Builds Ikarus' HDJ81 Aussie-Style Build (3 Viewers)

[ikarus]

Current state:

I haven't had a Land Cruiser build in my life for a couple years and I've missed it. Just ditched my '20 Tacoma 6-speed. Fun to drive but at the end of the day, not a great platform. Test drove everything from PXLs and 200 series to LJs and 70 series. All have their strengths and weaknesses but I was hoping for something I could scratch up off road, with less electronics and sensors, definitely no DEF, coil springs, and solid axles - so 80 it is.

Flew down to AZ to pick up this HDJ81:
- 1997
- 1HD-FT
- 150K miles
- rust-free
- no lockers
- fishbowl tint
- A C T I V E V A C A T I O N
- rear tire swing out
- Dobinson's 3" suspension kit

After a great transaction with the seller, a guy here on Mud, I headed north for the 10 hour drive back to Utah. The cruiser didn't skip a beat - I'm really impressed by the 1HD-FT.

It only took me about 30 min in Phoenix traffic to really get used to RHD driving. And I only turned on windshield wipers accidentally once. The rest of the drive was pretty chill.

From Flagstaff to Moab I got 21 mpg and still had a 1/4 tank left, having driven 320 miles. Wild. I feel like I'm driving a prius

Just happened to hit Monument Valley right at sunset. Also pictured - taking home additional OEM wheels x5 ready to be refinished.

 

[ikarus]

I'll admit I've never owned a diesel vehicle. Driven some for work, but never owned personally. So I knew I might miss some elementary stuff.

I stopped in Monticello, UT after most businesses had closed and just happened to overhear a semi driver asking if the gas station sold diesel anti-gel, which they didn't. About 20 min later at dinner I suddenly realized I should probably look into that myself. I looked at the weather app and realized it was currently 9° outside, a big change from the 50° in Phoenix that morning. I paid as fast as I could and booked it north to Moab to hopefully catch the gas stations before they closed.

Out of the 6 or so gas stations in Moab, 2 were closed by 9pm and 3 didn't have any anti-gel. Luckily the 4th and final gas station as you head toward Arches just had one bottle left.

Not that crazy I guess but at the time I was stressing cause it would have meant I needed to drive an additional 4 hours to get home. Ended up sleeping in Moab.

 

[ikarus]

Back at home, I just happened to get an email from Discount Tire about a President's Day sale. I hadn't planned on buying tires that fast, I don't even have a plan for the build yet - but I guess the universe made me do it

Before: 275/70r16 (?)

After: Toyo MT 315/75r16

They had the tires in stock and one day later, done. Between the sale and a price match I saved almost $300, not bad.

Still drives great. I was afraid I might ruin the drivability and everything I liked about it on the drive home, but so far so good. It's obviously a little slower but very doable. I don't even know if I need much of a gearing change. Stock is 4.10 as far as I understand? 4.88 may be overkill.

 

[ikarus]

So Active Vacation seems to be an add-on in Japan for 80s and 100s to make the cruiser into a mini camper. This one came with a sink, a stove and a sleeping platform. I don't know if there are any purists out there who like this stuff but I'm ripping it out

The build quality seems pretty good. It's kind of a cool setup to be honest but not my style.

I started disassembly and cleaning -

Bunch of random stuff from Japan all over and it's in need of a deep clean - at this point I'm having a hard time not dismantling everything for a complete carpet cleaning, speaker upgrade and sound deadening.

The Active Vacation package came out clean - except for the power wiring for the outlet and sink pump that you can see here. It leads all they way back to the dash and maybe through the firewall to the engine bay. I gotta figure that out but I'm guessing I'll have to dismantle the dash and partially remove carpet to do it.

Sick steak keychain

 

[ikarus]

I got to work simplifying the cruiser and removing some of the JDM stuff. First up were the weather guards - the sunroof guard popped off easy with only minimal scratching and surface rust underneath -

But the window guards are going to be a massive pain. With a heat gun I was able to get one off - but that adhesive they use is petrified on there. Probably would be easier if I waited til the summer to do it. I gotta figure out how to remove the adhesive. Maybe a 3M magic eraser wheel will work.

The Active Vacation lettering is the same. It's chipping and curling and I need to get rid of it but the adhesive isn't going anywhere

 

[ikarus]

And finally, pulled off the side steps.

I need to do some digging and see if there are any front mudflap options that don't have this step cut out.

That's it for now. I'm super excited for this, and realistically I don't NEED much more but there's definitely some wants

Exterior:
- I have chipped and warped exterior trim
- The gutter trim over the windows is cracked, showing the chrome underneath. Need to look at repainting vs replacing
- I need to fix the Cruiser lean - left side is .5" higher in the front and 1" higher in the rear vs the right side. The springs seem to be on the correct sides according to their labels so I'm not sure what's up with that.

Interior:
- Just needs a good deep clean
- The dash has a crack in it. I've heard that Toyota still has the 95-97 oak upper dash in stock.. gotta find out if that's RHD or just LHD.
- The front seats could use a recover and foam rebuild but I would like to go with Scheel-Mann eventually. $$$$$
- The steering wheel has a recover that could use a recover
- Gotta figure out what that rectangular panel above the Alpine deck is. Mine is missing and I couldn't figure it out on Partsouq

Mechanical:
- Just needs a good baseline.
- Fluids, diffs, trans etc.
- Has a few records and recent maintenance items like oil and filters. T-belt will need to be done in 60K KMS

And finally, the build: It's basically good to go as-is - but my goals are:
- Bulletproof the engine and drivetrain
- 3" exhaust and intercooler. Maybe a G turbo
- Learn 1HD-FT diesel tuning witchcraft
- Tune the engine for high altitude. I live at about 6K.

