Greetings from Pennsylvania! (1 Viewer)

[CoalCruiser]

Hi all, my name is Arthur. I bought this gorgeous 1997 FZJ80 back in February. I'm new to the 80-series world, but I did drop out of mechanic school years ago and owned a few project cars. At 303K (now 308K) it's rough, but it's also triple-locked with a good engine, and minimal rust for a NY truck. I think it's worth the effort.

So far, I had the exhaust done, and tracked down the elusive fuel filler pipe. Now, it needs a suspension overhaul which my mechanic quoted me $8,000 for, so I'm attempting it myself; a set of replacement bushings is on the way.

If anyone has a good, low mileage set of shocks (preferably in or near Eastern PA) let me know!

 

[jonheld]

Reach out to the Keystone Cruisers

PA- Keystone Cruisers

forum.ih8mud.com

Very good bunch of folks.

 

[LandCruiser65]

Welcome to Mud! Lets see pics of the underside. I hope you didnt over pay for that thing.

 

[BILT4ME]

Welcome to Mud!

OEM shocks are typically less expensive than the FLAPS (Friendly Local Auto Parts Stores).

Check and or buy from your local Toyota dealer, Ourisman Toyota as well as www.partsouq.com

Do as much work on your own, read a lot here, and we'll help you out. We'll also criticize you, call you names, ask for pictures of your significant other, but we'll still help. If someone gives you a hard time, don't take it personally, we hate everyone equally. must give it back to them and you'll learn to hate everyone as well.

There is NOTHING you want to do to your truck that isn't already documented on this forum.

Always remind us of the make, model, and year when asking for help.

Make sure to create many new threads asking about what oil to use, what tires to buy, and what the best bumper is.

Also, Kurt at Cruiser Outfitters @cruiseroutfit has a fantastic crew of folks that can provide parts and advice on your truck. You may actually have to talk to a person though, because they're really good at that. I'll let him post his own link.

When you want to call someone to your thread or post, use the @ symbol in front of their Mud handle and that will let them know they're important. Also use the Quote function.

 

[CoalCruiser]

Welcome to Mud! Lets see pics of the underside. I hope you didnt over pay for that thing.

 

[Rusty Marlin]

WOW! that undercarrage is in fantastic conditon for a NY vehical!
I hope you take good care of it so it stays that way.
WELCOME TO MUD!

 

[CoalCruiser]

WOW! that undercarrage is in fantastic conditon for a NY vehical!
I hope you take good care of it so it stays that way.
WELCOME TO MUD!

That's what I thought too, until I got it back from the shop (second opinion for suspension/steering issue) today. It has rust holes in the frame rail, and the left rear spring coil tower is rusted through. I knew it had some surface rust mostly around the wheel wells and a couple holes that I was told didn't affect structural integrity, but had no idea the true extent. I'm taking it to Main Line Overland for yet another opinion on Monday; I still want to save it if it's worth the $$$

 

[Rusty Marlin]

OOOOO that's no bueno! The good news is light truck frames can be welded. You can grind off the paint and...stuff... and rebox that area if you choose. The rear frame member can be replaced with a bumper.

 

[CoalCruiser]

OOOOO that's no bueno! The good news is light truck frames can be welded. You can grind off the paint and...stuff... and rebox that area if you choose. The rear frame member can be replaced with a bumper.

Even the spring tower? This is my first time dealing with this, but I've been chatting about this with ChatGPT Land Cruiser Part Checker, which told me that would be more involved than the frame rails, and all together likely to cost over $10K. How much do you suppose it will run me?

 

[NeverFinis]

Is it just bump stop mount on the spring tower, or the entire spring tower compromised? The bump stop mount is fixable, but I am not sure about the entire spring bucket.

 

[CoalCruiser]

Is it just bump stop mount on the spring tower, or the entire spring tower compromised? The bump stop mount is fixable, but I am not sure about the entire spring bucket.

They didn't say. Can I tell without getting it on a lift?

 

[Rusty Marlin]

 

[NeverFinis]

You can poke the spring bucket with a long screwdriver to see if you find weak metal. I doubt it is compromised.

The bump stop pad rusts from the inside out when the drain holes get plugged.

I replaced both my rear bump stop mounts with OEM. Looks like Rusty already posted the part number.