Looking to Learn about the Land Cruiser (1 Viewer)

[cgautierp]

Hey everybody,

I’m from Mississippi and a current aerospace engineering college student and I have had my 100 series Land Cruiser for about two years now. It has 210k miles on it and runs beautifully. Money is tight since I’m young and in college, but I am looking to learn from the experienced people on this forum about what recommendations they have on upgrading my car in some of the cheaper ways (<$1500). I do not do a ton of off roading, so I’d like it if you guys recommended any general performance improvements or accessories you found that are useful and look great. Being an aspiring engineer I especially like to work on my car by myself instead of just paying someone to do it for me, so if you have any links to threads or videos you found helpful during the installation process you would recommend I’d greatly appreciate it.

Thanks

 

[CBeckFJ]

Hey everybody,

I’m from Mississippi and a current aerospace engineering college student and I have had my 100 series Land Cruiser for about two years now. It has 210k miles on it and runs beautifully. Money is tight since I’m young and in college, but I am looking to learn from the experienced people on this forum about what recommendations they have on upgrading my car in some of the cheaper ways (<$1500). I do not do a ton of off roading, so I’d like it if you guys recommended any general performance improvements or accessories you found that are useful and look great. Being an aspiring engineer I especially like to work on my car by myself instead of just paying someone to do it for me, so if you have any links to threads or videos you found helpful during the installation process you would recommend I’d greatly appreciate it.

Thanks

Good set of tires ( I run Dick Cepeks on mine, which are essentially Coopers ST Maxx), and sliders for starters. As an aspiring engineer as well, I definitely get the itch to work on your own vehicle.

 

[D21FJ60]

Welcome. Figure out which clubhouse(s) are closest to you, this will be a great asset: Clubhouses
Check out the build threads as most people are very good at documenting their work.

 

[cgautierp]

Good set of tires ( I run Dick Cepeks on mine, which are essentially Coopers ST Maxx), and sliders for starters. As an aspiring engineer as well, I definitely get the itch to work on your own vehicle.

I bought a set of Bf Goodrich AT KO2s about 10k miles ago, and I have really liked them a lot.

 

[JunkCrzr89]

At that mileage, and assuming you're still on original components, I suggest diving into the suspension, steering, and drivetrain to check for wear and potential items that may need to be replaced sooner rather than later. For example, front and rear control arm bushings, upper and lower ball joints, inner and outer tie rod ends, steering rack bushings, front differential bushings, front and rear shocks, and outboard shaft of CV axle and CV boots. Additionally, if your starter and alternator are original and never been replaced, you can pull those out and rebuild them or buy reman Denso/Toyota units.

Plenty of threads on MUD detailing how to do each of the above, and all are good projects for engineers!

 

[hickuptruck]

Only upgrades under $1500 and 210k miles will be refreshing your suspension, timing belt, cooling system, and CVs.

Start with spending $300-500 on a decent set of socket set, jackstands, lift, brass drift, sledge hammer. Rest of the $1k goes away easy when it comes to Cruiser replacement parts

 

[gregnash]

Only upgrades under $1500 and 210k miles will be refreshing your suspension, timing belt, cooling system, and CVs.

Start with spending $300-500 on a decent set of socket set, jackstands, lift, brass drift, sledge hammer. Rest of the $1k goes away easy when it comes to Cruiser replacement parts

This is you don't already have a decent set of tools. Check the Tools/Hardware forum too for deals and recommendations on stuff, there is some decent stuff you can purchase from Harbor Freight, not everything is horrible.

Outside of that, if you are computer savvy take a look at the How To Techstream in 5 Minutes thread and think seriously about getting your hands on it. If nothing else, get yourself a nice OBDII scanner (whether bluetooth or not) as it will be a lifesaver for you.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Read through the FAQ, looks through the pics thread, drive it.

 

[cgautierp]

At that mileage, and assuming you're still on original components, I suggest diving into the suspension, steering, and drivetrain to check for wear and potential items that may need to be replaced sooner rather than later. For example, front and rear control arm bushings, upper and lower ball joints, inner and outer tie rod ends, steering rack bushings, front differential bushings, front and rear shocks, and outboard shaft of CV axle and CV boots. Additionally, if your starter and alternator are original and never been replaced, you can pull those out and rebuild them or buy reman Denso/Toyota units.

Plenty of threads on MUD detailing how to do each of the above, and all are good projects for engineers!

Thanks for the tip. I have already replaced inner and outer tie rods, CV axle and boots, replaced timing belt, starter, alternator (3 times unfortunately), battery, radiator and hoses connected to it, and a few fuses, and a couple other small things. I’ll look into the other parts you recommended and see if they need to be replaced. I’m planning on replacing the shocks soon, but they can be pricy. I’ll look into some threads and see what I can find.

This is you don't already have a decent set of tools. Check the Tools/Hardware forum too for deals and recommendations on stuff, there is some decent stuff you can purchase from Harbor Freight, not everything is horrible.

