Builds Fix'n up the Land Cruiser.....

[TYM4FUN]

Extended diff breathers....

I know most people extend the differential breathers to help keep them out of water, but there is another very good reason to do this mod, that most on here don't seem to write about. When I lifted my truck 4 inches I installed Slee's extended brake lines. What I never thought about is your differential lines are now stretched out to there limit as well...

After starting my tear down for my front seal replacements, I noticed my front breather line was pulled off since there was no slack. So, I moved this mod up on my list before I take it back on the road. I have done a lot of reading on this and most seem to use filters attached to a longer line and place the end point towards dryer ground.

After inspecting what Toyota did from the factory I figured I would reuse their parts and make this as easy as possible, and keep a factory looking finish under the hood. The breathers that they use seem to operate as a one-way, spring loaded, check valve. It will let air out but closes when air tries to go in. This operates much different than just putting a filter on the end, which allows air flow in both directions. So, I thought it best to use the OEM breathers attached to the extended hose.

I purchased 15ft of 1/4" ID fuel hose for this project, but only ended up using 9ft. The bracket attaching the rear axle breather will be cleaned and reused to attach the front breather in the engine bay,(found a really good spot on the intake manifold using an existing bolt.) The rear breather will simply be attached via zip-ties to the fuel filler neck. The front OEM breather is different than the rear, and I looks like using the same breather as the rear for the front will work the best. (I will be ordering a new rear breather valve for the front.)

I made sure to allow enough slack in the line from frame attachment to the diff, so they do not get pulled off like before. To figure out how much slack I would need, I copied how much slack was in the Slee extended brake lines. I secured the new fuel hose to the differential nipple with hose clamps.

First pics for the front breathers, then the pics for the rear breathers......

 

[TYM4FUN]

More pics......

 

[TYM4FUN]

More pics.......

 

[jcardona1]

If you're keeping the stock breathers, I think it'd be a good idea to get new ones. Mine were shot, so I used a simple fuel filter on the end. When the front breather goes bad it creates a vacuum inside the front diff. The result is that it pulls in grease from the knuckles and mixes it with gear oil, making a big sloppy mess. My gear oil drained out a thick soupy sludge. When I checked the breathers they were completely blocked!

EDIT: Just saw you're ordering a new breather

 

[spencertron]

If you're keeping the stock breathers, I think it'd be a good idea to get new ones. Mine were shot, so I used a simple fuel filter on the end. When the front breather goes bad it creates a vacuum inside the front diff. The result is that it pulls in grease from the knuckles and mixes it with gear oil, making a big sloppy mess. My gear oil drained out a thick soupy sludge. When I checked the breathers they were completely blocked!

EDIT: Just saw you're ordering a new breather

sorry for the noob question, but I don't really understand this. I was going to extend my lines soon but I wasn't really aware of a valve I also needed to consider. Is it on the outside of the axle or do you need to tear it up to get to it? I thought it was basically just a plain old hose line coming out of there. if you could elaborate a little it would be appreciated

EDIT: did some research, so this is just a vale that goes on the END of the line? Could i just replace it with a cheap-o fuel/air filter?

 

[Ugly Dwarf]

I'm getting ready to take the plunge and planning to buy my first 80 in the next few weeks, so I've been trying to read up and make sure I know what I'm getting into.

This thread has been quite the inspiration, with great info on all the PM / mods you're doing. Good job doing it right and documenting.

Dwarf

 

[jcardona1]

sorry for the noob question, but I don't really understand this. I was going to extend my lines soon but I wasn't really aware of a valve I also needed to consider. Is it on the outside of the axle or do you need to tear it up to get to it? I thought it was basically just a plain old hose line coming out of there. if you could elaborate a little it would be appreciated

EDIT: did some research, so this is just a vale that goes on the END of the line? Could i just replace it with a cheap-o fuel/air filter?

Yeap. It's on the very end of the line. And lots of guys just run a fuel filter on the end. That's what I did

 

[TYM4FUN]

EDIT: did some research, so this is just a vale that goes on the END of the line?

I took a close up pic of the rear valve, zip-tied to the fuel filler neck. Just plugs right in....if you look closely you can see it.

 

[TYM4FUN]

I'm getting ready to take the plunge and planning to buy my first 80 in the next few weeks, so I've been trying to read up and make sure I know what I'm getting into.

This thread has been quite the inspiration, with great info on all the PM / mods you're doing. Good job doing it right and documenting.

Dwarf

Thanks man!

 

[TYM4FUN]

You need about a 1/2" spacer to fit this winch in the ARB bumper. I was going to use some thick square washers from the hardware store, but didn't want them to rust all over this nice new bumper. Nor did I want to paint them... I lucked out though and found a broken aluminum hand truck. I cut the thickest plates off with my circular saw and cleaned them up. I thought this would work perfect and help distribute the load across the bumper better.

 

[TYM4FUN]

Badlands 12000K winch installed!

Spacers worked out great and winch went in easy-peasy, with an extra set of hands...I pondered for a while were to install the winch control box, and studied a lot of pictures of what others had done. I just wasn't happy with it sticking out and being in the way of other ideas I have for later.

There was the option, like some have mentioned, of locating the box in the engine bay and extending the wires. But something kept bugging me to try and fit it right behind the winch in that tight ass, no room spot.....

AND, I was able to do it!! The brackets on the box are upside down and I might flip them later. I had removed them to figure out my options and installed them backwards. However, it seems to hold just well the way it is. Installing it this way, let all the wires to be hidden and nothing hanging down. I love the way it turned out.

 

[TYM4FUN]

Badlands 12000K winch installed!

More pics.....

 

[jcardona1]

Nice. Looks like a tight fit. Now time to go get stuck

 

[TYM4FUN]

Nice. Looks like a tight fit. Now time to go get stuck

When I get the time to have the Nitto's installed, I'll be out the soonest Sunday I can get away!

 

[TYM4FUN]

Having the Nitto's installed today!

I will be having the take offs for sale and another tire that is mounted to an OE rim. The take offs have age cracks on them, but there is a little bit of tread left. I would only recommend them as spares and not to be daily driven.

Pic's to come of new and old tires....

 

[jcardona1]

You tease

 

[TYM4FUN]

Nitto Trail Grappler MT 35x12.517 Installed!!!

Finally got the training wheels off!!

Old tires were starting to crack and I did not feel comfortable wearing them down to completion, especially with the hot weather coming. The tires I choose were the Nitto Trail Grappler MT 35x12.517's. It will be a good balance of ground clearance and stability, without having to worry about rubbing...

These look so good on the truck, man what a difference!

Before and After:

 

[TYM4FUN]

More pics....

 

[jcardona1]

Dude, f'ing awesome! Looks sweet. Crazy how it swallows up the 35s. Now we need some pics in the dirt

 

[TYM4FUN]

Dude, f'ing awesome! Looks sweet. Crazy how it swallows up the 35s. Now we need some pics in the dirt

Yeah, the 35's look like stockers