- Thread starter
- #201
First FZJ80, 97 40th Anniversary
- Thread starter rdcnj
- Start date
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truthdetector
GOLD Star
Ah. I just installed the Toyota part for the 105 series available from overseas. I saw your post and thought they maybe resurrected the 80 series oem part.
Crush 4
SILVER Star
I ordered so thx! Is there any problems w capping off the return?
- Thread starter
- #204
Only thing I've noticed, if you try to fill it with fuel too fast and she's empty... it'll click off more than you want.
But if you put it on slow... you can watch the price go up better and it never clicks! LOL
Crush 4
SILVER Star
When you open your gas cap do you get any back pressure ? That’s what I get now and I’ve researched this is a symptom of a bad vapor canister?
- Thread starter
- #206
That was the symptom that lead to the replacement. Do not have that problem now.
It would also click off a lot and have a heavy fuel vapor odor.
But if it’s really low, she likes it slow.
FMC80
SILVER Star
This is doubtful but I’m hopeful for you.
Edit: I see you’re referring to rock auto. Disregard my above post.
Nice milestone, play the numbers while you’re feeling lucky!
- Thread starter
- #208
Update on electric fan setup. So I installed the twin electric fan setup last fall after having to do the radiator again. Since one never worries about overheating in the winter, I set the fan speed accordingly and kinda left it to wait for the summer to dial it in with the AC on.
So today was the day and I took a baseline of results with coolant temperature and vent temperature. Since I know the obsession with temperature is real, thought I'd share the results and will perform this test again on several very hot days to see the differences.
Link to kit used, no affiliation: Land Cruiser 1970-1997 Stage 1 Fan System - https://ffdynamics.com/products/ols/products/lndcrstg1
TL;DR:
Currently working on:
Will provide pics when done.
Looking to work on by the fall:
So today was the day and I took a baseline of results with coolant temperature and vent temperature. Since I know the obsession with temperature is real, thought I'd share the results and will perform this test again on several very hot days to see the differences.
Link to kit used, no affiliation: Land Cruiser 1970-1997 Stage 1 Fan System - https://ffdynamics.com/products/ols/products/lndcrstg1
TL;DR:
- Outside temp: 71 Degrees, muggy
- Vent Temperature sub 45 degrees @ idle after 20 minutes of idle time
- 185 degrees observed max coolant temperature
Currently working on:
- Rebuilding spare seats with new leather and seat warmers
- Installing seat extension kit on driver side
- Removing rear cargo area seats
Will provide pics when done.
Looking to work on by the fall:
- New side steps/frame protectors
- Underbody covers
- Dual battery setup
- Research on suspension setups to get about 2 inches of height added to truck
Last edited:
- Thread starter
- #209
Small update, finally refinished the Driver Side Seat and installing seat extenders.
Will gather all my information to let everyone know what to expect when doing this, because this was not a fun job and filled with challenges on something I thought would be relatively simple and fast. Challenges faced were all "age related". The extender kit and leather kit, all worked out as expected.
I also started with a really poor seat example, but I would imagine that some of the issues I had, many people are going to run into if they haven't already.
My biggest obstacle was the lower seat frame was breaking apart in multiple areas. An issue that I now know my seat also has, based on the strange noises it would make.
Ultimately, I'm pretty happy with the kit. It looks great in the truck and is a decent match.
I'm also attending the Pilgrimage in Vermont in a couple of weeks, not sure if any members are headed that way, but it would be great to connect in person.
Will gather all my information to let everyone know what to expect when doing this, because this was not a fun job and filled with challenges on something I thought would be relatively simple and fast. Challenges faced were all "age related". The extender kit and leather kit, all worked out as expected.
I also started with a really poor seat example, but I would imagine that some of the issues I had, many people are going to run into if they haven't already.
My biggest obstacle was the lower seat frame was breaking apart in multiple areas. An issue that I now know my seat also has, based on the strange noises it would make.
Ultimately, I'm pretty happy with the kit. It looks great in the truck and is a decent match.
I'm also attending the Pilgrimage in Vermont in a couple of weeks, not sure if any members are headed that way, but it would be great to connect in person.
- Thread starter
- #210
2024 Update. So much to keep learning, but one theme remains constant... I love this truck.
So last year I had an awesome weekend wheeling in Vermont, I can't believe I never got to post about it. It was my first official weekend away 'wheelin' through the trails. I had an awesome time but mistakes were made. I didn't check operation of my lockers before hand... after taking them apart this year, I can't even believe they worked last year.
