Help me prep our Cruiser for my daughter.

[IdahoDoug]

So, our daughter has had our 97 at college in Michigan for 4 years. It has 290k on the clock and I'm proud that she's moving to the Austin, TX area to take a job and more proud she wants to keep driving the beast. A Cruiser girl after my own heart.

The truck needs some work to last 5 years more, and here's how that will go down. I will fly to MI to replace the exhaust, wheel bearing repack, A/C system service, tuneup, fluid changes, belts and hoses, starter contacts, new tires and whatever else I can find. I've gotta nail this because I'll only have a few days. Happily I will be at my brother (and fellow Mudder's) house to swing wrenches. The only item I'm worried about is the exhaust. I'll have to replace it as it's become leaky in the salty winters - Y pipe crotch, oxy sensor's epoxied in place (me frantically before leaving parents weekend last year) the muffler's rattling, and the second muffler's bent (me again). So, I'm looking for recommendations for an exhaust from the exhaust manifolds back. Cats, oxy sensors, Y pipe, gaskets, fasteners - everything. OEM is insane for the cats/Y pipe. What else is out there?

 

[cjmoon]

The real question is what type of inspection is needed in Austin. If visual or sniffer. Aftermarket sport cats seem to work good and should has sniffer. But possibly not a visual. There are or styles but more expensive. I’ve used single 2.5” sport cats in setups and no codes ever come up. 2 might be better.

 

[jonheld]

I've been happy with the Magnaflow downpipes/single cat setup. I did a custom over the frame exhaust at a local hot rod shop.
Magnaflow 23120 direct fit and Bosal 228-241 muffler. All new OEM manifold studs/nuts/donuts and all new OEM O2 hardware.
New Denso 234-4153 and Denso 234-4157 O2 sensors.

DO NOT USE the donuts supplied by Magnaflow.

I had time, so I had the Magnaflow unit coated before installation.

Exhaust test fit before final welding.

I have a skid plate that a local fabricator made for the cat that bolts to the inside of the slider and to the transmission cross member.

 

[jonheld]

Bosal also has the complete stock setup with all the bits.

 

[IdahoDoug]

John, that's beautiful. I'll be trying to find a mostly bolt on solution as I'll be working over a holiday weekend and a couple days leeway. I can handle sawzalling the old off, and I've had the exhaust manifold bolts off so they'll have recent nuts and anti-sieze. But I guess if someone makes a Y pipe, I could have a shop cut and weld my original cat onto it? Hmm

 

[BILT4ME]

Take a look at the following threads. I have detailed my parts list.

Also, for reference, if she's going to TX, some of the other folks here have talked about having cats stolen. Getting a set of WKOR sliders for it would also be a big advantage, as they have a guard underneath in order to help "discourage" the perp from stealing them. I have my WKOR sliders on and did NOT have to remove them to install my new system. I had to cut up the old system to get it out though. Take a look at the pics in the second link.

I agree with your list, make sure you get the front wheel bearings torqued per @Tools R Us advice at 35 LB-FT.

The sliders will also held reduce door dings from idiots, especially if you get the 10° version instead of the 15° version (standard) Will also help if she gets tagged lightly by an idiot. ARB front/rear?

Mounted center turret?

Bosal , your $200 cat-back option

I wanted to put this here for anybody thinking of re-doing there exhaust. When I started this project my exhaust was bad, really bad. It was leaking at the seal between the rear cat and the cat-back. Only one of the exhaust hangers had not rusted off and it was being held by some pipe strap...

forum.ih8mud.com

Someone stole the catalytic converter from my parked 1997 Lancruiser 80... WTF?! What do I do now?

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[Heckraiser]

The bosal y-pipe and 1st cat does not fit, it's straight up junk. Needs to be welded and bent to fit onto the stock manifolds. That would not be a "in your brother's driveway in a day" sort of project. However the bosal muffler and tailpipe do fit fine, although not the best quality. They will survive Austin for 5 years.

The magnaflow y-pipe and cat are great quality. I would consider them OEM equivalent in terms of build quality--not sure about the cats themselves. Just be sure you get a real magnaflow y-pipe and not a re-badged bosal (i.e. order well in advance of your trip and open the box to make sure you got the right one).

 

[YMT]

Yikes, 4 years in MI salt!
My in-laws are in MI and I'm always amazed at how quickly cars rust up there.
Make sure you check brake lines, body mounts, and all the usual rust areas on these rigs too. Check the battery too, since those cold winters are rough on them.
Sounds like you have a solid plan.

 

[IdahoDoug]

Thanks for the great input so far. I'm also honored by the ToolsRus reference and simply because you said that, when I'm tightening up my wheel bearing out there I will pause a moment to remember one of the greats. Thanks for that.

 

[iptman]

For a complete bolt on over the frame stainless exhaust you could go with @OTRAMM 's.

Land Cruiser Stainless Exhaust

Custom built stainless exhaust for Land Cruisers

www.otramm.com

Just add the aforementioned Magnaflow Y pipe, gaskets and off you go. 14 gauge 304 SS I believe.

