- Thread starter
- #161
Wannabe Rock Crawler/Camping Rig Build
- Thread starter 1jzhilux
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
- Thread starter
- #162
Sometime last year I also put in a new fuel tank as the original unit was leaking from the seam.
- Thread starter
- #163
Now we are all caught up! (Feb 2023)
Future plans include:
Turbo
Complete suspension/steering overhaul - 3 link, coilovers, etc
Potential ute chop
Transmission swap
Future plans include:
Turbo
Complete suspension/steering overhaul - 3 link, coilovers, etc
Potential ute chop
Transmission swap
Where did you get the winch plate
- Thread starter
- #165
Designed and made it myself.
- Thread starter
- #166
A little backstory:
This was my first car, a 1987 Toyota Pickup SR5 Turbo affectionately named Pumba - because warthogs are tough and surprisingly quick.
I bought it with the engine knocking. I rebuilt the engine with my dad and had so much fun with it but even with the factory turbo it was so slow. I couldn't imagine what it would be like to drive a non turbo 22RE.
I finally had enough of the lack of power so I set about swapping in a 1JZ-GTE from a Toyota Crown. It was such a riot and made all the right noises.
While in college, the cheap boost controller I put in failed, causing a massive boost spike. Now instead of making all the right noises, it was making terrible, heartbreaking noises. This happened while I was in the middle of nowhere and out of cell service, so I did my best to limp it into cell service. I called my dad and we towed it back to the house. After tearing the engine apart, I found that one of the rod bearings had spun. I saved up for a new engine, put that in, and enjoyed the little pickup without a cheap boost controller.
There was one problem however, I could not shake the thought of an 80 series Land Cruiser.
This was my first car, a 1987 Toyota Pickup SR5 Turbo affectionately named Pumba - because warthogs are tough and surprisingly quick.
I bought it with the engine knocking. I rebuilt the engine with my dad and had so much fun with it but even with the factory turbo it was so slow. I couldn't imagine what it would be like to drive a non turbo 22RE.
I finally had enough of the lack of power so I set about swapping in a 1JZ-GTE from a Toyota Crown. It was such a riot and made all the right noises.While in college, the cheap boost controller I put in failed, causing a massive boost spike. Now instead of making all the right noises, it was making terrible, heartbreaking noises. This happened while I was in the middle of nowhere and out of cell service, so I did my best to limp it into cell service. I called my dad and we towed it back to the house. After tearing the engine apart, I found that one of the rod bearings had spun. I saved up for a new engine, put that in, and enjoyed the little pickup without a cheap boost controller.
There was one problem however, I could not shake the thought of an 80 series Land Cruiser.
- Thread starter
- #167
I listed the pickup and quickly found this.
My first Land Cruiser, a 1997 Nighshadow Pearl with lockers and all the original documentation and pamphlets, and I got it for CHEAP.
This one was affectionately named Horton, the big blue elephant.
The previous owner was selling it because it got hit by a herd of elk. I replaced the pass. fender, headlights, etc. and started building it into my ultimate 80. I didn't get very far because I was poor, but I was so, so proud that I, I!!!!, finally had a Land Cruiser.
Horton took me to Baja, Moab, and all over the PNW. All it had was a basic OME lift, 4x4 Labs bumper, some 37s, and a homemade sleeping/storage platform in the back.
I should not have sold this thing, it would have been so great by now.
My first Land Cruiser, a 1997 Nighshadow Pearl with lockers and all the original documentation and pamphlets, and I got it for CHEAP.
This one was affectionately named Horton, the big blue elephant.
The previous owner was selling it because it got hit by a herd of elk. I replaced the pass. fender, headlights, etc. and started building it into my ultimate 80. I didn't get very far because I was poor, but I was so, so proud that I, I!!!!, finally had a Land Cruiser.
Horton took me to Baja, Moab, and all over the PNW. All it had was a basic OME lift, 4x4 Labs bumper, some 37s, and a homemade sleeping/storage platform in the back.
I should not have sold this thing, it would have been so great by now.
- Thread starter
- #168
In comes the mom car.
2011 Lexus GX460 Premium.
I loved this thing as it was unbelievably comfy and had v8 power/noise.
I put on 35s and eventually a lift and that's it. I winced a bit anytime things scraped on trails, but it was a blast.
There was one problem however, I wanted an 80 series again...
2011 Lexus GX460 Premium.
I loved this thing as it was unbelievably comfy and had v8 power/noise.
I put on 35s and eventually a lift and that's it. I winced a bit anytime things scraped on trails, but it was a blast.
