Introductions

[rusty_tlc]

Now you can't just go and introduce yourself, then post cruiser porn and not tell us anything about your troopie.

So give us the full run down on it. Obviously diesel, rhd or lhd?, miles/kilometers, etc.

By the way, welcome.

Jack

X2 How did you come by the rig?

 

[24HOURSOFNEVADA]

Wasn't me, never have driven mine to Reno. She only runs about 57mph on the road, so I don't go far unless I have to.

There is another white 45 and a tan 47 running around town, could have been one of them. I was hoping the other 47 owner was on here for some diesel help....my glow system is acting up.

I've talked to the other owner of the Dune Beige HJ47 Troopy with Troopy on the plate. He lives in Hidden Valley. I know of my Dune beige HJ45 LPB and I saw a pretty nice blue/purplish short bed FJ45 395 south bound at Parr, but I haven't seen the white one around. By "Town" do you mean Reno or Fallon? Is it a LPB or Troopy?

Oh and welcome.

 

[ECMO4]

:whoops:

'84 Troopy, RHD. Stock 2H w/4spd split case and the full-floater rear end. No pwr steering, disc brakes or anything fancy. Picked it up from a guy in Kalifornia who had started a cosmetic once-over and then found a BJ he wanted instead. This one is a 20-footer, but pretty solid. Only a couple of rust spots but a lot of holes drilled for various unknown purposes that I need to fix/fill [who's good at minor body work?]. Can't tell you what's on the odometer but it doesn't matter, it died on the drive here and haven't gotten around to cracking it open. Only thing that doesn't work is the a/c, missing the condenser. She's got some quirks and needs, but overall solid for general running around. I'm not looking to build a rock-killing monster, just a dependable rig to get the kids out farther than the family truckster will take them.

I also have to give the wife credit for this one. I wanted a 40, but she saw a picture of a 45 and thought that would be a better option....who am I to argue?

That reference to "town" was Reno. I've seen the biege troopy once near REI and the white one twice down in the south part of Reno near the dog store [Scraps...if you know where that is], both times passing views. Never had the chance to talk with either owner.

 

[cruiser enthuiser]

Finally Introducing Myself

Well, I feel like a chump for not introducing myself sooner. I've been lurking around mud for a while (just recently started posting) but I was completely oblivious to this section. I didn't even know it was here!

What you should know about me and my rigs:

I am completely inept mechanically but I love Land Cruisers.

This is how I have found myself owning three of them, all in various states of disrepair (ok, the wifes 80 runs good ). I always admired them growing up - I equated them with safari's and adventure and they appealed to my wander-lust. About five years ago we needed a new ride for my wife, something capable for camping, taking to Pyramid, etc. We found the 80 for sale around Tahoe. It was perfect for our needs and has been her daily driver ever since.

The 60 was really an impluse purchase. We were looking for a rig for my step-son to drive a couple of years agao and I saw it listed on Ebay from a guy in Fernley. I got it a good price for it, however, when I brought it to Reno I couldn't get it to pass smog. My step-son drove it till the previous registration expired and I ended up giving him my old truck. It sits now, waiting for me to take action. The wife has suggested several times that I sell it but I won't consider it. I've been pondering a new engine..perhaps a rebuilt 2F, or maybe V6 vortec???

The 40 was a surprise birthday present from my wife about 2 years ago. A friend of a friend was selling it and I mentioned to her I was interested. She just smiled and pretended to be interested. When I called the guy later that week he said it was already sold . Two weeks later, The wife and I went to my buddies house on my birthday. We were just hanging out visiting and I supsected nothing. We headed out to the garage to check out some of his toys and guess what? There was my 40! My wife went and bought it day after I mentioned it to her. She said it was tough to keep it secret for that long. Pretty good wife eh? You can see it's current status in the signature link. It's rough and it could really use a paint job.

So anyway, Hello, and that's all for now.

 

[locrwln1]

Well, I feel like a chump for not introducing myself sooner. I've been lurking around mud for a while (just recently started posting) but I was completely oblivious to this section. I didn't even know it was here!

What you should know about me and my rigs:

I am completely inept mechanically but I love Land Cruisers.

