Progress Log: HZJ76 (3 Viewers)

[mjw4]

Hi all bit of an introduction,

Been on these forums lurking and reading for a few years now, as I planned and saved for my first Land Cruiser, and for that matter first 4x4 and diesel vehicle. But this spring when I found out my bid had won a 2002 HZJ76 at auction I was super excited. Fast forward two months later and I have my dream truck sitting in the garage. Still a bit surreal if I'm honest.

A couple yard photos post auction. Truck came with a mystery lift, can't seem to find more information about it in the paperwork I have other than the increased load capacity. No stereo, which is fine since I plan to wire in something modern in the future. Overall mechanically it seems good, and I haven't been able to find and real corrosion, so that's a big plus.

I plan to keep this thread updated as more of a progress log/journal with any issues, additions or interesting trips I take with the truck.

Thanks for reading,
Matt

 

[mjw4]

While waiting on a tonne of parts, some maintenance orientated, some maybe not , I took care of some minor things.

The headlight washer nozzles were dried out and cracked where the connect to the front cowling. So i removed them and the reservoir, made a blanking plate from some spare sheet metal an reinstalled with the plastic 'gasket'.

Similar story for the fender mirror. Although this is my first RHD vehicle, and I will admit the porch sticks out pretty dang far, I couldn't get over that mirror sticking out like a sore thumb. So off it went.

 

[mjw4]

Rims arrived prior to some other parts so off I went looking for tires. After some basic measurements and thanks to the mystery lift I knew I could fit 35's. The only problem, the first few places I looked to for either a set of KO3's or AT4W's were special order for anything around the 35" size. I chose to look at one more place for the time being. Called and asked for a set of 5 KO3's or AT4W's in a 35", the guy on the phone says he can get them in tomorrow. Next days off I took my rims over in the morning and picked up a set of 5 KO3's mounted and balanced that same afternoon.

Well they fit, just.

Here are the new wheels, 315/70R17, next to a spare for my Subaru, a measly 215/70/16. I will say these things are HEAVY. Weighed them to see how heavy, 101.2 lbs... holy cow.

I think they fit well.

Tire poke is also right about where I want it. Rims are a -10mm offset.

 

[mjw4]

Some parts arrived these past couple days.

My decals arrived from Australia as well, so i spent the day applying that with a friend. Need to adjust the front door up a couple millimeters, but overall managed to line it up pretty well.

 

[davegonz]

Those Nomad wheels look great with your stripes! I'm surprised about the wheel/tire weight. I figured it would be a little lighter than that.

 

[mjw4]

Those Nomad wheels look great with your stripes! I'm surprised about the wheel/tire weight. I figured it would be a little lighter than that.

Thanks and ya I was surprised too, but for the 17" rim there is only the 315/70 for KO3's and they are load range 'F'.

- matt

 

[mjw4]

Yesterday was a busy day as I could finally begin to button things back up. Injection pump and injectors arrived back from being refreshed. The pump was fitted with a boost compensator and tuned for 15-20 PSI.

With the injection pump back in I could continue on with changing the timing belt, cam seal, water pump, both sets of drive belts and the intake manifold. I do still need to bleed the fuel lines, so in a few days when I have time again I will take out the glow plugs and crank the truck over for a short time, hopefully that'll do it.

It was my first time attempting anything close to a task like big end bearings, but overall was smooth sailing. Albeit a little messy. I'm not certain, but this could be the first time these have been replaced in the trucks 230,000 km life, which could explain the consistent de-lamination across all top bearings. Maybe someone with more expertise would have to chime in on that though.

Once the BEB's were changed out I placed some FIPG on the oil sump and secured it back to the engine with what seemed like a million 10mm bolts. Doing it on my back was really not as bad as I expected it to be.

I then replaced the old radiator hoses, swapped out the fuel filter and oil filter, then changed the gear oil in the front and rear diff, as well as the transfer case. I'm still waiting on a second package from Amsoil for the remaining gear oil and engine oil. I'll also have to stop by the local dealership and pick up some of the premixed red coolant, as well as distilled water to flush out the old stuff. I do remember reading about a good product, can't recall the name, for coolant flushes, so maybe I'll try to pick some of that up.

Busy day to say the least, but it's nice to give the truck some well deserved maintenance. Close to getting it back on the road.