If I recall, the OEM exhaust from behind the second cat back is not terribly expensive and still available (I believe). In that case you'd need the Magnafow Y pipe and the Magnaflow second cat. Obviously it'd route under the frame like stock which might not be an issue for your daughter's use case.

 

[BILT4ME]

For a complete bolt on over the frame stainless exhaust you could go with @OTRAMM 's.

Land Cruiser Stainless Exhaust

Custom built stainless exhaust for Land Cruisers

www.otramm.com

Just add the aforementioned Magnaflow Y pipe, gaskets and off you go. 14 gauge 304 SS I believe.

If I recall, the OEM exhaust from behind the second cat back is not terribly expensive and still available (I believe). In that case you'd need the Magnafow Y pipe and the Magnaflow second cat. Obviously it'd route under the frame like stock which might not be an issue for your daughter's use case.

The Magnaflow stuff is aluminized carbon steel. I coated mine with 1000°F clear paint before I installed it to help ward off rust as much as I can. Mine's a DD, so I have fewer exhaust issues from sitting and getting acid attack.

 

[iptman]

Maybe the Borla rebrands but not the real Magnaflow. Site says SS and and the one I put on my truck sure seemed to be SS.

MagnaFlow HM Grade Federal / EPA Compliant Direct-Fit Catalytic Conver

MagnaFlow HM Grade Federal/EPA Compliant Direct-Fit Catalytic Converter 23120 helps keep the check engine light off. DIY installation is easy with the proper tools (no cutting or welding required). With features including mandrel-bent tubing to eliminate flow restrictions and stainless steel...

www.magnaflow.com

Of course I too coated mine as Jon did but mine is fairly rusty now a few years on. I used Ceracote and cannot recommend it.

 

[97 FZJ80]

In Texas, the state inspection only requires a OBDII plug-in test to verify all system are good. There is suppose to be a visual inspection for underhood and under the car, but I've never had any trouble with passing the visual. For 1997, 2011 is the last year of required inspection, after that the 25 year rule kicks in and only a safety inspection is required.

 

[ccslider]

buy a 100 series

 

[bluto]

Doug - I don't mean to hijack your thread. But, are you still selling Headgasket dvds? If you are, is the info (paypal) in your signature still valid/working. Thanks.

 

[coax]

I have about 7 years on my magnaflow ypipe and borla exhaust. Anyone using the magnaflow y-pipe and cats?

Overall its been pretty good but starting to show its age.

Relative to your situation I'd say it was nowhere near a bolt on affair. There were leaks at the joints due to "not quite right fit/alignment" and it rattled against the rear cross member. Required taking it to a shop a few times to get it sorted. Maybe they have refined in recent years but mine required shop time to get it all sorted out. I also added a better resonator as it whined a bit too much for me.

Besides those things above, it seems to be working pretty well.

 

[LXDOC]

97 FJZ80 is correct re OBD2 plug in check only for emissions check. No visual inspection in Collin county. I have had a single spiral wound high flow Magnaflow cat on a EMS downpipe for years. No codes , no trouble passing, and only 1 cat that could be stolen.

 

[flintknapper]

So, our daughter has had our 97 at college in Michigan for 4 years. It has 290k on the clock and I'm proud that she's moving to the Austin, TX area to take a job and more proud she wants to keep driving the beast. A Cruiser girl after my own heart.

^^^^

She'll have good support in Austin IF anything else needs to be done to the Cruiser while she is there. There are several Cruiser Knowledgeable shops in Austin. Club members and Forum Members here on MUD to help.

I grew up there and all my family still lives there. So if you ever need any emergency help, just contact me and we can probably help.

 

[IdahoDoug]

Ah, thanks much Flint and for the continued input on exhaust. That's my only worry. Most everything on my list I've done multiple times over a combined 400,000 miles of 80 ownership but the exhaust is going to have to be issue-free. On the HG issue let me square that away and get back with you. I'm not much on social media and updating so I'll talk to my teen son to confirm things and turn the lights back on.

 

[flintknapper]

Ah, thanks much Flint and for the continued input on exhaust. That's my only worry. Most everything on my list I've done multiple times over a combined 400,000 miles of 80 ownership but the exhaust is going to have to be issue-free. On the HG issue let me square that away and get back with you. I'm not much on social media and updating so I'll talk to my teen son to confirm things and turn the lights back on.

Do be certain her A/C works well ...... we have 4-1/2 really hot months down here, then the rest of year is pleasant.

And don't hesitate to contact me...if she has any kind of emergency. I have family there, Brother's, Sister, Nephews....all who can help should anything go wrong. I have a Daughter (only child) that is an RN and is 'travel nursing'. She is usually 1500 miles away somewhere working. I worry about her sometimes. I guess that's just being a 'Dad' but it bothers me that I couldn't 'be there' for her (right now) should anything serious happen.