This is how I have found myself owning three of them, all in various states of disrepair (ok, the wifes 80 runs good ). I always admired them growing up - I equated them with safari's and adventure and they appealed to my wander-lust. About five years ago we needed a new ride for my wife, something capable for camping, taking to Pyramid, etc. We found the 80 for sale around Tahoe. It was perfect for our needs and has been her daily driver ever since.

The 60 was really an impluse purchase. We were looking for a rig for my step-son to drive a couple of years agao and I saw it listed on Ebay from a guy in Fernley. I got it a good price for it, however, when I brought it to Reno I couldn't get it to pass smog. My step-son drove it till the previous registration expired and I ended up giving him my old truck. It sits now, waiting for me to take action. The wife has suggested several times that I sell it but I won't consider it. I've been pondering a new engine..perhaps a rebuilt 2F, or maybe V6 vortec???

The 40 was a surprise birthday present from my wife about 2 years ago. A friend of a friend was selling it and I mentioned to her I was interested. She just smiled and pretended to be interested. When I called the guy later that week he said it was already sold . Two weeks later, The wife and I went to my buddies house on my birthday. We were just hanging out visiting and I supsected nothing. We headed out to the garage to check out some of his toys and guess what? There was my 40! My wife went and bought it day after I mentioned it to her. She said it was tough to keep it secret for that long. Pretty good wife eh? You can see it's current status in the signature link. It's rough and it could really use a paint job.

So anyway, Hello, and that's all for now.

Great story. Hope to see the herd sometime.

Talk to Chicago about a vortec v8 conversion, he is in the middle of the parts gathering.

Jack

 

[chicago]

Welcome aboard brotha.
So, I have a question for you...Are you mechanically inept, or just un-interested?
If you're interested in learning HOW to wrench, these rigs are a GREAT learning tool for that.
In addition, youve found a FAWKING AWESOME resource here on mud, and here in the BBCNN crew.
I knew NOTHING, NADA, ZIP, ZILCH about automobiles before I got my rig...However, I REALLY WANTED to learn. I still dont know too much, but I have done a fair amount on MY rig. This knowledge (for the most part) transfers to all the other land cruisers.
That is a GREAT story, and your wife is an AMAZING enabler!

Next BBCNN meeting is next Tues...
You should come check it out!

Keith

 

[rusty_tlc]

CE;
You have a great selection of Cruisers.

I doubt many cruiser owners start off being mechanically inclined we just learn out of self defense.

By all means find your way over to the Round Table Pizza place next Tuesday, we'd love to have you.

 

[cruiser enthuiser]

Welcome aboard brotha.
So, I have a question for you...Are you mechanically inept, or just un-interested?
If you're interested in learning HOW to wrench, these rigs are a GREAT learning tool for that.
In addition, youve found a FAWKING AWESOME resource here on mud, and here in the BBCNN crew.
I knew NOTHING, NADA, ZIP, ZILCH about automobiles before I got my rig...However, I REALLY WANTED to learn. I still dont know too much, but I have done a fair amount on MY rig. This knowledge (for the most part) transfers to all the other land cruisers.
That is a GREAT story, and your wife is an AMAZING enabler!

Next BBCNN meeting is next Tues...
You should come check it out!

Keith

Yes, uninterested is a better word. I worked as a carpenter for several years, I build furniture and cabinets as a hobby, so I'm no stranger to working with my hands. But prior to the cruisers my auto repair experiences usually involved lots of swearing, bloody knuckles and general frustration with little result. Not counting a '67 Mustang I had when I was 16 (now that was an easy car to work on!), no other vehicle ever inspired me to get greasy. Mud really is such a great resource, I have learned more about cruisers already than I ever realized there was to know - and learning more all the time. I've only recently started working on the 40, and now I find that as I consider repairs and upgrades for it, there is no detail too mundane that I can't spend hours happily researching it here.

Thanks for the welcome guys!

Ed

 

[chicago]

Yes, uninterested is a better word. I worked as a carpenter for several years, I build furniture and cabinets as a hobby, so I'm no stranger to working with my hands. But prior to the cruisers my auto repair experiences usually involved lots of swearing, bloody knuckles and general frustration with little result. Not counting a '67 Mustang I had when I was 16 (now that was an easy car to work on!), no other vehicle ever inspired me to get greasy. Mud really is such a great resource, I have learned more about cruisers already than I ever realized there was to know - and learning more all the time. I've only recently started working on the 40, and now I find that as I consider repairs and upgrades for it, there is no detail too mundane that I can't spend hours happily researching it here.

