Vehicle Specification/Identification Assistance

[jchhiminey]

Hi guys, long time lurker here as I've been searching for the perfect 80 for some time. I'm in Cambodia, and in my search here I've come across the following example via the local classifieds.

Link to the classified ad here: Land cruiser

Here are the pics:

I am in love with this one and keep going back to it. As with most 80 seekers, part of my 80 wish list included e-lockers, which this does not have as it's a 1992 model(or so says the seller). However, on the positive side, it's white, it has the side by side rear doors, the troop seating, and it's a manual 5-speed. This 80 ticks off most of the boxes of my wish list, and I'm thinking about just picking it up, and putting in front and rear LOKKA's, and finding an OEM bumper/winch to swap as I want to keep it as stock looking as possible.

Here's are my questions:

1.) Can someone help me identify this motor? (The owner says that it is a diesel motor. He doesn't know whether it's turbo or naturally aspirated.)

2.) Does it have a locking center diff? (There is no CDL button on the dash.)

3.) If it does have a center locking diff, how is it actuated without the button on the dash? (Is it like the 1993+ 80's?)

4.) Is this full-time 4wd?

5.) Any diff lock options advice for this era 80? (I'm looking for budget, but trail tested options like the LOKKA if it's available for this drivetrain.)

Abstract: I found this vehicle in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, but it most likely has been imported from abroad (only god knows where). Or could it be a UN spec 80 imported to Cambodia during the UNTAC era in the early 90's, purely guessing here.

Thanks in advance for any advice, looking for forward to learning from the community, and hopefully contributing where I can.

Best regards,

J

 

[Irish Reiver]

Can you get the VIN and do a search? That would likely give you most of your answers. Sweet truck by the way.

 

[jchhiminey]

Can you get the VIN and do a search? That would likely give you most of your answers. Sweet truck by the way.

Thanks for the reply. Will do. Where can I do a VIN search once I've acquired it?

Also, did you notice those slimline handles on the rear right of the truck that serves as a ladder? I've been searching for those online and couldn't find them anywhere, I don't even know what that part is called, which is part of the reason for me wanting this 80 so badly. I'm told the UN had these on their trucks, which is why I'm thinking this may have been a UN truck at one point in time, however I believe the UN ones didn't have the fiberglass flares.

 

[jfz80]

1). No turbo. And no expert here so i'd venture a guess of 1HZ or HD leaning to the latter. Should be some easier identifiers but i am more familiar with petrol models here

2) no idea but assume so.... then again the ctr with VC may have been american mkt item

3) id assume an actuator in top of tcase that locks ctr when in low range

4)no. You pictures show locking front hubs

5)several locker options. LOKKA, Harrop, arb, aussie, etc. for blend of budget and quality id consider an aussie in rear and harrop up front.

Steps have been found and added before. Not sure if it was sourced new or feom a part out. IIRC finding the backing plates was the challenge.

 

[jchhiminey]

1). No turbo. And no expert here so i'd venture a guess of 1HZ or HD leaning to the latter. Should be some easier identifiers but i am more familiar with petrol models here

2) no idea but assume so.... then again the ctr with VC may have been american mkt item

3) id assume an actuator in top of tcase that locks ctr when in low range

4)no. You pictures show locking front hubs

5)several locker options. LOKKA, Harrop, arb, aussie, etc. for blend of budget and quality id consider an aussie in rear and harrop up front.

Steps have been found and added before. Not sure if it was sourced new or feom a part out. IIRC finding the backing plates was the challenge.

Thanks for the reply and the insight. I'm OK without turbo as traffic here is moves at a snails pace anyways, I'm really just wanting this truck for slow driving off the beaten path camping, plus it'll most likely work out better for the longevity of the engine without the turbo.

I see the manual locking hubs now. So if I understand correctly, it's probably 2H-4H-4L config and a separate actuator for center diff lock. If it does have 2WD, it'll probably be better on fuel economy as 80% of my journeys are on somewhat decent pavement, so that should be fine.

