Hi everyone, I apologize if this has been asked before but I’m new to LCs and these forums. The only local Land Cruiser mechanics here in Oregon are backed up months, which I’ve heard is pretty standard for LC specific mechanics and shops. I was wondering if anyone has taken their old LC (mine is an 89 HJ61 import from Japan with the 12HT diesel motor) to a Toyota dealer and have had it serviced properly? I’m just talking about things like oil and fluid changes, nothing major or serious. Thanks everyone!
Okay to Service at Local Toyota Dealer?
- Thread starter yeshua777
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They won’t even know where to start on a JDM Cruiser. Their techs will have no idea, in fact I am willing to bet they will tell you nope if you call and ask.
Cheers
Cheers
- Thread starter
- #3
Thanks for the reply! Sucks but that’s what I assumed too. Any other speciality shops you’d recommend? Like ones that specialize in imports or Japanese cars?
- Joined
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Honestly no. Take it to a specialty shop like Valley Hybrids or Torfab.
Or do the stuff yourself. Get an FSM (factory service manual), buy the parts and go for it. The diesels are actually super easy to work on.
Cheers
Or do the stuff yourself. Get an FSM (factory service manual), buy the parts and go for it. The diesels are actually super easy to work on.
Cheers
Quite frankly the Toyota dealer should be able to do fluid changes. But then so should you. It’s not that difficult. If you have the shop manual or even the owners manual take it with you. These days the dealer may only have synthetic oils available which could lead to (more) leaking with your truck and they may not have oil filter and such in stock.
years ago (12 or 15) I was having problems passing California snot so I took it to the local dealer. They didn’t have the emissions manual so I lent them mine. I spent a fair amount of $$ yet they didn’t really make any improvements.
years ago (12 or 15) I was having problems passing California snot so I took it to the local dealer. They didn’t have the emissions manual so I lent them mine. I spent a fair amount of $$ yet they didn’t really make any improvements.
- Thread starter
- #6
Which oil and oil filter do you recommend? I’ve heard conflicting things about the correct oil. Cruiser outfitters told me Rotella T4, 5, or 6 15W40. And I can grab any oil filter or does it have to be a specific one?
hj 60
JT1W0HJ6000960839
Maintenance nowadays seems a thing people cant do themselves or it is considerd a filthy thing that some unskilled person should do.
But if you keep this car maybe think again about letting another person touch the car and destroy parts in a hurry.
I had a old guy who was a toyota dealer and he helped a lot, even called japan to open the nla parts list and set it to available.
And correct the wrong part number that I thought I needed, gave advice and he just enjoyed that old cruiser between the new cars.
But you have to ask the dealer and see if the answer is honest.
For the road check test I asked the local garage if they had interest in testing an old brick and they seemed honest when looking at it.
When I picked it up the owner of the garage was a big fan of old cars and for example did not perform the full throttle soot test because it was running so nice he could see it was fine.
So maybe there are more fans of old cars at any garage, just ask them and the simple work maybe try or think again about doing it yourself as it is not a money thing or luxury to let others do it.
But if you keep this car maybe think again about letting another person touch the car and destroy parts in a hurry.
I had a old guy who was a toyota dealer and he helped a lot, even called japan to open the nla parts list and set it to available.
And correct the wrong part number that I thought I needed, gave advice and he just enjoyed that old cruiser between the new cars.
But you have to ask the dealer and see if the answer is honest.
For the road check test I asked the local garage if they had interest in testing an old brick and they seemed honest when looking at it.
When I picked it up the owner of the garage was a big fan of old cars and for example did not perform the full throttle soot test because it was running so nice he could see it was fine.
So maybe there are more fans of old cars at any garage, just ask them and the simple work maybe try or think again about doing it yourself as it is not a money thing or luxury to let others do it.
Fj80oregon
GOLD Star
What shops have you called in Oregon? What part of Oregon are you in? Are you interested in doing the work your self and don’t know? Or just want someone else to do it? I had never done anything major on a vehicle before I bought my cruiser and now I am in the middle of a full engine rebuild and motor swap.
- Thread starter
- #9
I’m in Portland so I’ve called Land Cruiser NW and Land Cruiser Specialties. Both are booked out months which is understandable. I’m interested in learning how to do things like fluid and oil changes myself because I’ve never worked on my own car before. I just don’t trust myself enough yet to work on this car because I don’t wanna screw anything up. Ideally I’d want a good reliable LC mechanic who can perform regular service and KNOWS what to look for, i.e. things that may need to be replaced soon.
Fj80oregon
GOLD Star
Willamete blvd service center has a great reputation. You should def look into getting a FSM and do your own fluid changes it will save you money in the end and you will
Know it’s done properly.
Know it’s done properly.
- Thread starter
- #11
Funny you mention them, I actually had Josh from Willamette Boulevard Service Center remove my radiator because it was leaking. Super nice and helpful guy and he was able to remove it the day after I called which was incredible. However he told me they’re closing down soon which I was really bummed to hear after receiving amazing service.
I’ve got one downloaded from these forums so I’m covered there. Thank you for your help!
Oil filter opinions vary. Unfortunately, the large filter that was used when our trucks were new is no longer available or hard to find in the US (I'm not sure it's even the correct filter for the 12H-T). The replacement from Toyota has a smaller size (outside) but I forget whether there is much difference inside. Other brands vary in quality and there is lots of information "out there". Below in a link to one thread in this forum. I suggest you do some research (ie. searching) and come to your own conclusions.
Toyota 90915-YZZD3 Oil Filter
forum.ih8mud.com
In my opinion, I think it really depends on how you use your truck and how often you change your oil. This forum is frequented mostly by folks with gasoline engines. there is a Diesel forum where you might get more appropriate information. For my 2F engine the recommended oil change interval is 10,000 miles. I change my oil every 5,000 miles, or so. And I change the filter every time. I mostly drive around town. I don't think it matters that much which oil filter I use, but these days I am using the small toyota oil filter I mention above.
