With the shortage of fusible links...

[landtank]

I recently upgraded the fusesble link on my truck due to a alternator upgrade. Most don’t realize that it’s not for greater system load but rather for protection from a ground short internal to the alternator. Not a lot of those situations being reported.

 

[Dave 2000]

Why did you go through all this trouble? I’ve had multiple 80s and driven more than 500k in them and have never replaced a fuseable link for failure.

Well that tells me a number of things for example:

The number of 80's you have purchased have all had the FL's already replaced before you purchased them.

You have been very lucky or the amount of posts about FL failure must all be fake.

My garage has just simply been a magnet for customers with FL failure with their 80's.

From my own point of view, running accessories in the back of the car, two solar panels, a fridge, shower pump, rechargeable torches, campsite lighting, you can see why I went to all the trouble, you see I do (or did until I get my licence back) really go off road.

And without wanting to sound factious, I have owned just the one 80 and have done for 11 or 12 years now, so mine was a good choice the first time around.

Regards

Dave

 

[landtank]

Well that tells me a number of things for example:

The number of 80's you have purchased have all had the FL's already replaced before you purchased them.

You have been very lucky or the amount of posts about FL failure must all be fake.

My garage has just simply been a magnet for customers with FL failure with their 80's.

From my own point of view, running accessories in the back of the car, two solar panels, a fridge, shower pump, rechargeable torches, campsite lighting, you can see why I went to all the trouble, you see I do (or did until I get my licence back) really go off road.

And without wanting to sound factious, I have owned just the one 80 and have done for 11 or 12 years now, so mine was a good choice the first time around.

Regards

Dave

My first 80 was bought in 2000 and was a 1996 with 38k on it. I sold it to a friend at almost 200k. Maybe he has replaced them, I wouldn’t know.

What your post tells me is you don’t have a handle on how to wire or distribute power in your truck. I think you’ve created your own problems.

 

[Dave 2000]

My first 80 was bought in 2000 and was a 1996 with 38k on it. I sold it to a friend at almost 200k. Maybe he has replaced them, I wouldn’t know.

What your post tells me is you don’t have a handle on how to wire or distribute power in your truck. I think you’ve created your own problems.

What? You are having a laugh right? Whether you like it or not the FL's are a weak point, as are the other things I mentioned. You also clearly missed something else perhaps the most important thing.........I don't have any issues! Preventative maintenance is the key to reliability I am sure you will agree and if there is a known issue which forums like this often raise, and if they apply to my model then I take a good look at them and mod where needed. My FL's did not fail, I replaced them with something more modern. There are of course the purists, they want to keep their vehicle as it left the factory, I take my hat of to them however, even they have to bend with the times/lack of resources if they want to keep their 80 (or any elderly vehicle) on the road.

You may well have had your first car when you were 10 years old and then done your apprenticeship (all petrol or gasoline engines in the 70's ) and excepted the last year which was for automatic transmission was not completed, not a UK thing back in the 70's, and then you went on to own (and still do) your own garage and run it as a proper business, if you done all this and have reached the age of 63 (yes 53 years under the bonnet) without dropping something on your head then I am not so sure your criticising my electrical prowess around a vehicle is valid. Given my experience I would guess I can say I have learnt a thing or two in that period of time? If you need to learn anything, then feel free to have a good read through my long running thread: Builds - My LC 80 thread. - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/my-lc-80-thread.365673/ You might find that you learn a thing or two? Particularly interesting is the part about about how an electric engine cooling fan/s can now easily outperform a modded VC fan for example. One thing is for certain I move with the times, unlike many that get cramp turning the handle on their gramophones.

Regards

Dave

 

[cruiserdan]

Mine just had its 30th birthday. It is still running the original links.

 

[Dave 2000]

Mine just had its 30th birthday. It is still running the original links.

Of course not knowing your vehicle mileage, if you owned it from new, if you have any accessories fitted, and of course the kind of usage your vehicle is subjected too would make all the difference?

It is good to hear that many are being kept in good order, mine is only 28 in December.

Dinner time here in Spain, got to go.

Regards

Dave

 

[gummycarbs]

I've read far, far more about how problematic the fusible links supposedly are than I have about actual failures.

Is the rest of the wiring harness in need of replacement? Because that's all that fusible links are: wire with a jacket that won't catch fire if the wire melts.

 

[thatcabledude]

Mine just had its 30th birthday. It is still running the original links.

I’ve never replaced one. I do have a spare though. I don’t recall ever blowing a fuse in any vehicle’s factory electrical system either.

 

[landtank]

One thing is for certain I move with the times, unlike many that get cramp turning the handle on their gramophones.

Regards

Dave

But the gramophones don’t require a stock pile of fusible links to enjoy them.

 

[DivByZero]

I've read far, far more about how problematic the fusible links supposedly are than I have about actual failures.

On my HZJ80, mine caused problems. Failed? Not as such. What happened was, when I was cranking the engine, the link heated up too much, resistance spiked, and if the car didn't turn over within 8 cranks or so, the resistance on the link raised so much the starter couldn't turn over the engine anymore for about 20 minutes until it cooled down. Measured with a multimeter, confirmed. Replacing the link resolved the issue.

That's one experience, but I think its fair to say these links weren't meant to last 30 years. The newer midi fuses are a superior technology, and Toyota switched to them universally in their rigs, even the 70 series models which also used to use fusible links.

