A new to us 1997 Toyota HZJ80R Landcruiser

[p1michaud]

Of radiators, roof racks and other goodies.

My time has a way of slipping by without you realizing...

It's time for a few more updates, for those with a keen sense of observation you may have picked up a few clues that I've left on ExPo in the past few months...

Ok here are the latest additions:

1. ARB 73" x 49" Roof Rack (80 Series - Roof load capacity) complete with Kaymar Hi-Lift/Shovel brackets.
2. Warn 9.5XP, Dynamica synthetic line and Master Pull off set fairlead on the way.
3. OzTent RV-3 complete with Deluxe side panels and front panel.

The list of oustanding mods is very very short at this point. The needs are:

• Tough Dog 45mm adjustable shocks, current ones have done over 100 000 Kilometers and are showing signs of their age.
• Aftermarket seats with proper support for long days in behind the wheel.

As for the wants:
Aftermarket turbo. After driving arround with a normally aspirated diesel, this is becoming more and more of a "want" especially after towing a Trackabout with the poor 1HZ.

A few photos of the latest goodies:

Warn 9.5XP, Dynamica 30m x 8mm rope, Aluminium Fairlead, Hook and ARB Snatch Block

OzTent RV-3

2009 has seen many changes to the cruiser as well as many trips. Let's hope that 2010 holds more of the same.

Cheers,
P

 

[CanuckMariner/Nomad]

Congrats Pierre, I see Christmas has come early for you with some super gifts. You're getting spoiled living in OZ with so many places to go in your backyard sandbox. Enjoy while it lasts, so any thoughts of coming back to Kanukistan or is OZ your new permanent home?

 

[roscoFJ73]

My time has a way of slipping by without you realizing...

It's time for a few more updates, for those with a keen sense of observation you may have picked up a few clues that I've left on ExPo in the past few months...

Ok here are the latest additions:

1. ARB 73" x 49" Roof Rack (80 Series - Roof load capacity) complete with Kaymar Hi-Lift/Shovel brackets.
2. Warn 9.5XP, Dynamica synthetic line and Master Pull off set fairlead on the way.
3. OzTent RV-3 complete with Deluxe side panels and front panel.

The list of oustanding mods is very very short at this point. The needs are:

• Tough Dog 45mm adjustable shocks, current ones have done over 100 000 Kilometers and are showing signs of their age.
• Aftermarket seats with proper support for long days in behind the wheel.

As for the wants:
Aftermarket turbo. After driving arround with a normally aspirated diesel, this is becoming more and more of a "want" especially after towing a Trackabout with the poor 1HZ.

A few photos of the latest goodies:

Warn 9.5XP, Dynamica 30m x 8mm rope, Aluminium Fairlead, Hook and ARB Snatch Block

OzTent RV-3

2009 has seen many changes to the cruiser as well as many trips. Let's hope that 2010 holds more of the same.

Cheers,
P

He has the bug:sombrero:
Nice tent,I want to get an oz tent one day

 

[tdesanto]

P,

Nice list of upgrades. Sorry to hear about having to rebuild the rear diff, but I'm with you. I would have wanted to find out earlier rather than later.

Let's see, an Oz tent in Australia...seems appropriate to me. Those are beautiful and well made tents. A true testiment to craftsmanship.

Looking like you're almost done with quite a nice truck. The envy of all.

 

[Redline]

Nice tent P.

I have winch envy :sombrero:

 

[p1michaud]

Time marches on...

Enjoy while it lasts, so any thoughts of coming back to Kanukistan or is OZ your new permanent home.

Our long term plans are to return to Canada closer to family and friends. As for time frames, it’s on the far horizon at the moment... Australia is truly a truly amazing place. Just so much to see!

He has the bug :sombrero:

Please tell me there is a cure!

P,
Let's see, an Oz tent in Australia...seems appropriate to me. Those are beautiful and well made tents. A true testiment to craftsmanship.
Looking like you're almost done with quite a nice truck. The envy of all.

We are off for a 7 day trip to Fraser Island with 3 adults. I’m looking forward to setting up and using the tent. Are we ever really finished our rigs?

I have winch envy :sombrero:

Don’t let winches be your next obsession otherwise it may become costly. I was really considering the classic M8274-50 but I did not want that much weight out front as well as having to modify the TJM bull bar. As I’m sure you’ve researched already, the 9.5XP is no slouch. It has one of the best duty cycle ratings, fast line speed under load, weight with synthetic line and aluminium fairlead around the 60 lb mark, better water resistance not to mention it placed second in the Australian 4WD Action winch comparison earlier this year. The only, reason it did not get first place was amp draw. In my case, with dual batteries and a 110 amp alternator (running a one wire diesel) should be lots of capacity for my needs.

Thanks for all the feedback!
Happy trails!

 

[p1michaud]

Dealing with old radiators - ramblings

Let me vent for a bit, I've had my fill of dealing with radiator issues.:costumed-smiley-007

I've had my Landcruiser back to the same shop for repair three times now. The first was to have the radiator removed, flushed and pressure tested. This was the OEM radiator and with 12 years under it’s belt, was due for a good cleaning and check up. A cracked top tank (plastic) was found and replaced. While they were at it, I had a new thermostat put in as well as new coolant. Happy trails ... for 3 months.

