What now? (kind of long)

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

Mike6158

Mike6158

Random Pixel Generator
10 Year
Joined
Jun 1, 2014
Threads
65
Messages
987
Location
Weimar, TX
Website
wildlightimagingstudio.com
Howdy. I was going to wait until I had my 2000 TLC in the driveway but I'm about to go nuts trying to figure out acronyms and what to do first so here goes.

The TLC that I bought was very well cared for and it only has 151,000 miles on it. I plan to add to that starting in July. I should officially own it tomorrow. Right now the TLC feels very foreign to me. I know of it's history and how awesome they are but I don't know anything about equipping it.

The last 4WD that I owned (still do) is my 2008 2500HD Crew Cab Duramax. It just rolled over 260,000 miles. I might sell it to finance TLC upgrades... I bought it new and put every mile on it. It's going to be hard to part with it.

Before that I had a 1983 CJ7, 6cyl, winch, Borla header, 4" lift, 35's, and some stainless steel bling. Still have it actually. The body is shot. The engine is tired (50 wt oil gives me about 10 pounds of oil pressure when it warms up) and the rear differential is shot (drivers side rear axle and tire left the vehicle at highway speed. That was a fun ride). It's now my son's project vehicle.

My off road experience consists of mud and sand. No rock crawling though I did try to make my way up to Engineer Pass near Ouray, CO from the west side in the Duramax last year. That was about an hour of "are you sure you want to do this?" and I eventually turned around. I ain't skeered... but I'm old enough now that I don't say "hey y'all watch this" anymore.

So... what do I do with my TLC? Leave it stock is not an option.

I'm in TX, 1/2 way between Houston and San Antonio. I wouldn't mind ordering online but sometimes it's nice to support the local economy and I don't have a good place to install parts. I'm looking for a reputable shop.

My first road trip in the TLC will be to Maine so it's going to be on the road pretty much all of that trip. I'm headed to the 4 Corners for 2 weeks in October. I'm not sure what's on the agenda for that trip yet but some of it will be off road. Always is.

I travel to get to stuff like this and photograph it (both sites are mine):

http://wildlightimagingstudio.com/

and this:

http://500px.com/Mike_Lloyd

My TLC is going to be like a big, rolling camera bag :)

I was shopping for brand new but I was so underwhelmed by the selection and pricing of the available road queens (all manufacturers) that I asked a friend that spends all 4 seasons roaming Jackson, WY and the Tetons what he was driving (he's a pro photographer and does workshops). He said he destroyed his Suburban in one season and then proceeded to write a book about his 2000 TLC. He pointed me to this site and it was a big help. He sold me on the TLC so I started looking for one immediately. I think I got lucky with the one that I found. It took exactly one day to find it and buy it and it's just down the road from me.

First thoughts:

In Texas we have a bit of a problem. It takes ALL DAY just to get out of the state and most land is private so access in state is an issue. That's why we escape to places like the 4 Corners, Moab, etc. So my TLC needs to be nice on the pavement and functional off road <-- which is why I bought it.

Replace the stock front and rear bumpers. Apparently weight / braking can be an issue?

Spare tire on a swing away rack. It looks like the trusty hi-lift jack is still favored so a way to mount that and lock it is a good thing

Roof rack but not a soccer mom rack... something useful.

I think I finally figured out what a slider is and I think that is what I'll replace the "running boards", if that's what they are called, with.

Old Man Emu suspension is on the list but I don't know if I need/want heavy duty or medium and if I need a 2" lift or none. Not lifting it seems odd. I can see 33's or maybe 35's on it. Maybe.

Tires and wheels. This might be tough to find. I don't like 18" and 20" rims. I don't even know what comes stock on the 2000 TLC. I like to have a lot of sidewall to absorb some shock. I like to be able to lower the air pressure and play in the sand. I like black rims, powder coated... no bling. I don't do white letters but those are easy to turn in. There sure are a lot of wagon wheel looking setups- pavement 4WD rigs -running those things.

Differentials- How good are the stock differentials? How much tire can I put under it before a gear change is needed. My Jeep had 3.08's and it sucked when I put the 35's on it. My first Jeep had 4.10's and that wasn't terrible with 35's. Not great either

Stock horsepower. I was surprised to find out that it has a V8 in it. Apparently a very well built V8.

I don't know if y'all realize it or not but sometimes navigating this website makes me feel like I'm reading the transcript from the movie about the Navajo Code Talkers :) There's a lot of acronyms and buzzwords that are specific to the TLC. Is there a secret decoder ring for that?
 
My suggestions:.

There are good/better/best suggestions for everything. What I have done to my 2000 works for me. Wouldn't work for others. It's good that you have a feel for use, let that be the guide.

