- Thread starter
- #241
No but I will! Good reminder!
Builds My First Land Cruiser - Cdn 🍁 BJ60 "Wabi Sabi"
- Thread starter PapaGiamati
- Start date
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No worries! A good local resource as from your thread it appears you might be Edmonton based. I also think Dendoff based in BC might make custom leafs for Landcruisers (could be wrong, I thought I saw them advertising for it).
shipmag
Hagler Technology LLC. Aka Shipmag
They make rock guard grills I've seen over the years that are after market that fit landcruisersAnother 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!
View attachment 3863825
- Thread starter
- #244
Update: pulled the trigger on a suspension set that was a lot closer to home (ie: in Canada) and not on back order until the fall! Dan at 4WheelAuto coming in clutch once again!
really excited for the install process
Can’t wait to drive it and not bottom out on every pothole!
really excited for the install process
Can’t wait to drive it and not bottom out on every pothole!
Terrain Tamer.. such great kit. I really rate that company.
- Thread starter
- #247
Saturday was a big day!
Called some buddies up and had a small army of workers decend on the truck to swap out the suspension.
I didn’t get as many photos as I should have, but we were hustling for 10 hours straight with only a small break for some alley BBQ smokies.
Before of the ride height
Laid out all the parts on a table and double checked everything was there. Once that was confirmed we got to cracking nearly all the nuts and bolts for the suspension pieces.
The rear was a bit of a struggle due to the lower damper mounts taking some rocks to them over the years, so they needed some loving. As well, the threaded sleeve that the damper mounts to on the bottom can be sketchy if you snap off a bolt in there so we were extremely cautious.
Luckily everything came apart relatively well on the rear. Once we greased up all the bushings and applicable assemblies, we bolted everything loosely to the truck. The drivers side rear shackle kept inverting to the wrong side when we would lower the axle. We lost about an hour trying to solve this with various straps and tension on different places on the axle and some manoeuvring of the suspension. With some manipulation of the axle we managed to straighten up the shackle and have it settle into the proper orientation once the weight was settled on the leaves. We managed to salvage more of the rubber that went on the U-Bolt plates and gave them some grease to lubricate everything for another 30 years.
We also took out the grease nipple on the driver shafts to allow them move more while manipulating the axles. Then we just disconnected them at one point to get more freedom.
We then attacked the front with minor issues. The threaded top of the old dampers was so rusted out and thin that they both snapped right off when we tried to unscrew them.
The drivers side U-Bolt plate had taken a massive beating at one point from a rock or something immovable and caused the front lip to bend in. This meant we couldn’t get a socket onto the U Bolt nut properly. So I took some material off with an angle grinder to allow for a socket to be placed on the nut. I’ll see about sourcing another one. But I’m not wheeling hard so I’m not too worry about some of the missing material on the plate.
Shiny new bits on the truck look good!
Finally after 10 hours and a few garage beers, we were ready for the car wash, then a brewery to celebrate!
I now need larger tyres so I’m not riding on these tiny wheels anymore!
Drives much much much better than the old suspension.
I still need to buy longer flexible brake lines and longer sway bar end links. They all have room to play for now, but I know if I go wheeling and get more serious flex and angles out of the axles, they won’t last.
Called some buddies up and had a small army of workers decend on the truck to swap out the suspension.
I didn’t get as many photos as I should have, but we were hustling for 10 hours straight with only a small break for some alley BBQ smokies.
Before of the ride height
Laid out all the parts on a table and double checked everything was there. Once that was confirmed we got to cracking nearly all the nuts and bolts for the suspension pieces.
The rear was a bit of a struggle due to the lower damper mounts taking some rocks to them over the years, so they needed some loving. As well, the threaded sleeve that the damper mounts to on the bottom can be sketchy if you snap off a bolt in there so we were extremely cautious.
Luckily everything came apart relatively well on the rear. Once we greased up all the bushings and applicable assemblies, we bolted everything loosely to the truck. The drivers side rear shackle kept inverting to the wrong side when we would lower the axle. We lost about an hour trying to solve this with various straps and tension on different places on the axle and some manoeuvring of the suspension. With some manipulation of the axle we managed to straighten up the shackle and have it settle into the proper orientation once the weight was settled on the leaves. We managed to salvage more of the rubber that went on the U-Bolt plates and gave them some grease to lubricate everything for another 30 years.
We also took out the grease nipple on the driver shafts to allow them move more while manipulating the axles. Then we just disconnected them at one point to get more freedom.
We then attacked the front with minor issues. The threaded top of the old dampers was so rusted out and thin that they both snapped right off when we tried to unscrew them.
The drivers side U-Bolt plate had taken a massive beating at one point from a rock or something immovable and caused the front lip to bend in. This meant we couldn’t get a socket onto the U Bolt nut properly. So I took some material off with an angle grinder to allow for a socket to be placed on the nut. I’ll see about sourcing another one. But I’m not wheeling hard so I’m not too worry about some of the missing material on the plate.