Outside of that, if you are computer savvy take a look at the How To Techstream in 5 Minutes thread and think seriously about getting your hands on it. If nothing else, get yourself a nice OBDII scanner (whether bluetooth or not) as it will be a lifesaver for you.

Thanks. I’ll check out the How to Techstream in 5 minutes thread, and look into getting the OBDII scanner. I have access to an entire mechanic shop if I need it (grandfather is an old muscle car fanatic and built a shop on his farm), so I’m set on tools.

 

[gregnash]

Thanks for the tip. I have already replaced inner and outer tie rods, CV axle and boots, replaced timing belt, starter, alternator (3 times unfortunately), battery, radiator and hoses connected to it, and a few fuses, and a couple other small things. I’ll look into the other parts you recommended and see if they need to be replaced. I’m planning on replacing the shocks soon, but they can be pricy. I’ll look into some threads and see what I can find.


Thanks. I’ll check out the How to Techstream in 5 minutes thread, and look into getting the OBDII scanner. I have access to an entire mechanic shop if I need it (grandfather is an old muscle car fanatic and built a shop on his farm), so I’m set on tools.

If that is the case then definitely get your hands on Techstream or a good OBDII scanner. Get familiar with the FAQ section and then SleeOffRoad has a good walk thru of the things that changed year over year for the 100s.
Look up @OTRAMM on YouTube as he has a good video on what to look for when purchasing a new rig. And if nothing else, when you have a potential rig and you have looked it over yourself, have a trusty mechanic shop go through it for you and give you THEIR estimate on what needs to be done. Use that as pricepoint leverage.

 

[OwnerCS]

Thanks for the tip. I have already replaced inner and outer tie rods, CV axle and boots, replaced timing belt, starter, alternator (3 times unfortunately), battery, radiator and hoses connected to it, and a few fuses, and a couple other small things. I’ll look into the other parts you recommended and see if they need to be replaced. I’m planning on replacing the shocks soon, but they can be pricy. I’ll look into some threads and see what I can find.


Thanks. I’ll check out the How to Techstream in 5 minutes thread, and look into getting the OBDII scanner. I have access to an entire mechanic shop if I need it (grandfather is an old muscle car fanatic and built a shop on his farm), so I’m set on tools.

Out of curiosity, what happened to the alternators?

 

[cgautierp]

Out of curiosity, what happened to the alternators?

Original started to go bad. For the second alternator, it was undercharging, so we sent it back under the warranty and replaced again

 

[OwnerCS]

Original started to go bad. For the second alternator, it was undercharging, so we sent it back under the warranty and replaced again

Understandable. Thanks for the reply.

 

[cgautierp]

Original started to go bad. For the second alternator, it was undercharging, so we sent it back under the warranty and replaced again

I didnt mention this earlier when talking about what all I replaced, but I learned some pretty valuable info after replacing the radiator. It was one of the first parts in the car I learned to replace. I replaced the original because it had a pinhole in it, which shot steam out one night when it formed. While replacing it I learned to not lie directly under the hoses... needless to say I thought I had drained them all completely and I got drenched. Meanwhile my dad was watching and waiting for it with a camera out

 

[2020 Rocks]

Thanks for the tip. I have already replaced inner and outer tie rods, CV axle and boots, replaced timing belt, starter, alternator (3 times unfortunately), battery, radiator and hoses connected to it, and a few fuses, and a couple other small things. I’ll look into the other parts you recommended and see if they need to be replaced. I’m planning on replacing the shocks soon, but they can be pricy. I’ll look into some threads and see what I can find.


Thanks. I’ll check out the How to Techstream in 5 minutes thread, and look into getting the OBDII scanner. I have access to an entire mechanic shop if I need it (grandfather is an old muscle car fanatic and built a shop on his farm), so I’m set on tools.

Stock shocks from Toyota are great, replaced my old oem w/ new oems for $200.00. Replaced springs and torsion bars for another 500.00 and it is night and day difference. Suspension refresh on 100 series is pretty dang simple for under a grand.

 

[cgautierp]

Stock shocks from Toyota are great, replaced my old oem w/ new oems for $200.00. Replaced springs and torsion bars for another 500.00 and it is night and day difference. Suspension refresh on 100 series is pretty dang simple for under a grand.

Appreciate it. I’ll look into doing something like that.

 

[2020 Rocks]

You can get OME springs and torsion bars in Amazon, free shipping.

 

[hoser]

If you camp or do many road trips, the best accessory is a fridge... maybe add an extra battery and solar. You'll thank me during those hot, humid summer days in MS.

 

[JunkCrzr89]

Stock shocks from Toyota are great, replaced my old oem w/ new oems for $200.00. Replaced springs and torsion bars for another 500.00 and it is night and day difference. Suspension refresh on 100 series is pretty dang simple for under a grand.

This! New OEM Toyota shocks paired with OME rear springs is an excellent ride (and also easy on wallet). Plus, because none of the 100 series-specific OME “lift” springs are longer than stock springs (Some are actually shorter), the OEM Toyota shocks work just fine.