At one point, the front lockers were stuck on and I was in a bit of a panic. First trip, all my fault.
Lesson one - Lockers need to be serviced and checked on a schedule if off roading at least once a year, let alone regularly.
Lesson two - always check after an extended trip where they were questionable, that your locker fork has returned to the 'unlocked position'.
Lesson three - service the differentials, to confirm all is good.
Lesson four - know how to unlock them on the trail if ever needed.
Installs done since 09/2023:
1. Underbody Covers, heavy and hold heat... but they work.
2. LT285/75/16 Milestar Patagonia M/T
Services Performed since 09/2023:
Oil Change and Knuckle Adjustment; Note: FL knuckle has required adjustment the last two oil changes
This was it, I haven't driven her much since last September.
Now to prepare for the Vermont trip again.
1. Front end service; ~30k miles Ordered all new bearings and seals for everything up front. Didn't want to risk knuckle seals and wasn't liking the constant adjustments on FL.
Because of my experience with the lockers being flaky and that FL wheel having play, I didn't drive the Cruiser much this summer. I wanted to prepare for a major service on the front drivetrain and an inspection of everything else.
I had checked all my receipts from 2020 and found that I used OE or high quality aftermarket bearings and seals, but they weren't leaving me with that good feeling after about 30,000 miles and about 6 off road experiences. So I decided we would take the knuckles apart and rebuild the seals, change bearings, service differentials.
Found the front diff had a gasket leak by the time we got to it. Annoying, but better now than at any other point in time.
So what was expected to be a knuckle and diff service, turned into a complete differential removal to check gasket and inspect for damage.
While removing the front locker, we found that the locker had never returned to a fully unlocked position.
Which probably explains the differential fluid:
Not so great feeling, but happy I caught it all now and even happier I hadn't been using the truck lately.
Rebuilding the front locker, was quite the headache and I didn't get much of a chance to document it, but as I remove and rebuild the center and rear lockers, I will document this thoroughly. But there is a great video on Youtube you can follow to help you if you are at this point:
Serviced all three differentials with high degree of confidence that the front locker at minimum, will work. The center locker "should" work and the rear locker, will be a prayer if it works. I should have unplugged it at this point, but forgot in my haste. I was confident with a center and front locker, I could overcome most similar challenges faced the year prior.
2. Suspension
Driving up last year, I noticed the shocks weren't doing a great job of holding the weight we had in the truck. Front end was floaty heading up and driving. Since I had not put much thought into the first set of shocks, as I was chasing after "original ride quality", this was now the time to change up the thought to something firmer without going the lift route.
Since the Dobinson springs already claimed to add an inch, I wanted something firmer to hold that and added weight a little better. After some research, I ended up replacing the struts with KYB MonoMax Monotube. These are essentially are the upgrade from the stock like Gas-A-Just Monotube KYB's. The MonoMax are considerably thicker and the fronts require a little bit of muscle to get into place. BUT.... WOW.
Worth it!!
The Ride
The M/T are noisier, but in the grand scheme of things... I didn't have too much to complain about. They are M/T after all. Considerably smooth and may keep them on full time. No vibration.
The shocks... without any weight in the truck, the ride is incredible. especially considering we are on M/T tires.
Fully loaded, the truck handled the weight significantly better and the front end was not as high as I remembered it being last year. WIN!
Drove it ~800 miles to and back from Vermont. At first, the center locker wasn't working. I had read that this can be the case and after some basic testing, I decided to drive the first day on the trail with caution and see what would happen.
The first day, no lockers. Primarily because the center diff would not engage, nothing else did either. I was in 4WD Low for a fair portion of the ride, using momentum and speed to carefully choose my routes. During the day, I say the center locker light flash once... I knew I had her coming back to me!!!
By the start of the second day, I engaged 4WD Low and the center locker came right on. I had no hope for the rear locker, but after rebuilding the front... I was hopeful that would at least work. She did, got me past one section where it was clearly needed, otherwise it was a great weekend with the truck again.
Going to work through some possibilities for minor changes over the coming winter for another year of old lady Nelly on the roads.
Will try to keep the updates coming.
Full tank of fuel, semi loaded with weight.
Fully loaded with full tank of fuel.
