Builds What did you do to your Land Cruiser/Toyota/Lexus 4X4 this week? (3 Viewers)

[splitshot]

Next up is the wood floor decking...Any suggestions for wood species?

If you are on a budget, Douglas Fir, it is structurally sound and will hold up for years with applications of boiled linseed oil. Teak if you want it to last decades and are in the group (how do I put this)... That everyone want's to tax, ($$) or Oak, which is probably the best bang for the buck between the two.

 

[splitshot]

DARE TO BE DIFFERENT! I like it

Me too.

 

[ARJMN]

I got a wild hair Sunday morning and headed out for some trail time. I settled on Tar Wash and had a great time just before and a little bit after I got in a tough spot in my trusty 4th Gen. Overall the trail is a pretty easy cruise, but there is one, and basically only one, technical spot on the trail. It is a narrow saddle that a smaller rig could have threaded through, or a bigger rig could have put a wheel up and over the left boulder. I tried to sneak through, but spun in the sand and slid right. By the time I realized I was in trouble and deployed that MaxTrax, I was into the rock. It was take some damage to the plastic bits, or risk rocker damage on the left. I pulled through and shook my head at it all. Fun day still, and a reminder that you can never take a rig offroad if you are not willing to accept the outcome.

 

[ARJMN]

A few more pics and the rock that left its mark.

 

[Saddletramp]

‘Tis but a scratch’. Soon the mighty V8 80 series will relieve this mere mortal 4Runner of its trail duty. @ARJMN

 

[GeoRoss]

I got a wild hair Sunday morning and headed out for some trail time. I settled on Tar Wash and had a great time just before and a little bit after I got in a tough spot in my trusty 4th Gen. Overall the trail is a pretty easy cruise, but there is one, and basically only one, technical spot on the trail. It is a narrow saddle that a smaller rig could have threaded through, or a bigger rig could have put a wheel up and over the left boulder. I tried to sneak through, but spun in the sand and slid right. By the time I realized I was in trouble and deployed that MaxTrax, I was into the rock. It was take some damage to the plastic bits, or risk rocker damage on the left. I pulled through and shook my head at it all. Fun day still, and a reminder that you can never take a rig offroad if you are not willing to accept the outcome.

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I think that is one of my field trip locations.

 

[ARJMN]

‘Tis but a scratch’. Soon the mighty V8 80 series will relieve this mere mortal 4Runner of its trail duty. @ARJMN

That is the plan Steve. I am pushing down to the last items on the list.

 

[Living in the Past]

‘Tis but a scratch’. Soon the mighty V8 80 series will relieve this mere mortal 4Runner of its trail duty. @ARJMN

I always wonder why the 4th gen 4Runner gets such a bad wrap but the GX470 is so sought after. Is the off road capability of a 4WD V8 4Runner that much less than a GX470 both in stock form? Unlike the 80 series no engine transplant required to get a V8.

 

[ARJMN]

I always wonder why the 4th gen 4Runner gets such a bad wrap but the GX470 is so sought after. Is the off road capability of a 4WD V8 4Runner that much less than a GX470 both in stock form? Unlike the 80 series no engine transplant required to get a V8.

The GX460/470(Prado) use a lot of the same running bits as the 4Runner, and vice versa. The Prado is kinda sold as the "lightweight" Land Cruiser from what I have seen, and you can tell teh difference between GX/T4R running gear and LX/LC running gear. For most of us, I bet a GX460/470 would be a killer rig. I am not sure if the traction control system is a direct equivalent. When is compare my 4Runner to Ben's 100 Series, it is immediately obvious that the resolution and response time is much better on his rig. My 4Runner gets it done, but you have to hold steady throttle and be ok with a little hop and slip while it figures it out. The 100 figures it out in a fraction of the time with less wheel spin.

My 2 cents.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

I always wonder why the 4th gen 4Runner gets such a bad wrap but the GX470 is so sought after. Is the off road capability of a 4WD V8 4Runner that much less than a GX470 both in stock form? Unlike the 80 series no engine transplant required to get a V8.

