Yep. That was a problem of mine (minus the white smoke). I had to replace that pitcock water drain and the o-ring with OEM stuff. I remember measuring the body and the groove for the o-ring with a good micrometer and it was ever so slightly small. (less than 0.5mm). The old part looked original and yellow, I guess it might have shrunk a bit from the years of exposure to fuel and heat, which is why it didn't seal for me even with a new o-ring at first.
What did you do on your 70 series today? (11 Viewers)
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Yep. That was a problem of mine (minus the white smoke). I had to replace that pitcock water drain and the o-ring with OEM stuff. I remember measuring the body and the groove for the o-ring with a good micrometer and it was ever so slightly small. (less than 0.5mm). The old part looked original and yellow, I guess it might have shrunk a bit from the years of exposure to fuel and heat, which is why it didn't seal for me even with a new o-ring at first.
No one? I thought most of the cruiser population was in that region.
Part 3 of this saga...
If you may recall, this same son is the one that found that 2006 VW Jetta diesel that the seller had thought there was a "transmission problem" and we ended up purchasing that car for only $1500. If you have been following my threads, you will also know that the transmission problem was actually a disconnected boost pipe behind the engine.
So I agreed to purchase that car from my son and will make it my flogger and keep the miles off the less efficient land cruiser. So now I am back to owning a little diesel jetta. What goes around comes around as they say....
I am going to flush the transmission, probably change out the fuel filter, and at some point, probably use this vehicle as a guinea pig for learning to work on bodywork. As you can see this side is in dire need of a complete new rocker. The fender isn't worth the time as you can get second hand ones for around $100 in the correct color and in pretty good shape. The other side is in actually pretty good shape, though the rocker does have a little bit of bubbling in a couple of spots, so it will need to be addressed at some point as well.
Otherwise, I think this is a great little runabout for those quick errands and carting kids around.
With the unseemly arrival of true winter on our continent, I have been unsuccessful in finding anyone that makes a winter front for the 70 series. Perhaps a European market somewhere might have one?
Anyways, I decided to make my own in the interim. Thanks US postal service...
It's notched out for the hood latch up top to keep it in place, and custom covered with dollar store packing tape to protect it from wetness.
It's not lost on me, that we folks used to milder Temps that folks like @coldtaco are just putting on a touque (beanie for you folks from the US that don't appreciate metric) and laughing at us "southerners" scrambling with block heaters, webasto's, winter fronts, oil viscosities and the like.
Cheers to you brave souls truly dealing with challenging climates.
Anyways, I decided to make my own in the interim. Thanks US postal service...
It's notched out for the hood latch up top to keep it in place, and custom covered with dollar store packing tape to protect it from wetness.
It's not lost on me, that we folks used to milder Temps that folks like @coldtaco are just putting on a touque (beanie for you folks from the US that don't appreciate metric) and laughing at us "southerners" scrambling with block heaters, webasto's, winter fronts, oil viscosities and the like.
Cheers to you brave souls truly dealing with challenging climates.
Sorry... post saved twice, so deleted
My BJ74 had a cover that functioned like a window shade that when deployed covered the majority of the grill. I always assumed it was a factory option. 
I know Land Rover offered a cover that could perhaps be adapted.
I know Land Rover offered a cover that could perhaps be adapted.
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I recall my BJ42's that I owned and were built for the Canadian market had the roll-up "shade" right in front of the radiator with a drawstring to pull it down for cold weather.My BJ74 had a cover that functioned like a window shade that when deployed covered the majority of the grill. I always assumed it was a factory option.
I know Land Rover offered a cover that could perhaps be adapted.View attachment 3530775
There is no such convenience on my JDM cruiser, unfortunately. And of course the diverse aftermarket support in Australia would have no use for such things, so why I was thinking perhaps the European market MIGHT have something to offer.
For now, my 20-min solution will have to do.
What I do not understand is why Land Rover has covers for the lights? Perhaps being a previous Land Rover owner you might have an idea?
That photo was simply lifted from the inter-web so I’m guessing that’s a military thing. If you were to install their radiator curtain to your Land Cruiser, it would starting leaking oil within minutes.I recall my BJ42's that I owned and were built for the Canadian market had the roll-up "shade" right in front of the radiator with a drawstring to pull it down for cold weather.
