CruiserBerg's 100 Build (1 Viewer)

[CruiserBerg]

I've had this cruiser for a couple years now but I decided that I'm bored enough today to finally get around to making a build thread!

I picked up my 100 in August of 2021, its the second Toyota and first Land Cruiser I've owned. I had an 86 4runner and I loved that truck! Definitely sold it way too cheap though

Got a fancy car wash right after I signed the bill of sale. I don't think he's been this clean since!

The very next day I went to the desert and through a nice little mountain pass, I couldn't wait to get dirty and see what this cruiser on street tires could do!

About a week after that I decided he needed some new tires, these weren't going to cut it on the trips I was planning.

I'm actually still running these tires, though now they are quite worn out.

I hadn't had an offroad capable car for a few years before picking up my cruiser. I was dying to get out camping again! My brother recommended I take a solo trip out to the San Rafael Swell here in Utah. I'd heard of the swell before but honestly had no idea what to expect.

I took a few days off work and planned to go up skyline drive then drop into castle dale before making my way to the swell.

 

[CruiserBerg]

My campsite that first night w

as the best I'd ever seen! I was up late thanks to all the hunters in their side by sides driving nearby till about 2-3 in the morning. But eating breakfast with this view made it all worth it!

I don't have too many photos in the swell but I followed buckhorn wash down to swaseys cabin, then up eagle canyon and back on i-70 heading to Moab for the last 2 days I had.

I always knew that Cruisers were a different breed to the jeeps I'd grown up with. But they never really clicked for me until getting my own. I could not believe how capable this rig was in such a stock state. Even doing some trails I remember being rough in my old TJ, they were just a piece of cake for this thing.

I didn't really touch it much for a while after this trip. I just spent most of my time and money out exploring the desert. Camping any weekend I could get away!

Absolutely blown away by this Cruiser, and honestly I still am to this day!

In 2023, I decided to start modifying it to suit my needs, the first issue I wanted to address was communications. I'd done a few trail runs and having my radio flop around in the cup holder was getting old. I found a mount on ebay for my baofeng radio(yeah I know but it was cheap!) I added some padding behind it to stop it from rattling. This mount was very cheap and while it doesn't look amazing, it gets the job done.

 

[CruiserBerg]

I was able to get a bumper from my brother for a very good price, he was upgrading his to a dissent I believe.

With the added weight of the bumper I felt it was finally time to throw on a lift. In my head I was expecting this to be easy, but it was really difficult for me. This was the first I'd messed with anything IFS suspension wise.

As a side note, when Icon says "Requires aftermarket control arms" they mean it...

I was in love with how it looks and how it rides! My next stop was a weekend in Moab to test the new suspension! With a quick install of a fire extinguisher first! I trust my wiring skills but I like to be safe!

 

[CruiserBerg]

The cruiser performed flawlessly on the trails we ran!! I was falling in love with it all over again!!

Earlier this year my brother decided to upgrade his rear bumper as well, so I found myself with a free rear bar. Can't complain about wear at that price!! It was a rough install, but not too terrible.

And this brings us to now! This is how my 100 currently sits.

I do have some plans for the old cruiser, 35s sometime in the next few months (technically 34.5s but close enough), sliders, and lockers. I'm not really sure where I'll go after that but I'll keep this thread updated on anything I do to him!

 

[Fairgame]

Don't spend to much on mods and maybe raise the front an inch or so

 

[CruiserBerg]

Don't spend to much on mods and maybe raise the front an inch or so

The biggest costs right now are maintenance items, I need to do a timing belt soon, front lower control arm bushings, and diff bushings. Once all that is done I'll be spending more on fun items.
I may go for different rear springs, My front torsion bars are already cranked quite high, I think the rear needs to come down a bit.

 

[Exiled]

I would spend some money on a set of sidebars, a lift and more aggressive tires will likely get you into rougher spots!

 

[CruiserBerg]

Finally got around to getting some work done on my cruiser!
Had to repack the bearings on the driver side, the first time I did them I didn't get enough preload so they were a little loose.

Soon after that I got around to getting some tires for the wheels I picked up a few months ago. I went with Falken Wildpeak M/T01 in a 285/70/17

The wheels are Vision Overland, 17x9 0 offset, I think the fitment is absolutely perfect!

They are noisier than my last tires, but I was running ATs before so I expected the noise. So far it hasn't been bad at all, not the normal sound you get from older MTs.

A while back I picked up some 40 series fender badges from Cruiser Outfitters to mount to the rear quarter panel similar to the 200 heritage edition. And today I got them mounted up! I really love how it looks!

The picture doesn't quite do it justice, it looks much better in person.
Everything else has just been little things to get it ready for my move to Washington in a week! I'm very excited to have a whole new state of places to explore, very sad to be leaving Utah though. Being within a short drive of the San Rafael Swell and Moab is something I had taken for granted. I'll be making trips back every so often! Hopefully each time I'll be able to make a quick run out to the swell and I'm planning to make it back down for Cruiser Moab in 25'!

 

[CruiserBerg]

I’ve been chasing a clunk over bumps ever since I installed my OME lift. I’ve replaced ball joints, sway bar bushings, steering rack bushings, and was gearing up to rebuild the steering column. But today I was putting my hands on the suspension parts to double check things before my long drive to Washington and found my drivers side shock absorber to have a bit of play. I was able to turn it a couple degrees but it made the same clunk I’ve been hearing for months now. Thanks to Bryce and Chance at @cruiseroutfit for helping me out with getting a new shock absorber and working on warranty for the old one. My clunk is completely gone now!

There were some weird issues with the install of the new shock, ARB redesigned it and I’m not sure if I like the new design.
There is barely enough room to get a wrench on the top of the shaft to keep it from spinning

And the instructions they provide are impossible to read haha!!

 

[bucfl]

Id get sliders and winch before lockers. Great build so far.

 

[CruiserBerg]

Id get sliders and winch before lockers. Great build so far.

Those are next on my list, possibly after front upper and lower control arms