Help build my rig.....

[smellz80]

So, I will also be doing a trip to SA and back in my 80 and I want to do it with a different twist. I plan to follow the build with a blog and the year or so building up to the trip and then during the trip. Any big mods I will post up as a survey here and let the results decide what is put on. It will be fun and why not!

First-engine. Current truck has 198k. Deal with it and get the engine pressure tested and fluids tested, replace it with the same or 1hd-t conversion. I am not sure how much faith I have in it with that many miles on it and trying to pull out a solid 20k plus on the motor with this trip with little issue.

Keep in mind I want a parts to be a minor issue in SA. Diesel is something I really want, but 10-15k for the swap could go else where.

So, what's it going to be?

 

[locrwln]

Here is someone that can help with your decision and get some ideas from:
http://www.expeditionamericas.com/

My vote would be to pull the head off, have the topend gone through and inspect the lower end. I did the HG on my LX450 at 103K and the piston walls looked brand new. I had the valves done, new stem seals, injectors cleaned and flow tested, cleaned the throttle body, tops of the pistons, upper and lower intakes, new radiator, hoses and pretty much replaced every gasket that I could. Took it on a 2800 mile road trip and didn't use any oil. I realize that you have twice the mileage, but the 1fze seems to last about 300k before Mr. T thinks it should be rebuilt. Also that motor is very common in SA, so parts are available.

I think the KISS is better, on a trip like that, I wouldn't want to be guessing if the conversion work was done correctly or if something that was pieced together was going to hold. Not saying that the diesel swap would be a hack, but most engine conversions I have seen always have some bugs.

Jack

 

[adventureduo]

First off, what motor do you have in your 80? 4 liter or 4.5? You didn't specify what year you have. Either way 198k isn't a ton of miles, i say do a major PM on it.. make sure everything is cool and run it. You'll be just fine. Ours just turned 200k and i wouldn't hesitate for one minute to drive it 3,000 mile across the U.S.A.

 

[mountainpete]

My simple response: if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Test the engine, do your preventative maintenance and save the money for the trip (because fuel is going to be expensive no matter what type it is!).

Pete

 

[lowenbrau]

x2

Swap the head gasket, have a look at the cyl. walls while you are in there and if your oil pressure is good, button it up and hit the road.

 

[Hltoppr]

Yup...depends on the original engine...if it's a FZE then add a head gasket and pesky heater hose to the PM...

10-15K will pay for a lot of your trip...like shipping....

-H-

 

[smellz80]

Sorry guys.....95 is the model year. Well it's bloody clear what the winner will be. That being said, where is a good place to send oil to and what is the rate to have the engine inspected and rebuilt or the such. We have a great shop here in my area I am sure could do the work.

 

[mountainpete]

Sorry guys.....95 is the model year. Well it's bloody clear what the winner will be. That being said, where is a good place to send oil to and what is the rate to have the engine inspected and rebuilt or the such. We have a great shop here in my area I am sure could do the work.

What makes you think there is something wrong with the engine? Are you seeing a certain condition?

Those engines can go for a every long time basic servicing.

Pete

 

[cruiser guy]

How long before you leave? What, other than mileage has you concerned about the engine? If it were me, I'd get the compression checked and have the oil regularly sampled at oil changes for excess wear indicators (this cannot be done with just one sample as they need to build a history so start NOW).

IF the engine is toast I'd get a diesel but that's me. In getting the diesel I'd probably do it with a 1/2 cut and keep it 100% stock to make parts sourcing easy. I have a '76 FJ55 with a 3B diesel swap and every part is an OEM Toyota part with the exception of the turbo and manifold. Even the wiring is OEM from an '81 BJ60. So far I have not had any issues with it and I've driven it from Canada to Central America.

 

[Hltoppr]

Take some time and fill out your profile...it helps to know kinda where you are, etc....

I'd order parts from Dan at American Toyota in Albuquerque (800.432.6668 ext. 8)

Most of the PM you can do yourself.

