LC Newbie needs help

[StressPuppy]

Well, I have spent the last several days reading as much of the newbie info as I can. My eyes are bloodshot, my brain is foggy and my wife is yelling at me to get a life and do something besides read about the LC.................. :'(

I bought a 97 LC in fantastic shape. I am the 3rd owner. First was a leasee, second seemed to be a soccer mom from all the crap under the seats and such. It is red and has 92k miles. A few scratches and cosmetic stuff, but all well within the 7 yr age.

My thought is to go through and change as much as I can, as well as little as I can. I want to make sure it is sound, but I don't want to over do it (is there such a thing??).

My plan for the mechanicals is (in no particular order):
1) Flush and fill cooling system (have info from great post here...)
2) Change oil and filter.
3) Drain tranny, change filter and refill tranny
4) Change oil in diffs
5) Change shocks
6) Basic maintenance (plugs, belts, PCV, fuel filter)

Am I missing anything?
Any words of advice or warning in doing any of these things?
What shocks would you recommend for someone that does 80%+ road driving?

This is a great site and I hope at some point I can contribute back as much as I am learning and asking!!!

Thanks in advance for any help and info.

 

[cruiserdan]

No paper filter in the transmission, it is a permanent metal screen. Don't forget the front axle service, it's very likely never been touched. Also the rear wheel bearings and a valve clearance inspection.

 

[Wrench]

Yeah a lift and 35's if you are going to wheel it.

 

[StressPuppy]

I want to check things before I even think about "wheelin' it".

C-dan, can you give me more info or point me to some threads on the things you mentioned? As a newbie, I have to admit I am not exactly sure what you mean.

I bought a "transmission filter kit" that has a metal "filter" unit in it, as well as a gasket. Is this the wrong thing?

My FSM just showed up today, so I guess I will be up LATE trying to learn some more!

 

[Doc]

Buying the FSM is a step in the right direction.

Save Dan's post, so you can instant message him for Toyota parts. He's the resident Toyota guru. I just ordered a complete front axle overhaul kit and a plethora of other items from him this week.

Welcome to the club.

 

[cruiserdan]

If you have a "filter kit" it IS NOT OEM parts and I would not use it, especially if it has a pan gasket in it as the OEM method is to use a liquid sealer.

Go to the tech links at the top of the page and read Jim Phillips's write-up on the front axle rebuild, very good stuff.


Note:

Here is a quick link to Jim's write-up http://www.ih8mud.com/tech/birf-repack.php

 

[Beowulf]

StressPuppy,

>> 3) Drain tranny, change filter and refill tranny

What you're trying to achieve with a new-to-you vehicle is getting everything to a baseline. All fluids (tranny, xfer, oil, PS, coolant, diffs, brake fluid.) As for the tranny, a good way to do this is a fluid-exchange at your *trusted* dealer or mechanic. If you're near Golden, CO give the guys at Slee Off-road a call. What you want is NOT a high powered flush with cleaning agents; you want a slow fluid exchange using your transmission's pump and all new tranny fluid. Use a good brand and synthetic if you can afford it (big $$$)

>> 5) Change shocks

If it were me, I would get the OME springs that match your driving. Give Christo a call and talk to them about the springs. If you stay with stock height springs then you can get 4 new Toyota OEM shocks from C-Dan for about the price of *one* OME shock.

>> 6) Basic maintenance (plugs, belts, PCV, fuel filter)

Plus dizzy cap, and rotor. Only use OEM parts. Read up on the fuel filter replacement before you jump in on that one. (The archives here on IH8MUD would be a good place to start.)

-B-

 

[StressPuppy]

In in Virginia, so unless I want a really long road-trip........

I guess I will do some more reading. I like to do as much of the work on my vehicles as I can, but it sounds like some of these things are better off done by a dealer. This is my first Toyota (have been a Honda person, but no comments please!) so I don't have a relationship with the dealer. As for mechanics, I do much of the stuff myself on other vehicles, or have had newer ones that don't need much, so I am out of luck in finding a "mechanic I trust". I'll have to ask around.

In the reading I have done thus far, I have learned that C-Dan and Beowulf are two people to be trusted, so I will heed the advice given. Not to say others aren't good, but you two post a lot and really know what you are talking about.

In some of my other vehicles, I have used Advance Auto Parts for parts and such, and they have been good to me so far. I shy away from dealers because of the ridiculous prices, but if I can get good stuff from C-Dan for better, then I will do that (how do I do that??) and take some stuff back to AAP.