Thanks for the welcome guys!



Ed

Might I say that finding an interest and doing it yourself will save you THOUSANDS! No JOKE or exaggeration. Folks here a BBCNN are always willing to help too, so youre not without local resources.

K

 

[reno2507]

New FZJ80 owner

Hello from a newbie. I have a 97 that I absolutely love. I put on 285/75/16 Goodyear MTR's and a safari rack. I also just bought a 91 for the OME lift and ARB front bumper, and then will sell it to try to recoupe some $$$. My plan is to exchange the suspensions on the 97 and 91, but honestly have no idea what I am getting into. I have a lot of experience with leafs (ex CJ guy), but coils are pretty intimidating to me. Any pointers would be appreciated!!! Thanks all, and glad I found this site!

 

[locrwln1]

Hello from a newbie. I have a 97 that I absolutely love. I put on 285/75/16 Goodyear MTR's and a safari rack. I also just bought a 91 for the OME lift and ARB front bumper, and then will sell it to try to recoupe some $$$. My plan is to exchange the suspensions on the 97 and 91, but honestly have no idea what I am getting into. I have a lot of experience with leafs (ex CJ guy), but coils are pretty intimidating to me. Any pointers would be appreciated!!! Thanks all, and glad I found this site!

Nice looking 97, white is the best color.;p

Well, you are going to love coils, I had a YJ.

Lift cruiser, support frame, support axles, remove wheels, remove shocks (or if you are using the same shocks just unhook the bottom only), undo sway bar links, drop one side of axle, wiggle coil out, install new one, reinstall, sway bar links, shocks and put tires back on and you are done.
Oh and watch the brake lines as you "drop" one side of the axle.

Jack

 

[rusty_tlc]

Hello from a newbie. I have a 97 that I absolutely love. I put on 285/75/16 Goodyear MTR's and a safari rack. I also just bought a 91 for the OME lift and ARB front bumper, and then will sell it to try to recoupe some $$$. My plan is to exchange the suspensions on the 97 and 91, but honestly have no idea what I am getting into. I have a lot of experience with leafs (ex CJ guy), but coils are pretty intimidating to me. Any pointers would be appreciated!!! Thanks all, and glad I found this site!

Welcome!

Now that you have found the site you should drop by a meeting and and put names to faces. We meet the second Tuesday of the month in the back room of the Round Table in the Old Town Mall. Meeting starts at 6:30 but most of us show early to BS.

Comparing doing a coil suspension lift on my UZJ100 to screwing around with the leaf packs on my FJ40 I gotta say coils are way easier to deal with.

 

[Magnum44]

Hi guys. I have been on Mud for a while but recently here. I live in Auburn, Ca. but my wife and I and 4 kids have been looking into the Reno/Sparks area for a couple of years now. As a matter of fact we might be heading up there tomorrow to look at property. My first Cruiser was a 1965 FJ45 P/U that I restored totally stock from the ground up. I sold that 6 months after completion because my oldest son was born. Now I have a 1975 FJ40 that's been sitting for a few years as I have been collecting parts for it. Since I have 4 kids now time and money aren't as plentiful for project vehicles but I'm working on it slowly. Anyway, we are looking 5-10 miles outside of the Spanish Springs area. I would love to hear anyones comments on the area out on Pyramid Lake Hwy. I don't know when we will be moving but hopefully sooner than later. Through what little research we have done the Spanish Springs schools seem to have a decent reputation. My oldest is in his Sophomore year and really likes the JV Football coach so maybe after the season is over but still not sure. Nice to see some Cruiser fans there in Reno.