Here is a link to another thread with some other related information: SERVICE SPECIFICATIONS, LUBRICANTS: Land Cruiser (FJ-, BJ-, HJ-, 60 & 70 series) - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/service-specifications-lubricants-land-cruiser-fj-bj-hj-60-70-series.50283/
EDIT: I'm not sure which market your vehicle was manufactured for, but at least one 12H-T Land Cruiser application say's your oil filter is 15601-68010 (this is different from what was used on the 2F at the time). You can google this part number and get a cross reference of other manufacturers filters, or go to toyota and see if they can get one or a newer version.
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Our local Toyota dealer uses a 3rd party company to do oil changes. It's an embedded shop onsite at the dealer. They do not use genuine Toyota filters.
In that regard, I would rate them as 'no better than any chain oil change place' - so why bother. I object to a 'dealer oil change' not even bothering to use genuine Toyota oil filters, which are a whopping $4.00 retail (YZZD3s).
Takeaway: just because you drive into a Toyota dealership for an oil change, this does not mean you are getting dealership training or parts. YMMV.
In that regard, I would rate them as 'no better than any chain oil change place' - so why bother. I object to a 'dealer oil change' not even bothering to use genuine Toyota oil filters, which are a whopping $4.00 retail (YZZD3s).
Takeaway: just because you drive into a Toyota dealership for an oil change, this does not mean you are getting dealership training or parts. YMMV.
batthewmrown
SILVER Star
+1 for just doing your own work. Start with the small, easy stuff, and soon you’ll be confident enough to do most anything.
Study the engine bay. Seriously, grab a beer and just look. Follow hoses and see where they go. Read through a section of the FSM and identify every component, where it is, and what it does. If you aren’t dependent on it as a DD, there’s no reason you can’t do everything but the most major of repairs and you’ll know it’s done right because it’s your ass on the line if something isn’t up to par.
Study the engine bay. Seriously, grab a beer and just look. Follow hoses and see where they go. Read through a section of the FSM and identify every component, where it is, and what it does. If you aren’t dependent on it as a DD, there’s no reason you can’t do everything but the most major of repairs and you’ll know it’s done right because it’s your ass on the line if something isn’t up to par.
Willamette Blvd is just moving soon to the Scappoose or St Helens area, but Josh is trying to work through the service backlog first. But if you're just interested in learning how to change basic fluids and do maintenance, there are several of us in the area that are willing to teach. Do you have a garage to host a work party?
Oil is often a personal preference thing but Rotella T6 is an excellent oil and not expensive. No issues running that in a 12HT.
Oil is often a personal preference thing but Rotella T6 is an excellent oil and not expensive. No issues running that in a 12HT.
- Thread starter
- #16
Yeah that’s what he told me! Wasn’t sure if that meant he was gonna continue to work on LCs but I’d definitely make the drive out there. Do you take yours there too?
Yeah that’d be ideal. I’ve been watching lots of YouTube videos so I have a general idea of changing fluids lol but nothing really specific to the HJ61. I do have a garage and driveway but my garage is jam packed with boxes and other random stuff at the moment so I’d be working in the driveway. But that would be greatly appreciated!
Gretsch
SILVER Star
I'm all for doing your own work and agree it is very rewarding and cost effective to do work yourself, but I will add here that I have taken mine to my local Toyota dealer in a pinch and had great service with them. They did a new coil for me and I had them replace a Window regulator for me once when I just didn't have the time (turned cold overnight and had my brother coming to town and needed the truck to ferry his family around that weekend). So not really big things done but they did them well. Mine is a USA spec truck so that prolly helps some here, but they were fantastic to work with. I in fact I dropped it off once and left it for them overnight to work on in the morning. They didn't even bat an eye and it was fixed by noon to my surprise. Called me up and said "its ready". I was shocked but gained confidence in them being able to work on the truck. Wasn't cheap but was a lot cheaper than taking my wife's Nissan to the dealer I can tell you that. They love seeing my truck come in, although none of the porters know how to drive it which is funny. Those kids swarm around the truck whenever I bring it to pick up parts though. Sight to see. HTH.
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Boss Hog
Cutty say he can’t HANG!!
I’ve developed a relationship with two of my Toyota dealers. Just like @Gretsch said, they get a kick out of me bringing my 60 in. And it’s usually for something I can’t or really don’t want to do. I don’t bother them with piddly s***. And it’s almost always the shop foremen that workin it as they are familiar and experienced with the older Toyotas.
First time I took it in, I played stupid and told them my father-in-law gave me “this old Toyota Jeep deal” and I wasn’t even sure I was gonna keep it. The service writer was like “I’ll give you $2k right now for it!” All the other service writers stopped in their tracks…
We had a big laugh when I told him GTFO…
First time I took it in, I played stupid and told them my father-in-law gave me “this old Toyota Jeep deal” and I wasn’t even sure I was gonna keep it. The service writer was like “I’ll give you $2k right now for it!” All the other service writers stopped in their tracks…
We had a big laugh when I told him GTFO…
I've taken my 60 there but typically do things myself. There's a lot of information on here about common procedures and you'll save a lot of time and money vs shop service. Most things are doable with a basic set of tools and a lot of penetrant.
- Thread starter
- #20
Yeah these forums always pop up first in Google whenever I search anything relating to my HJ61 lol. Definitely a great source of information that I’ll keep coming back to. If only someone made step by step YouTube videos for regular maintenance procedures on the HJ61 I’d be good
Appreciate everyone’s help!
