Purchasing an FJ80 Today, Bay Area Mechanic Recs?

[Kernal]

The link below is to a thread discussing a bad result caused by cheapo fuses, you don't want to be in that situation. Agree, get rid of any non-standard fuses, Made in China fuses, wrong Amps, etc. Toyota fuses would probably be the safest choice.

Smoked Harness: Lessons Learned

 

[lswanie]

Thanks for posting. I am buying a new set of fuses tomorrow. When I noticed that, I felt like I should stop screwing around with it

 

[RedComet]

if the shifter is locking in park then there is definitely a bad fuse. I had a similar problem on my '92. i think its the same one that blows for the rear brake lights? check and see if your brake lights engage when you hit the brakes.

 

[RedComet]

regarding the smell, i've heard about the vinegar trick. also heard a similar trick with baking soda in a dish or even keeping a pan of nice smelling coffee grounds in your car if you want your 80 to smell like a starbucks.

 

[97CruiserJoe]

A good detailing shop should be able to get most of the smell out but if your not a smoker, you'll always smell that stink every time you get in the car. Great looking rig though.

 

[Kernal]

There are ozone generators some detailing shops use for strong odors, the ozone breaks up the molecular bonds or so I read. Too much ozone however can weaken some materials apparently. The problem is that the tars in the smoke physically get attached to the carpet, headboard, and trim panel fibers and absorbed into the seat foam. There is also chlorine dioxide powder in bags that can be placed in a sealed vehicle, also breaks down the molecules that stink.

 

[lswanie]

Alright, fuses replaced and everything works on that end.

Would using my Triple A membership for a diagnostic check be worth it?

I am about to take it over the bay bridge for the first time, first road trip, 30 minutes see how she does.

I think for the smell, I am just going to live with it for the time being, and save up to rip all the carpeting out and replace it. There are stains all over it, so it makes sense anyway. Guess I will grab some coffee before heading out!

 

[HomersCanyonero]

Who needs enemies when you got neighbors like you! You got a steal for $3400. You will get the smoke smell out at some point and you got a sweet rig.

 

[lswanie]

Well, I think I am going to use some of the money I saved and just re-do the entire interior of the car. It is beyond trashed, not something a detail shop is going to be able to handle.

The upside is I get to design my own interior to some extent. I have never even thought of doing something aesthetic to the inside of a car before. Think for 2500-3000 I could get a decent job with real leather? I am thinking it would be nice to have a darker shade brown leather, with the lighter original tan as an an accent in places.

Hell, thing is shaping up to be nearly a new car now. It drives like one.

 

[n00g7]

Leather and cushion kit will run far less than 3g. Don't know about carpet, haven't gotten that far yet.

I would say you're looking at Much Much less than 3k for everything, especially if you do it yourself -- maybe $1500.

 

[n00g7]

'93-'97 Toyota Land Cruiser Or LX450 Leather Seat Covers [W-01 - Power] - $759.99 : CruiserParts.net, Toyota Landcruiser Parts

 

[NCFJ]

My wife ran a used car dealership for 8 years. When they had a bad cig smell car the would buy a cheap bottle of Vodka and and dump it in a spray bottle. Spray the whole thing down inside and close it up for a couple days. Also put some course ground coffee in a few socks and tie them shut and toss around inside.

Good luck with your new obsession

 

[lswanie]

My wife ran a used car dealership for 8 years. When they had a bad cig smell car the would buy a cheap bottle of Vodka and and dump it in a spray bottle. Spray the whole thing down inside and close it up for a couple days. Also put some course ground coffee in a few socks and tie them shut and toss around inside.

Good luck with your new obsession

Wow...THAT IS AN AWESOME IDEA. I am going to get a couple bottles of vodka after work, one for me, one for the car. Thanks man, I can buy some time this way at least.

 

[TomH]

Some people have reported good results pressure washing the carpet.

 

[lswanie]

I'm in SF too and make the trek to A+ Japanese in San Carlos. The owners both have 80s that are built and their mechanics know 80s. There's always an 80 or a 60 on a lift when I go there. They're honest folks so I don't hesitate to recommend them. Ask for Rob and tell him Derrick with the white 80 sent you if you end up going to them.

Hey man, just left Rob a vm referencing you, and heard back almost immediately. Gonna have them take a look at it next week. Rob was really nice and straight forward, sounds like they will be pretty consultative which is what I need. Thanks for the recommendation.

Also, just got a detail shop in Oakland who gave me a run down on an intense detail with a "bomb" consisting of vinegar and other stuff at the end, which I am going to use as a band aid fix, until I replace everything. I just need it to be "good enough" for the time being, and a 200 dollar detail seems reasonable. I can work on my car for the messy stuff, but good god do I suck at cleaning things (especially here in sf where using water for anything other than sustenance is basically illegal!). I also like vinegar a lot, being from NC and all.

Will keep you guys posted, got my memorial weekend starting off right!

Now for tires...what to do what to do. These things are cracking and need to be replaced before I take it anywhere outside of the city

 

[RiFF RaFF]

Hey man, just left Rob a vm referencing you, and heard back almost immediately. Gonna have them take a look at it next week. Rob was really nice and straight forward, sounds like they will be pretty consultative which is what I need. Thanks for the recommendation.

