Builds Spdstr280Z's While I'm in There 80 Series Build...

[Spdstr280Z]

...or "I really don't make good decisions, so let's just put it out there for the world to see." But that's a long thread title.

Since I have had this thing since March, and we may be close to some progress, figured I might as well start a build thread. I only joined Mud in March, but I have been lurking for years. I have driven a 3rd gen 4Runner for most of the last decade, lot's of good info here.

My 4Runner was a little unusual, it was a 5 speed SR5 with leather. I purchased it from the original owner, who was a co-worker at the time, with just under 200K miles on the clock. My plan was to use it to pull a trailer and do some occasional wheeling. I then proceeded to drive it almost daily for the next 9 years or so. It wasn't a true unicorn, it had open diffs and I never found the axles to correct that at the right price.

While I drove the 4Runner, the only thing that ever really caught my eye and made me a little jealous was an 80 series Land Cruiser. I could always talk myself down though, they were just too big, and they only came to the US as automatics. Even after the 4Runner abruptly exited my life (see next post), I still didn't immediately start looking for an 80 series. I actually immediately tried to buy another manual 4Runner from another co-worker, but she was not quite ready to sell. Once I realized I was probably going to have to settle for an automatic (the first I have owned in 30 years of driving) I expanded my horizons. The short list became...

GX470
5th Gen 4Runner
80 Series Land Cruiser
100 Series Land Cruiser

Since I wanted something newer than my 98 4Runner with lower miles and in better overall condition, I concentrated on the GX470 and 100 Series for a while. We already have a 5th gen T4R in the family (wife) and the 80 series would have me with a vehicle a year older than my 3rd gen at best.

What I was looking for...

Newer than my 3rd gen (98)
Significantly lower mileage (~325K)
Good overall shape / Few mechanical issues
Lockers a must
Gray or black preferred, don't love white on any of these for me.

Goals for the build...

Honestly, probably 80% of its time will be on road.
It does not need to be a daily driver
More aggressive / built than the 4Runner
I don't do a ton of wheeling, but the next time my friends call and want to do something like Moab or the Mohave Road, I want to be able to hop in and go.

So, let's get started... Remember, this story starts in January of this year (2019), so these first few posts will be backstory / catching up. Some decisions have already been made.

Jason

 

[Spdstr280Z]

In Memoriam...

First, a word in memory of the one that moved on to make this project possible, my 98 4Runner. This 4Runner was really my entry in to the world of Toyota trucks. I needed a vehicle that could pull a trailer and move a decent load when necessary, and that was really all I had planned. This 4Runner belonged to a co-worker who was the original owner. She had put nearly 200K on it, and it had been well used. The first time I got in in for a run to lunch I told her she was going to sell it to me for $500. It took a while, and it wasn't $500, but she eventually came around. And instead of driving it just when I needed to pull a trailer or run to Lowes or Home Depot, it became my daily driver. For the first few years it stayed mostly stock, then around four years ago I started modifying it. Off the top of my head it had OME springs, Bilstein shocks (Tundra front / 4Runner rear), Tundra brakes, Savage skid plates, Sequoia wheels, Cooper AT3's (31's), poly bushings (Energy Suspension I think), Marlin Crawler clutch, and upgraded lower links and adjustable Panhard (can't really remember the brand right now). It was a mild "build" but it went almost everywhere I ever asked it and almost never let me down. The only time it ever stranded me was a failed clutch master, and the only time it got stuck on the trail was a loose rock hill climb that I couldn't find enough traction with open diffs. Of course that may have been a lack of skill too.

Unfortunately in early January this year, at an intersection that I go through almost every work day, I thought all the traffic was in the turn lane (with a yield for me) and made a left hand turn in front of an oncoming vehicle. Ironically an XJ.

Better times...

The end...

Happy trails....

Jason

 

[Spdstr280Z]

How it Began...

Like many crazy relationships that shouldn't happen, it began online. I had been mostly looking at GX470's, but not finding what I wanted (preferably an early model without nav) until my 8 year old checked in on what I was doing. She had taken the loss of the 4Runner a lot worse than I had expected, so I assured her we would get something to replace it and she could help me. She promptly stated that she wanted a new truck and those looked like minivans. The 470 was off the list.

