Backstory: My first Land Cruiser was an '82 FJ40. Beautiful rig, so much fun, learned a lot working on it, and I blame it (and this site) for my Cruiser addiction (doctor said it was contageous, but then again you all already knew that). So, as the family started getting bigger, I wanted to start getting out and doing more expedition-style camping trips, and wanted a Cruiser that was better equipped for long-range trips. So, reluctantly, I sold my FJ40 and this summer found the perfect '97 80 series that was already built exact to my desired specs. It was in great shape and well thoughtout with the modifications to be the perfect expo rig. I bought it in Denver, drove it home to San Diego, and I had the perfect vehicle. All the mods were new: ARB bumper, winch, Lightforce 170's, Kaymar rear carrier, Slee sliders, skid plate, and light harness, Safari Snorkel, Durabek'd, OME 2.5 heavy, Treadwright 285's, etc., etc. I added some homemade drawers in the cargo area, a Serengeti RTT, and an ARB awning, and we set out on maiden voyage, a two + week camping / road trip. We did Sedona (AZ), Chaco Canyon (NM), Pagosa Springs, Silverton/Ouray (CO), Moab, Canyonlands (UT), and it was spectacular. Absolutely beautiful areas, some of which we had been to, some that were new. We were headed home after our trip, about 90 miles north of Vegas, when one of our tires blew at 70 mph, causing us to roll 4 to 5 times, landing off the freeway, in the middle of the Nevada desert, coming to rest up on the passenger side. Somehow, by the grace of God, and the fact we were all strapped into the "tank" as my wife called it, everyone was fine, and we all walked away from the wreck, albeit it very, very shaken. Many of the first responders (paramedics) were shocked to see that all of us walked away from the accident, as they said they often don't see the same positive results from these types of wrecks. So, as sorry as I was to see my new dream Cruiser ruined, it instilled my faith in it and I knew I had to get another.
So, after seeing the vehicle after the wreck, I knew there were many good remaining parts, both factory and aftermarket, that would still be useable if I were to find another '95 - '97 Land Cruiser. So my search began for another Cruiser, and I ended up finding another white one, this time a '95. It already had some modifications to it: OME 4" J's, 315's, regeared to 4.88's, Longfields, Hanna sliders, skid plate, ARB bumper with winch, etc. It wasn't as clean as my wrecked one, as the seats were torn up and such, but mechanically it seemed to be in pretty decent shape, plus I knew I might be able to switch over parts.
And now onto the build thread. I got my wrecked rig back this weekend (had to trailer it back from Vegas to San Diego), and I have already started transfering parts to build up my newer rig (the '95). I would like to ultimately get it back to how the first one was built, except with the beefed up drivetrain. I really liked how the first Imperial Land Cruiser I had was built and how it performed as an Expo rig. I am hoping I can dial this one in exactly the way I want it.
I will update the thread as I make progress, and I will try to take pics a long the way. Thanks.
Pics:
1. My first Land Cruiser
2. Replaced with my '97 before wrecking it
3. And its replacement, my current Cruiser, a '95
So, after seeing the vehicle after the wreck, I knew there were many good remaining parts, both factory and aftermarket, that would still be useable if I were to find another '95 - '97 Land Cruiser. So my search began for another Cruiser, and I ended up finding another white one, this time a '95. It already had some modifications to it: OME 4" J's, 315's, regeared to 4.88's, Longfields, Hanna sliders, skid plate, ARB bumper with winch, etc. It wasn't as clean as my wrecked one, as the seats were torn up and such, but mechanically it seemed to be in pretty decent shape, plus I knew I might be able to switch over parts.
And now onto the build thread. I got my wrecked rig back this weekend (had to trailer it back from Vegas to San Diego), and I have already started transfering parts to build up my newer rig (the '95). I would like to ultimately get it back to how the first one was built, except with the beefed up drivetrain. I really liked how the first Imperial Land Cruiser I had was built and how it performed as an Expo rig. I am hoping I can dial this one in exactly the way I want it.
I will update the thread as I make progress, and I will try to take pics a long the way. Thanks.
Pics:
1. My first Land Cruiser
2. Replaced with my '97 before wrecking it
3. And its replacement, my current Cruiser, a '95