Using AI to help maintain my older LC (2 Viewers)

[Super77]

Mods, this may be more of a general topic thread so pls relocate if there’s a better home for it that hits a broader audience.

I’ve been leaning into more modern ways to access information and parts about my 100, given the wealth of sources on the Internet - especially here. Combing through is often the hard part, so I use ChatGPT for that. Wondering if anyone else has tips or tricks.

Examples:

1. I have a great pick-and-pull nearby but no LCs or LXs at the moment. However, I had ChatGPT cross-check my VIN against the VINs of a dozen other Toyotas they do have, and generate a list, in order of high to low value, of common parts to harvest.

2. AI is starting to be my search function for ‘Mud. Forum search has always been poor here and in other forums and so much good info is buried in threads wise titles don’t reflect it, e.g: “My build thread,” or “Help with this problem.” I simply ground ChatGPT in the whole site, along with YouTube videos, and start there. I’m working on a way to train an AI on the entire published FSM in case anyone has tried this already.

Feels like a modern forum should have built-in AI-powered search or at least a top-level sticky with “Useful AI Prompts” or similar that people can use when troubleshooting or training an agent.

 

[Super77]

Example below. My prompt cross references a topic against a user against context. Yes, I can kinda do this in Search, buts it’s clumsy and poorly filtered. AI gives a better entry point and other sources outside of ‘Mud. At some point I’ll trust it to just give me the answer.


My prompt:

On the Ih8mud.com 100 series Land Cruiser forum, there is a user called [username]. Review all the posts and comments this user has made there and show me anything related to a timing belt replacement on a 1999 Land Cruiser. Prioritize posts that apply to pre-2003 models. I’m more interested in the earlier models.

Results:

I have reviewed the IH8MUD forum for posts by user [username] related to timing belt replacement on a 1999 Toyota Land Cruiser. While there are no extensive guides, [username] has provided valuable insights pertinent to pre-2003 models:

Key Advice from [username]

• Spark Plug Removal: “Pull spark plugs. Good time to replace aligning with T-belt job. Also will make the times you’ll need to spin the crank so much easier not fighting compression.” {link to thread}

• Timing Marks Clarification: “‘T’ above each cam sprocket is not the timing mark, ignore them.” {link to thread}

These tips are from a discussion on timing belt settings for a 1999 Land Cruiser, emphasizing practical steps to ease the replacement process.

Additional Resources

For a comprehensive, step-by-step guide on timing belt replacement for the 2UZ-FE 4.7L V8 engine, which is applicable to your 1999 Land Cruiser, consider the following resource:{link to thread}

• OTRAMM’s DIY Video Series: A detailed two-part video series covering the replacement of the timing belt, water pump, tensioner, and seals. {link to thread}

Recommended Timing Belt Kits

When selecting a timing belt kit, it’s advisable to choose reputable brands to ensure quality and compatibility:

• AISIN TKT-021: Widely recommended for the 2UZ-FE engine, offering a comprehensive kit including the belt, water pump, tensioner, and seals. {link to thread}

• ContiTech Pro Series Plus: Another reliable option, known for its durability and complete component package. {link to thread}

If you require further assistance or detailed guidance on any specific aspect of the timing belt replacement process, feel free to ask.

 

[Jfcol]

Great idea! I find the search function on here to be a challenge as well. Even when I know the answers are buried somewhere.

 

[Live to Ski]

Imitation = sincerest form of flattery...permission to copy prompt per vatum?

 

[Super77]

Imitation = sincerest form of flattery...permission to copy prompt per vatum?

Not only permission but encouragement. I’d love to see a root-level sticky called “top AI prompt templates” or “top DIY agents for your 100”

Pro tip: the $20/mo paid version of ChatGPT is totally worth it and will give better results.

 

[BamaHoo]

Great post, thanks for sharing this. I subscribe to the paid version, but I've not really explored the full functionality.

 

[Super77]

Great post, thanks for sharing this. I subscribe to the paid version, but I've not really explored the full functionality.

It’s pretty amazing. The paid version is more recursive (keeps your previous chats in memory for context). So when I’m working on a project, I can just call out, “hey, I’m tightening the rear differential drain plug. What’s the torque?” and the system assumes I’m working on a LC (because I’ve been asking lots of questions) and it says “on a 1999 Land Cruiser, the rear differential drain plug torque is XX foot-pounds, according to multiple posts on IH8MUD and cross referenced against Toyota’s documentation.” All without lifting a finger.

It’s really replaced my front-line information retrieval of forums. I peruse the threads here more for discovery, learning and social.