I then began over analyzing the choice between an 80 series and a 100 series. The 100 won the logical argument pretty easily, so the search concentrated in that direction. There was an 80 on Facebook Marketplace that was just a few miles away. I had been ignoring it, since it was an 80, it was white, it was a 93 and was listed as having 247K miles. Then out of the blue one day my wife asked if I had gone to look at it. Guess she was looking for Cruisers for me too. I told her it wasn't what I wanted, but what the heck, I might go look at it since it was so close.

I contacted the seller, who promptly told me where it was and that the keys were in it. I guessed that meant it was every bit as bad as I thought it was, but he said hey, small town Georgia.

So, I went to see it. It was just as bad as I expected, maybe worse. The body was solid, but the interior looked, and smelled, like a flood vehicle. It was an ABS / full floater truck, but no lockers. The engine was leaking from most of its orifices and occasionally made strange sounds while running. The intake hose was patched with electrical tape and the mildew accenting the interior really set things off. And it didn't have 247K, but 276. I ran...

Well, I ran after taking it for a drive. I mean, I was there... I didn't want this 80, but I decided right there, with the windows down to try to avoid whatever dread disease is spawned from the unique combination of black mold and carbon monoxide, with an eye on the sporadically working fuel gauge and one arm uncomfortably holding up the droopy, limp sun visor that was trying to block my view of the road, I decided I wanted an 80...

I sent the owner a text, thanking him for his time and the drive, but letting him know that this was a much bigger project than I was looking for.

 

[Spdstr280Z]

...well, I think I actually said it was a much bigger project than I was looking for "for the money" or something like that. I don't know if my inner car negotiator had to subconsciously throw that in or what. I do have an issue with adopting questionable Japanese s***boxes, but that was not my intent. I really was running, but I really wanted an 80 now.

The owner responded with a thumbs up, and I went home researching 80's and widening my search. There had been several around me, but strangely some in great shape had rusty rocker panels. I have grown to hate rust, and I learned about the sunroof drains and rocker panel rust in 80's. I have had enough of those Japanese s***boxes that I have no desire to bring home another rusty vehicle.

The next morning I was surprised to wake up to a message asking what I was willing to pay for the truck. I thought about it for a while and just responded that I wasn't going to price his truck for him, maybe let me know what his bottom dollar was and I would see if it caught my attention.

The next morning I again woke up to a message, essentially saying that he had always said for less than $3,000 he would just keep it, so $3,000 must be his bottom dollar. I think I said that I was not ready to rip his arm off, but he had my attention. So I told him I had not seriously looked it over (remember I ran). I asked if I could drive it again and maybe bring it home to look over more seriously, maybe even drive it to work and spend a day with it to see how it behaved. Much to my surprise, he agreed, and I met him that night to talk and pick it up. Seems there was an interesting story behind the truck, involving a friend, a girlfriend and some prison time. It had sat for a while and that is when the sunroof leaked and destroyed the interior.

So, I drove it home, and to work the next day, and to lunch, it had issues, it needs a lot... If it wasn't an 80 it would be a $1,000 truck with one wheel in the grave. I wanted a newer vehicle with lower mileage than my 98 4Runner. I wanted lockers, and I didn't want white. That night I wrote the check for it. I don't make good decisions...

 

[Spdstr280Z]

Current State...

I'll try to keep this post updated with the current state of the vehicle.

Tried to recreate the earlier pic, years (but only 1,500 miles later...

I could have washed it... But it wasn't clean in the first pic either, so...

Jason

 

[4xFletch]

Great start. Looking forward to your updates and progress.

 

[voodu3]

Good luck with your build. It will be an adventure. Since you’re in Georgia hit up @slow95z when you’re looking for used parts. He’s an awesome dude, always has great stuff and he’s local to you.

 

[slow95z]

What part of ga? Snow would say north of atl

 

[Spdstr280Z]

What part of ga? Snow would say north of atl

I'm outside Athens. The snow is a rare event, but made a cool picture. It's great I'm starting to meet some of the "local" parts guys. I'm certainly going to need some parts. The interior on this thing is pretty much trashed due to the leaking roof and it looks like someone tried CA (super glue) when the wood kit started peeling. Think I also met another member on Craigslist this week selling axles. For the price of used axles I have pretty much decided to go Harrop at some point, but keeping my options open.