 

[flexing40]

Hi guys. I have been on Mud for a while but recently here. I live in Auburn, Ca. but my wife and I and 4 kids have been looking into the Reno/Sparks area for a couple of years now. As a matter of fact we might be heading up there tomorrow to look at property. My first Cruiser was a 1965 FJ45 P/U that I restored totally stock from the ground up. I sold that 6 months after completion because my oldest son was born. Now I have a 1975 FJ40 that's been sitting for a few years as I have been collecting parts for it. Since I have 4 kids now time and money aren't as plentiful for project vehicles but I'm working on it slowly. Anyway, we are looking 5-10 miles outside of the Spanish Springs area. I would love to hear anyones comments on the area out on Pyramid Lake Hwy. I don't know when we will be moving but hopefully sooner than later. Through what little research we have done the Spanish Springs schools seem to have a decent reputation. My oldest is in his Sophomore year and really likes the JV Football coach so maybe after the season is over but still not sure. Nice to see some Cruiser fans there in Reno.

I live just North of the Eagle Canyon/Pyramid intersection. Which I would consider kind of the center of Spanish Springs. So when you say 5-10 miles outside S/Springs, are you speaking about the Palomino valley area? Or the area around Axe Handle road?
Haven't heard anything bad about the schools. I think there are 4 schools in our area.

Pros: I like it here. Usually not much snow but colder than in town. We are on an acre so I like that you are not bunched up to your neighbor like most tracts. Not to far from moon rocks!!

Cons: The traffic sucks. There are plans to build a casino just South of the Eagle Canyon/Pyramid intersection.

Pro/Con: They are continuing to open small businesses in the area.

Mike

 

[Magnum44]

I live just North of the Eagle Canyon/Pyramid intersection. Which I would consider kind of the center of Spanish Springs. So when you say 5-10 miles outside S/Springs, are you speaking about the Palomino valley area? Or the area around Axe Handle road?
Haven't heard anything bad about the schools. I think there are 4 schools in our area.

Pros: I like it here. Usually not much snow but colder than in town. We are on an acre so I like that you are not bunched up to your neighbor like most tracts. Not to far from moon rocks!!

Cons: The traffic sucks. There are plans to build a casino just South of the Eagle Canyon/Pyramid intersection.

Pro/Con: They are continuing to open small businesses in the area.

Mike

Hey Mike, sorry for my lack of knowledge of the area. The 5-10 miles was guess at best but it's not a subdivision. It's on quite a few acres and I will know today how far out it is. I know it looks about mid way between Sparks and Pyramid lake by the google map but I can't get a distance from the directions. Anyway I will report back later.

 

[1r78]

Getting some info

This is a great forum and I'm excited to have found it. My name is Cory and I picked up a 93 fzj-80 at the beginning of the summer. I love it. My previous vehicle was a 1980 hilux, that I still have. These are the only two vehicles I have ever owned, and from the day my i got my first Toyota I was hooked. I was hoping to get some info on meetings and the club itself. So if a senior member could message me I would really Appreciate it.
Thanks
Cory

 

[rusty_tlc]

This is a great forum and I'm excited to have found it. My name is Cory and I picked up a 93 fzj-80 at the beginning of the summer. I love it. My previous vehicle was a 1980 hilux, that I still have. These are the only two vehicles I have ever owned, and from the day my i got my first Toyota I was hooked. I was hoping to get some info on meetings and the club itself. So if a senior member could message me I would really Appreciate it.
Thanks
Cory

Would a senile member do?

Club meeting notices are posted in this forum, they are the second Tuesday of the month at the Round Table Pizza, 4007 So. Virginia St. In the old Town Mall on the corner of So. Virginia & Peckham. We meet in the back room, I'll PM you the secret pass word later.
The meetings start at 6:30 but some people usually show up early to BS.

Our web site Battleborncruisers has a brief description of the club.


Oh and welcome to our forum.

 

[mooncalf]

now I'm going diesel

so...I've been to a couple meetings...like 2 to be exact....I've got a '73 40 w/ a 350 conversion that I picked up a few years back...the wiring sucked so bad I never had the confidence to go on any runs with you guys....so I stopped going to meetings while I put a new harness in and started dinking around with other problems that kept popping up...like belts, hoses, leaking gas tank....all of which I've fixed, but which have also been replaced with new problems, like an overheating problem I'm slowly tracking down....the idea was to get her running better so I could follow you guys on some trails without being "the guy with the broken cruiser" slowing everyone down.

Anyhow, I never quite got there and in April I took a BIG left turn at Albequerque...