 

[Super77]

Here’s a cool trick you can try with ChatGPT:

Prompt 1: Assume every parts, maintenance, and repair question I ask you for the next [X] hours pertains to a [make, model, year]. Also use [forum, subforum] as your primary source of information and favor replies that have consensus in the thread or a lot of user engagement.

Prompt 2: tell me about the top 10 low-effort, high value preventative maintenance jobs.

Prompt 3: Now put together a table, in priority order, with each of those jobs and 1 or more links to the writeup. Cross reference with highest rated YouTube videos of the same job if available.

Took me 3 minutes start to finish and I got this (thread links and videos not included, they are in a “bibliography” at the bottom of the results):

Here’s a curated list of essential preventative maintenance tasks for your 1999 Toyota Land Cruiser, each backed by multiple IH8MUD forum discussions to ensure reliability and community consensus.

Essential Preventative Maintenance Tasks for Your 1999 Land Cruiser

1. Engine Oil & Filter Change
• Interval: Every 5,000 miles or 6 months.
• Why: Maintains engine health and longevity.
• Community Insight: Use a torque wrench to avoid over-tightening the filter cap, which can lead to damage.

2. Brake Fluid Flush
• Interval: Every 2–3 years or 30,000 miles.
• Why: Prevents internal corrosion in brake components.
• Community Insight: Bleeding sequence and torque specifications are crucial for effective maintenance.

3. Coolant System Service
• Interval: Every 30,000–50,000 miles.
• Why: Prevents overheating and corrosion.
• Community Insight: Flushing the system with distilled water and using Toyota Red coolant is recommended.

4. Transmission Fluid Change
• Interval: Every 60,000 miles.
• Why: Ensures smooth shifting and prolongs transmission life.
• Community Insight: A drain-and-fill method is preferred over flushing to avoid potential issues.

5. Differential & Transfer Case Fluid Change
• Interval: Every 30,000 miles.
• Why: Maintains drivetrain integrity.
• Community Insight: Proper torque specifications and fluid types are essential.

6. Timing Belt Replacement
• Interval: Every 90,000 miles.
• Why: Prevents engine damage due to belt failure.
• Community Insight: Aligning match marks is critical during installation.

7. Rubber Hoses & Belts Inspection
• Interval: Inspect every 30,000 miles.
• Why: Prevents leaks and failures.
• Community Insight: Replacing aged hoses can prevent unexpected breakdowns.

8. Battery Maintenance
• Interval: Check quarterly.
• Why: Ensures reliable starts and prevents corrosion.
• Community Insight: Regular cleaning of terminals and checking for parasitic drains is advised.

9. Tire Pressure Monitoring
• Interval: Check monthly.
• Why: Ensures optimal tire wear and fuel efficiency.
• Community Insight: Recommended pressures are 29 psi front and 32 psi rear for standard loads.

10. Suspension & Driveshaft Lubrication
• Interval: Every 5,000 miles.
• Why: Prevents premature wear of suspension components.
• Community Insight: Proper greasing techniques are essential for longevity.

Regularly performing these maintenance tasks will help ensure the longevity and reliability of your 1999 Toyota Land Cruiser.

 

[FairZ33]

Mods, this may be more of a general topic thread so pls relocate if there’s a better home for it that hits a broader audience.

I’ve been leaning into more modern ways to access information and parts about my 100, given the wealth of sources on the Internet - especially here. Combing through is often the hard part, so I use ChatGPT for that. Wondering if anyone else has tips or tricks.

Examples:

1. I have a great pick-and-pull nearby but no LCs or LXs at the moment. However, I had ChatGPT cross-check my VIN against the VINs of a dozen other Toyotas they do have, and generate a list, in order of high to low value, of common parts to harvest.

2. AI is starting to be my search function for ‘Mud. Forum search has always been poor here and in other forums and so much good info is buried in threads wise titles don’t reflect it, e.g: “My build thread,” or “Help with this problem.” I simply ground ChatGPT in the whole site, along with YouTube videos, and start there. I’m working on a way to train an AI on the entire published FSM in case anyone has tried this already.

Feels like a modern forum should have built-in AI-powered search or at least a top-level sticky with “Useful AI Prompts” or similar that people can use when troubleshooting or training an agent.

I think somebody did #2, or atleast started to. I use it all the time. Here's the thread where I found it: LC GPT: make the robots work for you - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/lc-gpt-make-the-robots-work-for-you.1339687/

I actually fed LC GPT my excel sheet of recorded maintenance and it told me what I need to get done now, soon, and later.

 

[Live to Ski]

file under "nothing is easy". thought this would easily port over to non-pro gemini ai:
"On the Ih8mud.com 100 series Land Cruiser forum Review all the posts and comments and show me anything related to a timing belt replacement on a 2004 Land Cruiser. Prioritize posts that apply to post-2003 models.