Jason

 

[slow95z]

Was it Greg selling axles? If so just ignore him. He thinks they are made of gold

 

[Spdstr280Z]

Was it Greg selling axles? If so just ignore him. He thinks they are made of gold

Yep. Seems like a nice guy over e-mail. For the price 25 year old OEM lockers are going for, figured I would go aftermarket, but never hurts to ask about the price when they show up I guess.

Jason

 

[slow95z]

I like him well enough but he is just insane sometimes when it comes to prices. 3k for locked axles... I can buy a lunchbox, harrop and winch for that.

 

[Spdstr280Z]

So, I drove it for a couple of weeks. One week solid to identify the issues before I started doing anything with it.

What I learned...

Droopy sun visors suck. Removed until I get replacements.
The shaky mirror on the drivers side is no big deal... The lack of an actual mirror in the mirror however is.
Asphyxiation. My God it stinks, and it's getting all in the cabin. And it is loud. Inside the cabin. Exhaust leak around the cats and crap shifter seal.
They aren't kidding when they say these are slow... Wait, is this a three speed ? Crap, it's just jumping right through second gear with a little hiccup. Shift solenoids.
The brakes are more of a gentle suggestion than a command, firm pedal though, really firm pedal. Too firm. Vacuum lines or booster.
Oil level light ? Wow, that is pretty cool ! Wait, where did the oil go ? Engine leaks oil, everywhere. Needs to be resealed.
I was told it will occasionally throw an AC belt, and that weird squeal sometimes... AC tensioner pulley.
I have no "D" light... Or any shifter lights. Or half the dash lights.
Mildew is a pain in the ass to remove.
Peeling faux wood trim is ugly.
The interior is mostly crap.

Occasional check engine light (I'm shocked), but it starts right up every time and runs and drives pretty well other than that shifting issue. Will cruise right on down the highway once it is up to speed. Frame and body appear to be really solid, just nasty. The wife proclaimed that neither she nor the kids will be riding in it until the mildew and exhaust issues are taken care of. So, might as well get to work.

Jason

 

[Spdstr280Z]

First upgrade...

 

[musthave]

With that air freshener choice you’ll be well on your way to cruiser happiness. The rest of the repairs can wait. Where are you going to mount that air freshener?

Nice cruiser. Looks like you’ve got some work ahead of you. Gut the interior. Wash a few times and dry well. Sanitize inside and put some sound deadner in. Reinstall. Look forward to seeing the progress.

 

[slow95z]

How deep are you in this thing? I ha e a couple of good ones I am going to be selling soon. I would be willing to take that as partial payment and then you get on the road and done quicker

 

[Heckraiser]

I had a couple of those 3rd gens. Great little trucks, although both of mine were unicorns (5-speed + locked), although the ease with which I found and purchased them makes me think maybe not unicorns? My '97 was killed in a rollover. I would definitely consider another one if my 80 ever bites the dust. But I can't seem to manage to kill the thing

80 is a very different creature. Have fun!

P.S. I would think about taking up @slow95z on his offer. These things are expen$$$ive to fix up

 

[Spdstr280Z]

How deep are you in this thing? I ha e a couple of good ones I am going to be selling soon. I would be willing to take that as partial payment and then you get on the road and done quicker

I appreciate that. I'm somewhere between having more in parts than I paid for the truck and bologna sandwiches for dinner. There is no doubt I'm going to spend a lot on this thing, but it is a solid base that I can build "my" truck on and trust for another 200-300K. Let me know what you have when you get there though, I may change my mind.

Jason

 

[slow95z]

I have a 93 and 94 I am going to be selling soon. Both lifted, both with monstaliner, snorkels on both... Mild builds but good starts. Both have had all major seals done except head gasket on one hasn't been changed, has on the other.

 

[Spdstr280Z]

With that air freshener choice you’ll be well on your way to cruiser happiness. The rest of the repairs can wait. Where are you going to mount that air freshener?

Nice cruiser. Looks like you’ve got some work ahead of you. Gut the interior. Wash a few times and dry well. Sanitize inside and put some sound deadner in. Reinstall. Look forward to seeing the progress.

Both were installed in the dash vents. They serve dual purposes, improving the stench and keeping the floppy vents in place.... Air freshener > lockers... #MallRated

The interior is currently out. Dealing with some slight surface rust from the leaking roof, but it's not bad. It will get cleaned, primed, painted and sound deadening. Trying to decide how deep I'm going in to the dash. May need a heater core while I'm in there....

Jason