Let me back up and ask it this way:

If you had just bought your first LC (1997, 92k miles, looks like original stuff on it) What would you do and where would you start?

Keep in mind that I can do just about anything on the truck, mechanically, and I am always looking for an excuse to buy a new tool or two! (There is something "intimate" about doing the work yourself. You get to know your vehicle.) Also, at this point, I don't see myself lifting the vehicle or doing serious offroading. Probably taking the family camping, pulling a trailer and the daily driver to work.

I will read up on the other stuff, but I would appreciate your input on the above questions. I want to get started doing "stuff" this weekend. I have had it for almost two weeks and have done very little!

THANKS!!!!

 

[p80cruiser]

StressPuppy,

Congrats on the new purchase! My wife has a Honda Odyssey minivan and I too have been shell-shocked by Honda dealer parts and service prices. However, you might be surprised by Toyota dealers. In general, they are pretty fair on service and parts cost if it's for routine stuff like fluid change, dizzy caps, rotors, etc. The dealer near me is very competitive with prices from momandpop local service shops. The dealer only parts like window switches, trim parts, etc. are high so, from what I've read here, your best bet is C-Dan.

Enjoy your truck!

Powell

 

[cruiserdan]

<<<<<" I have learned that C-Dan and Beowulf are two people to be trusted,">>>>>


If you can't dazzle them with brillliance, baffle them with bull$hit........... Refering to the Wulf, of course

 

[firetruck41]

[quote author=StressPuppy link=board=2;threadid=17392;start=msg168297#msg168297 date=1086263868]

In some of my other vehicles, I have used Advance Auto Parts for parts and such, and they have been good to me so far. I shy away from dealers because of the ridiculous prices, but if I can get good stuff from C-Dan for better, then I will do that (how do I do that??) and take some stuff back to AAP.

[/quote]
Definitely use OEM for this stuff, very good quality and reasonable prices. To get those reasonable prices, look at Cdans post and underneath his avatar click on the little green thing (instant message icon) and send him a private message, you will be glad you did.

 

[Eduardo96FZJ80]

[quote author=cruiserdan link=board=2;threadid=17392;start=msg168408#msg168408 date=1086276007]

<<<<<" I have learned that C-Dan and Beowulf are two people to be trusted,">>>>>


If you can't dazzle them with brillliance, baffle them with bull$hit........... Refering to the Wulf, of course
[/quote] The brilliance or the bull****?? ???

 

[Beowulf]

StressPuppy,

I like this list posted by Landtank (Rick)

Alternator brushes
fan clutch
starter contacts
check the PS cooler
rebuild the PS pump
change out the EGR modulator
Replace the fuel filter
clean the throttle body
check the hose from the air filter can to throttle body
check the throttle cable for stickyness, not returning all the way
check the harness where it passes over the EGR valve for wear
check the heat sheilds on exhaust for rattles
check the radiator for grey sludge
replace idler pulley
plan on a birf repack and rear bearing repack

thats about all the stuff LC wise, you would still need to inspect and service all the common auto stuff such as fluid changes and tune up



Plus the other stuff we've already discussed.

-B-

 

[StressPuppy]

That's a great list!!!

I called the dealer today about doing all the fluids (time is money as they say, and if it takes me all day to do it......). Prices were actually pretty reasonable. I asked about:

Radiator Flush & Fill
Tranny
Power Steering Fluid
Brake Fluid
Differentials (all three)
Fuel Filter change

All that was going to be around $530. Then a front wheel bearing "job" was about $320. I'll do the oil change myself (have used Castrol in the past, any problems with that??)

How much of this should I try to do myself (read: what is the hardest and messiest that I should leave for them)?

So, I guess my weekend will be filled with belts, plugs, wires, and some of the stuff listed above.

Then I just have to figure out what to do about springs/shocks and the stupid roof rack. Might just use the "plastic/rubber under the original mounts" after I clean it up and just "put my head in the sand" for a while. (See, I have been reading.....)

Have I said lately how much I like this truck??? Well, I DO!!!!! Thanks for the input. Keep it coming if you have anything else.

 

[RavenTai]

[quote author=StressPuppy link=board=2;threadid=17392;start=msg168603#msg168603 date=1086292452]
That's a great list!!!