Show thinking
I cannot directly access and "review all the posts and comments" on a specific forum like ih8mud.com to find information about timing belt replacements for 2004 Land Cruisers, nor can I prioritize posts for post-2003 models. My capabilities do not extend to Browse and analyzing content within specific forum discussions.

To find the information you're looking for, you would need to:

Go to ih8mud.com.
Navigate to the 100 Series Land Cruiser forum.
Use the forum's search function. You can search for the specific user's username and then filter their posts, or search for terms like "timing belt," "2004 Land Cruiser timing belt," "UZJ100 timing belt," or "timing belt post 2003."
Manually review the search results to find relevant threads and comments.
This process would allow you to directly access the information within the forum."

this will take more time than I have right now

 

[Jack90210]

That "Top Ten" list is very cool.

(Off-topic for this thread, but lack of battery maintenance creates lots of problems elsewhere in the vehicle, particularly with the myriad small motors throughout the vehicle that will draw too much current due to corroded connections and an undercharged battery, but also with stray currents that can erode head gaskets etc. I'm glad that the AI recognized the need to put this on the list. Good bot.)

 

[Super77]

file under "nothing is easy". thought this would easily port over to non-pro gemini ai:
"On the Ih8mud.com 100 series Land Cruiser forum Review all the posts and comments and show me anything related to a timing belt replacement on a 2004 Land Cruiser. Prioritize posts that apply to post-2003 models.


Show thinking
I cannot directly access and "review all the posts and comments" on a specific forum like ih8mud.com to find information about timing belt replacements for 2004 Land Cruisers, nor can I prioritize posts for post-2003 models. My capabilities do not extend to Browse and analyzing content within specific forum discussions.

To find the information you're looking for, you would need to:

Go to ih8mud.com.
Navigate to the 100 Series Land Cruiser forum.
Use the forum's search function. You can search for the specific user's username and then filter their posts, or search for terms like "timing belt," "2004 Land Cruiser timing belt," "UZJ100 timing belt," or "timing belt post 2003."
Manually review the search results to find relevant threads and comments.
This process would allow you to directly access the information within the forum."

this will take more time than I

file under "nothing is easy". thought this would easily port over to non-pro gemini ai:
"On the Ih8mud.com 100 series Land Cruiser forum Review all the posts and comments and show me anything related to a timing belt replacement on a 2004 Land Cruiser. Prioritize posts that apply to post-2003 models.


Show thinking
I cannot directly access and "review all the posts and comments" on a specific forum like ih8mud.com to find information about timing belt replacements for 2004 Land Cruisers, nor can I prioritize posts for post-2003 models. My capabilities do not extend to Browse and analyzing content within specific forum discussions.

To find the information you're looking for, you would need to:

Go to ih8mud.com.
Navigate to the 100 Series Land Cruiser forum.
Use the forum's search function. You can search for the specific user's username and then filter their posts, or search for terms like "timing belt," "2004 Land Cruiser timing belt," "UZJ100 timing belt," or "timing belt post 2003."
Manually review the search results to find relevant threads and comments.
This process would allow you to directly access the information within the forum."

this will take more time than I have right now

That’s frustrating. I’m not a Gemini user, so can’t offer any help, but I’d encourage you not to give up. I’ve found it transformational in how I organize and consume information.

 

[Live to Ski]

if/when i get some time, i will have to investigate if there is a "pro" version of gemini. I'll post if i find one that works.

 

[chuckscap]

Mods, this may be more of a general topic thread so pls relocate if there’s a better home for it that hits a broader audience.

I’ve been leaning into more modern ways to access information and parts about my 100, given the wealth of sources on the Internet - especially here. Combing through is often the hard part, so I use ChatGPT for that. Wondering if anyone else has tips or tricks.

Examples:

1. I have a great pick-and-pull nearby but no LCs or LXs at the moment. However, I had ChatGPT cross-check my VIN against the VINs of a dozen other Toyotas they do have, and generate a list, in order of high to low value, of common parts to harvest.

2. AI is starting to be my search function for ‘Mud. Forum search has always been poor here and in other forums and so much good info is buried in threads wise titles don’t reflect it, e.g: “My build thread,” or “Help with this problem.” I simply ground ChatGPT in the whole site, along with YouTube videos, and start there. I’m working on a way to train an AI on the entire published FSM in case anyone has tried this already.

Feels like a modern forum should have built-in AI-powered search or at least a top-level sticky with “Useful AI Prompts” or similar that people can use when troubleshooting or training an agent.

Isn't that kinda like using AI to work up a black powder load for your muzzleloader?