I will definitely look into the Harrop locker, this is the first time anyone has mentioned that one to me. Thanks again for helping me out, I really appreciate.

 

[Golgo13]

Looks like you DO have the factory roof rack on that though...
In the states we got a crappy one that mounts through the sheetmetal. Other destinations got one that is a gutter mount and has "tailored" mounts that fit the body as well. Looks like a nice find.
Also, I believe it has a 1HZ engine. The Cert sticker in the driver door opening should tell which engine, trans, etc.
No Diff locks if there is no button/switch, but that can be added if you need it. There are a lot of write-ups on here on how to install every type of locker imaginable.

 

[jchhiminey]

Looks like you DO have the factory roof rack on that though...
In the states we got a crappy one that mounts through the sheetmetal. Other destinations got one that is a gutter mount and has "tailored" mounts that fit the body as well. Looks like a nice find.
Also, I believe it has a 1HZ engine. The Cert sticker in the driver door opening should tell which engine, trans, etc.
No Diff locks if there is no button/switch, but that can be added if you need it. There are a lot of write-ups on here on how to install every type of locker imaginable.

Thanks for the reply. Yep, no diff locks as it's a 92, but I was worried as to whether it had the center diff lock because all the other ones I looked at of this vintage had automatic transmissions, so they all had the Center Diff Lock button on the dash. My major concern was whether or not it had the CDL because it's a 5-speed manual. Regarding the front/rear diffs, there seem to be many options so I think I can find a feasible solution. I do need to have a triple locked drive train solution for the places I want to go. I'm looking into the Harrop locker right now, as per jfz80's recommendation for an affordable solution.

 

[jchhiminey]

1). No turbo. And no expert here so i'd venture a guess of 1HZ or HD leaning to the latter. Should be some easier identifiers but i am more familiar with petrol models here

2) no idea but assume so.... then again the ctr with VC may have been american mkt item

3) id assume an actuator in top of tcase that locks ctr when in low range

4)no. You pictures show locking front hubs

5)several locker options. LOKKA, Harrop, arb, aussie, etc. for blend of budget and quality id consider an aussie in rear and harrop up front.

Steps have been found and added before. Not sure if it was sourced new or feom a part out. IIRC finding the backing plates was the challenge.

@jfz80 If this vehicle has 2H with manual hubs, can I use Aussie locker front diff? Also, in the full-time 4wd system, what happens if I do use an Aussie locker in the front?

 

[jfz80]

An auto locker is a bad idea in the front axle of a full time AWD vehicle. Will make turning near impossible and cause wear/breakage issues on pavement.

On a part time it can be done. It will remain open till you turn the hubs then it will be fully locked. I would likely only go this way for a trail only rig as there may be a few times you wish for 4wd but not need/want the front locked.

To clarify my previous statement about budget...... the auto lockers (like aussies and similar) are relatively cheap ~$350 usd and installable by most average mechanically inclined folks.

The selectable locker is much more expensive and will usually involve a pro setup. Even if not swappimg gears.

So my comment about budget was a blend of one of each.

 

[jchhiminey]

An auto locker is a bad idea in the front acle of a full time AWD vehicle. Will make turning near impossible and cause wear/breakage issues on pavement.

On a part time it can be done. It will remain open till you turn the hubs then it will be fully locked. I would likely only go this way for a trail only rig as there may be a few times you wish for 4wd but not need the front locked.

To clarify my previous statement about budget...... the auto lockers (like aussies and similar) are relatively cheap ~$350 usd and installable by most average me hanically inclined folks.

The selectable locker is much more expensive and will usually involve a pro setup. Even if not swappimg gears.

So my comment about budget was a blend of one of each.

@FZJ80 I see what you're saying. If I put in an Aussie/LOKKA in the front diff, and try turning tight on trails, it will lock the diff because of the speed I am going at(slow). With the auto-locker locking up the front diff during tight turns, this will cause binding and a reduction of turning radius. Therefore, it's preferable to have a selectable locker up front so that I can utilize 4WD with the front diff open for tight turning and switch the front diff lock on only when only absolutely necessary. The rear has less differentiation than the front, therefore, I can go the budget route of using an auto-locker back there. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Thanks for the help!

