- Thread starter
- #101
I'm sure I will break things but generally I'm a cautious person. I'm not risk averse, just like the odds to be on my side.
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Right tool for the job - a discussion of rig design and usage (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter Wrencher93
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With an 80, the odds are ever in your favor. Carry on!
Teach your kids how to climb in and out of the sliding windows while they are little, but always make sure they are ALL THE WAY in before you drive away. I may or may not have personal experience in this.
Teach your kids how to climb in and out of the sliding windows while they are little, but always make sure they are ALL THE WAY in before you drive away. I may or may not have personal experience in this.
- Thread starter
- #103
Speaking of kids, anyone heard of or tried putting captain's chairs in the back seat area in place of the bench? This thought had popped into my head but I never researched it. For a family of 4 it seems like a possibility.
- Thread starter
- #104
I don't have anything against the bench seat except maybe comfort on a long drive. Just curious. That's the beauty of these vehicles to me - there are so many possibilities.
Zjohnsonua
SILVER Star
This a great thread @Wrencher93, and you're doing a good job keeping it alive and going. I'll pitch in my 2 cents.
Your truck and your intentions for it are very similar to my gf's. It was sloooow, 2" lift, ran heavy 315 maxxis RAZRs, used 1.5 qts per change, and got ~10-11 mpg. And that was empty and with all but the front two seats pulled out for max interior room.
Then it got 4.88s. Oil consumption dropped to 0.5 qt per change (engine working less), mpg went to 16+ (engine working less), less downshifting (you get the picture), and ran Monarch Pass at 50 mph without dropping a gear. I wheel it far harder than she's comfortable with and it get us back home comfy with AC rolling the whole way. The snag is that the 4.88s will limit you to about 80mph unless you want the mill turning 3k plus. I don't like it living up there, so it cruises comfortably around 2750. That truck is an all day, reliable DD that is really hard to find error with at this point.
The 1FZ-FE is inarguably getting harder to find parts for. But, if the vitals are good, and you're keeping up with service, those previously turned miles serve to validate that the engine is good shape. Plus you know the rig, and the oddities as they appear. So long as hot oil pressure at idle stays in spec, there's no way I'd yank the engine for a swap. The others above have done a stellar job of explaining why.
If you're willing to fabricate the mounts, you can put anything you want in for rear captains chairs. That opens other trade offs that you'll have to contend with.
Again...great thread. I look forward to seeing what else comes of it.
Your truck and your intentions for it are very similar to my gf's. It was sloooow, 2" lift, ran heavy 315 maxxis RAZRs, used 1.5 qts per change, and got ~10-11 mpg. And that was empty and with all but the front two seats pulled out for max interior room.
Then it got 4.88s. Oil consumption dropped to 0.5 qt per change (engine working less), mpg went to 16+ (engine working less), less downshifting (you get the picture), and ran Monarch Pass at 50 mph without dropping a gear. I wheel it far harder than she's comfortable with and it get us back home comfy with AC rolling the whole way. The snag is that the 4.88s will limit you to about 80mph unless you want the mill turning 3k plus. I don't like it living up there, so it cruises comfortably around 2750. That truck is an all day, reliable DD that is really hard to find error with at this point.
The 1FZ-FE is inarguably getting harder to find parts for. But, if the vitals are good, and you're keeping up with service, those previously turned miles serve to validate that the engine is good shape. Plus you know the rig, and the oddities as they appear. So long as hot oil pressure at idle stays in spec, there's no way I'd yank the engine for a swap. The others above have done a stellar job of explaining why.
If you're willing to fabricate the mounts, you can put anything you want in for rear captains chairs. That opens other trade offs that you'll have to contend with.
Again...great thread. I look forward to seeing what else comes of it.
- Thread starter
- #106
Thanks for the kind words and for the info! I've heard good things about gears when installed by someone who knows what they're doing. They are the next major change I hope to make.
- Thread starter
- #107
When I bought this truck I knew that the engine wouldn't last forever. With 239k on it at purchase it was an educated gamble. It's only a matter of time. But, as others have stated, that time might be longer than I expect if I play my cards right. I'm not looking to pull out a healthy engine - more like use it and maintain it as best I can until it can't take it anymore THEN decide what to put in. Another 1fz or another engine entirely - it will depend on the many factors being discussed here.
- Thread starter
- #108
Side note: somebody in the "What did you do with your 80 this weekend?" thread just hit 430k...guess I should be good for a bit 
The ongoing goal for my 80 is a family adventure vehicle, capable enough to explore but without the drawbacks of becoming a full on "Wheeling rig".
