First off, mine is no where near the modified rock crawler that some have built, but it’s my trailer towing/trail support/daily driver that can run some trails. And it works great for me.
1998 Land Cruiser UZJ100
Third row seats removed for more tool boxes
2.5 inch lift with OME 865’s and re-indexed torsion bars.
Custom stainless steel diff drop kit
Upgraded CV boot clamps
TJM T3 front bumper with Warn HS9500 winch/roller fairlead
7 Pin Modification for center diff
4 Low over ride for rear locker
285/75-16 Cooper ST’s and 285/75-16 Bridgestone Dueler AT’s (two sets of rims & tires)
Custom sliders being built
Fabricated transfer case skid plate
Digital trailer brake controller and 12 volts direct to trailer plug
9005 Headlight modification and fog lights too
Custom pinstripes by Manzanita and Aspen
I’ve owned all sorts of 4 wheel drives over the years, but my favorite was my 1982 FJ60 so when it came time to replace that 96 Tahoe, I knew it had to be another Land Cruiser. When I first started looking at purchasing a Cruiser, I was looking at 80 series for the solid axle, trail capabilities, 4 doors, etc.
I looked high and low and even drove two hours with cash in hand for a 93 that was supercharged, lifted, lockers, and all the goodies. It had various problems that included no power and funny noises, and rode like a buckboard so the wife was put off on the 80 series. A friend at work had a 2000 UZJ100 that he let me take home and drive the wife around in. That sold her on the 100’s and me also, so we were off and running to find a Cruiser. After roughly three months of looking, I found mine up in online from the original owner with all the records and options and owned by a dentist whose wife drove it around for 132,000 miles. After a three hour ride home that clocked 17.8 MPG, I was happy.
After only owning it for two months, I took the kids snow skiing and thought I’d try out the all wheel drive with street Michelin’s. Not a good idea, but I found the weak link of the 100’s. The two pinion front diff let loose and it was car trailered home. That started a list of modifications, my introduction to the ih8mud forum, and my first thread posting about exploding differentials. After $900 and my own labor, my new front diff was installed.
Yeah, three holes in the case
Knowing (or blaming) the street tires caused all my problems (yeah right!) I upgraded my tires to Cooper 285/75-15 ST's and then had to lift it for more clearance. I found a set of used springs from Spressomon, and re-indexed my torsion bars to lift the front to keep the ride quality. After lifting it, I started to notice a small grease leak at the CV boot to axle that was stopped before any damage happened.
And while researching differentials I learned about the diff drop thing and then decided I needed to do my own and my modifications were growing. A couple of trips to the metal supply and machine shop I had my own Diff Drop done with stainless steel.
1998 Land Cruiser UZJ100
Third row seats removed for more tool boxes
2.5 inch lift with OME 865’s and re-indexed torsion bars.
Custom stainless steel diff drop kit
Upgraded CV boot clamps
TJM T3 front bumper with Warn HS9500 winch/roller fairlead
7 Pin Modification for center diff
4 Low over ride for rear locker
285/75-16 Cooper ST’s and 285/75-16 Bridgestone Dueler AT’s (two sets of rims & tires)
Custom sliders being built
Fabricated transfer case skid plate
Digital trailer brake controller and 12 volts direct to trailer plug
9005 Headlight modification and fog lights too
Custom pinstripes by Manzanita and Aspen
I’ve owned all sorts of 4 wheel drives over the years, but my favorite was my 1982 FJ60 so when it came time to replace that 96 Tahoe, I knew it had to be another Land Cruiser. When I first started looking at purchasing a Cruiser, I was looking at 80 series for the solid axle, trail capabilities, 4 doors, etc.
I looked high and low and even drove two hours with cash in hand for a 93 that was supercharged, lifted, lockers, and all the goodies. It had various problems that included no power and funny noises, and rode like a buckboard so the wife was put off on the 80 series. A friend at work had a 2000 UZJ100 that he let me take home and drive the wife around in. That sold her on the 100’s and me also, so we were off and running to find a Cruiser. After roughly three months of looking, I found mine up in online from the original owner with all the records and options and owned by a dentist whose wife drove it around for 132,000 miles. After a three hour ride home that clocked 17.8 MPG, I was happy.
After only owning it for two months, I took the kids snow skiing and thought I’d try out the all wheel drive with street Michelin’s. Not a good idea, but I found the weak link of the 100’s. The two pinion front diff let loose and it was car trailered home. That started a list of modifications, my introduction to the ih8mud forum, and my first thread posting about exploding differentials. After $900 and my own labor, my new front diff was installed.
Yeah, three holes in the case
Knowing (or blaming) the street tires caused all my problems (yeah right!) I upgraded my tires to Cooper 285/75-15 ST's and then had to lift it for more clearance. I found a set of used springs from Spressomon, and re-indexed my torsion bars to lift the front to keep the ride quality. After lifting it, I started to notice a small grease leak at the CV boot to axle that was stopped before any damage happened.
And while researching differentials I learned about the diff drop thing and then decided I needed to do my own and my modifications were growing. A couple of trips to the metal supply and machine shop I had my own Diff Drop done with stainless steel.
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