I finally purchased my first Land Cruiser. Got a 2000 LC that has all the service records, very mechanically sound, and base-lined (all though I am still going to change out fluids). In my hyper diligence in making sure to check for rust and making sure mechanically this was the one for me, I neglected to look at some cosmetic issues, water ingress issues.
I had always heard these were pretty quiet inside and was kinda surprised on my 2.5hr drive home that it was not as quiet as I expected. Chalked it up to coming from a much newer "luxury" vehicle. I turned radio off and it was a very distinct sound coming from windshield. Also noticed a musty smell when I got in it after work, but not any dampness (lots of rain the week before, but hot and dry when I bought.. felt no dampness in vehicle). Upon investigation I noticed that its completely missing the rubber that covers the rivets going down the molding of the driver side. Both moldings are sticking up a bit on the roof area (which I know is just glued in there). I also noticed that it was missing three of the rivets, with only the top one holding it in. This has got to be where moisture and wind noise is coming in. BUT when I was looking at the holes before I got new rivets I realized they don't go all the way through. There is something behind them. So my question is whats the best way to get top rivet out (drill?) and then does that piece pop off or is it most likely going to damage the part? Its not moving at all even with just one rivet in. I do have a chip in the windshield and that may need to be replaced so this stuff has to come off anyway I guess. Really hard to see in the pictures, but can see how its sticking up a bit.
Sunroof - I know this is a point of contention. I knew it didn't work and thought I would worry about it later. It wasn't leaking so I could live with it being closed for time being (I do like a sunroof, but not a top priority thing) The top of this cruiser has the clear coat failing and it looked like someone tried to wax it leaving wax residue all over the top and looked like all over the sunroof when I looked at it. Like I said I was more focused on other areas and was told not leaking so didn't think much about that area on top. Well when I got home I noticed the sunroof sits lower than it should and there is evidence someone tried to close it up or something at some point. Also noticed that its missing all the plastic trim inside that covers the mechanisms and someone had put pink rigid insulation on the passenger side (what I now believe to be an attempt to keep sunroof up. Motor is dead best I can tell so far before I get into it. My main question is how do I now get the sunroof to seat back up to its factory closed setting?
Thank you for your help!
I had always heard these were pretty quiet inside and was kinda surprised on my 2.5hr drive home that it was not as quiet as I expected. Chalked it up to coming from a much newer "luxury" vehicle. I turned radio off and it was a very distinct sound coming from windshield. Also noticed a musty smell when I got in it after work, but not any dampness (lots of rain the week before, but hot and dry when I bought.. felt no dampness in vehicle). Upon investigation I noticed that its completely missing the rubber that covers the rivets going down the molding of the driver side. Both moldings are sticking up a bit on the roof area (which I know is just glued in there). I also noticed that it was missing three of the rivets, with only the top one holding it in. This has got to be where moisture and wind noise is coming in. BUT when I was looking at the holes before I got new rivets I realized they don't go all the way through. There is something behind them. So my question is whats the best way to get top rivet out (drill?) and then does that piece pop off or is it most likely going to damage the part? Its not moving at all even with just one rivet in. I do have a chip in the windshield and that may need to be replaced so this stuff has to come off anyway I guess. Really hard to see in the pictures, but can see how its sticking up a bit.
Sunroof - I know this is a point of contention. I knew it didn't work and thought I would worry about it later. It wasn't leaking so I could live with it being closed for time being (I do like a sunroof, but not a top priority thing) The top of this cruiser has the clear coat failing and it looked like someone tried to wax it leaving wax residue all over the top and looked like all over the sunroof when I looked at it. Like I said I was more focused on other areas and was told not leaking so didn't think much about that area on top. Well when I got home I noticed the sunroof sits lower than it should and there is evidence someone tried to close it up or something at some point. Also noticed that its missing all the plastic trim inside that covers the mechanisms and someone had put pink rigid insulation on the passenger side (what I now believe to be an attempt to keep sunroof up. Motor is dead best I can tell so far before I get into it. My main question is how do I now get the sunroof to seat back up to its factory closed setting?
Thank you for your help!