Karma's KZJ78

[Karmapolice]

I purchased this super nice KZJ78 from member @kgrove literally yesterday. This is my first Land Cruiser but I have wanted one for years and I have had several different 4x4 vehicles etc. I wanted to start a build thread to show the changes I make and just the regular progression of it and as an a potential resource for others. You will see a lot of it with @theadamnc 's Troopy.

Base Specs:
1995 KZJ78
5spd Manual
Locking Rear Diff (factory)
Factory Winch
Modifications/Work Done:
Kiwi Cylinders Replacement Head
3" KRAE Power Dump Pipe
3" Custom Exhaust with Magnaflow Muffler
Milner Off Road Exedy Clutch Kit with Single Mass Flywheel
Bunch of new OEM Goodies (brakes, alternator, water pump etc.)
Dobinson Lift Kit
Ion Wheels (-27mm Offset) with 33x12.5x15 Cooper STT Pros

Current Picture

 

[Karmapolice]

Here are some more pictures from Day 1 in Phoenix, I will be posting pictures here from my journey back to North Carolina as I go. I will be spending several days in Western Colorado as well.

 

[Karmapolice]

Day 1 cont.

 

[Gun Runner 5]

P.M. sent

 

[GTSSportCoupe]

Very nice, congrats!

 

[FJ73Texas]

I am not really a fan of WO lettering but it looks great on that KZJ78 with the wheels being black along with the "PRADO" side graphics.

 

[theadamnc]

RAD.

 

[Blackford Oakes]

Welcome friend. Safe travels home.

 

[misterclean]

Welcome! Looking good

 

[Karmapolice]

Trip has been fun, weather is moving in and some of the areas have been extra packed but that is the nature of the beast.

Any way the KZJ78 has just been chugging along. We made the drive from Phoenix to Telluride. Did Imogene pass from Telluride to Ouray and it did great. More highway milage pushing to Denver.

 

[Karmapolice]

Haven’t posted in here in a bit. I don’t have a lot of pictures from the work being done but with the help of @theadamnc the KZJ78 has new motor mounts, two new batteries, has been on another camping trip etc. Have a new AC clutch and new belts coming to hope get rid of the squeal that happens when the AC is on (intermittent).

Here is a picture from today.

 

[Karmapolice]

Belts and AC clutch have come in but I have not put them in yet, was going to maybe do it this weekend but ended up going to Coffee and Rigs on Saturday.

Sunday the wife and I took a trip up to Uwharrie to pre check some campsites and did some easy trails (Wolf Den and Lake View Trail).

 

[theadamnc]

Is that thing still CRAB Walking down the highway?

 

[Karmapolice]

Is that thing still CRAB Walking down the highway?

no worse than yours

 

[Karmapolice]

I’ll add more pics in the am but changed out the AC V Belt, the AC compressor magnet, and the rotor tonight. The stator still looked good and I have a new one if need be but I also was tired of snap rings when I got to it lol.

The old magnet and rotor looked meh and believe it was combination of the belt and those causing the squeal I would hear intermittently. The old belt was not a factory one but all the replacement parts including the belt were Toyota parts.

Here are some pictures of the old magnet and rotor.

 

[Karmapolice]

 

[Karmapolice]

No major updates. Still just enjoying it and have done some camping trips etc.

I did have a potential alternator issue but it looks like the belts just needed to be tensioned. Possibly from just break in or when I changed the AC belt.

 

[Karmapolice]

So I hadn't had any issues with the alternator after tightening the belts via the tension bar but when on a 4 hour trip on Saturday to look at car for my kid. In the afternoon on Sunday I was going to run some errands but before leaving did a quick inspection and saw the belts super loose and a broken bracket (FML).

Luckily I had already ordered a new alternator from Cruiser Parts and the bracket from Ebay, so then did an impromptu alternator install in the parking lot of my complex in the rain with some help from my wife who was a champ the whole time.

Everything is working as it should now and getting the proper high end of the voltage reading with the car running on the batteries. I added pictures of the bracket/tension bar part numbers.

I will take the old alternator and send it off to be inspected/rebuilt at some point just to have a spare.

 

[Karmapolice]

 

[Bad Mojo]

Good on you for getting it field fixed!

What was the reason for the pre-purchase of the alternator? It seemed like you were working through AC items before this? Or did you just want a spare?