Build G.T.'s 1990 HZJ77HV-PEU tech thread.

[WanderinWhitlows]

When you go back to the DMV with said form and hand it to a different person behind the desk I can almost guarantee you'll get the following:

"Uh, you don't need that"

I swear requirements depend entirely on who's sitting behind the desk. Sweet ride. Good luck

It always goes like that doesn't it. Luckily I have heaps of free time and they are only about 45 minutes away so I can go in when they aren't busy to get it sorted out. And in the end it's just another excuse to tool around in the Land Cruiser for a bit.

 

[WanderinWhitlows]

Once I get more, and better pictures taken and uploaded I'll start getting them organized into the original post.

 

[SteveJackson]

Little setback frustration at the Illinois license bureau today. Turns out that to register a car that was titled between specific dates in Missouri, I need a signed and notarized natural disaster disclosure statement from @SteveJackson. It was explained to me that due to the excessive flooding that some portions of the state experienced this is required. Once that is in hand it look like I'm good to go and will sadly have to retire my old Australian plate that I've been running along with the paper tag that Steve gave me from Missouri.

Well that's a new one for me, I've never heard of anything like that in any state, but no worries, paperwork is on the way!

When you go back to the DMV with said form and hand it to a different person behind the desk I can almost guarantee you'll get the following:

"Uh, you don't need that"

I swear requirements depend entirely on who's sitting behind the desk. Sweet ride. Good luck

100% true lol.

 

[WanderinWhitlows]

Thank you @SteveJackson for that. I'll keep an eye on the mailbox.

Headlight upgrade was interesting. As you know each headlamp retaining ring assembly is held in place by three retaining screws that attach it to the bucket that the headlamp fits into. Out of the six total, only two surrendered without a fight. The other four had to be drilled out which was less than entertaining since in my bravado I imagined that it would take me around ten minutes to complete the entire procedure. Two and a half hours later the task was complete after I had to take a ride to the local hardware store and strike gold by finding a half dozen little metric screws.

Notice in image 1, and 2 the headlamp assemblies that I removed. Not knowing for certain, I think the they are OEM that just have replacement bulbs. Not knowing if they are OEM and if they have any value to anyone I've saved them in case there is a 70 Series concourse event somewhere and one of you desperately need them. Odds are that @beno has a hundred of them in perfect condition in hand and this pair are destined for the recycle bin.

Also notice that in image 2 that I've removed the custom battery switch rod that the PO had extend through the grill to the left above the headlamp. I like the idea of keeping the cutoff switch but taking an extra 45 seconds to pop the hood to be able to reach it don't bother me and knowing that someone can't turn the switch remotely from outside the vehicle makes me happy as I'd hate for my wife to believe that she was stranded when in fact some jerk who couldn't keep his hands to himself was just screwing around. That little hole that is left hopefully won't bother me too much or else I'm going to be after a new one.

Waiting on the new winch to arrive hopefully today or tomorrow so I can try to get it on before I leave on Thursday for Jambo in Texas. Have waited to put the ARB lights on until that time so I don't have to fiddle with it too much on different occasions. While fiddling with the headlights I determined that I want to replace the turn signal lenses with new shiny ones that aren't dulled by time, and also figure out how to get the amber marker lights in the front bumper to work.

 

[WanderinWhitlows]

Dash changes.

I swapped out the factory center vents with replacement adjustable register vents. It needed it too as the foam gasket on the originals were in very rough shape. While doing so I discovered that the drivers side vent closing mechanism didn't actually close so I will grab another pair and just have them all be done. While taking out the center radio surround bezel, I discovered that the driver side of the bezel had been glued back together and one of the new unions was separated which explains one of the rattles coming from the dash. Add a new one to the list of future orders.

Pictures with what I hope is the part number for the bezel included.

Also, a package from @beno arrived today, more details to follow.

 

[Gun Runner 5]

Are these two decals still intact and readable and if so can you photograph them?
Thanks

 

[OGBeno]

Dash changes.

I swapped out the factory center vents with replacement adjustable register vents. It needed it too as the foam gasket on the originals were in very rough shape. While doing so I discovered that the drivers side vent closing mechanism didn't actually close so I will grab another pair and just have them all be done. While taking out the center radio surround bezel, I discovered that the driver side of the bezel had been glued back together and one of the new unions was separated which explains one of the rattles coming from the dash. Add a new one to the list of future orders.

Pictures with what I hope is the part number for the bezel included.View attachment 1255608View attachment 1255609 View attachment 1255610View attachment 1255611
Also, a package from @beno arrived today, more details to follow.

Bezel issue is pretty common especially considering how old these pieces of plastic are. I have them in stock.

One used to be able to order them here in the US market. Toyota has now classified them as "non-import status".... IE: Suck it customer, Love Toyota.

 

[WanderinWhitlows]

View attachment 1255622 Are these two decals still intact and readable and if so can you photograph them?
Thanks

Hopefully these pictures help.

Bezel issue is pretty common especially considering how old these pieces of plastic are. I have them in stock.

