My Landcruiser Odyssey

[Desertdude]

Still bucking for that Overland Journel story I see... :sport_box

Really awesome photos KC - WY = Outdoor Adventure

Thanks guys. Wyoming has so much to offer, it's a great place to live.

Now that the snow is starting to melt off, a few of the trails up into the mountains are starting to open up. I took a little sunset ride last night, just poking around in the foothills. It may be awhile before the higher elevations are fully accessible.

 

[kcowyo]

Still bucking for that Overland Journel story I see...

Would 'bucking' include submitting a story? Cuz yeah, I still haven't done that part yet.


I think maybe I'm just destined to being an underground and obscure wanna-be artist on the internet...... :cow:


But I'm glad you enjoyed the photos Dude. I know a man like yourself appreciates a nice afternoon spin in a Landcruiser. :beer:
.

 

[ntsqd]

How are you liking that thin rimmed steering wheel? I find myself thinking about options to make it a bit thicker. For some reason the last thing I'm interested in is a replacement wheel.

 

[kcowyo]

It definitely seems smaller/thinner/more narrow than the steering wheel on a 62, but that could just be my bad memory.

The only minor annoyance I experience is when I make a turn, and I "palm" the wheel, I always seem to hit one of the horn tabs with the heel of my hand. Like an inadvertent extra turn signal. One is visual and the other an audio warning like,

"This 60 is making a left hand turn. Meep! Meep!"

But I absolutely love driving this thing. Everyday I walk out the door and see it sitting there waiting for me, I get excited.

 

[ashooter]

Back on the trail -

This is what I want my FJ80 to look like when she grows up. Beautiful truck, and one of the coolest threads I've ever seen! Almost magical.

:bowdown:

 

[ntsqd]

You mean those buttons on the wheel are supposed to do something?
I know that feeling. Never mind that I don't have time in the evenings to go anywhere, mine being on stands is a small stab in the heart every time I walk by & can't work on it.

 

[njtaco]

mine being on stands is a small stab in the heart every time I walk by & can't work on it.

I did that for almost a month, following three weeks or so of waiting for the title before I was willing to take her apart...just to refresh a stock truck that I had driven home to begin with!

I will say it was worth the wait, so hang in there! I'm still chasing a gremlin, but at least I'm driving her a bit.

 

[kcowyo]

"No guts, no glory."


And the bloom is off the rose.... I had no doubts when I picked up this Landcruiser that some TLC would be required. It's not new, it just looks timeless. But like everything else, it must be maintained or else I will be relegated to being one of those guys who only posts pics from the driveway.

That won't do.

So with a small shopping list in hand, I am assembling parts and rebuild kits for a few key items that recently have gone south and left me with the best looking lawn ornament out there.

• Radiator - Gave up the ghost (and anti-freeze) in July. A replacement is in the order bank.
• Power steering pump - Moaning and seeping from the moment I first drove it home. A $40 rebuild kit is coming our way.
• Brakes - The rear brakes and e-brake are toast. A tear down to see what's needed is imminent.
• Exhaust - The tail pipe cracked at the muffler rear flange and recently completely snapped off on a rousing run through the desert. A new Magnaflow will be the likely replacement.

Such is life. Such is old school LC ownership...

Am I bummed? Heck no. I have a Toyota Master tech who will be mentoring & tutoring me through these repairs while we look for other potential issues. I'm rather anxious to delve into it and get more familiar with the guts of it all. And sooner rather than later, we will be back out in the dirt and once again, living the dream -

 

[durango_60]

If I can recall my 60 owning days clearly I remember spending much time debating the choice of a reman'd ps pump versus a new high dollar OEM part. Do some searches on mud, I seem to recall the reman pumps having a very low success record and with the amount of labor involved in the switch I chose to go with a new one. Of course, since I was fickle, in the end it only ended up benefiting durangodds but if you are committed to keeping this rig it is probably the way to go.

 

[Desertdude]

Amazing photos KC :beer:


...I remember working on my third FJ40 for well over 14 years - seems like only yesterday I tricked an acquaintance into selling it to me. eepwall:

Landcruisers = always a labor of love. Oh how they grow up fast :ylsmoke:



:::

 

[kcowyo]

.... I remember spending much time debating the choice of a reman'd ps pump versus a new high dollar OEM part....

And a full on replacement may be what it needs. It was suggested to me to get the rebuild kit now, tear into it and see if a rebuild is possible. If so, great. We'll have parts on hand. If rebuilding is not an option, I can return the kit and order a new PS pump.

Those suckers aren't cheap, so I'm hoping a rebuild is possible.


*********************
Dude, I still can't believe you let it go. And I can't imagine why dg gave you the green light to do so.... T'was a 40 of beauty, that one.

:beer:
.

 

[Pskhaat]

• Power steering pump - Moaning and seeping from the moment I first drove it home. A $40 rebuild kit is coming our way.

Have you tried the Downy Softener capfull in the PS reservoir?

 

[blupaddler]

...I remember working on my third FJ40 for well over 14 years

Great... That's not what I needed to hear. I walk past mine everyday and it gazes at me with those sad eyes, wondering when it will get to roam the wilds once again.



KC... Good job keeping up the 60. She is definitely purty. And if your Toyota Tech friend wants to vacation in San Diego, I have a place for him to stay (you too).
:jump:

 

[Hltoppr]

PS pump rebuilds are pretty inexpensive. I had Benchworks in Phoenix do mine on the FJ80...around $225 including the seals IIRC.

...at least you have power steering!

-H-:smiley_drive:

 

[kcowyo]

Have you tried the Downy Softener capfull in the PS reservoir?

Que?