Shiny new bits on the truck look good!
Finally after 10 hours and a few garage beers, we were ready for the car wash, then a brewery to celebrate!
I now need larger tyres so I’m not riding on these tiny wheels anymore!
Drives much much much better than the old suspension.
I still need to buy longer flexible brake lines and longer sway bar end links. They all have room to play for now, but I know if I go wheeling and get more serious flex and angles out of the axles, they won’t last.
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- Thread starter
- #248
Here are some side by side comparison of the old and new look.
I do miss the low slung wagon look. But I think the handling on the new set up is too good to give up now.
Here are the ride height number differences.
Measured from ground to the bottom of the fender.
FD - Front Driver FP - Front Passenger
RD - Rear Driver RP - Rear Passenger
O - Old
N - New
And the only damage to the previous suspension I could find was one broken leave in the front drivers side pack.
I do miss the low slung wagon look. But I think the handling on the new set up is too good to give up now.
Here are the ride height number differences.
Measured from ground to the bottom of the fender.
FD - Front Driver FP - Front Passenger
RD - Rear Driver RP - Rear Passenger
O - Old
N - New
And the only damage to the previous suspension I could find was one broken leave in the front drivers side pack.
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- Thread starter
- #249
Glory pics
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Nice work. I think you'll get used to the 'elephant on a skateboard' look soon enough. But some bigger tyres might help.
You can still buy the original front U bolt plates (were the mounting pins for the shocks not rotten away?) for the front axle, and superseded 70 Series plates for the rear axle.
Looking forward to hearing how it performs on the road now
- Thread starter
- #251
Nice work. I think you'll get used to the 'elephant on a skateboard' look soon enough. But some bigger tyres might help.
You can still buy the original front U bolt plates (were the mounting pins for the shocks not rotten away?) for the front axle, and superseded 70 Series plates for the rear axle.
Looking forward to hearing how it performs on the road now
Elephant on a skateboard! Never heard that before, I like it haha!
Good to know!
They weren’t mint, but with with some sand paper and a wire wheel on the drill they cleaned up nicely.
I’ll add that to the “to do” list!
- Thread starter
- #252
Bit of an exploration day bombing around the back roads and letting the suspension settle.
It drives a whole lot better!
As well, I fixed every single light issue I had left.
- one fog light was burnt out (replaced)
- passenger side rear running lights didn’t work. (Found a wire in the rear harness under the truck that was completely split, soldered it back together and fixed the issue)
It drives a whole lot better!
As well, I fixed every single light issue I had left.
- one fog light was burnt out (replaced)
- passenger side rear running lights didn’t work. (Found a wire in the rear harness under the truck that was completely split, soldered it back together and fixed the issue)
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Geez, I can barely spin my tire in gravel with my 3B. How did you manage to do donuts???Just like that!
The Land Cruiser passed the Alberta safety inspection.
Ready for insurance and to become my daily driver!
Also, see below if you’re a 3B hater.Cruising speed on highways with the 5 speed is no biggie.
All systems looking great.
View attachment 3639279
View attachment 3639280
And one glory pic to celebrate. Next up, full suspension re-fresh.
View attachment 3639283
- Thread starter
- #254
Finally started on my bed platform for my big adventure to Alaska this august!
Used 1/2 plywood for the base, 5/8 for the top part and 3x lengths of 1x8 boards to create the platform.
I also bought some 1x1 boards but never really found a need for them.
Kept the bench seat in due to my move coming up this summer as well and I won’t have a place to store it while I’m moving.
Should look cozy once I have a foam topper on it and create some blinds for the windows!
Thought about cutting the top plywood sheet so it would fit with a better tolerance on the top to each side wall. But I was too lazy to go buy an entire other sheet to ensure it would go across the whole way. I think I have enough spare pieces to build little extensions to fill the gaps if I don’t like how the mattress fills the back!
Used 1/2 plywood for the base, 5/8 for the top part and 3x lengths of 1x8 boards to create the platform.
I also bought some 1x1 boards but never really found a need for them.
Kept the bench seat in due to my move coming up this summer as well and I won’t have a place to store it while I’m moving.
Should look cozy once I have a foam topper on it and create some blinds for the windows!
Thought about cutting the top plywood sheet so it would fit with a better tolerance on the top to each side wall. But I was too lazy to go buy an entire other sheet to ensure it would go across the whole way. I think I have enough spare pieces to build little extensions to fill the gaps if I don’t like how the mattress fills the back!
- Thread starter
- #255
Added some extra wings to widen the platform for sleeping and had some leftover stain so have it a bit of a more cozy colour!
More to follow once I build out the interior more. Going to trial driving it around in this set to see what rattles.