-H-

 

[smellz80]

Ok, so ALL votes for stock on the poll make it clear.

Had the truck checked out. Compression was all in the high 150's and one in the high 140's so it sounds like this is still a strong engine. I had the shop overlook the truck since they had it in there and the only other issues are steering pump and hose and front end rebuild (around $850 for the rebuild). I am going to look into this and see if I can do it or not.

ANYWAY, I am really shocked how strong these motors are. Being a 95 and buying it as a spur of the moment deal, it's good to have them say it's in great shape. That being said and the truck is only driven around 10k a year roughly, I feel with staying on top of it that this engine will work fine for the trip which plan next summer or the summer after.

So stock it is! Saved looooooots of money. KISS at its best.

 

[ginericLC]

Do the head gasket, pesky heater hose, and I'd also convert it to a 94 radiator if it hasn't already been done or replaced. The front axle rebuild is well documented at www.ih8mud.com Do it yourself and you will know exactly what you have in there so if you had a problem on the trail you'd know what to do. Buy extra inner axle seals in case you screw one up during installation.

 

[LC/LR4Life]

I put 'replace with stock engine'. However what I mean is this - rebuild your current engine. That wasn't an option......

A total diagnostic on the current engine.

Replace all worn or suspect parts, rebuild as necessary. Rebuild known issues. For instance I heard the 80 has a problem with head gaskets. Replace it and anything associated with the problem.

Evacuate your torque converter, drain transmission. Replace all fluids with new heavy duty synthetics.

Running south of the border, the gasoline isn't as clean. Run two fuel filters.

 

[Nullifier]

My advice is as mentioned above. Compression check the motor if it is good then I would do a major p.m. and replace the obvious things that can go wrong under the hood. I.E. radiator, water pump, all hoses belts and vacume lines, starter rebuild, alternater for high output, timing chains, motor and tranny mounts etc, fuel injectors cleaned etc. I would bprobably be inclined to take it down to a bolted in long block and clean and inspect repair and replace every worn part. In my experience it is the bolt ons that get you more often then the motors ever will.

Have you figured out your vehicle budget? that is probably the most critical factor in deciding mods and possibly engine swaps.

 

[Brian894x4]

Some of this is redundent from what the other guys said, but I got done doing a major cooling PM and replaced a number of things, some of this is fresh in my mind.

On your rig, if it were me, I'd replace the following....

Major cooling system overhaul:

All new heater and radiator hoses, not just the PHH.

Consider bypassing the rear heater or replacing all the lines and rear hose to the rear heater, especially if the truck has any rust whatsoever

New thermostat

New waterpump

New radiator (93/94 brass radiator)

New blue hub fan clutch

Other stuff:

Fuel filter...have a fresh one in case you run into bad gas down. Maybe carry a spare as well and know how to replace it.

Brand new remanufactured Toyota starter (the whole thing, not just contacts) and carry your old one as a spare

New belts

Overhaul the alternator (new bearings and everything, not just the contacts) and have it professionally rebuilt, or buy a new or rebuilt one from Toyota. I would keep it simple and stay stock.

Replace the two idler pulleys

PM all fluid, with top of the line stuff, since you might get a chance to do it much again while you're down there.

New fresh bearings for the rear axle (not just repack) and all new brakes, rear axle.

New fresh bearing for the front, plus complete front end rebuild and repack and new brakes up front.

Might be a good idea to replace the master cylinder too at this point, if its original.

Check driveline U-joints....possibly replace (cheap insurance) with brand new Toyota joints.

And last, but not least....PM the headgasket. With that many miles, I would probably seriously consider the hassle of doing the headgasket for a trip like that.

I'm sure there's more I could come up with, but that's off the top of my head right now....

I would do as much of the PM as you possibly can. Take the time to learn how to do this stuff in the comfort of your garage. That way, you are intimately familiar with your rig mechanically, in case you have to fix something down there.

One advantage of taking a rig with a lot of miles down there is that if you limit your investment in the vehicle somewhat, if something happens where you have to leave it down there, it won't be as painful.