I've been part of the Toyota community for a while now, spending the last 10 years building my 2000 Limited 4WD 4runner as a multi-purpose mild expedition rig. It's been a fun project but I've had my eye on a 80 series Land Cruiser for a while due to the increased size, solid front axle, and classic looks. I was fortunate enough to find a 1997 40th Edition with lockers, 146K on the odometer, in great shape and mechanically sound back in September and have spent the last few months getting things squared away - I've been on the NC section of 'Mud but figured this could be my intro to the 80-Series community.
As I mentioned the cruiser has been well maintained, so I've checked fluids, air filters, etc. but really haven't done any PM yet - did get a local mechanic to check everything out and he didn't recommend anything. I added some Yakima crossbars as I carry surfboards frequently during the summer, replaced the Scion head unit with the same Pioneer unit I have in my 4runner, installed a Reese hitch, and added some husky liners. I painted the undercarriage and used my orbital buffer to polish and wax the exterior to get everything looking nice.
My biggest project to date has been a suspension overhaul with OME components, including 850s + 10 mm trim packers up front, 860s in the rear, Nitrocharger Sport shocks and steering stabilizer and Slee 3 degree black caster bushings. After much debate, I mounted a set of 315/75/r16 BFG AT's and so far am thrilled with the decision - they ride very well and the power loss isn't nearly what I expected, plus they fill out the wheel wells very nicely as compared to 285s. I've had 315 KM2's on my 4runner for a while now and forgot how much nicer all terrains ride. Overall handling and ride is much improved over the worn out stock suspension, and the caster correction feels pretty good - certainly tracks straight down the road and I've got no vibrations so far. I haven't taken final measurements yet as I know things will settle a bit, but at this point it looks like I got right at 3" front and rear which brings my hub to fender measurements to 22 7/8" up front and 23 1/8" in the rear - overall the ground to fender measurements changed about 5" with the tires and lift which was about what I expected.
Here are a few pictures I've taken along the way, and some current photos - including my 4runner after painting the wheels and grill gunmetal grey over Thanksgiving and a few shots of the cruiser after the lift and tires. My future plans for the cruiser are to keep things fairly mild as I'm enjoying a more comfortable rig, but I wouldn't be surprised if some White Knuckle sliders and an ARB bumper get installed sometime in the next year! Look forward to spending more time on the forum, the amount of info on here is amazing!
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f315/mbrown14/photo1.jpg
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f315/mbrown14/photo2.jpg
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f315/mbrown14/photo2-1.jpg
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f315/mbrown14/photo3-1.jpg
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f315/mbrown14/photo-1.jpg
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f315/mbrown14/IMG_8963.jpg
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f315/mbrown14/IMG_8964.jpg
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f315/mbrown14/IMG_8970.jpg
As I mentioned the cruiser has been well maintained, so I've checked fluids, air filters, etc. but really haven't done any PM yet - did get a local mechanic to check everything out and he didn't recommend anything. I added some Yakima crossbars as I carry surfboards frequently during the summer, replaced the Scion head unit with the same Pioneer unit I have in my 4runner, installed a Reese hitch, and added some husky liners. I painted the undercarriage and used my orbital buffer to polish and wax the exterior to get everything looking nice.
My biggest project to date has been a suspension overhaul with OME components, including 850s + 10 mm trim packers up front, 860s in the rear, Nitrocharger Sport shocks and steering stabilizer and Slee 3 degree black caster bushings. After much debate, I mounted a set of 315/75/r16 BFG AT's and so far am thrilled with the decision - they ride very well and the power loss isn't nearly what I expected, plus they fill out the wheel wells very nicely as compared to 285s. I've had 315 KM2's on my 4runner for a while now and forgot how much nicer all terrains ride. Overall handling and ride is much improved over the worn out stock suspension, and the caster correction feels pretty good - certainly tracks straight down the road and I've got no vibrations so far. I haven't taken final measurements yet as I know things will settle a bit, but at this point it looks like I got right at 3" front and rear which brings my hub to fender measurements to 22 7/8" up front and 23 1/8" in the rear - overall the ground to fender measurements changed about 5" with the tires and lift which was about what I expected.
Here are a few pictures I've taken along the way, and some current photos - including my 4runner after painting the wheels and grill gunmetal grey over Thanksgiving and a few shots of the cruiser after the lift and tires. My future plans for the cruiser are to keep things fairly mild as I'm enjoying a more comfortable rig, but I wouldn't be surprised if some White Knuckle sliders and an ARB bumper get installed sometime in the next year! Look forward to spending more time on the forum, the amount of info on here is amazing!
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f315/mbrown14/photo1.jpg
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f315/mbrown14/photo2.jpg
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f315/mbrown14/photo2-1.jpg
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f315/mbrown14/photo3-1.jpg
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f315/mbrown14/photo-1.jpg
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f315/mbrown14/IMG_8963.jpg
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f315/mbrown14/IMG_8964.jpg
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f315/mbrown14/IMG_8970.jpg
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