There is no such convenience on my JDM cruiser, unfortunately. And of course the diverse aftermarket support in Australia would have no use for such things, so why I was thinking perhaps the European market MIGHT have something to offer.
For now, my 20-min solution will have to do.
What I do not understand is why Land Rover has covers for the lights? Perhaps being a previous Land Rover owner you might have an idea?
I've got a piece of PVC raft material as a radiator screen on mine. It stays there all year, I have it zip-tied to the frame cross member on the bottom and just roll it down in the spring and up in the winter. The fan pulls it tight against the radiator and holds it in place. I initially hooked it over some bolts at the top, but have found the fan holds it there and when the truck is off, the material has enough rigidity to stay up without the bolts holding it and I can adjust it to have some of the radiator blocked or all of it.With the unseemly arrival of true winter on our continent, I have been unsuccessful in finding anyone that makes a winter front for the 70 series. Perhaps a European market somewhere might have one?
Anyways, I decided to make my own in the interim. Thanks US postal service...
It's notched out for the hood latch up top to keep it in place, and custom covered with dollar store packing tape to protect it from wetness.
It's not lost on me, that we folks used to milder Temps that folks like @coldtaco are just putting on a touque (beanie for you folks from the US that don't appreciate metric) and laughing at us "southerners" scrambling with block heaters, webasto's, winter fronts, oil viscosities and the like.
Cheers to you brave souls truly dealing with challenging climates.
What did you do on your 70 series today?
Trying to install Trail Gear 58" sliders....miserable wind today making it difficult to weld outside. chainsaw wedges FTW
forum.ih8mud.com
Looks like some one borrowed your idea and made an easily removable one, it also has a screen for insect/grass/stone protection for the warmer months.I've got a piece of PVC raft material as a radiator screen on mine. It stays there all year, I have it zip-tied to the frame cross member on the bottom and just roll it down in the spring and up in the winter. The fan pulls it tight against the radiator and holds it in place. I initially hooked it over some bolts at the top, but have found the fan holds it there and when the truck is off, the material has enough rigidity to stay up without the bolts holding it and I can adjust it to have some of the radiator blocked or all of it.
What did you do on your 70 series today?
Trying to install Trail Gear 58" sliders....miserable wind today making it difficult to weld outside. chainsaw wedges FTW
Toyota LandCruiser J7 Kühlernetz bis 2007 mit Abdeckung gegen Kälte und Wasser
Heavy-Duty Kühlernetz für Toyota LandCruiser J7 bis 2007 mit abnehmbarem Schwallschutz gegen Kälte und Wasser (ideal für Wasserdurchfahrten)
exped-innovations.com
Some other cool items on this site.
I like the elegant simplicity of yours.
The polar vortex has outrun the postal service; I am just a couple of components short of being able to finish my Webasto install and it is -22°F here. Extension cords and battery chargers have been deployed, but no life has been coaxed out of the Prado yet.
Ah, yes I can see that would reduce visibility in the daytime.That photo was simply lifted from the inter-web so I’m guessing that’s a military thing. If you were to install their radiator curtain to your Land Cruiser, it would starting leaking oil within minutes.
I like the material choice as it is very durable and stays flexible in really cold weather. Now you have me wondering if SAR will notice if I cut out a piece from our rescue raft or RDC (rapid deployment craft) - I mean, I do not need THAT big of a piece....
I DO like what you have done here, that makes sense. I have a limitation in the area of space however, with the front mount intercooler. I will have to think some more on this idea. I am not so prima-donna that I need it to be aesthetically pleasing. In these temps, those "conveniences" go out the window. Complaining is a convenience? Damn right it is!
Thanks for the link! I will peruse and do a little more research on options from the european market and try to see if I can find something that will work with my setup.
Yes, my apologies in my somewhat callous and flaunting optimism in having a land cruiser that is actually running and should count myself blessed.
You have a bigger hurdle to overcome first. I do not envy you needing to finish a webasto install in this cold. Do you have other options until it warms up? The forecast (if it can be trusted) shows this cold snap to be relatively short lived, looks like mid to late next week it should be back to seasonal normals. Either way, I wish you success, and plenty of warm thoughts...