There I was minding my own business, searching through e-bay for no particular reason when BAM, I found my dream rig.....in Seattle... an '82 HJ47 Troopy, 2h turbo diesel...before I knew it, I was bidding and won.....now everything has changed...I'm no mechanic....not by a longshot, but I was happy to get my 40 and motivated to learn about it...now I've got this diesel, of which I know even less than the 350 in the 40.....so I feel like I'm starting over, but still want to do everything myself.

I've seen one other around town, mine looks just like his, except it doesn't say "troopy" on the plate...and I have a gigantic safari roof rack, cattle guard with rock sliders and snorkel...which may come in handy in the desert...one day...or maybe if the Truckee acts up again.

Anyhow, my troopy is RHD and has 392,000+ kilometers on the speedo. It drives great and flies down the highway with the overdrive engaged....super low transfer and a hand throttle for crawling up and down...I took it to the backside of Gold Lake a couple weeks ago and it was great. I took it to Yosemite and it struggled up that huge grade out of Lee Vining, almost over heating. I replaced the belts and peeled the cheesy tint off the windows, but nothing else yet.

I'm worried about winter. Should I put a block heater on or will the stock glow plugs handle it? Is that easy to do? Also, I'm belching quite a bit of black smoke when I shift, but that stops once I'm up to speed. Do I need to adjust the injectors or timing for this altitude? I'll try to make the October '09 meeting and see what you guys think/say...

By the way, I'm selling the 40...bought it for $6K, put $4K into it, will say goodbye for $7.5K, so if anyone knows anyone, let me know.

Cheers,

Whit

 

[milo79]

Hey Everyone

My name is Ken and I have a 1976 fj40, that right now is in a few pieces. A friend and I have finally started building and fixing the darn thing. Unfortunetly the previous owner was really good at cover up. As long as the wallet holds up everything should come along greatly.

 

[rusty_tlc]

so...I've been to a couple meetings...like 2 to be exact....I've got a '73 40 w/ a 350 conversion that I picked up a few years back...the wiring sucked so bad I never had the confidence to go on any runs with you guys....so I stopped going to meetings while I put a new harness in and started dinking around with other problems that kept popping up...like belts, hoses, leaking gas tank....all of which I've fixed, but which have also been replaced with new problems, like an overheating problem I'm slowly tracking down....the idea was to get her running better so I could follow you guys on some trails without being "the guy with the broken cruiser" slowing everyone down.

Anyhow, I never quite got there and in April I took a BIG left turn at Albequerque...

There I was minding my own business, searching through e-bay for no particular reason when BAM, I found my dream rig.....in Seattle... an '82 HJ47 Troopy, 2h turbo diesel...before I knew it, I was bidding and won.....now everything has changed...I'm no mechanic....not by a longshot, but I was happy to get my 40 and motivated to learn about it...now I've got this diesel, of which I know even less than the 350 in the 40.....so I feel like I'm starting over, but still want to do everything myself.

I've seen one other around town, mine looks just like his, except it doesn't say "troopy" on the plate...and I have a gigantic safari roof rack, cattle guard with rock sliders and snorkel...which may come in handy in the desert...one day...or maybe if the Truckee acts up again.

Anyhow, my troopy is RHD and has 392,000+ kilometers on the speedo. It drives great and flies down the highway with the overdrive engaged....super low transfer and a hand throttle for crawling up and down...I took it to the backside of Gold Lake a couple weeks ago and it was great. I took it to Yosemite and it struggled up that huge grade out of Lee Vining, almost over heating. I replaced the belts and peeled the cheesy tint off the windows, but nothing else yet.

I'm worried about winter. Should I put a block heater on or will the stock glow plugs handle it? Is that easy to do? Also, I'm belching quite a bit of black smoke when I shift, but that stops once I'm up to speed. Do I need to adjust the injectors or timing for this altitude? I'll try to make the October '09 meeting and see what you guys think/say...

By the way, I'm selling the 40...bought it for $6K, put $4K into it, will say goodbye for $7.5K, so if anyone knows anyone, let me know.

Cheers,

Whit

Welcome, can't wait to see your Troopy.

Any chance you will get to the next meeting?

Dan