 

[jfz80]

Pretty much spot on .... again the auto locker will only lock up if youve turned your hubs.


Now another caveat... my experience with an auto locker in the back is all in an AWD and specifically 80 platform with a center diff with viscous coupling. This seems to help mask the rear auto locker pretty well. Actually pretty transparent untill you lock the ctr diff. As far as around town very rarely locking and mostly just hear ratcheting in tight manuevers like parking spots.


Now without the VC in the ctr diff i cannot garuntee how the rear will act. Im leaning toward it being locked more than you wish on pavement if a daily driver. Once you get some some seat time and work through the learning curve of driving with rear locker it should be predictable behavior. Pushes through turns a bit more than normal and some occasional tire chirp on dry pavement. My concern would be if the rear would be locking up verse ratcheting in turns causing unecessary wear.

Maybe someone with part time and a rear auto locker can chime in? I wouldnt want to drive an auto locked rear rig on pavement if it were constantly locking in turns. Again more wear and potential surprises driving on wet/slick roads if it locks after initiating a turn.

 

[jchhiminey]

Pretty much spot on .... again the auto locker will only lock up if youve turned your hubs.


Now another caveat... my experience with an auto locker in the back is all in an AWD and specifically 80 platform with a center diff with viscous coupling. This seems to help mask the rear auto locker pretty well. Actually pretty transparent untill you lock the ctr diff. As far as around town very rarely locking and mostly just hear ratcheting in tight manuevers like parking spots.


Now without the VC in the ctr diff i cannot garuntee how the rear will act. Im leaning toward it being locked more than you wish on pavement if a daily driver. Once you get some some seat time and work through the learning curve of driving with rear locker it should be predictable behavior. Pushes through turns a bit more than normal and some occasional tire chirp on dry pavement. My concern would be if the rear would be locking up verse ratcheting in turns causing unecessary wear.

Maybe someone with part time and a rear auto locker can chime in? I wouldnt want to drive an auto locked rear rig on pavement if it were constantly locking in turns. Again more wear and potential surprises driving on wet/slick roads if it locks after initiating a turn.

Good point. I didn't think about that. I see what you're saying. Because you had the VC center diff in a full time 4wd 80, the power could go to the fully open diff front(path of least resistance) via the open center diff, thereby reducing the likeliness of the rear auto-locker binding(chirping the tires). Since my setup would essentially be a rear 2WD with auto-locker rear setup most of the time, and that there is no open center/front diff to release the power to, I'll have a higher chance of binding the auto-locked rear diff if it doesn't release/ratchet exactly when it needs to.

So I guess from your experience @jfz80 the auto-locker solution isn't as perfect as it's made out to be, and doesn't always release/ratchet when it needs to?

 

[jdayment]

A stock 80 is very capable without lockers my 91 has a factory LSD in the rear and it is very capable. If you are going to add lockers I would start with just the rear and go from there as mentioned before an Aussie in the rear with a harrop up front would make for a very affordable and capable option.

 

[TheRareElement]

1.) Can someone help me identify this motor?

If the beauty is a virgin, correct engine data should be on the aluminum label in the engine bay (red pointer), besides other important information.

 

[IanB]

HZJ80 should be the proper model designation, as it's a non-turbo 1HZ motor. Looks like a cool truck.

 

[LS1FJ40]

I dig the troop carriers. And ambulance doors. Ideal.

 

[Rifleman]

That's what a utilty vehicle should look like, no wonder they are used by the UN in 3RD world countrys. Pure simple design, diesel engine, 5 speed manual transmission, cloth seats with BIG ambulance doors out back, what's there not to like!

 

[ppc]

I think those pictures show vinyl seats.

 

[Rifleman]

I think those pictures show vinyl seats.

On second look, you sir are correct, they are in fact all vinyl. When i first looked at those photos i though the seats had cloth inserts, but thats not the case.