Finally got it running after several attempts with rests for recharging. Sounds like I will be able to pull into my landlord’s shop this evening to get the Webasto hooked up, so at least I will have a place above freezing to work on it.You have a bigger hurdle to overcome first. I do not envy you needing to finish a webasto install in this cold. Do you have other options until it warms up? The forecast (if it can be trusted) shows this cold snap to be relatively short lived, looks like mid to late next week it should be back to seasonal normals. Either way, I wish you success, and plenty of warm thoughts...
JDM Journeys
Moderator
I worked from home yesterday but last night at 10:00 pm my neighbour called for a boost. Argg. So olBety, who wasn't plugged in, had to go out and play. Started on first attempt but there was a lot of exhaust in the air when I turned the idle up to jump him. -36 c this morning and w/c of -48.
(100 series just got a massive new group 94 AGM yesterday and is plugged in for my missus. )
Webasto is looking like a really good idea man! On my future plans list for sure.
Man I want more neighbors like you... that is a testament to your big servant heart my friend! I am sure your neighbor appreciates it. Not to say I have bad neighbors by any means. That is going above and beyond!
Because of the cold weather I'm almost only doing 'theoretical dry runs' , like reading parts catalogs and workshop manuals on the 70 work to come:
Need to swap the parking brake cable and wonder how to undo that claw bracket that holds the cable on the lever side.
Also wondering what would be a fitting replacement for the NLA front blinker lenses 81511-90K01 on my narrow nose BJ73. Probably 81511-60452 ?
At least I got the side blinker lens installed, and it was a fit. 2 screws in 2 weeks
Keep warm, be cool
and chill. Cheers Ralf
Need to swap the parking brake cable and wonder how to undo that claw bracket that holds the cable on the lever side.
Also wondering what would be a fitting replacement for the NLA front blinker lenses 81511-90K01 on my narrow nose BJ73. Probably 81511-60452 ?
At least I got the side blinker lens installed, and it was a fit. 2 screws in 2 weeks
Keep warm, be cool
and chill. Cheers Ralf
No shame on using cardboardWith the unseemly arrival of true winter on our continent, I have been unsuccessful in finding anyone that makes a winter front for the 70 series. Perhaps a European market somewhere might have one?
Anyways, I decided to make my own in the interim. Thanks US postal service...
View attachment 3530752
It's notched out for the hood latch up top to keep it in place, and custom covered with dollar store packing tape to protect it from wetness.
View attachment 3530753
It's not lost on me, that we folks used to milder Temps that folks like @coldtaco are just putting on a touque (beanie for you folks from the US that don't appreciate metric) and laughing at us "southerners" scrambling with block heaters, webasto's, winter fronts, oil viscosities and the like.
Cheers to you brave souls truly dealing with challenging climates.
most of us Ak use cardboard. I never taped it for waterproofing 
come spring time throw away next winter install a new piece 
This one owner cruiser had fender flares , behind the flares everywhere was rusted
Hello,With the unseemly arrival of true winter on our continent, I have been unsuccessful in finding anyone that makes a winter front for the 70 series. Perhaps a European market somewhere might have one?
Anyways, I decided to make my own in the interim. Thanks US postal service...
It's notched out for the hood latch up top to keep it in place, and custom covered with dollar store packing tape to protect it from wetness.
It's not lost on me, that we folks used to milder Temps that folks like @coldtaco are just putting on a touque (beanie for you folks from the US that don't appreciate metric) and laughing at us "southerners" scrambling with block heaters, webasto's, winter fronts, oil viscosities and the like.
Cheers to you brave souls truly dealing with challenging climates.
This is a good solution using materials available at hand.
May I suggest that you post this in the Random Redneckness thread as well? No offense intended. Many Redneck solutions are quite creative, considering they involve available materials.
I have not seen a reference for factory radiator screens for 70 Series trucks built after 1990. Perhaps Toyota decided to drop that feature back then. Or perhaps I have to check again.
I hear the polar vortex is getting worse. Take care, stay safe.
Juan
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