There was one problem however, I wanted an 80 series again...
- Thread starter
- #169
Before I get too ahead of myself, I can't forget about the greatest truck to ever exist. This was an impulse project a week before I was supposed to leave for Moab in the GX. I knew the Lexus would not get very far in Moab, so when this magnificent thing came up a devious plan had formed.
I present to you....GLACOMA!
Glacoma is a very rolled 2000 Toyota Tacoma that was found in a tow yard. We bought it for $200 and set about making it ready to be thrashed on trails a couple days prior to leaving.
We straighted the roof with a car hoist so that we could fit in it, put in a lexan windshield, welded the rear diff (considered welding the front diff as well and then locking/unlocking a front hub as needed), and cut the body to fit the 35s from the Lexus.
The Lexus towed Glacoma down to Moab (and got 16mpg while doing so!!) and then the fun was on!
I thought it would be fun to wheel a truck you don't care about, but I had no idea joy this truck brought to myself and anyone that saw it.
It was capable beyond belief! It's not that special on paper, but add in several healthy amounts of "ain't care attitude" and it's right up there with the most capable rigs you can think of.
Glacoma was sold for way too much money. That money was used for the next project.
I present to you....GLACOMA!
Glacoma is a very rolled 2000 Toyota Tacoma that was found in a tow yard. We bought it for $200 and set about making it ready to be thrashed on trails a couple days prior to leaving.
We straighted the roof with a car hoist so that we could fit in it, put in a lexan windshield, welded the rear diff (considered welding the front diff as well and then locking/unlocking a front hub as needed), and cut the body to fit the 35s from the Lexus.
The Lexus towed Glacoma down to Moab (and got 16mpg while doing so!!) and then the fun was on!
I thought it would be fun to wheel a truck you don't care about, but I had no idea joy this truck brought to myself and anyone that saw it.
It was capable beyond belief! It's not that special on paper, but add in several healthy amounts of "ain't care attitude" and it's right up there with the most capable rigs you can think of.
Glacoma was sold for way too much money. That money was used for the next project.
- Thread starter
- #170
I bought another 1JZ (originally for a old Jaguar, but nevermind that) and put it in another pickup.
Pumba 2.0 was a 1990 bare bones, base model Pickup.
This time around the swap was done a lot neater because of the knowledge I gained from doing it the first (and second) time around.
I bought a PRISTINE 1995 4Runner with 140k miles from Copart to use the interior in the pickup. The interior was swapped in (the doors are different sizes oops) along with power windows and central locking. The 4Runner also had 4.88 diffs, so those went into the pickup as well.
Once I gleaned everything I needed from the 4Runner, that was sent to the junkyard and I was left with an old pickup with way too much power, a nice interior and a side exit exhaust.
This time the pickup got a Tomei turbo, larger injectors and a piggyback ECU. This thing was FAST.
Pumba 2.0 was a 1990 bare bones, base model Pickup.
This time around the swap was done a lot neater because of the knowledge I gained from doing it the first (and second) time around.
I bought a PRISTINE 1995 4Runner with 140k miles from Copart to use the interior in the pickup. The interior was swapped in (the doors are different sizes oops) along with power windows and central locking. The 4Runner also had 4.88 diffs, so those went into the pickup as well.
Once I gleaned everything I needed from the 4Runner, that was sent to the junkyard and I was left with an old pickup with way too much power, a nice interior and a side exit exhaust.
This time the pickup got a Tomei turbo, larger injectors and a piggyback ECU. This thing was FAST.
- Thread starter
- #171
I had a few old Jags and Mercedes in-between all of these rigs, but in the end, that last pickup was sold and I got the red 80 that I have now.
Thank you for sharing
- Thread starter
- #173
RCV front shafts have been ordered! Should be here soon.
- Thread starter
- #174
Shafts came in on Friday and I put them in today. Thanks @cruiseroutfit your team is swift and amazing!
Edit: they are the 30 spline 300m shafts
Edit: they are the 30 spline 300m shafts
Wow
- Thread starter
- #176
While I was at it, I welded in some knuckle gussets from Arcworxs. After bending the axle on my last 80, I'll take any strengthening I can get!
Thank you!!
PNWTreeOctopus
SILVER Star
Really enjoying the hit parade of photos, sardonic prose, and self deprecating humor. Great thread! 
Sardonicism - Wikipedia
PNWTreeOctopus
SILVER Star
Hmmm, maybe that wasn’t my best word choice…but despite my lack of mastery over the English language I really enjoyed all nine pages of this thread.Sardonicism - Wikipedia
en.m.wikipedia.org