A V8 in a light weight IFS equipped GX470/4run might give you the momentum you need to get up the hill but an 80 does not need a V8 to make it to the top with style and ease.

 

[Living in the Past]

A V8 in a light weight IFS equipped GX470/4run might give you the momentum you need to get up the hill but an 80 does not need a V8 to make it to the top with style and ease.

This doesn't answer my question of the 4th gen 4Runner verses the GX470. Your GX470/4run does highlight for what ever reason the GX seems to get respect was the 4Runner doesn't. I have no interest if it has a nicer run since once to start modifying the suspension that doesn't play into it. Wood trim and leather interior. My fifteen year old cloth interior is nicer than any leather interior the same age that always been in the valley. The bad clear coat on the fender flares shows it hasn't been a garage queen it's whole life. I know the GX470 had KDSS as a option but is there anything else based in fact why the GX470 is a better off roader?

 

[GeoRoss]

I discovered that I am a bad Land Cruiser owner. Started to replace front brake discs and decided to just do a front axle reseal. Damaged spindles, beat up upper trunion carrier on the machined side. One of the trunion shims looked like Jaws from the 70's James Bond movies chewed on it. Cleaned the birfs tonight to find the cages chipped on both sides. I guess I'm on my way to having a brand new front axle.

Also, don't price OEM birfs if you have a weak heart.

 

[-Spike-]

I discovered that I am a bad Land Cruiser owner. Started to replace front brake discs and decided to just do a front axle reseal. Damaged spindles, beat up upper trunion carrier on the machined side. One of the trunion shims looked like Jaws from the 70's James Bond movies chewed on it. Cleaned the birfs tonight to find the cages chipped on both sides. I guess I'm on my way to having a brand new front axle.

Also, don't price OEM birfs if you have a weak heart.

Check out the link I quoted for an axle kit on your post in the 80 section. That place also sells spindles... two choices, these and these.

 

[GeoRoss]

Check out the link I quoted for an axle kit on your post in the 80 section. That place also sells spindles... two choices, these and these.

Thanks Spike. I think I feel a tiny bit better.

 

[92LXAZ]

Heater T's and all new hoses. Hate doing this job, but done and disaster avoided. Cabin air filter as well.

 

[OffRoad Rage]

Here we go, a long anticipated project comes home . . .

After being sequestered away in a secret storage location for the last 2 1/2 years, space cleared up in the stable to bring her home. And the most excited one is my daughter who turns 15 soon. Coincidence? I think not!
She is not a beauty queen but is a solid foundation with a definite Old Skool vibe. The funky 6 point cage, the 2 complete color changes (white originally), early V8 conversion equipment, roller skate TC shift knob, and so on . . .

 

[OffRoad Rage]

Washing out years of dirt, sand, skuzz, schmoo, and some paint layers too.

That was our Sunday. Welcome home (rig to be named later) - project thread will be forth coming at some point. I'll probably regret assigning a timeline but it is 1 year and 1 month till Cruise Moab 2020.

 

[Living in the Past]

Here we go, a long anticipated project comes home . . .

After being sequestered away in a secret storage location for the last 2 1/2 years, space cleared up in the stable to bring her home. And the most excited one is my daughter who turns 15 soon. Coincidence? I think not!
She is not a beauty queen but is a solid foundation with a definite Old Skool vibe. The funky 6 point cage, the 2 complete color changes (white originally), early V8 conversion equipment, roller skate TC shift knob, and so on . . .

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Remember you were looking for 40, couldn't remember if you got the one you were looking at. 71?

 

[OffRoad Rage]

Remember you were looking for 40, couldn't remember if you got the one you were looking at. 71?

We have a winner!
My first 40 when I lived in FLA was a '71. Kind of partial to that year.

 

[Living in the Past]

We have a winner!
My first 40 when I lived in FLyear. a '71. Kind of partial to that year.

My first was 68, was so fond of it I never let it go. Won't tell how many years it's been sitting waiting a clutch.