Yeah, getting west of Texas(and east too for that matter) is brutal. I am using an auto transport company to ship my LC so I can drive it back. My vacation time is precious. If it saves me an all day trip to Amarillo, then it's worth every penny.
I would do the very light things first. And I suggest these because they are cheap and easy to do without involving a mechanic.
1. Strip running boards
2. PFran LED's
3. Replace Fuel Filter
4. Phillips 9011/9012 head lamp replacement
5. Silicone treat rubber surfaces as a protectant(or let the Texas heat burn it off)
6. Scrub out minor rust spots with naval jelly, then use Por15 or Zero Rust to protect it
7. Good dose of Mother's car wax
8. Fix and/or replace the stock antenna.

Get those things done and THEN, I would probably buy the 1)sliders 2)roof rack 3)OME suspension in that order..

The shocks were a head scratcher for me. I'm electrical, not mechanical, coudn't quantify the immediate benefit. Oh, how clueless I was. The OME (light) springs, shocks, torsion bars) changed my ride quite a bit, and better yet, it corrected a slight sag that my LC had developed.

With all the obvious capabilities of these vehicles, the lighting (simply the bulbs, not the wiring) are underwhelming and I liked upgrading the creature comforts of the stereo and interior/exterior lights. Minor upgrades, but low cost/high impact.

But like I said, prioritize your build according to your needs. What is great about this board is that people aren't dogmatic about suggesting one way, but offer technical expertise on what's worked for them.
 
Last edited:
Here's a list I've been compiling :)

A-TRAC active traction control
A/T automatic transmission
ABS antilock braking system
APPS accelerator pedal position sensor
AT automatic transmission
BAT battery
CAT catalytic converter
CDL center differential lock
CEL check engine light
CV constant velocity joint
DIY do it yourself
DRL daytime running lights
DS driver side
DTC diagnostic trouble code
ECU engine control unit
FSB front sway bar
FSM factory service manual
4WD four-wheel drive
HID high intensity discharge
LCA lower control arm
LSD limited slip differential
MAF mass airflow sensor
MIL multifunction indicator lamp
MOD modification
MPG miles per gallon
MY model year
O2 oxygen sensor
OBDII on board diagnostics II
OE original equipment
OEM original equipment manufacturer
OME Old Man Emu
OP original poster
PM preventative maintenance
PO previous poster
PPI pre-purchase inspection
PS passenger side
PS power steering
RPM revolutions per minute
RSB rear sway bar
RSCA rollover sensing curtain airbag
RTH real time help
RTP real time problem
SRS supplemental restraint system
T-Bar torsion bar
TB throttle body
TB timing belt
TCU transmission control unit
TLC Toyota Land Cruiser
TLCA Toyota Land Cruiser Association
TPMS tire pressure monitoring system
TPS throttle position sensor
TRAC traction control
TSB technical service bulletin
UCA upper control arm
VSC vehicle stability control
VTC vehicle traction control
WOT wide open throttle
 
El Cid said:
My suggestions:.

There are good/better/best suggestions for everything. What I have done to my 2000 works for me. Wouldn't work for others. It's good that you have a feel for use, let that be the guide.

Yeah, getting west of Texas(and east too for that matter) is brutal. I am using an auto transport company to ship my LC so I can drive it back. My vacation time is precious. If it saves me an all day trip to Amarillo, then it's worth every penny.
I would do the very light things first. And I suggest these because they are cheap and easy to do without involving a mechanic.
1. Strip running boards
2. PFran LED's
3. Replace Fuel Filter
4. Phillips 9011/9012 head lamp replacement
5. Silicone treat rubber surfaces as a protectant(or let the Texas heat burn it off)
6. Scrub out minor rust spots with naval jelly, then use Por15 or Zero Rust to protect it
7. Good dose of Mother's car wax
8. Fix and/or replace the stock antenna.

Get those things done and THEN, I would probably buy the 1)sliders 2)roof rack 3)OME suspension in that order..

The shocks were a head scratcher for me. I'm electrical, not mechanical, coudn't quantify the immediate benefit. Oh, how clueless I was. The OME (light) springs, shocks, torsion bars) changed my ride quite a bit, and better yet, it corrected a slight sag that my LC had developed.

With all the obvious capabilities of these vehicles, the lighting (simply the bulbs, not the wiring) are underwhelming and I liked upgrading the creature comforts of the stereo and interior/exterior lights. Minor upgrades, but low cost/high impact.

But like I said, prioritize your build according to your needs. What is great about this board is that people aren't dogmatic about suggesting one way, but offer technical expertise on what's worked for them.
Click to expand...