 

[Broski]

 

[Broski]

Pretty safe to say that they easily last 20 years.
I like the kiss plan - keep it simple stupid
And probably the least expensive, replace it if necessary and forget about it.

 

[cruiserdan]

Of course not knowing your vehicle mileage, if you owned it from new, if you have any accessories fitted, and of course the kind of usage your vehicle is subjected too would make all the difference?

It is good to hear that many are being kept in good order, mine is only 28 in December.

Dinner time here in Spain, got to go.

Regards

Dave

I bought it new and it has 219,000 miles on it. 12,000 pound warn winch, aux power feeds for fridge and other bits. Supercharged with methanol injection. Used for trailer towing. A significant amount of off-road travel.

 

[Dave 2000]

I've read far, far more about how problematic the fusible links supposedly are than I have about actual failures.

Is the rest of the wiring harness in need of replacement? Because that's all that fusible links are: wire with a jacket that won't catch fire if the wire melts.

I think the reason is more about the FL's being disturbed, not only by battery fitment or disconnection for work on the vehicle, but also they are not a true 'fixture', being essentially loose they tend to move about, it is interesting that the ones I have seen fail are when the vehicle spends a lot of time off road. Living in the area where I do the Spanish make use of a lot of rough tracks between towns and villages, so I guess this again indicates movement? Also the use of the wrong battery or it not being secured properly also adds to the wear and tear? I also must say the Spanish in general are not prone to the DIY way of thinking, when a mechanic tells you he has to get home because a plumber is going to his house to fix a toilet that won't flush tells you about this sort of segregated kind of society. I can go in a car spares shop and get a set of spark plugs which is easy enough....well sort of, but if I need a set of feeler gauges I have to go to a hardware store where they may need to be ordered! Go figure.

Regards

Dave

 

[Dave 2000]

But the gramophones don’t require a stock pile of fusible links to enjoy them.

I did think that comment would be lost on you, never mind.

Regards

Dave

 

[Dave 2000]

I bought it new and it has 219,000 miles on it. 12,000 pound warn winch, aux power feeds for fridge and other bits. Supercharged with methanol injection. Used for trailer towing. A significant amount of off-road travel.

Good to hear, and I just know you would have everything wired up correctly, you sound like that kind of guy, the FL's not seeing much load from the extra's, I went the same way with an aux battery.,

Regards

Dave

 

[Dave 2000]

I’ve never replaced one. I do have a spare though. I don’t recall ever blowing a fuse in any vehicle’s factory electrical system either.

I too must say I have had no trouble with the 'fuses' on my vehicle or the FL's before replacing them, the original fuses are all still intact, but if you are going the accessory route it makes sense to keep them from the OE wiring and fuses anyway. Replacing the FL's IMO was a sensible move, and of course researched amperage drawn and rated 'slow blow' or not by Toyota when I did that, using the fuse box I had enough 'spaces' to add the accessories I mentioned above so a single neat and tidy package. Also of note is the typical vehicle of today (read modern) vehicles use slow blow fuses as opposed to FL's, and in fact often bolt the fuse holder to the battery itself, this means the 'last line of defense' in the event of a short is a fixed fuse that does not move about and degrade/weaken during use.

Regards

Dave

 

[Broski]

 

[landtank]

Thinking about how many of these links I have replaced I simply fitted a new fuse box on the inner wing,

Dave

I too must say I have had no trouble with the 'fuses' on my vehicle or the FL's before replacing them

Dave

which is it?

 

[Dave 2000]

which is it?

Jeez your hard work!

You have to learn to read all of the posts or, stop picking out the bits that suit your struggle to make it look like you know what your talking about. I do get it though, you clearly not having the experience I have you feel your standing in the forum is being threatened, don't be silly now.....relax and digest the information that is being put before you.

So here we go.....just for you, a little at a time, I am trying to not sound condescending but sometimes there is.....well no other way, keep in mind that I am still recovering from surgery to remove a malignant brain tumour so I have some difficulty reading and understanding your comments, because well quite frankly they don't make much sense....having said that I do note you sell products, and by you replying you do get additional market exposure by typing in a few lines, that's a pretty cool idea......from you, I was going to type 'even from you' but that could be seen as being rude.

So just to help you understand a little more, I will do it in baby steps.

'Thinking about how many of these links I have replaced I simply fitted a new fuse box on the inner wing'

I was referring to my car having had the FL's removed and fitted a fuse box despite my 80 not having any failures, my comment was based on experience of working on customer's 80's who have had the FL's fail NOT ON MY CAR,.

The customers have had to have their car brought to my garage (or others) by a 'Grua' (that's a breakdown truck, you see you even get some Spanish thrown in as well), I do offer to do this fuse box modification on customers cars for a small price but they have to sign a waiver (a legal protection document), that's because modifications to vehicles here in Spain are somewhat illegal without a costly process to get the modification ratified, and has to be paid for by the vehicle owner, you would not believe the amount of paperwork needed and the cost involved to go up one size on your tyres, it can be hundreds of euro's (that's Spanish currency).

So, having spent some time typing that out, I hope you understand that that I am not an arse, although I can be but then the mods would step in, and I am not a generally offensive person, and in fact since the surgery, I have become even more understanding to people's needs to 'puff up their chests', given the time it takes for me to type out such long (but hopefully informative posts), I now need to go and have a rest.

Remember.....read....digest and of course feel free to reply.

Regards

Dave