For me the sweet spot is 33"s, a 2" lift, stock drivetrain that is well maintained, sliders but minimal other armor to keep the weight down. Perhaps a winch, even in the stock bumper.
We are looking into light weight off-road teardrop trailers with a kids bunk after having used a hard shell roof top tent the last few years. The tent is good for 2, but with our 3.5 year old in the same bed its pretty tight. It would also be nice to have the additional weather protection and ability to leave the trailer as a base camp.
With young kids it's less likely you'll be hitting the hardest possible trails risking damage and being stranded, rather it will be more about exploring, IMHO. Good luck and I'm interested in seeing the eventual outcome.
For me the sweet spot is 33"s, a 2" lift, stock drivetrain that is well maintained, sliders but minimal other armor to keep the weight down. Perhaps a winch, even in the stock bumper.
We are looking into light weight off-road teardrop trailers with a kids bunk after having used a hard shell roof top tent the last few years. The tent is good for 2, but with our 3.5 year old in the same bed its pretty tight. It would also be nice to have the additional weather protection and ability to leave the trailer as a base camp.
With young kids it's less likely you'll be hitting the hardest possible trails risking damage and being stranded, rather it will be more about exploring, IMHO. Good luck and I'm interested in seeing the eventual outcome.
- Thread starter
- #110
I think we have similar ideas about how we plan to use our cruisers. Except mine I bought mostly built already so it's more a game of deciding how to modify what is already there. If I had started with a stock truck, knowing what I know now, I doubt I would have added as much armor or gone to 35's without gears. As it is though, I don't really want to strip the vehicle of everything and start over so I will probably roll with what I have and change it as I feel is necessary.
First off, I must say this thread has turned into more interesting discussion than I expected it to. I guess it's time I chimed in because a lot of the things that @Wrencher93 has listed as preferences are things that I share and have already set up in my 80.
I use my rig for wheeling on the Rubicon, camping with the family, long distance trips, hauling crap home from the hardware store, and often daily driver/commuter. Is it it ideal for each of these? No. But it works pretty well and there is not many major changes I would make.
Basic set up is:
New factory short block instead of a V8 swap.
6" Slee lift
37s with 4.88s and factory lockers
3.11 low range gears in the tcase
A small offroad trailer to haul camping and home improvement stuff.
Yes, it is sometimes slow on the long high altitude passes, but frankly I wouldn't need much more power. I set up the new block with Cometic gasket and ARP studs in case a Joey turbo is ever in my financial future. Otherwise I enjoy the scenery.
I think you can attain what you want in terms of reliability, wheeling ability, long distance travel, and family requirements by focusing on improvements that won't conflict too severely with other needs. Take your time, build it once and be happy with the outcome.
I use my rig for wheeling on the Rubicon, camping with the family, long distance trips, hauling crap home from the hardware store, and often daily driver/commuter. Is it it ideal for each of these? No. But it works pretty well and there is not many major changes I would make.
Basic set up is:
New factory short block instead of a V8 swap.
6" Slee lift
37s with 4.88s and factory lockers
3.11 low range gears in the tcase
A small offroad trailer to haul camping and home improvement stuff.
Yes, it is sometimes slow on the long high altitude passes, but frankly I wouldn't need much more power. I set up the new block with Cometic gasket and ARP studs in case a Joey turbo is ever in my financial future. Otherwise I enjoy the scenery.
I think you can attain what you want in terms of reliability, wheeling ability, long distance travel, and family requirements by focusing on improvements that won't conflict too severely with other needs. Take your time, build it once and be happy with the outcome.
C
Sweet Reg, the 10% under drive gears would help a lot on those big hills. And the Trxus tires are one of the best out there!!!!!
- Thread starter
- #113
Awesome truck! I'm glad the thread hasn't turned out to be as boring as you suspected.
I'm curious about your build, did you put the new short block in because you were doing a rebuild anyway so it was the best time or did you have trouble with the engine?
Very interesting thread. I'll toss out there my experience with my rig which aligns closely with your intended use. This is my first Land Cruiser, though I've got 3 remaining 4Runners (sold #4 in December).
I picked up mine approx. one year ago for virtually $0. It had been sitting in a field for 10 years, covered. The engine ran but had a knock that would make your hair stand up. It was obvious the original owner did very little maintenance on it during the last 5 years before parking it. The body has zero rust, but the paint is a mess. I started with a clean sheet of paper with the intention of taking a scorched earth approach of building a rig worthy of challenging trails while providing reliable long range travel in comfort. The engine had to be addressed and chose to do an LS swap (actually LQ4). Even though it is a cast iron block it is about 100# lighter than the 1FZ. Did engine/trans, axles, gears, lockers, transfer case gears, lift (Dobinsons 3" Tapered), 35's, bumpers, winch, lighting, dual battery, etc. I built it the way I wanted with the idea that this will be a lifetime vehicle and was only going to do this once.