I noticed that there was some white/red residue around the flange of the top tank where it is crimped to the radiator body. Return the Landcruiser where the re-crimped the tanks, did a pressure test and all looked fine for 1 month.
Being a bit paranoid at this point, I kept a very close eye on the coolant level and noticed that it was dropping a bit over time so I kept adding water. I was concerned when I realized that I’d added 3L of a 5L bottle of demineralised water so it was off to the radiator shop once more. This time I went into the work shop while they did the pressure test. There were now two leaks. The new top tank had cracked again and the bottom tank was leaking. :Wow1:

I’d had my fill but the shop owner stood behind his work and we agreed on price and repairs. The silver lining, because there always is one, is that when the replacement radiator arrived it was the incorrect one. So in a last minute effort to source a proper replacement the only available radiator in Brisbane was a brand new copper/brass radiator (still has plastic tanks top and bottom). The other good thing is that this unit was a replacement item for the 1HD-T engine (Toyota Turbo 4.2L diesel) thus a better unit. The shop owner negotiated an excellent price and gave me a refund for all previous repairs and parts. So with a new radiator, genuine Toyota Coolant and a properly cooled Landcruiser I was off. :smiley_drive:

Would I have this shop do any further work on my Landcruiser, Yes! I gave him the opportunity to make things right and he did although it was an inconvenience to keep returning. Let’s hope that this is the last time we need to look at radiators for this cruiser!

Cheers,
P

 

[CanuckMariner/Nomad]

Pierre, pretty much all radiators at some time develop cracks/holes and you were right to have it checked while still in town. Could have been a disaster in the bush!

My 73 had a similar leak and I had it fixed but that was after 20 years, same for most other TLC s -JDM here that are of similar age. Otherwise all run fine once maintained.

Your shop guy was quite generous in refunding all existing repairs he had done and then put it towards your new replacement rad. Wish all shops had that kind of customer service and yes I would go back as well.

 

[Redline]

Radiator

A pain to be back at the same shop for the same part/radiator... but the end result of having an all-new-Toyota radiator sounds like the perfect solution.

You might need to bring that 80 back to North America when you are finished making it much better :wings:

 

[Redline]

Nope, I 'just say NO' to testing winches or wenches... Too Expensive.

Tires are relatively cheap and easier to off-load when I'm finished with them. :sombrero:

The 8274 is super and while I had one on my Jeep, the 9.5xp seems to be a good substitute. :victory:

snip........


Don’t let winches be your next obsession otherwise it may become costly. I was really considering the classic M8274-50 but I did not want that much weight out front as well as having to modify the TJM bull bar. As I’m sure you’ve researched already, the 9.5XP is no slouch. It has one of the best duty cycle ratings, fast line speed under load, weight with synthetic line and aluminium fairlead around the 60 lb mark, better water resistance not to mention it placed second in the Australian 4WD Action winch comparison earlier this year. The only, reason it did not get first place was amp draw. In my case, with dual batteries and a 110 amp alternator (running a one wire diesel) should be lots of capacity for my needs.

Thanks for all the feedback!
Happy trails!

 

[roscoFJ73]

Please tell me there is a cure!

s!

The only cure is to out spend the curse till you cannot fit any more extras in the 8o:Wow1:

 

[p1michaud]

Headlight Retainer MOD (i.e. Don't forget your headlights on...)

I don't think my half-NA spec 80 has a headlight buzzer. I know other NA 80s will turn lights off after a timeframe though (mine don't)?

I should have paid a bit more attention to your second sentence because with time, a solution will present itself...

Headlight Retainer Mod

Cheers,
P

 

[p1michaud]

Something's not quite right here, can you spot it?

Well, I've had a minor problem with the cruiser lately and finally figured it out, can you spot the problem? For the sake of reference it's a 1HZ engine.

A close look, thanks to the camera because I could not fit my head in there...

The good news, no stripped threads...

Now I need to find a replacement alternator belt tensioner.

Now time to find a junk yard and replacement parts... :costumed-smiley-007
Cheers,
P

 

[p1michaud]

Easy fix and some maintenance

Well,
$19.75 for two bolts and a slider later, I'm back in business. I guess it was as good of an excuse as any to do a bit of maintenance as well. Took the opportunity to replace all three belts while I was at it (2 x cooling and A/C). I picked up a Terrain Tamer fan belt kit for $50, steal of a deal considering the OEM Toyota A/C belt alone was $50. Has Terrain Tamer landed in the US yet? They have some of the best maintenance or spare parts kits on the market here in Oz when it comes to bearing/seal kits, filter kits or belt kits. I've used a few of their kits to date and they cover all bases not to mention very reasonably priced.
Cheers,
P

 

[jim65wagon]

Good job P! Looking forward to more of your trips. Terrain Tamer...I've got some of their podcasts on my Ipod to watch at the local YMCA....