Builds Build Thread: RE-BILT BY ME (1 Viewer)

[BILT4ME]

I finally decided to create a build thread for my 1996 Toyota Land Cruiser.

I've been participating on here for the last year and a half, while I have done some work on it. I have finally reached the point that I need to create a thread so I can keep track of what all I've done.

Purchased Feb. 2012 with 196,456 miles.
Black, 1996 LC FZJ80 with Chrome Package and Chrome Brush Guard

PO Maintenance done:
Head gasket at about 152K
None

The PO had done little to no maintenance on this truck. The SHORT list to make it driveable is:
Remove the window tint from front DS and PS windows to see out.
DS mirror rebuild
Windshield wiper motor
Left Hood Gas Strut
Vacuum it out
Charge battery
Air freshener inside

The good news is that it runs very well, there is NO rust on it.

I bought this truck for the right price, knowing full well how much work it needed. I also understood that Toyotas cost a bunch for parts and rebuilds. I bought it from a neighbor. This was their youngest son's first car, and he was not kind to it, as you will read further in my thread.

One of the things I need the truck for is to transport a power wheelchair for our youngest son. This is also going to be a third vehicle while we prepare for our oldest son to get his driving permit (age 14) and get his school permit so he can take over my old vehicle, a 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee ZJ. This will become my DD, our teaching tool for the oldest to learn on, and hopefully, a throwback to my old 4wheeling days, with a lot more luxury!

My first truck I built in high school a LONG time ago, and it's name was BILT4ME. This thread is in remembrance of that one, as I sold it a month before our oldest was born. Technically, this will be BILT4ME2, but that doesn't fit on a license plate....

More details and pics to come!

 

[Juan Munoz]

Clean LC! How many miles does it have now?

 

[BILT4ME]

Thanks! I REALLY enjoy driving it (except for the gas mileage of 12-15 MPG). It's at 221K now. It is currently in the garage getting the front axle rebuilt and replacing the cooling system after a radiator explosion. As I get time, I'll expand and include pictures.

 

[BILT4ME]

EDITED 2/24/2017 for update.

COOLING SYSTEM ONLY SECTION:

The top of the radiator exploded on a warm day when I was under WOT pulling onto the interstate. As soon as I backed out of the throttle just slightly, it allowed the A/C to engage and it snapped the AC belt (crappy Gates aftermarket cogged belts) which then tangled with the alternator belts and ended up wrapping up all of them nice and tight around the water pump.

I replaced the following:
Radiator
Radiator Cap
Thermostat
Upper and lower radiator hoses
All coolant hoses within easy reach

When I pulled the radiator, I then flushed the block with a garden hose for about 30 minutes. I also did my best to flush both directions trough the block and through the heater core both directions.

The PO had mixed red and green coolant and I had a really nice brown sludge in there that also caused the radiator cap to not relieve and led to the radiator exploding.

After I got it all back together (axles, cooling system) I filled it with distilled water (about 5 gallons) and then drove it to work and around for the day. It was in the mid-60's so I did not need to worry about it freezing in the block. As soon as I got home, I would pull the lower hose and empty it again as well as remove the block plug. I repeated this process (6) times.

On the last time, it was still pretty clear, and I had figured out by then just how much I had to fill it with each time, so I could get my coolant/water ratios set correctly. Each time, I would shut it off with the nose pointing downhill and drain it. Then I would refill it and reposition it so it was nose uphill on my driveway (kind of steep

I chose at that time to go with Toyota Red Coolant because it was "The Best". A month after I did this, Toyota discontinued Toyota Red, and CDAN approved use of GREEN for everyone. When the time comes, I will repeat the flushing process and use green.

I realized after I did all this that it may appear that the PO did NOT replace the PHH when the head was rebuilt at 145K like I originally thought. So, I still have the possibility that I may encounter a bad PHH one day.

Still to replace:
Heater Valve
PHH
Other less than PHH hoses
Rear heater hoses/lines (I am NOT going to delete the rear heat!)

 

[BILT4ME]

McMaster Carr Rear Lift Gate Cylinders

Cylinders:
4138T579 (Same as 4138T57) (Gas Spring 19.72" Extended Lg., 90 lbs. Extension Force with Ball Stud Ends) (Qty 2) ($17.51 ea.)
Nuts:
90257A045 (Super-Corrosion-Resistant 316 SS Hex Nut 5/16"-18 Thread Size, 9/16" Width, 7/32" Height) (Qty 1 pack of 10) ($4.22/Pk)

There is a little drilling and MINOR fabrication involved, but it raises the tip of the upper gate about 10".
The wind deflector on the top ALMOST hits the roof when it is up. However, it holds it up in -21°F weather. (Tested)

My wife has a hard time reaching it now, but both my son and I have no problem grabbing it. (6'-2" and 6'-1") But neither hit our head on it anymore.

2/20/22: Finally added the information to my build thread. Installed 10/24/2013 at 216898 mi. Currently at 326565 mi and still doing well.

Struts, gas struts, lift cylinders, rear gate cylinders, mcmaster carr lift gate mod

 

[BILT4ME]

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[BILT4ME]

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[BILT4ME]

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[BILT4ME]

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[BILT4ME]

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[BILT4ME]

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[BILT4ME]

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[BILT4ME]

Finally got the front bumper installed again. Spent a lot of time stripping and repainting...twice. Part of that due to the learning curve for our son, but also attributed to the conical spray nozzle on the spray cans.

Stripped the bumper to bare metal, straightened it, filled the few small dings, sanded, primed, and painted with the Duplicolor Graphite Wheel paint. (Don't use the clear....It really mottles the final finish.)

i had a woman back into the front of me and bent the front bumper and the damage multiplier. Had to use that payout to do the major PM the truck desperately needed (brakes and axle rebuild)

Finally getting it cleaned up. I will re-install the damage multiplier until I get my front bumper designed and built. Kind of like an ARB bull Bar, but slightly different.

Still have to complete the bumperettes and get those installed. Maybe in the next few weeks......

 

[BILT4ME]

Pics of bumper rework next post.

 

[BILT4ME]

Pics attached