Got this '97 LX450, factory lockers, stock in 2002. Built it up, and then had a front end collision (other guy's fault) in the snow outside of Prescott, AZ in 2011. It was "built" and now "rebuilt".
Here are pictures of "the wreck". Afternoon snow falling fast and the guy was coming downhill at us too fast. ARB and LandCruiser heft let us have less damage, but still "totaled" by insurance. He got the worst of it, but still bad. But I bought her back.
So we rebuilt her. Dave Gore let us store her at his place for a while, and donated a frame (!!!) for the rebuild.
Joe Burdolski (semi-retired auto wizard) stitched her back together and gave her a paint job..
Another improvement was to do some sound insulation. Again, found some good resources on MUD. It was not that difficult and really adds to the enjoyment of driving.
I had put headers on my '78 FJ40 over 25 years ago and had always lusted after them for the 80 series. Found them on line and ordered them. Did not realize they cut off the feed for the EGR, but found a way around that. Scottsdale Muffler in AZ is the bomb for custom exhaust work. Chris and crew are awesome. They got the exhaust over the frame behind the cats. I had 4 repairs on this section due to it hanging below the frame before. Greg's Japanese in Chandler helped me delete the rear heater and some I do not have to worry about melting the heater hoes above the frame where the exhaust now goes.
I've had the Scan Gauge but wanted something bigger. I got the Samsung "Tab E" low cost tablet, Bluetooth dongle for the OBDII port, and the Torque App Pro. This let's you create different gauges and arrange them. It has speedometer calibration as well. And GPS with coordinates. You can also have other map Apps for way-finding loaded to switch to when off-road, such as topo maps.
I was having some intermittent electrical issues. Again, MUD to the rescue. Redid the fuseable links and the battery terminals. Not shown, but also replaced the starter. On stop-and-go runs after the 3rd or 4th stop in the summer the starter would not crank. New start, and now no issues.
Way tired of the driver's side floor mat sliding to the left and getting crunched up and deformed. I noted that later models had two hold points. Found some "tee nuts" that have spikes that could grab the carpet below the floor mat. Made it pretty by using brass grommets and fasteners. Very happy with the results.
Nice work, you've been very busy. I was wondering; did you just replace the bent frame horns or??? You mentioned a donated frame but I saw no pics of anframe replacement.
Baldilocks,
Passenger side frame horn was bent. Joe cut that off and replaced it with a section from the donor frame. Strengthened it with a piece welded on the inside of the horn to bridge the joint. It is a little clearer in this picture.
Bajaphile,
Thanks for the links! Will definitely look at those.
I had put headers on my '78 FJ40 over 25 years ago and had always lusted after them for the 80 series. Found them on line and ordered them. Did not realize they cut off the feed for the EGR, but found a way around that. Scottsdale Muffler in AZ is the bomb for custom exhaust work. Chris and crew are awesome. They got the exhaust over the frame behind the cats. I had 4 repairs on this section due to it hanging below the frame before. Greg's Japanese in Chandler helped me delete the rear heater and some I do not have to worry about melting the heater hoes above the frame where the exhaust now goes.
You wouldn't happen to have an audio file or when get a chance load something on the sound of the exhaust system?
Just wanted to hear what yours sounds like.
You replied to me on the muffler shop rec thread on Phoenix area shops and checking with Scottsdale Muffler here soon on mine. Thank you for that.
This is so-so sound quality and worse video! I was recording the frequency spectrum vs speed by taking a video of a tablet running two apps. The site won't let me post here. Hopefully this link to YouTube works. The J-pipe length was tuned to eliminate the drone at 75MPH/2800rpm, and you can see the peak dB at around 120Hz roll off at 75MPH. This is about 45 seconds into the clip. I was driving one handed while recording and got too nervous to push it faster.
Ulysse Speedometer app (on the left) lets you do 1/4 mile, 0-60, and 0-100 timings and speedometer using GPS. Physics Toolbox (on the right) has a spectrum analyzer.
The J-pipe itself is in the 3rd picture of post #8. The smaller pipe with a two bolt clamp pointing to the left and going over the main exhaust.
This is so-so sound quality and worse video! I was recording the frequency spectrum vs speed by taking a video of a tablet running two apps. The site won't let me post here. Hopefully this link to YouTube works. The J-pipe length was tuned to eliminate the drone at 75MPH/2800rpm, and you can see the peak dB at around 120Hz roll off at 75MPH. This is about 45 seconds into the clip. I was driving one handed while recording and got too nervous to push it faster.
Ulysse Speedometer app (on the left) lets you do 1/4 mile, 0-60, and 0-100 timings and speedometer using GPS. Physics Toolbox (on the right) has a spectrum analyzer.
The J-pipe itself is in the 3rd picture of post #8. The smaller pipe with a two bolt clamp pointing to the left and going over the main exhaust.
Oh awesome. Thank you for getting this so quickly and the db even better. Came in YT just fine.
I'm deletign rear heater too. Will be in touch with Scottsdale Muffler soon.