I like your list. It gives me a good place to start.

I'm electrical more than mechanical too but about 20 years ago I installed my own lift kits, etc. So I can do it I just don't have a place to do it.

The owner did a great job taking care of his TLC. I'd say better than most people that I know by a large margin. He may have done the fuel filter already. He told me about OME and I am a believer. I just need to figure out what I need or, more importantly, may need in the future. I want to the suspension upgrade once. He used Klasse products (wax) and clay bar treatment and it shows. His paint is still pretty good, real good actually, considering he's been all over Mexico in the TLC (not New Mexico).

Got a recommendation for a silicone treatment?

So the stock antenna sucks? It seems like I read that it's motorized.




Sandroad- :clap: Holy poop on a stick batman! There is a secret decoder ring!
 
Well since you're going to be carrying a lot of expensive photography equipment I suggest a locking drawer system in the back. They're great when you have a ton of equipment to haul around and it's secure so it won't get all jumbled up when you take sharp turns or stolen if someone breaks in.

With the added weight of the drawer system I would recommend upgrading the suspension from there to avoid sagging in the rear. OME coil overs with new shocks and upper & lower control arms all around, torsion bar, and Slee differential drop kit. With the added height you should also get new tires (BFG A/T, Toyo Open Country's, or similar) to get to those tough spots you wouldn't normally be able to get to.

What's photography without light?? I would recommend the Baja Land Cruiser Standard Rack with a 50" in front and cube lights on the sides and rear. The rack not only provides great storage space but also a platform to climb up on to get a better view.

From there I'd say everything else is personal preference! Armor, sliders, fender flares, ARB fridge, etc... They're all great but if I were you I'd prioritize and get the things I actually need done before getting what I want done As for the terrain, Cruisers do great in everything but I'd stick to rock crawling as that is where it excels. Mudding is just asking for something to go wrong!


Official Jeep Recovery Vehicle
 
Just a quick question before you get mod crazy. Do you really need these mods? What type of trails will you be doing? There are plenty of dirt roads and trails in the 4 corners region that can be done in a stock LC (or a stock Subaru!). I'd explore your needs and then go from there. You can post here or call folks at Slee or Cruiseroutfitters for advice on lifts and such as well.

And happy belated b-day!
 
Good advice above...

The best advice I received was to just drive it for a while. Good tires will take you a long way, being smart and prepared will take you even further.

I suggest hooking up with some of the fine folks in Texas and doing some mild trail runs with them. After that you can start deciding what's best for you and your vehicle. Becoming a TLCA member is a great place to start and hook up with local members. http://www.tlca.org/clubs/index.shtml#t
 
Look me up next time you're in Houston and you can ride in/drive mine, maybe start to get some ideas about where you want to go with the suspension. I'm still fairly new(just bought my '01 in Feb) and early in my build, but I've been lurking a while and been around a couple other 100 series builds. Going the other direction on I-10, in San Antonio(Selma, actually), PBD Diesel Performance has built a couple 100 series(mine included). Truthfully, most of the add-ons you're talking about could be done in your garage, with help from the forum, or by any mechanic you trust.
 
Thanks for all of the replies (and birthday wish). Need is relative I guess. When I left Goblin Valley State Park last year I chose to leave the "back way out". It was all dirt that deteriorated to mud and ruts. I had a guy that had NEVER been off road with me. Very conservative. But he had been with me on the rock climb up to Engineer Pass so I had just about converted him. At the end of the mud road, after two hours of slogging along and bouncing in and out of ruts we came to a river. There were 3 ways to go. 4 counting retreat. Left, right, forward, and turn around. My buddy the conservative rookie perked up and says "I think we can go that way, it looks clear to me". I said, Umm I think I'll get out and have a look. The road to the left ended in a 5' drop into a river. Front and right were no better. The river was the road. There was no more road. I like the back country and I don't want my vehicle to restrict me.

That said, the point about driving it for a while is well taken. That's what I will do. I'll do the list in the first post, tires are still good so those won't change anytime soon.

I'll check out TLCA

Here's a shot of "the black truck" in Canyon de Chelly, AZ last year. The ruin is called Mummy Cave. It took 10 hours to get back there but a lot of that was because we stopped and photographed. It's at least a 5 hour drive in sand and water. This is pretty mild compared to my attempt at Engineer Pass a week earlier but it's probably more typical of where I would go. The truck is actually a lot cleaner than what it was before we got to de Chelly.

p379665807-4.jpg
 
HFDPNL said:
Look me up next time you're in Houston and you can ride in/drive mine, maybe start to get some ideas about where you want to go with the suspension. I'm still fairly new(just bought my '01 in Feb) and early in my build, but I've been lurking a while and been around a couple other 100 series builds. Going the other direction on I-10, in San Antonio(Selma, actually), PBD Diesel Performance has built a couple 100 series(mine included). Truthfully, most of the add-ons you're talking about could be done in your garage, with help from the forum, or by any mechanic you trust.
Click to expand...