So last year I had an awesome weekend wheeling in Vermont, I can't believe I never got to post about it. It was my first official weekend away 'wheelin' through the trails. I had an awesome time but mistakes were made. I didn't check operation of my lockers before hand... after taking them apart this year, I can't even believe they worked last year.
At one point, the front lockers were stuck on and I was in a bit of a panic. First trip, all my fault.
Lesson one - Lockers need to be serviced and checked on a schedule if off roading at least once a year, let alone regularly.
Lesson two - always check after an extended trip where they were questionable, that your locker fork has returned to the 'unlocked position'.
Lesson three - service the differentials, to confirm all is good.
Lesson four - know how to unlock them on the trail if ever needed.
Installs done since 09/2023:
1. Underbody Covers, heavy and hold heat... but they work.
2. LT285/75/16 Milestar Patagonia M/T
Services Performed since 09/2023:
Oil Change and Knuckle Adjustment; Note: FL knuckle has required adjustment the last two oil changes
This was it, I haven't driven her much since last September.
Now to prepare for the Vermont trip again.
1. Front end service; ~30k miles Ordered all new bearings and seals for everything up front. Didn't want to risk knuckle seals and wasn't liking the constant adjustments on FL.
Because of my experience with the lockers being flaky and that FL wheel having play, I didn't drive the Cruiser much this summer. I wanted to prepare for a major service on the front drivetrain and an inspection of everything else.
I had checked all my receipts from 2020 and found that I used OE or high quality aftermarket bearings and seals, but they weren't leaving me with that good feeling after about 30,000 miles and about 6 off road experiences. So I decided we would take the knuckles apart and rebuild the seals, change bearings, service differentials.
Found the front diff had a gasket leak by the time we got to it. Annoying, but better now than at any other point in time.
So what was expected to be a knuckle and diff service, turned into a complete differential removal to check gasket and inspect for damage.
While removing the front locker, we found that the locker had never returned to a fully unlocked position.
Which probably explains the differential fluid:
Not so great feeling, but happy I caught it all now and even happier I hadn't been using the truck lately.
Rebuilding the front locker, was quite the headache and I didn't get much of a chance to document it, but as I remove and rebuild the center and rear lockers, I will document this thoroughly. But there is a great video on Youtube you can follow to help you if you are at this point:
Serviced all three differentials with high degree of confidence that the front locker at minimum, will work. The center locker "should" work and the rear locker, will be a prayer if it works. I should have unplugged it at this point, but forgot in my haste. I was confident with a center and front locker, I could overcome most similar challenges faced the year prior.
2. Suspension
Driving up last year, I noticed the shocks weren't doing a great job of holding the weight we had in the truck. Front end was floaty heading up and driving. Since I had not put much thought into the first set of shocks, as I was chasing after "original ride quality", this was now the time to change up the thought to something firmer without going the lift route.
Since the Dobinson springs already claimed to add an inch, I wanted something firmer to hold that and added weight a little better. After some research, I ended up replacing the struts with KYB MonoMax Monotube. These are essentially are the upgrade from the stock like Gas-A-Just Monotube KYB's. The MonoMax are considerably thicker and the fronts require a little bit of muscle to get into place. BUT.... WOW.
Worth it!!
The Ride
The M/T are noisier, but in the grand scheme of things... I didn't have too much to complain about. They are M/T after all. Considerably smooth and may keep them on full time. No vibration.
The shocks... without any weight in the truck, the ride is incredible. especially considering we are on M/T tires.
Fully loaded, the truck handled the weight significantly better and the front end was not as high as I remembered it being last year. WIN!
Drove it ~800 miles to and back from Vermont. At first, the center locker wasn't working. I had read that this can be the case and after some basic testing, I decided to drive the first day on the trail with caution and see what would happen.
The first day, no lockers. Primarily because the center diff would not engage, nothing else did either. I was in 4WD Low for a fair portion of the ride, using momentum and speed to carefully choose my routes. During the day, I say the center locker light flash once... I knew I had her coming back to me!!!
By the start of the second day, I engaged 4WD Low and the center locker came right on. I had no hope for the rear locker, but after rebuilding the front... I was hopeful that would at least work. She did, got me past one section where it was clearly needed, otherwise it was a great weekend with the truck again.
Going to work through some possibilities for minor changes over the coming winter for another year of old lady Nelly on the roads.
Will try to keep the updates coming.
Full tank of fuel, semi loaded with weight.
Fully loaded with full tank of fuel.