- matt

 

[svsisu]

Yesterday was a busy day as I could finally begin to button things back up. Injection pump and injectors arrived back from being refreshed. The pump was fitted with a boost compensator and tuned for 15-20 PSI.

With the injection pump back in I could continue on with changing the timing belt, cam seal, water pump, both sets of drive belts and the intake manifold. I do still need to bleed the fuel lines, so in a few days when I have time again I will take out the glow plugs and crank the truck over for a short time, hopefully that'll do it.

It was my first time attempting anything close to a task like big end bearings, but overall was smooth sailing. Albeit a little messy. I'm not certain, but this could be the first time these have been replaced in the trucks 230,000 km life, which could explain the consistent de-lamination across all top bearings. Maybe someone with more expertise would have to chime in on that though.

View attachment 3918310

Once the BEB's were changed out I placed some FIPG on the oil sump and secured it back to the engine with what seemed like a million 10mm bolts. Doing it on my back was really not as bad as I expected it to be.

I then replaced the old radiator hoses, swapped out the fuel filter and oil filter, then changed the gear oil in the front and rear diff, as well as the transfer case. I'm still waiting on a second package from Amsoil for the remaining gear oil and engine oil. I'll also have to stop by the local dealership and pick up some of the premixed red coolant, as well as distilled water to flush out the old stuff. I do remember reading about a good product, can't recall the name, for coolant flushes, so maybe I'll try to pick some of that up.

Busy day to say the least, but it's nice to give the truck some well deserved maintenance. Close to getting it back on the road.

- matt

Nice work. Where did you send your injection pump and injectors to for a refresh?

Thermocure has been used with good results for a cooling system flush:

Builds - OL'BETSY ZX: 1991 HZJ77

For the record, hose was green in last pic. Coolant was not. I like mine pink. Today was the start of my truck's cleanse. LOL. I refilled the empty cooling system with water and Thermocure. I have many friends who've used this with good success, and although my system didn't look *that* bad...

forum.ih8mud.com

https://www.amazon.com/Thermocure-Coolant-Remover-Removes-Cooling/dp/B00R74I5UY/ref=sr_1_1_pp?crid=GD68RNR5NGTP&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.XcxeZHSkbrIkoE3ugMXqQxKrn4qpalR7WpWILO6ZR1cJNAU9R7vVIGhhmHV0TkuM3-82JLyoa3Upxm43Y89uNS_lSYyNNZ-HQtkZZcyTYgNkkDxj7PhrEm-A_6RMeey_zc04J81NnrOOJCEk2Jodow.rdAucHTNkhd1RJoJcTQlk8_dJOGBPYg6iYAa40DGBmU&dib_tag=se&keywords=thermocure&qid=1748690336&s=automotive&sprefix=thermocure%2Cautomotive%2C482&sr=1-1

 

[mjw4]

Nice work. Where did you send your injection pump and injectors to for a refresh?

Thermocure has been used with good results for a cooling system flush:

Builds - OL'BETSY ZX: 1991 HZJ77

For the record, hose was green in last pic. Coolant was not. I like mine pink. Today was the start of my truck's cleanse. LOL. I refilled the empty cooling system with water and Thermocure. I have many friends who've used this with good success, and although my system didn't look *that* bad...

forum.ih8mud.com

https://www.amazon.com/Thermocure-Coolant-Remover-Removes-Cooling/dp/B00R74I5UY/ref=sr_1_1_pp?crid=GD68RNR5NGTP&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.XcxeZHSkbrIkoE3ugMXqQxKrn4qpalR7WpWILO6ZR1cJNAU9R7vVIGhhmHV0TkuM3-82JLyoa3Upxm43Y89uNS_lSYyNNZ-HQtkZZcyTYgNkkDxj7PhrEm-A_6RMeey_zc04J81NnrOOJCEk2Jodow.rdAucHTNkhd1RJoJcTQlk8_dJOGBPYg6iYAa40DGBmU&dib_tag=se&keywords=thermocure&qid=1748690336&s=automotive&sprefix=thermocure%2Cautomotive%2C482&sr=1-1

Thank you.

Black Fox Diesel, it's local to me (same province) so it was inexpensive for expedited shipping. Jon at Black Fox was quick with the turnaround as well.

Ya I went back and turns out I made a bookmark of that exact post hahah. Unfortunately, the product on the American Amazon doesn't ship to Canada, so I'll have to either ship it to a PO Box at the border or find a Canadian retailer.

- matt