- Air compressor and lockers
- Gears
- Sliders
- ARB bumper for that classic look
- Scheel Mann seats
- Vinyl floor

But that might be it. With the current swing arm holding a spare, and apparently a range of 300-400 miles per tank... (still untested with 35s) maybe I don't need a rear bumper and jerry can carrier.

But I'm sure it will snowball and turn into a money pit, it's inevitable.

 

[White Stripe]

So Active Vacation seems to be an add-on in Japan for 80s and 100s to make the cruiser into a mini camper. This one came with a sink, a stove and a sleeping platform. I don't know if there are any purists out there who like this stuff but I'm ripping it out

The build quality seems pretty good. It's kind of a cool setup to be honest but not my style.

I started disassembly and cleaning -

Bunch of random stuff from Japan all over and it's in need of a deep clean - at this point I'm having a hard time not dismantling everything for a complete carpet cleaning, speaker upgrade and sound deadening.

The Active Vacation package came out clean - except for the power wiring for the outlet and sink pump that you can see here. It leads all they way back to the dash and maybe through the firewall to the engine bay. I gotta figure that out but I'm guessing I'll have to dismantle the dash and partially remove carpet to do it.

Sick steak keychain

That sink/sleeping platform is very cool. Sell it,dont throw it out. Nice cruiser

 

[FMC80]

Some people seek out the Active Vacation as its relatively rare to find. It’s a nice cruiser; good to see you making it yours despite changing the course from its original design.

 

[ikarus]

That sink/sleeping platform is very cool. Sell it,dont throw it out. Nice cruiser

Yeah I’ll probably keep it in storage for a while and maybe give it a deep clean and a refresh down the road.

 

[Kabanstva]

Welcome back man!

 

[ikarus]

Welcome back man!

Thanks dude! How you been? Still have the 100?

 

[Dusten]

Look forward to the progress

 

[RC51]

I call dibs on the active vacation package platform!! DMing you now.

 

[WiscoPat]

You have my twin HDJ81! Minus the Active Vacation stuff.

Congrats man, enjoy the process. The 1HD-FT is such a pleasure to drive.

 

[suzuguru]

I've heard that in Japan, being able to call your vehicle a 'camper' or 'mobile home' is a loophole that saves money, or something to that effect. Thus, the reasoning for the 'active vacation' package. Anyway, congratulations on your purchase. Looks like you're making good progress. I personally like my tires a little more on the narrow side, but yours look great, and made a world of difference.

What a great feeling to make a vehicle purchase, and immediately complete a successful 10 hour drive. Speaking of the anti-gelling additive... I could be wrong, but I'm thinking that the diesel fuel offered these days has progressed to the point where it isn't really necessary to add it. I could be completely wrong on that, though. I'm sure you know this, but some areas offer diesel with or without the additive already mixed in at the pump. There may be some areas where it comes that way all the time. I remember my dad's truck gelling up once when I was a small kid, but I've never heard of that happening to anyone since. Who knows? Better safe than sorry.

 

[ikarus]

You have my twin HDJ81! Minus the Active Vacation stuff.

Congrats man, enjoy the process. The 1HD-FT is such a pleasure to drive.

Ah yes I just read through your whole build thread the other day. Your truck sold me on the color scheme, looking great!

I've heard that in Japan, being able to call your vehicle a 'camper' or 'mobile home' is a loophole that saves money, or something to that effect. Thus, the reasoning for the 'active vacation' package. Anyway, congratulations on your purchase. Looks like you're making good progress. I personally like my tires a little more on the narrow side, but yours look great, and made a world of difference.

What a great feeling to make a vehicle purchase, and immediately complete a successful 10 hour drive. Speaking of the anti-gelling additive... I could be wrong, but I'm thinking that the diesel fuel offered these days has progressed to the point where it isn't really necessary to add it. I could be completely wrong on that, though. I'm sure you know this, but some areas offer diesel with or without the additive already mixed in at the pump. There may be some areas where it comes that way all the time. I remember my dad's truck gelling up once when I was a small kid, but I've never heard of that happening to anyone since. Who knows? Better safe than sorry.

Agreed, from what I've read you used to be able to register them cheaper as an "RV" but that's ended now. I wonder how many were used as intended vs used as a loophole similar to vintage plates in the US.

Also agreed on tires, my all-time favorite size is 255/85r16 but I didn't want to run that size on 8" wheels - I feel like they do better on 7". 16x7 with that size on a poverty pack 80 with no flares would be a great build one day.

Good to know on the diesel, I have a lot to learn. Might have just been redundant adding that anti-gel but it was better than waking up to a truck that won't work with a 4 hour tow ahead of me. haha.

 

[suzuguru]

Also agreed on tires, my all-time favorite size is 255/85r16 but I didn't want to run that size on 8" wheels - I feel like they do better on 7". 16x7 with that size on a poverty pack 80 with no flares would be a great build one day.

Yeah, nothing worse than narrow tires on wide wheels. Ends up looking like balloons.

 

[Kabanstva]

Thanks dude! How you been? Still have the 100?

Yeah man still got it. Got a 80 too now lol

 

[MongooseGA]

Congrats and what a cool new project.

So, can you tell me why you chose this truck over, say, a Gladiator?

 

[ClassyJalopy]

What a beautiful truck. Looking forward to an amazing build!