Builds Ikarus' HDJ81 Aussie-Style Build (7 Viewers)

[Dusten]

Congrats and what a cool new project.

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

Like a new gladiator?

For me, one was price. 24k vs 60k+

 

[ikarus]

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

Thanks dude!

 

[ikarus]

Congrats and what a cool new project.

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

Like a new gladiator?

For me, one was price. 24k vs 60k+

Yes, same here. New truck prices are mindblowing especially with interest rates the way they are.

Personally I've been trying to reduce my lifestyle creep. So it was nice to spend less, though I know that's funny since we all know what kinds of money pits these turn into. But I'd rather not have $$$ tied up in payments right now.

Also personally I started a business last year that lets me work from home almost entirely. I bought oil change stuff for my Tacoma in October of last year thinking I'd hit the 20K service mark, and by this month I was still at about 19,800 miles. Realized I've only been putting 100 miles a month on that truck, which is what got me thinking about selling that and getting more of a project car since I already have a 200 as a daily. No need to spend big on a second brand new car.

 

[ikarus]

Congrats and what a cool new project.

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

But I guess in terms of vehicle traits, for this next build I wanted:

- Something cheap (ish)
- Solid front axle
- Diesel if possible
- Airbags
- Good forum and aftermarket support
- Ability to fit larger tires easily
- Decent cargo space

I just couldn't find anything that fit that bill better than an 80. I would like to get a 70 series when the 08+ are legal to import, with the coil springs, airbags, facelift etc. And also in the meantime I could see myself importing a 105 one day. An FTE swap would be rad.

 

[DDMSteve]

Added this thread to my watchlist. Completely transformed the look with those tires already! I would be all about keeping the Active Vacation badging though. Hope to see it in person soon!

 

[Dusten]

But I guess in terms of vehicle traits, for this next build I wanted:

- Something cheap (ish)
- Solid front axle
- Diesel if possible
- Airbags
- Good forum and aftermarket support
- Ability to fit larger tires easily
- Decent cargo space

I just couldn't find anything that fit that bill better than an 80. I would like to get a 70 series when the 08+ are legal to import, with the coil springs, airbags, facelift etc. And also in the meantime I could see myself importing a 105 one day. An FTE swap would be rad.

In his defense the gladiator is all of that but #1

 

[MonsterCruiser]

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.

I have a Dobinsons 3" kit on my 1994 HDJ81 and I had the same lean you're seeing. I put a 10mm spacer on the front right and a 30mm spacer on the right rear and it's pretty close to being even now. I think my front right is 5mm higher than the left or something like that. You could maybe get away with just the spacer on the right rear to even things out.

Congrats on the purchase. The truck looks great!

 

[ikarus]

In his defense the gladiator is all of that but #1

Yeah and he probably brought it up cause I've been interested in Gladiators since they came out a couple years back.. lots of off topic discussion on that in my old build thread. My father in law and some other friends have Gladiators and I enjoy driving them. Not trying to start a Jeep vs Toyota thread of course haha

I have a Dobinsons 3" kit on my 1994 HDJ81 and I had the same lean you're seeing. I put a 10mm spacer on the front right and a 30mm spacer on the right rear and it's pretty close to being even now. I think my front right is 5mm higher than the left or something like that. You could maybe get away with just the spacer on the right rear to even things out.

Congrats on the purchase. The truck looks great!

Ah perfect! I appreciate it, I'll look into those for sure. And that's 5mm higher without a driver? I figure the weight of a person might partially compensate for that?

 

[MongooseGA]

Man I've missed this 100. I've wanted to get back into an older land cruiser for a project and ended up with an HDJ81. Build thread can be found here:

Builds - Ikarus' HDJ81 Aussie-Style Build

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...

forum.ih8mud.com

Not sure how fast or in depth this build will be, since it's so capable out of the box - but I can guarantee there will be 100% less complaining about torsion bars and Gladiator talk in this one.

But I guess in terms of vehicle traits, for this next build I wanted:

- Something cheap (ish)
- Solid front axle
- Diesel if possible
- Airbags
- Good forum and aftermarket support
- Ability to fit larger tires easily
- Decent cargo space

I just couldn't find anything that fit that bill better than an 80. I would like to get a 70 series when the 08+ are legal to import, with the coil springs, airbags, facelift etc. And also in the meantime I could see myself importing a 105 one day. An FTE swap would be rad.

I was just making a joke about the post above

 

[ikarus]

I was just making a joke about the post above

I said we’re NOT talking about gladiators in this thread!!

 

[cgeoca]

Sweet LC, I have almost the exact same one just a 96! If you are curious what it looks like with an ARB bumper, some tint, 2.5" lift, and method wheels.

 

[MonsterCruiser]

Ah perfect! I appreciate it, I'll look into those for sure. And that's 5mm higher without a driver? I figure the weight of a person might partially compensate for that?

That's correct. Measurement is without the driver, so it's probably about even with just the driver.

I also meant to comment that I think that hole in your dash above the radio is for the factory pop out cup holder. I'm not 100% sure since I have the older style dash in my HDJ81, but I think that's what goes there.

 

[ikarus]

Sweet LC, I have almost the exact same one just a 96! If you are curious what it looks like with an ARB bumper, some tint, 2.5" lift, and method wheels.

View attachment 3255428

So clean dude! love it! I'm back and forth on the tint. I like the fishbowl look but I think it would do better in the summer with tint. And that looks perfect with an ARB bumper.

That's correct. Measurement is without the driver, so it's probably about even with just the driver.

I also meant to comment that I think that hole in your dash above the radio is for the factory pop out cup holder. I'm not 100% sure since I have the older style dash in my HDJ81, but I think that's what goes there.

Good to know. I'll look into the cup holder.

 

[ikarus]

Added this thread to my watchlist. Completely transformed the look with those tires already! I would be all about keeping the Active Vacation badging though. Hope to see it in person soon!

Yeah dude I gotta see your 570 while we're at it!

 

[suzuguru]

@cgeoca- What size tires? Just wanting to know for reference, since we know it's a 2.5" lift.

 

[cgeoca]

So clean dude! love it! I'm back and forth on the tint. I like the fishbowl look but I think it would do better in the summer with tint. And that looks perfect with an ARB bumper.

Good to know. I'll look into the cup holder.

The car came with this tint but I like it, not sure about the percentage. Having no tint up front and back windows tinted is my preference.

@cgeoca- What size tires? Just wanting to know for reference, since we know it's a 2.5" lift.

285 75 16 and it's about 2.5 in lift

 

[bozncsurf]

Sup homie?!?

Nice choice

Glad to have you back from Taco World

 

[Jasonazx]

I said we’re NOT talking about gladiators in this thread!!

I remember the gladiator talk in the old thread as well, haha. I ended up getting an 80 as well, but still have the 100!

 

[ikarus]

Sup homie?!?

Nice choice

Glad to have you back from Taco World

Thanks man!! Good to see you

I remember the gladiator talk in the old thread as well, haha. I ended up getting an 80 as well, but still have the 100!

Haha yeah it got a little off topic. I still love the 100s, might get another one some day

 

[DDMSteve]

Haha yeah it got a little off topic. I still love the 100s, might get another one some day

If I get another 100 I will import one from Japan. Pricing and condition are so much better.