I'll sure do it. When I was in Moab last year I saw a Jeep that had been built in San Antonio but I didn't write down the name of the shop because I had no idea I'd be interested.
 
FWIW, you could do Engineer Pass pretty easily in a stock 100. If you really want to immerse yourself in all things 100 Series, there is NO BETTER place than www.100sinthehills.com Come and join us!

You'll see every mod you can think of and your stock 100 will handle just about every trail that we run. It will give you a fantastic feel for what mods you want to do and ones you don't think you'll need.
 
paflytyer said:
FWIW, you could do Engineer Pass pretty easily in a stock 100. If you really want to immerse yourself in all things 100 Series, there is NO BETTER place than www.100sinthehills.com Come and join us!

You'll see every mod you can think of and your stock 100 will handle just about every trail that we run. It will give you a fantastic feel for what mods you want to do and ones you don't think you'll need.
Click to expand...

I don't know if I would call it easy but I have no doubt a stock 100 could make it up to Engineer Pass. My tank of a Duramax could have made it. We started at around 2pm. Being unfamiliar with the area I was afraid we would be navigating big (by my standards) rocks the entire way and end up out there at night. We weren't prepared for that. No water, no food, no survival gear, nothing but camera gear and I don't think that tastes like chicken. It was October, right about the time the NP's shut down. Anyway, discretion was the better part of valor and all that stuff...

I just looked it up on Google Earth. We started on 18 off of the "Million Dollar Highway". We were farther in than I thought. If you zoom in real tight it looks like a freeway lol I saw 4 or 5 vehicles in the road.

I'll check it out. The name has a good ring to it.
 
paflytyer said:
FWIW, you could do Engineer Pass pretty easily in a stock 100. If you really want to immerse yourself in all things 100 Series, there is NO BETTER place than www.100sinthehills.com Come and join us!

You'll see every mod you can think of and your stock 100 will handle just about every trail that we run. It will give you a fantastic feel for what mods you want to do and ones you don't think you'll need.
Click to expand...

OH! I didn't realize 100sinthehills was in Ouray. That's God's Country man... When I go west, Ouray gets at least 2 days of time no matter when I go.

You guys are killing me... I've got all of my vacation time booked up this year. What a great event...
 
When you plan your trip to four corners set up an appt in Golden Co. At Slee off road. Have them install your OME med. With 2" lift and Slee diff drop, also install their step rock sliders. Have them check out your rig and bring any maintance items up to date. They are very reasonable. Give Cristo a call great guy and he can advise you on what you might need for what you want to use you 100 for.
 
Mike - If you bought that green 100 on Craigslist, they have 16" wheels. Looks like stock 275/70/16 all-season tires on there. 285/75/16 (33's) fit under the stock suspension, so that where I would start (or 265/75/16's work as well). If the BFG All-terrains did ok for you (from your truck picture), then I'd stick with those. That is what I run. First time I was down south, I mangled up my running boards pretty good, so I would take them off (easy to do). You can also crank the front torsion bar for a "free" front end lift.
 
Nice! I use my 100 as a rolling camera bag as well! It works GREAT.

I have added rear storage to give a little privacy for camera gear and to set up a sleeping platform. Beyond that I just have ATs on there and a roof basket. I don't think you need to go too crazy to get to A LOT of very pretty places in these trucks.

I'm on 500px as well. http://500px.com/jeffreylswanson
 
Last edited:
MoLS said:
Nice! I use my 100 as a rolling camera bag as well! It works GREAT.

I have added rear storage to give a little privacy for camera gear and to set up a sleeping platform. Beyond that I just have ATs on there and a roof basket. I don't think you need to go too crazy to get to A LOT of very pretty places in these trucks.

I'm on 500px as well. http://500px.com/jeffreylswanson
Click to expand...

Very nice! I hit the follow button.

The "stuff" I want to add is more about want than need lol. I've checked out the rear storage and that is definitely one of the first things I'll add.

If you mean the location, that's about 30 miles outside of Ouray. If you mean the look and build of that 100, I agree....... It's a nice one.
Click to expand...

I meant the look and build but the location is pretty nice too.

phsycle- I bought mine from a guy in Houston but not on Craigs List. The All Terrains did fine. They are decent for highway and not bad for off road. It's a decent compromise.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom