Builds My First Land Cruiser - Cdn 🍁 BJ60 "Wabi Sabi"

[PapaGiamati]

A little dream of mine came true yesterday. Been envisioning taking the truck skiing and hitting the après ski on the tailgate since I bought the truck.

Love it!

We were the envy of the parking lot.

 

[duncanrm]

A little dream of mine came true yesterday. Been envisioning taking the truck skiing and hitting the après ski on the tailgate since I bought the truck.

Love it!

We were the envy of the parking lot.

So good! There's a lot to envy when you're stuck in a financed car made of plastic!

 

[PapaGiamati]

time to see how Santa’s workhorse does in the first big snow of the year

 

[PapaGiamati]

And another milestone today. Spent 6 hours in the truck today driving to Edmonton and back. She held up with no issues and cruised great at 110km/h.

 

[PapaGiamati]

Left the truck at the work parking compound over the weekend while we had a snow storm and lows of -16C.
Starting her after 48 hours in -16 was a task, but after a lot of glow, and a couple times turning her over, she eventually fired up!

I need a manual push button glow system for this cold. The auto glow system doesn’t seem to stay on long enough.

She’s a beast in the snow in 4H though!

 

[duncanrm]

11.5V (assuming 12V system) plugs and a manual glow switch (making sure the resistors are bypassed) .. the 2H loves this setup!

 

[PapaGiamati]

Took some pictures for my Christmas card this year!

Truck has been doing well so far in all the constant cold starts in this cold snap we have been having in Canada. It’s been lows of -20 and highs of -13 on a typical day. I feel I should change the oil to something thinner as I might(?) hear a crank case knock but I’m not too sure or if it’s my brain playing tricks on me.

Im running what the manual says is the most broad spectrum (10W-30) But maybe I should have gone for something thinner during that cold snap. I hope I didn’t damage anything?

It could also be nothing and I’m just paranoid cause I love this truck!

 

[bcsteel]

As a point of reference I always change my oil to 5/40 for winter. Definitely easier starts. We don’t get as cold as you do but still down to -25.

 

[Gimme a 60]

Took some pictures for my Christmas card this year!

Truck has been doing well so far in all the constant cold starts in this cold snap we have been having in Canada. It’s been lows of -20 and highs of -13 on a typical day. I feel I should change the oil to something thinner as I might(?) hear a crank case knock but I’m not too sure or if it’s my brain playing tricks on me.

Im running what the manual says is the most broad spectrum (10W-30) But maybe I should have gone for something thinner during that cold snap. I hope I didn’t damage anything?

It could also be nothing and I’m just paranoid cause I love this truck!

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I would not ever go below 10/30.

I’m not sure what this knock is, however I notice cold starts, mine has a nice clatter… I think it’s some sort of pre ignition or something when it’s cold.

If it really worries you, send a video of it.

Remember to spray it with oil… the whole truck.

 

[franklin40]

in our environment the best winter upgrade ive done is a webasto. while not cheap it'll make cold starts a non issue an over the life of the truck im sure it'll pay off. plus you can warm anywhere with no worries of finding a plug in!!


and yes i have that same smile every time i drive mine!

 

[PapaGiamati]

I would not ever go below 10/30.

I’m not sure what this knock is, however I notice cold starts, mine has a nice clatter… I think it’s some sort of pre ignition or something when it’s cold.

If it really worries you, send a video of it.

Remember to spray it with oil… the whole truck.

I think it was just my mind the other day, or something is loose and clattering around cause I heard something clattering at idle the other day that didn’t sound normal. It would be nearly impossible to capture on video as it’s pretty faint.

Took the truck to Sunshine Village to ski which is about a 300km round trip and she ran flawlessly. So my confidence is back up.

Going into the Rockies I was driving into something wild like ~90km/h headwinds in the foothills and I could only make her go 95km/h max against the strong heawinds! Ha!

As for the spray, I had her Krown rust protection undercoated so she should be good for this winter. And I take her to the car wash nearly weekly.

 

[diesellibrarian]

Going into the Rockies I was driving into something wild like ~90km/h headwinds in the foothills and I could only make her go 95km/h max against the strong heawinds! Ha!

Totally hear you on this. Driving into the mountains during a Chinook is miserable in one of these bricks...but try doing it in an air-cooled Vanagon! Makes for a very long 2 hours in third gear at 70km/h getting passed by impatient truckers.

 

[PapaGiamati]

Small update,

Been in New Zealand travelling around for a wedding/vacation for the last 5 weeks.

Only saw one 60 series! I was shocked.

But saw lots of sweet hilux trucks that we sadly can’t get in Canada. This one was my favourite.

Truck stayed at my parents place in BC for the whole time. Started up just fine when I got home!

Then drove back to Calgary from Vancouver through whistler, around 12 hours in the drivers seat. Once again, no issues!

Once warmer weather and spring hits, I’ll get back on the tools for the suspension upgrade and assortment of other items before I drive to Alaska this summer.

 

[PapaGiamati]

Another small update;

1) tried to order that stock height suspension kit from cruiser outfitters and sadly it’s on back order until late summer/fall . I wanted to get this done before my big drive to Alaska this summer but I guess I’ll be going on some super worn out suspension. Not sure what other options I’ve got to freshen the truck up before I go. Maybe just new dampers?

2) I’m losing the battle on lights! One head light blew out due to rocks on all the hwy travelling I’ve been doing for a new work task, one of my fog lights burnt out, and my passenger side tail / side marker light have burnt out but both bulbs look fine so maybe I have a wiring issue to chase down!

Otherwise, the truck is still running flawlessly!

 

[duncanrm]

Another small update;

1) tried to order that stock height suspension kit from cruiser outfitters and sadly it’s on back order until late summer/fall . I wanted to get this done before my big drive to Alaska this summer but I guess I’ll be going on some super worn out suspension. Not sure what other options I’ve got to freshen the truck up before I go. Maybe just new dampers?

If the shackle bushes are flogged out maybe replace those if nothing else New shock absorbers wont offer much in my opinion.

 

[S.CarolinaFZJ80]

Time for a Koito H4 headlight kit and some stone guard grills

 

[PapaGiamati]

Time for a Koito H4 headlight kit and some stone guard grillsView attachment 3864039

Been dreaming about those lately

 

[PapaGiamati]

If the shackle bushes are flogged out maybe replace those if nothing else New shock absorbers wont offer much in my opinion.

Every component is flogged out on this suspension! Hahaha

It’s bone stock from 1984. I think one shackle was replaced cause it looks different. But she needs a full overhaul. Just not looking to get a lift so options are very limited.

 

[PeterEdm]

Every component is flogged out on this suspension! Hahaha

It’s bone stock from 1984. I think one shackle was replaced cause it looks different. But she needs a full overhaul. Just not looking to get a lift so options are very limited.

Did you contact Dan/Travis at 4WheelAuto about what you want for suspension?

 

[diesellibrarian]

Another small update;

1) tried to order that stock height suspension kit from cruiser outfitters and sadly it’s on back order until late summer/fall . I wanted to get this done before my big drive to Alaska this summer but I guess I’ll be going on some super worn out suspension. Not sure what other options I’ve got to freshen the truck up before I go. Maybe just new dampers?

2) I’m losing the battle on lights! One head light blew out due to rocks on all the hwy travelling I’ve been doing for a new work task, one of my fog lights burnt out, and my passenger side tail / side marker light have burnt out but both bulbs look fine so maybe I have a wiring issue to chase down!

Otherwise, the truck is still running flawlessly!


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If you're driving the Alaska Highway, I suggest taking the Forestry Trunk Road (FTR) aka Highway 40 on the way home, starting in Grande Prairie. I did it several years ago in my 4Runner, and it was amazing - if you don't mind 800km of pretty remote gravel road. Saw tons of wildlife, including dozens of wild horses. Lots of free camping along the way, too.