Builds Supercharged FZJ80 Adventure Build (3 Viewers)

[mdeane]

So I recently bought my first Land Cruiser, a 1997 FZJ80 with a Kazuma Supercharger! I've owned a couple of older Land Rovers and was looking to get a reliable old SUV to share with my father. A friend happened to have the supercharged Land Cruiser (203,000 miles) and I got it for a very good price. So I came up with a plan, while my father and I are sharing the truck it will be a moderately built (2" and 33s) Daily Driver. Since it has the supercharger I hope to use it to tow one of my built Land Rovers to offroad events within 300+- miles. I would also like to use this truck for road trips or camping trips to the mountains and what not. I'd like to be able to tackle most trails but mainly want to keep it's road manners nice. I have never done a build thread, but this will be fun. I also am a college student so I will be doing things myself and trying to keep costs low. I've tinkered with Rovers for years, but am very much a backyard mechanic, please give me pointers, tips, and ideas. Here are my current plans etc.
INTERIOR:
Add cupholders
LED interior lights
Floor liners
Remove Rear Seats for Bed Platform/Storage
Upgrade Radio and Speakers
Install Xguage
EXTERIOR:
Paint Fading Paint
Black Out Chrome and Badges
Paint Wheels
33" Tires
Wheel Spacers
Improve Headlights
LED Light Bar
Roof Rack
Lightweight Front and Rear Bumpers
SUSPENSION/DRIVETRAIN:
1" Body Lift
Steering Dampener Upgrade
2" Suspension lift with Bilstein Shocks
ENGINE:
Improve Intake
Fix/Upgrade Rusty Exhaust
Tune the Engine

 

[mdeane]

So within the first Day of owning it, Ive already started work. Ive washed it, and degreased/washed the engine bay and undercarriage. The truck does have some surface rust, but is solid overall. The "Cold Air Intake" installed by the previous owner drew air directly from near the headers. I don't have a factory air box so I bought a new filter and re-routed the intake closer to the fender well... Also I had a roof rack from a Jeep Wrangler in storage. Using Steel hose clamps (I know....) it is now perched atop the Cruiser. I made sure that it is very sturdy, might be a temporary add-on. Next up will be exhaust and tires

 

[ewillis]

A Land Cruiser towing a Land Rover is completely appropriate in my book...

 

[gofast]

Welcome,

One 88, one lightweight, and one 109, then I stopped being a masochist and got a cruiser. It begins....

once you see what these can do in stock form you'll start to wonder. My 80's built and still has nice road manners

Super charger! lucky dog

 

[mdeane]

I didn't buy the Cruiser specifically to tow, I just hope that it could be a possibility with the extra power. My Rover actually has been a very reliable truck, I just abuse it when I go on trips. Towing it would give me peace of mind if I break something offroad.

 

[DARKNESS]

You can probably pick up a used stock air box for pretty cheap in the part out section. They're massive. I wouldn't be surprised if it moves air better than what you have.

I'd add spend a little time on the cooling system first since you have a supercharger and plan to tow. A coolant flush and upgrading the fan clutch oil to a higher viscosity are pretty cheap and will be time well spent. Do the PHH while you have the coolant drained.

 

[decoco]

stock air box man. stock air box.

 

[mdeane]

You can probably pick up a used stock air box for pretty cheap in the part out section. They're massive. I wouldn't be surprised if it moves air better than what you have.

I'd add spend a little time on the cooling system first since you have a supercharger and plan to tow. A coolant flush and upgrading the fan clutch oil to a higher viscosity are pretty cheap and will be time well spent. Do the PHH while you have the coolant drained.

I'll look around for a cheap stick airbox. I already had the filter and just did that because I was itching to do something. I'll put the cooling system on the to-do list, would you mind if I messaged you sometime for pointers? Still very unfamiliar with the FJ80 engine bay.

 

[Heckraiser]

Nice find with the supercharger!

I've got a stock airbox. Not sure if you want to pay shipping cross country, but as long as you don't mind waiting around for my lazy ass, I'd be happy to ship it to you for postage plus a little beer money

 

[DARKNESS]

I'll look around for a cheap stick airbox. I already had the filter and just did that because I was itching to do something. I'll put the cooling system on the to-do list, would you mind if I messaged you sometime for pointers? Still very unfamiliar with the FJ80 engine bay.

Any time. Of course I'm sure you'll get more advice than you could ever want if you keep posting questions on your build thread here. Good luck!

 

[mdeane]

Any clubs or groups on facebook that play with their Cruisers? I'm located in South Carolina but would like to join any east coast clubs.

 

[ajax1]

I'd replace everything in coolant system looks like you have original hoses and heater valve which is a known bomb, use Toyota parts for critical stuff like water pump and heater valve fan clutch wrap the harness near the egr with heat tape, make sure harness in glove box area is not rubbing, learn to rebuild your axles and adjust wheel bearings, change all fluids get a new Yota radiator for the 93 94 years it is brass no need for wheel spacers unless you get the wrong back spacing on rims

 

[ajax1]

Buy factory service manual too

 

[DARKNESS]

No need to buy one:

For Sale: - 40, 50, 60, and 80 series FSM for a hell of a price.

 

[DARKNESS]

This is a good cheap mod to look at for help cooling. I wouldn't bother with setting the thermostat. Just draining and upping the fluid viscosity should be fine. Alot of good threads on this, but this is probably the most comprehensive.

Blue fan clutch mod

 

[Mav805]

Where in SC are you located?

 

[mdeane]

Where in SC are you located?

Pawleys Island, between Charleston and Myrtle Beach.... I went to Clemson though and might move back upstate in the next few years.

Also Thanks so far to all, looks like I'll be jumping right in to the cooling system.

 

[mdeane]

So I've done a few small things to the FJ80, blacked out the badges and painted the middle of the hood black. Also painted the wheels gunmetal gray since they were in rough shape. On Thursday the truck will get weathertech floor liners and 285/75/16 MTs. Pics will be posted.

 

[mdeane]

So big day today, got the 285/75/16s mounted... they drive great with zero rubbing (daily driving). Truck hesitates a little bit down the road, but all in all I am happy! The tires are Milestar Patagonia MTs. Got all four for $600 off of ebay!

 

[mdeane]

next up interior LEDs, weathertech floor liners, install Xgauge, get rid of chrome grill, and full exhaust