Also, just got a detail shop in Oakland who gave me a run down on an intense detail with a "bomb" consisting of vinegar and other stuff at the end, which I am going to use as a band aid fix, until I replace everything. I just need it to be "good enough" for the time being, and a 200 dollar detail seems reasonable. I can work on my car for the messy stuff, but good god do I suck at cleaning things (especially here in sf where using water for anything other than sustenance is basically illegal!). I also like vinegar a lot, being from NC and all.

Will keep you guys posted, got my memorial weekend starting off right!

Now for tires...what to do what to do. These things are cracking and need to be replaced before I take it anywhere outside of the city

Hope all goes well with the clean-up job!

As for tires. I always ask - "What do you intend to do with your vehicle?" The tires you get will depend on what kind of driving you're going to do. Having lived in Petaluma - with all the fog, and slick roads - my first recommendation would be BF Goodrich A/T KO2. They are very good on and off road, and for the most part are quiet on the highway. With the mainly dry conditions you all have there (except fog) A/Ts can take you to a lot of off road places. I also found the BFG A/Ts to behave great in winter conditions. MUCH better than the Mud Terrains!!

You also haven't said if you plan to add a lift to your LC. If so - the tire size you buy will be dependent on how much lift you intend. Mine (for now) is bone stock, and I'm running 285/75/16 Duratracs (came with the truck), but by this fall I'll be adding a 2.5" life, and BFG A/Ts.

Keep us posted!

 

[lswanie]

Hope all goes well with the clean-up job!

As for tires. I always ask - "What do you intend to do with your vehicle?" The tires you get will depend on what kind of driving you're going to do. Having lived in Petaluma - with all the fog, and slick roads - my first recommendation would be BF Goodrich A/T KO2. They are very good on and off road, and for the most part are quiet on the highway. With the mainly dry conditions you all have there (except fog) A/Ts can take you to a lot of off road places. I also found the BFG A/Ts to behave great in winter conditions. MUST better than the Mud Terrains!!

You also haven't said if you plan to add a lift to your LC. If so - the tire size you buy will be dependent on how much life you intend. Mine (for now) is bone stock, and I'm running 285/75/16 Duratracs (came with the truck), but by this fall I'll be adding a 2.5" life, and BFG A/Ts.

Keep us posted!

I was eyeballing those BFGs from looking at some other threads. I do not plan on doing a lift anytime soon (I think...Idk yet...figure I need to walk before I run here), and most of the driving will be pretty casual, but a lot will (hopefully) be in some pretty heavy winter weather, and light off road use. Nothing that needs a lot of ground clearance, but stuff that will require good traction. Do you like that tire size on a stock setup?

 

[RiFF RaFF]

I was eyeballing those BFGs from looking at some other threads. I do not plan on doing a lift anytime soon (I think...Idk yet...figure I need to walk before I run here), and most of the driving will be pretty casual, but a lot will (hopefully) be in some pretty heavy winter weather, and light off road use. Nothing that needs a lot of ground clearance, but stuff that will require good traction. Do you like that tire size on a stock setup?

Seems to be doing great. No rubbing. I had the BFG A/Ts on my 93 4Runner, and I can tell you from first hand knowledge. They do GREAT in snow, and icy conditions! Quite a few times when wheeling with Jeeps running Mud Terrains in winter conditions I could easily go up/down trails that were packed with snow, and icy patches. A few times I would have to hook up and pull them over the bad patches. They just could not get a grip. The A/Ts have some nice siping. This makes them much more gripy in wet/snow conditions. Best part - better gas mileage than the Mud Terrains!

 

[lswanie]

Bam, took it to a top notch place in West Oakland after a fair amount of research and about a half dozen phone calls, and holy moly these guys knew what was up. The guy who runs the place drives and lx470 and is from West Africa somewhere, can't remember the exact spot. Anyway, him and this other guy from Belize went nuts when they saw the thing and legitimately went to work on it with every ounce of effort they possibly could have. "I wouldn't take many cars home with me, and this is at the top of the list," was what the dude from Belize said when he came up just happy as heck when I picked it up today.

I dropped it off Friday, and they said come by Saturday...called them up yesterday, and the main guy basically insisted they keep it another day in order to give me a finished product. He sounded like he thought he was dissapointing me not having it ready in time, but knowing what they were tackling, I was actually pleased to hear this. They didn't charge extra, and said after I have the mechanics look at it, to bring it back for a second over at a much discounted price (this wasn't cheap) to get a couple tough spots out, that I really don't mind or notice all that much, but I will give them my business again.

I am gushing and apologize, but I loved this experience. Say what you will about west O, but I lived there for two years and just love the people. I hope some day they can clean the place up crime wise, cause it is truly one of the most beautiful pieces of real estate in the country, that is unfortunately covered in nasty stuff.

So, now that the stink is gone, I can truly say I really really really love this truck. It purrs like a sleeping kitten, the engine bay is cleaner than my 07 335 was when I sold it (best day of my life), and now that I am starting to read more and poke around...dare I say I think I can actually fix stuff on this myself? Next stop A+ Japanese, dropping it off Tuesday. Will post updates.

My 335 was the bane of my existence, and this has become not only its replacement but a center of happiness. Once this puppy is squared away I can put time and money back into the 951 which has just been sitting around for about 5 years. They are the same color too...why are special edition cars always tan?

Happy memorial day everyone. God bless the USA and god bless our men/women in arms.

 

[druizer]

@iswanie what is the current status of your rig? How did your visit to A+ go?