Builds Kitsu-KZJ71 Project

[shermantank55]

Thanks to friend and fellow ih8mud member Goforth, we have adopted a new Land Cruiser-a 1994 KZJ71. Named Kitsune, Japanese for Fox-(Kitsu for short), we're planning a moderate overland build similar to Dingo
Imported a year ago from Japan, Kitsu's in great shape with a few maintenance issues to address:
Power steering leak
Leaking front knuckles
Inoperable electric hubs
Sagging suspension
Loose steering

First things first.
Kitsu seems about as rare as snow in Georgetown Texas

 

[shermantank55]

Some preliminary photos of Kitsu:

 

[shermantank55]

While waiting on parts, I stripped the interior, applied sound proofing (Noico butyl and foam) and ran auxiliary electric wire to the front and rear. Also mounted LED lights in the cargo area.

 

[shermantank55]

Tackled the suspension first with an Old Man Emu kit from Cruiser Outfitters. I think I estimated wrong on the heavy rear springs with a 3" higher resting height than the front-even with 300 lbs in the back. Bryce at Cruiser Outfitters took care of me and I've got mediums on the way.

 

[shermantank55]

I'm 6'4" and the factory center console wouldn't do at all for an armrest. So I determined a tall .50 cal ammo can fit perfectly without modification into the space. I fabricated a bracket to mount to factory console mounting holes and built a padded top. Now I have an armrest and secure storage.

 

[shermantank55]

Next I fabricated a fuel can holder for the back door. I followed the example set by member saw and built a one can holder. Reinforced to the hinges and behind the sheet metal, it is solidly attached. It utilizes the factory holes thru the sheet metal for mounting so can be returned to original if desired later. Added a rear view camera while I was here.

 

[nonstopbike]

At your height (mine too) did you find the need to re-position the drivers seat bracket bolts rear-ward?

I drove a HZJ73 once and for anything longer than a test-drive, I felt the need to kick that seat back a few inches.

Lookin forward to seeing more progress on this!

 

[shermantank55]

Kitsu has plenty of overall room for me with the existing seat arrangement. The only issue is the lack of resting space for your left foot because of right hand drive , the transmission hump, and the clutch pedal.

 

[coldtaco]

At your height (mine too) did you find the need to re-position the drivers seat bracket bolts rear-ward?

I drove a HZJ73 once and for anything longer than a test-drive, I felt the need to kick that seat back a few inches.

Lookin forward to seeing more progress on this!

then you definitely won't want to try a ute

 

[FJBen]

I’m 6’5” and moved my seat back over 3” in my BJ74. I just judged some 1/4” flat stock and it was easy and helped a ton.

 

[nonstopbike]

Kitsu has plenty of overall room for me with the existing seat arrangement. The only issue is the lack of resting space for your left foot because of right hand drive , the transmission hump, and the clutch pedal.

Good to hear! I do imagine that tunnel position will take some getting used to.

then you definitely won't want to try a ute

Ruled those out for this reason, I hear some of the newer models gain a bit of cockpit space in the UTEs. (via Buildin70s youtube)

I’m 6’5” and moved my seat back over 3” in my BJ74. I just judged some 1/4” flat stock and it was easy and helped a ton.

Oh yeah, nice move and thanks for the photos.

 

[clintnz]

Nice work on the 50 cal centre box - I may steal that idea one day. You've got a great base for a versatile small 4wd with the KZJ.

Cheers
Clint

 

[KZJ71 in Adell]

Tackled the suspension first with an Old Man Emu kit from Cruiser Outfitters. I think I estimated wrong on the heavy rear springs with a 3" higher resting height than the front-even with 300 lbs in the back. Bryce at Cruiser Outfitters took care of me and I've got mediums on the way.
View attachment 2571074View attachment 2571075View attachment 2571077

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I bought a 1993 KZJ71, SX, 3.0 in October of 2020. Looks exactly the same as yours, has similar problems. I'd really appreciate a discussion on any topic about this car but your suspension work interests me the most. I purchased Ironman springs and shocks, once installed the ride improved dramatically but I was shocked at the 3" lift. Not what I wanted at all. So I am looking at the Outfitters packages. Would you mind telling me what package you chose for your Prado?

 

[GTSSportCoupe]

I've found many of the lifts out there leave the front of the Prado sitting lower than the back. I think this might be because they're trying to avoid issues/limitations with the radius arms and castor correction. Ideally a decent lift at the front also needs new radius arms to move the axle forward and correct castor angle.

 

[shermantank55]

I bought a 1993 KZJ71, SX, 3.0 in October of 2020. Looks exactly the same as yours, has similar problems. I'd really appreciate a discussion on any topic about this car but your suspension work interests me the most. I purchased Ironman springs and shocks, once installed the ride improved dramatically but I was shocked at the 3" lift. Not what I wanted at all. So I am looking at the Outfitters packages. Would you mind telling me what package you chose for your Prado?

I would give Cruiser Outfitters a call. Bryce was very helpful and we discussed what my intent was with the vehicle and how much would be carried etc. I insisted on the heavy springs in back which has resulted in the taller rear stance. I called them again and now have other springs that just arrived. I now have the following:
OME 2872 Front Springs - Medium Load
OME Nitrocharger 60089 Front Shocks
OME 2873 Rear Springs - Medium Load
OME Nitrocharger 60090 Rear Shocks
I'll publish the results once the new rear springs are installed. I expect the suspension to be a bit taller than stock but less than 3".

 

[shermantank55]

Telltale greasy knuckles oozing pudding? Yup bad seals for some time.

 

[shermantank55]

Steering woes I believe are the result of compromised trunnion bearings and worn out tie rod ends. Getting both in order. The TREs were so frozen I soaked with PB Blaster overnight and torched them... no success. I finally had to cut two of the joints and weld a large nut on each so I could get them out with a 6 point socket and long breaker bar.

 

[shermantank55]

Brake rotors are warped and pitted. Fortunately they are the same part #43512-60100 as used on the FJ-60

 

[KZJ71 in Adell]

I would give Cruiser Outfitters a call. Bryce was very helpful and we discussed what my intent was with the vehicle and how much would be carried etc. I insisted on the heavy springs in back which has resulted in the taller rear stance. I called them again and now have other springs that just arrived. I now have the following:
OME 2872 Front Springs - Medium Load
OME Nitrocharger 60089 Front Shocks
OME 2873 Rear Springs - Medium Load
OME Nitrocharger 60090 Rear Shocks
I'll publish the results once the new rear springs are installed. I expect the suspension to be a bit taller than stock but less than 3".

Thanks much, I'll call them. Did you also install the steering damper?

 

[shermantank55]

Thanks much, I'll call them. Did you also install the steering damper?

It came with the kit, but I'm in mid knuckle rebuild so haven't installed it yet.
Part number OME SD24