Build Let's Baseline my new to me 1993 Land Cruiser

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

MrMikeyG said:
Unless you're aimed towards Minneapolis/St Paul, you will at least be pleasantly surprised by housing costs there vs. out here. Gas should be about a buck cheaper/gallon too. I don't really miss MN/ND winters, but I miss the lifestyle back there.
Click to expand...
Well we are looking at the heart of St Paul, but it’s amazing how little house you get in Bellingham, wa vs the Midwest, even in the heart of MSP.

Im eager for more winter. It’s my jam. Give me a frozen lake and a pulk and I’m off! I may never return!!
 
Birfields and some extra bits enroute from Cruiser Outfitters. Picked up some grease for the knuckle rebuild. Have a wits end order to finish too.
 
I’ve been busy waaaay over thinking my 12v system while I prep for my knuckle/gear/air locker rodeo.

I’m stuck trying to decide how much future potential I want to build into the new circuits. I’m not convinced I really need a second battery, because as cool as they are, I don’t really want a fridge. So that seems to keep things cleanish.

My loads are smallish, the ARB compressor draws the most, then my Ham radio. Add in some cargo lights, reverse light and a few usb chargers in the rear and 2nd row and I’m all set.

Most folks on ih8mud who have beautiful and clean wiring layouts on their wit’s end QPMs, seem to have solar charge controllers, inverters, weboost contraptions and fridges. I basically want to charge a couple of iPads, a camera, and see my drawers in the dark. Plus run the lockers, call ET on the ham mobile, and air up my tires in the most opulent way possible.

I’ll hopefully have some actual progress to post by 2023, or possibly before @FMC80 finishes his HG job…money is on Pell.
 
I thought I would never want a fridge so I bought a couple Yeti’s six years ago. They do keep ice a very long time but I’m pretty much at the end of my love for Yeti’s and ice. I’ll run my fridge on one battery like a mud member I wheel with occasionally who runs a group 31 Odyssey battery. A year ago I installed a group 31 X2 Power AGM battery so I figure I’ll be good to go.

Always figure for wanting more in the future.
 
Last edited:
G, when is your move to the place where your cruiser will become more reminiscent of Swiss cheese than the iconic off-road, 4x4 known to traverse the most barren and desolate places the world has to offer?
 
baldilocks said:
I thought I would never want a fridge so I bought a couple Yeti’s six years ago. They do keep ice a very long time but I’m pretty much at the end of my love for Yeti’s and ice. I’ll run my fridge on one battery like a mud member I wheel with occasionally who runs a group 31 Odyssey battery. A year ago I installed a group 31 X2 Power AGM battery so I figure I’ll be good to.

Always figure for wanting more in the future.
Click to expand...
Sounds like I should build for the future.
FMC80 said:
G, when is your move to the place where your cruiser will become more reminiscent of Swiss cheese than the iconic off-road, 4x4 known to traverse the most barren and desolate places the world has to offer?
Click to expand...
Well, we are headed to MN in July/August. Currently shopping for a house with a garage opening larger than 7’. She will be a garage queen before I know it.

Or I could just see what happens if I roll around to the mall of America in the winter
Here is a 1993 that’s on CL in MSP. Has lockers:rofl:

“Runs and drives
Needs tires
Cat stolen
Surprisingly nicer frame
Minnesota title
Complete interior
Healthy PowerTrain
$2200”
2D1426C8-B69D-4517-9C56-DD2F4CB86D86.webp


So basically I’ll stop mall crawling with it and only use it for some trips out west to explore.
 
Ok, just called a shop up here in Bellingham to cost the locker& gear install with loose thirds. Quoted $775/axle. I was expecting a much lower price. Am I on drugs and this is the new going rate?
 
PNWTreeOctopus said:
Ok, just called a shop up here in Bellingham to cost the locker& gear install with loose thirds. Quoted $775/axle. I was expecting a much lower price. Am I on drugs and this is the new going rate?
Click to expand...
Yeah, that seems high. Torfab completed mine with 4hr/ each into loose 3rds. Gears and install kit extra, but assuming you were just looking at labor.
 
welcome to the dark side....soggy sandwiches, no thanks....
baldilocks said:
I thought I would never want a fridge so I bought a couple Yeti’s six years ago. They do keep ice a very long time but I’m pretty much at the end of my love for Yeti’s and ice. I’ll run my fridge on one battery like a mud member I wheel with occasionally who runs a group 31 Odyssey battery. A year ago I installed a group 31 X2 Power AGM battery so I figure I’ll be good to go.

Always figure for wanting more in the future.
Click to expand...
 
Torfab is no longer doing loose thirds as per my inquiry last spring. Zuk is camping and hates ARB air lockers, and I’m not confident to set up my own. Gonna keep shopping around.
 
Feldrian said:
@cruiseroutfit


Only downside is the added expense of shipping to Utah. Solid group of guys to work with though and super helpful over the phone.
Click to expand...
%100. I talked with @cruiseroutfit folks initially when I purchased gears from
Then, and they were upfront about the added cost of freight. And how it would obviously raise prices. They advised going local, but I think it’s just because they are polite and as far from pushy as can be. I enjoy doing business with them and may go this route. It’s why I chose to buy my Birfields from them. If I can spend money to support a cruiser specific business, it’s my preference. That being said it would be pretty funny if I end up sending my lockers, gears, install kits and thirds back to them…FedEx will be soooo stoked! Ha!

There is a crusty old gear and driveline shop here in town, that I need to call and price out the job. Then it’s decision time.
 
Part.of the issue is going to be finding a shop willing to install parts you didn't purchase from them

Try Randy's ring and pinion in Everett or Randy's odd road in Marysville
 
I wouldn't trust just anyone to set up air lockers, either. Seen some rookies route the air lines badly which can cause all kinds of issues.
 
Feldrian said:
I wouldn't trust just anyone to set up air lockers, either. Seen some rookies route the air lines badly which can cause all kinds of issues.
Click to expand...
This is what gives me pause. For me, a system with a reliable foundation is worth paying for. i don’t need it done fast, but obviously I want the ARBs done right with someone who wants the job and wants to help me make my LC awesome-er. Someone who speaks Toyota is a must, fluent in land cruiser is preferred.:)
 
Dusten said:
Part.of the issue is going to be finding a shop willing to install parts you didn't purchase from them

Try Randy's ring and pinion in Everett or Randy's odd road in Marysville
Click to expand...
I’m realizing this too. While I didn’t realize this when I purchased my whole gear/locker/instal parts/compressor kit, I wouldn’t change my course of action. Possibly I might have considered built thirds with lockers and sending my old o
 
FloridaCruiser22 said:
@cruisermatt might be able to help you out there
Click to expand...
I just spent some time learning about @cruisermatt's work. While he seems like a great dude to work with he is literally the farthest US cruiser shop from my house given that I am in WA and he is in FL! Oh well. Thanks for the suggestions folks.

I think if I could go back and talk to my late winter/ spring of 2022 self I would convince him to buy drop in thirds. That seems like it would have been a better deal for my situation at this point. This is my first rodeo, and if you are just showing up here on page 55 I really have no idea what the **** I'm doing. The good news is that I haven't had any money to throw at my cruiser. The bad news is now I do and I'm trying to make (many) stupid decisions.
 
PNWTreeOctopus said:
...The good news is that I haven't had any money to throw at my cruiser. The bad news is now I do and I'm trying to make (many) stupid decisions.
Click to expand...
100% supportive of throwing random money at cruisers 👍
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom