to come by and if you find one they were pretty expensive. Having said that I bought a 2009 FJ cruiser and what a beast it was, That thing took me everywhere and I was happy as I can be. I fitted the fj with suspension, 285/75r16 BFG KO, imported a bumper from the states and did sound system upgrade. I learned to work on trucks, did my own oil changes and pretty much learned everything I could about the fj. I had to change some pulleys some belts but besides that and a new alternator the fj was pretty reliable.
However, fast forward a couple of years and the fj while reliable started to ask for maintenance more frequently. The idea to sell the fj started to circle my head constantly. I knew I wanted something very reliable with front and rear solid axles. I started to look around for a 70 series with no luck (the only ones I could find were old and in very bad shape). I went to Toyota dealership to import one and they wanted 55k USD for a 1hz one, no thanks. Then I went to the dark side and started to look for a Rubicon... ha, the dealership wanted like 65k USD for one and they are not as reliable as I would like to.
Frustrated in my search for a new 4x4, one day looking into a local ads site I found a 2014 76 LC. I called the guy and he said the car had only been driven for 8k km in 4 years. When I asked for the price it was very reasonable so I knew this was the one. I went right over to see it in person and inspect it. It smelled like new, I could tell this car had been stored for a while. The only drawback I found was that I didnt have factory lockers but I knew that I could address that later on.
So, meet my LC she has no name yet but eventually it will get one. I was bought in Dubai and shipped to Venezuela then to be imported to Panama. So she has traveled far longer in a ship than by herself.
She has the same V6 than the fj and I’m happy for this since I already know the platform and how to do basic work on it. she has a 4.3 gearing (90% sure if this) with rear LSD. The gearbox is a H150F and has ac and electric windows. Overall I would say the LC is overkill for what I need ( I live in a large city and have an office job). She is my DD. But to be honest I don’t care she just makes me happy. Sure it drives like a boat, brakes like a boat, does not have abs nor airbags but what can I say I love her. I love the simplicity and functionality and the looks. Here 70 series are not common and people will stare at it.
List of mods:
ARB front bumper
ARB side steps
2x ARB 9.5 intensity spot lights
2x ARB 9.5 intensity flood lights
1x rigid industries working light in the back
Safari snorkel
2” OME lift
33” Dunlop mud terrain tires
Pioneer rhino roof rack with shovel holder
2x ARB touring awnings one in the driver side and one in the back
High lift with high lift holder
Cobra CB radio with antennas
Outback roof console
ARB 37qt fridge
ARB small drawer in the back
Pioneer radio upgrade
4 Kenwood speakers (one in each door)
I also fitted a system with 4 speakers and 2 amplifiers in the back mounted in the roof picture below (this is great because it does not take much space and it sounds amazing) great if you are in the beach and want to listen to some music.
I also fitted a 15” kenwood bass. This overkill and I will probably end up changing.
Jerry can with jerry can holder.
Next on the list:
Lockers, probably ARB
Winch, still undecided if I want to go with 10k lbs or 12k lbs.
Diff armor
I want to improve suspension flex but I cannot find much information (if you have suggestions please tell me)
Complete drawer system
I have two additional 6” rigid led light bars from the FJ that I don’t know where to put.
Dual battery setup
Fit 35” tires but this will have to wait since it barely fits in the garage at the office (I had to take the high lift off from the roof rack)
Additional rated recover points
Find a way to secure outside accessories (already somebody stole one of my antennas)
So overall this is it. She is setup as my DD and weekend warrior. I will post better pictures once I have the time to take them. If you have any question or suggestion please let me know.
A little background on me; I used to drive sport cars but after a while I got tired of having to watch out for pot holes and speed bumps. Driven by the desire to drive careless in the city and to drive off the grid for a couple of days at a time I decided to buy another 4x4. I was looking for a 70 series but new ones were hard to come by and if you find one they were pretty expensive. Having said that I bought a 2009 FJ cruiser and what a beast it was, That thing took me everywhere and I was happy as I can be. I fitted the fj with suspension, 285/75r16 BFG KO, imported a bumper from the states and did sound system upgrade. I learned to work on trucks, did my own oil changes and pretty much learned everything I could about the fj. I had to change some pulleys some belts but besides that and a new alternator the fj was pretty reliable.
However, fast forward a couple of years and the fj while reliable started to ask for maintenance more frequently. The idea to sell the fj started to circle my head constantly. I knew I wanted something very reliable with front and rear solid axles. I started to look around for a 70 series with no luck (the only ones I could find were old and in very bad shape). I went to Toyota dealership to import one and they wanted 55k USD for a 1hz one, no thanks. Then I went to the dark side and started to look for a Rubicon... ha, the dealership wanted like 65k USD for one and they are not as reliable as I would like to.
Frustrated in my search for a new 4x4, one day looking into a local ads site I found a 2014 76 LC. I called the guy and he said the car had only been driven for 8k km in 4 years. When I asked for the price it was very reasonable so I knew this was the one. I went right over to see it in person and inspect it. It smelled like new, I could tell this car had been stored for a while. The only drawback I found was that I didnt have factory lockers but I knew that I could address that later on.
So, meet my LC she has no name yet but eventually it will get one. I was bought in Dubai and shipped to Venezuela then to be imported to Panama. So she has traveled far longer in a ship than by herself.
She has the same V6 than the fj and I’m happy for this since I already know the platform and how to do basic work on it. she has a 4.3 gearing (90% sure if this) with rear LSD. The gearbox is a H150F and has ac and electric windows. Overall I would say the LC is overkill for what I need ( I live in a large city and have an office job). She is my DD. But to be honest I don’t care she just makes me happy. Sure it drives like a boat, brakes like a boat, does not have abs nor airbags but what can I say I love her. I love the simplicity and functionality and the looks. Here 70 series are not common and people will stare at it.
List of mods:
ARB front bumper
ARB side steps
2x ARB 9.5 intensity spot lights
2x ARB 9.5 intensity flood lights
1x rigid industries working light in the back
Safari snorkel
2” OME lift
33” Dunlop mud terrain tires
Pioneer rhino roof rack with shovel holder
2x ARB touring awnings one in the driver side and one in the back
High lift with high lift holder
Cobra CB radio with antennas
Outback roof console
ARB 37qt fridge
ARB small drawer in the back
Pioneer radio upgrade
4 Kenwood speakers (one in each door)
I also fitted a system with 4 speakers and 2 amplifiers in the back mounted in the roof picture below (this is great because it does not take much space and it sounds amazing) great if you are in the beach and want to listen to some music.
I also fitted a 15” kenwood bass. This overkill and I will probably end up changing.
Jerry can with jerry can holder.
Next on the list:
Lockers, probably ARB
Winch, still undecided if I want to go with 10k lbs or 12k lbs.
Diff armor
I want to improve suspension flex but I cannot find much information (if you have suggestions please tell me)
Complete drawer system
I have two additional 6” rigid led light bars from the FJ that I don’t know where to put.
Dual battery setup
Fit 35” tires but this will have to wait since it barely fits in the garage at the office (I had to take the high lift off from the roof rack)
Additional rated recover points
Find a way to secure outside accessories (already somebody stole one of my antennas)
So overall this is it. She is setup as my DD and weekend warrior. I will post better pictures once I have the time to take them. If you have any question or suggestion please let me know.
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