I called the dealer today about doing all the fluids (time is money as they say, and if it takes me all day to do it......). Prices were actually pretty reasonable. I asked about:

Radiator Flush & Fill
Tranny
Power Steering Fluid
Brake Fluid
Differentials (all three)
Fuel Filter change

All that was going to be around $530. [/quote]


you could do that yourself for less than $120 with good fluids and OEM fuel filter

Then a front wheel bearing "job" was about $320.

You should do whole front axle service (AKA birf repack, knuckle service ect) not just front wheel bearings, this is a long nasty job you should do this yourself as it is quite expensive for the dealer to do

having someone else do work on a cruiser gets very expensive very quickly as there is a considerable amount of preventive maintenance, IMO you get the best results in both cost and quality of work doing your own work

 

[firetruck41]

front wheel bearing job is near worthless unless you do the birfield repack/knuckle service. ~$1000 from a dealer probably.

 

[Rookie2]

StressPuppy:

FWIW, my recommendation:

You appear to have the right attitute and willingness to do all this work yourself, so in that case.. do it, because A) you can save some dough, B) you have more control over the quality of products that are used C) noboby else will take the care when working on your rig that you will, and D) sometimes you just get taken for a ride.

Having said that, change all the fluids first. Most of these are pull the plug, drain and fill jobs... too easy. Keep an eye on the color and consistance of the front diff. gear oil you drain out, it will be a good indicator whether your axle seals are leaking. All these other things are great PM items and should be done with your mileage, but don't neccesarily need to be done tomorrow. You can get your bearings with the FSM first and do some more research on this site, prioritize and tackle these one-by-one as you get more comfortable with the rig.

That's my .02 worth.


Rookie2

 

[Beowulf]

Rookie2 gave you outstanding advice and I agree with everything said above by Raventai & Ben. Don't try to eat the elephant all at once.

I'll repeat Rookie's observation that you are really showing a great attitude and we appreciate the preparation work you've done by reading the past threads. It shows your maturity and respect for the group and our time. It also shows your commitment to the maintenance of your vehicle by getting the FSM before jumping in to a project.

If I haven't said it before: Welcome to IH8MUD!

-B-

 

[StressPuppy]

Thanks to all. Yes, the last couple of posts are very good information. I like doing the work myself as it is a "stress" reliever and I become one with the vehicle. Some things are messy, but worth it when I can see what is coming out to determine what to do next.

Part of the dilema is that I have 4 boys and a wife that need to have attention too. I can get 1 or 2 of the boys to help me (oldest are 14 and 10), and sometimes my wife is game. I also have some maintenance work to do on her minivan, so she is afraid that I will neglect her van. Finally, to make life REALLY fun, my parents are coming to stay for a week between selling their old house and waiting for the new house to be finished. So we have to clean up and make room, and with 4 boys and a indoor dog (Wiemaraner), that is MUCH easier said than done.

Thanks for the comments about my approach and attitude. I have been on other forums for other things and now the frustration of when someone obviously asks a question that is easily answered in 5 minutes or less of searching. I try to spend a requiste amount of time searching and if I don't find an answer, then I ask. Many of my questions were answered in the FAQ at the top of this forum (GREAT group of stuff, BTW) and other info was learned that I wasn't even aware of.

Let me say back to you that this is a great forum and seems to be a great group of people. It is amazing how you can tell by the level of the posts and the friendship/comradery of the posters how close the group is. I have only been a part of one other forum where the group seemed more like a community than generic place to get answers. Hats off to all!!!!

Well, I think what I will do is work on the radiator flush, belts, plugs, wires, Dist cap and rotor this weekend. If I have time, I may try to do the tranny too. My 14 year old will enjoy helping (he may not know it yet, but he will!). Then I will start down the path of the power steering, brakes and then diffs. I will also fit in the list of things from LandTank with these other things. For the small stuff, I will use the local dealer. For bigger stuff, I will give C-dan a call.

(On a side note, can someone fill me in on www.cruiserparts.net vs. using C-dan? Obviously you support the guy that is here giving answers and helping out. No brainer. But CP.net seems to be reasonable too and has used parts where that makes sense. Not wanting to compare or say who is better.........)

Ok, so I am off to make my list, prioritize, decide what to return to Advance and what I need to go by the dealers for and then how to rope my son into helping me!!!! Oh, and not get yelled at by the wife since Saturday is her birthday!

I'll keep you posted!

 

[StressPuppy]

OH! Forgot to ask.........


Does the K&N filter make that much of a difference in an LC?? And how so? I use one in the 1972 Datsun 240Z I rebuilt and I like the airflow it gives. But that car is setup to go fast.