It was expensive and its not done yet. Still working on interior and some accessories. The moral of the story is that I'm getting exactly what I want. Parts, other than body and trim won't be a problem in the future. I can cruise 80 mph all day long and crawl with the best of them. Gas mileage is better than stock, but that is based on 2nd hand info since I have no experience with a stock vehicle.
Build what you want and can afford. It doesn't have to be all at once like I've done. I plan to be 100% complete before the end of the year, other than paint and some cosmetics. It sounds like you have a vision. Do what is within your means to get there and don't look back.
I picked up mine approx. one year ago for virtually $0. It had been sitting in a field for 10 years, covered. The engine ran but had a knock that would make your hair stand up. It was obvious the original owner did very little maintenance on it during the last 5 years before parking it. The body has zero rust, but the paint is a mess. I started with a clean sheet of paper with the intention of taking a scorched earth approach of building a rig worthy of challenging trails while providing reliable long range travel in comfort. The engine had to be addressed and chose to do an LS swap (actually LQ4). Even though it is a cast iron block it is about 100# lighter than the 1FZ. Did engine/trans, axles, gears, lockers, transfer case gears, lift (Dobinsons 3" Tapered), 35's, bumpers, winch, lighting, dual battery, etc. I built it the way I wanted with the idea that this will be a lifetime vehicle and was only going to do this once.
It was expensive and its not done yet. Still working on interior and some accessories. The moral of the story is that I'm getting exactly what I want. Parts, other than body and trim won't be a problem in the future. I can cruise 80 mph all day long and crawl with the best of them. Gas mileage is better than stock, but that is based on 2nd hand info since I have no experience with a stock vehicle.
Build what you want and can afford. It doesn't have to be all at once like I've done. I plan to be 100% complete before the end of the year, other than paint and some cosmetics. It sounds like you have a vision. Do what is within your means to get there and don't look back.
- Thread starter
- #115
Thanks for the encouragement! Sounds like you have a heck of a project on your hands! You plan to do a build thread?
Unfortunately no. However, Tandem Automotive, here in Ft Worth, has done all of the work and they intend to post it all to YouTube. They have a channel and have been storing up video. They are just now wrapping up some other build videos and may be starting with mine soon.
Just to throw some accolades their way, they are good friends and deeply involved in the Toyota truck scene here in DFW. They have done an outstanding job on my truck, accommodating all of my wishes. Every time I'm in there they have several LC's, from 40's to 200's in various stages of build or repair. They just finished another 80 with a turbo kit and other mods. When we can all get together we plan to have a drag race to see which route is superior, turbo or swap.
I'm guessing the LQ4 will outgun an out-of-the-box wits' end turbo kit, but I am 100000000% down to see that video
- Thread starter
- #118
I second this sentiment. I don't really care who wins but I'd love to see the footage. That video somebody put up of the turbo 80 thrashing that stock 100 series was awesome.I'm guessing the LQ4 will outgun an out-of-the-box wits' end turbo kit, but I am 100000000% down to see that video
For the people mentioning engine swaps what's the likelihood you'll be able to recover 1/3 of that cost? I think unless you can do the swap yourself, swaps are really a no go from a a financial prospective. I'd love to do an LS/2UZ/etc swap myself , I've got the experience but I don't have the garage to do it in.
Fact of the matter is you can buy a brand new 1FZ-FE short block, rebuild the head and turbo it for probably about 11k. If eventually you want to sell you can recover at least a decent chunk of that money. You can still buy a brand new transmission as well.
Really something to consider is buying a 100 series and doing a SAS if you're looking for more power and factory Toyota reliability. Still expensive but you'll get the V8 and none of the cross platform stuff that gets tied in.
Fact of the matter is you can buy a brand new 1FZ-FE short block, rebuild the head and turbo it for probably about 11k. If eventually you want to sell you can recover at least a decent chunk of that money. You can still buy a brand new transmission as well.
Really something to consider is buying a 100 series and doing a SAS if you're looking for more power and factory Toyota reliability. Still expensive but you'll get the V8 and none of the cross platform stuff that gets tied in.
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- Thread starter
- #120
I think doing a SAS on 100 would be cool and probably way cheaper than an engine swap. Not in the cards for me but sounds like an option for others.