One used to be able to order them here in the US market. Toyota has now classified them as "non-import status".... IE: Suck it customer, Love Toyota.

Makes sense, go ahead and invoice me for a new bezel so I can get started with cleaning up the dash. The new front mats arrived and they are great. I really liked the coozie cup, but my wife liked it more and promptly absconded with it.

 

[divemedic]

Hot damn I want all the decals for my truck!

 

[Gun Runner 5]

I would be happy with just this one.

 

[divemedic]

I haven't had any luck with finding any of them

 

[Gun Runner 5]

I haven't had any luck with finding any of them

I assumed it would be a challenge ..... Thanks

 

[WanderinWhitlows]

Hot damn I want all the decals for my truck!

I would be happy with just this one.

View attachment 1256086

While my Japanese is lacking, im quite certain they all pretty much just say "this machine is awesome and will go pretty much anywhere as long as you don't drive it like a moron."

I haven't had any luck with finding any of them

Surprising, I'd have thought that our local vendors would be able to source them. I reckoned @divemedic might have been able to turn up a few of them at local dismantelers.

 

[divemedic]

Surprising, I'd have thought that our local vendors would be able to source them. I reckoned @divemedic might have been able to turn up a few of them at local dismantelers.

People don't junk these trucks on Okinawa. I've only ever seen 1 swb Prado. I wish to see more because I'd be getting spare body parts.

 

[WanderinWhitlows]

Finished a few more projects today. Removed the LED light bar and replaced it with a pair of ARB Intensity LED lights. Also finally pulled the wheels and tires that it came with and replaced them with Hutchinson Rock Monster dual beadlock wheels with 315/70/17 Cooper Discoverer S/T Maxx all terrain tires. The wheels it came with had 0.25" spacers behind them and I originally took them off but a quick test showed that a 4.5" backspaced wheel needs them to clear the controls down below.

If things go as planned tomorrow, I will try to get the new broadcast radio antenna and OEM vent visors that @SteveJackson gave me installed.

 

[OkiCruiser]

Riddle me this: What's the small switch to the right of the heater switch, directly above where the factory diff lock switch is located?

 

[WanderinWhitlows]

Riddle me this: What's the small switch to the right of the heater switch, directly above where the factory diff lock switch is located?

The aluminum post switch? That was the switc the PO used to control the LED light bar. Now removed and replaced with the switch that came attached to the ARB wiring harness. I have an idea to hide all of the aftermarket accessory switches, I'll tinker with it when I get back from this weekends trip.

 

[WanderinWhitlows]

Safely back from the Lone Star Toyota Jamboree in Texas and had a great time. Good weather and hundred of awesome Toyotas made for lots of fun. Learned a few things about the Land Cruiser, some good and some bad.

The bad:

• This thing is aerodynamic as a house. Crossing between Little Rock and Texarkana I met some strong winds and saw my fuel economy drop right along with my speed. Very frustrating trying to keep up with modern cars at interstate speeds. A large portion of this issue is due to my adding 35" tires and not upgrading the gears. Open to suggestions on ratio.
• The previous owner had added air shocks to the rear and ran the Schrader valve for their manifold through one of the six bolt holes on the ARB rear bumper that is there to bolt up a towing pintle. There is a reinforcing L bracket that is bolted to the crossmember but it was never bolted to the bumper leaving it only supported by two bolts on each side. About ten minutes into the first trail I was on Friday morning the rear bumper was pushed up and the Schrader valve was sheared off turning the air shocks into bump stops. In it's defense the Land Cruiser just kept on doing it's thing and I had no idea that there was a problem until I got back from the trail and realized that the bumper was out of position.
• I really need to get a turbo on it, I think a re-gear will help considerably but a turbo needs to be involved too.
• The driver seat has some problems with the suspension base as well as the padding and both are worn and negate the comfort on long hauls considerably.
• The stereo that the previous owner had install died about 120 miles into the trip and has yet to come back on.

The good:

• This thing is allot more capable than I expected it to be. I told myself that I would stick to the easy trails that were marked on the map but it turns out that the map and the trail ratings are kind of messed up since the flooding they had in Texas last year. I started on a level 2 trail and was getting through it when I came across a group of very built Toyotas with none of them on anything less than 40" tires. They were amazed that I had gotten to them as unbeknownst to me that trail had been bumped up to a level 4. Seeing the problem they were attacking in front of them I opted to turn around and head back.
• The window tint made an amazing difference in reducing the greenhouse effect that all of the glass introduces.
• The new headlights work great and I no longer feel like I have oil lamps on the bumper to guide me.
• The vent visors that @SteveJackson gave me when I bought the truck worked perfectly and definitely make the cabin more comfortable with the window down.

I had so much fun at the event that I didn't take as many pictures as I had wanted to and for that I apologize.

Attacking one of the problems at the park after I had already blown out the rear air shocks. No big deal for most but kind of sketchy from the drivers seat.

 

[divemedic]

Is that drone footage?

 

[WanderinWhitlows]

Is that drone footage?

No but it's made by a drone company. It's footage from a DJI Osmo handheld steady cam.