More to follow once I build out the interior more. Going to trial driving it around in this set to see what rattles.
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- Thread starter
- #256
First trial of the sleeping platform was a success!
I for sure need to add blinds, and likely another inch of foam for the mattress. 2” is just not enough.
Otherwise the new suspension held up amazing off-road! We were the farthest campers in the public land use area. No one for miles around. Lots of thumbs up and smiles as people saw me trundling my way down the River bed!
Love this truck.
I for sure need to add blinds, and likely another inch of foam for the mattress. 2” is just not enough.
Otherwise the new suspension held up amazing off-road! We were the farthest campers in the public land use area. No one for miles around. Lots of thumbs up and smiles as people saw me trundling my way down the River bed!
Love this truck.
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- Thread starter
- #257
I know I have some incredibly knowledgeable followers on here who run LCs (diesel or not), so here's a question for all of you!
My trip to Alaska from Calgary is only 2 months away and so far the truck runs flawlessly. The trip is broken down as follows:
- 30 Days (1 Aug - 30 Aug)
- estimate 10,000km of driving
- Mostly paved roads, some gravel/forest service roads for camp site searching (70/30 split)
I want to ensure maximum success for this trip. Can you give me tips or point me to threads (that you have found helpful) that detail;
1 - quick moving parts I should carry with me (ie: things most likely to break),
2 - pre-trip preventative maintenance I should do before I step off, and
3 - continual items to check as a daily driver inspection while on the road.
Thank you!
My trip to Alaska from Calgary is only 2 months away and so far the truck runs flawlessly. The trip is broken down as follows:
- 30 Days (1 Aug - 30 Aug)
- estimate 10,000km of driving
- Mostly paved roads, some gravel/forest service roads for camp site searching (70/30 split)
I want to ensure maximum success for this trip. Can you give me tips or point me to threads (that you have found helpful) that detail;
1 - quick moving parts I should carry with me (ie: things most likely to break),
2 - pre-trip preventative maintenance I should do before I step off, and
3 - continual items to check as a daily driver inspection while on the road.
Thank you!
I usually carry spare belts , tire plugs and fluids ... the rest of a 60 seem pretty bulletproof 
I would look at the u-joints , and front wheel bearings and fix the ''fixable'' leaks before a long trip
other than that change oil before you go , check level everyday and you should be good assuming the truck is well maintained already !
take pictures !
I would look at the u-joints , and front wheel bearings and fix the ''fixable'' leaks before a long trip
other than that change oil before you go , check level everyday and you should be good assuming the truck is well maintained already !
take pictures !
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I love the pictures from your latest trip!
I've clocked up a good few kilometres over many trips in my vehicles (and I'm rearing to add my BJ60 to that list). When I first ventured out on my own I had a lot of spares which I mostly never used, and have latterly carried almost nothing beyond basic service items. However, both my vehicles have been thoroughly rebuilt and I'm familiar with almost everything on them.
For your trip, beyond consumables, I would think about which parts of your vehicle have not been recently serviced. I think taking a UJ or two is a very good idea, though if you check them properly before you leave, and they are genuine parts, they are in my opinion unlikely to go catastrophically wrong.
There are fairly few things that will stop you dead that you could reasonably expect to fix on the road, or carry as a spare. One thing I do like to have is a spare alternator and voltage regulator, though if the alternator goes you can just keep the engine runnning, so long as you have fuel of course. I was once driving through Kazakhstan and smelled a burning smell and got a charge light. I found a loose alternator wire which had arced and must have spiked the votlage. After tightening it I still had a charge light and diagnosed a bad voltage regulator, which was one of maybe five spare parts I had.
If the clutch is of unknown age/condition it might be worth taking a spare clutch disc, but you're unlikely to have the tools to change this at the side of the road, so it's probably overkill.
Some lengths of hose to replace split fuel hoses or temporarily patch up a broken brake pipe are useful. Someting to bodge fix a radiator leak, and some wires to bypass a bad relay etc.
- Thread starter
- #260
@mcmlxxxv @Eurasiaoverland
Great feedback from you both! I am hoping it is as flawless as expected!
I think my main points of concern will be around the radiator and any fuel leaks/hard brake line leaks as none of that has been significantly touched up since purchase. I plan to do a coolant flush before I step off, and obviously change the fuel filter and oil filter along side an oil change. Should be good!
Ill make sure I keep a steady stream of photos to keep the thread updated as I go along!
Great feedback from you both! I am hoping it is as flawless as expected!
I think my main points of concern will be around the radiator and any fuel leaks/hard brake line leaks as none of that has been significantly touched up since purchase. I plan to do a coolant flush before I step off, and obviously change the fuel filter and oil filter along side an oil change. Should be good!
Ill make sure I keep a steady stream of photos to keep the thread updated as I go along!
