'97 FZJ-80 1yr exped. prep advice

[Atomic Dog!]

Thanks for the links to the hoses. Yes, I think you did mention starter contacts but with everything else it may have gotten lost in the shuffle. I'll double check that they are on the list.

~Adriana

 

[Desertdude]

Contact Kurt at cruiseroutfitters if you are going heat exchanger type - I would add a 12v shurflo pump to this set up for trouble free maximum pumping pressure

 

[rgsiii]

Hi,

While you are doing all of the stuff and the engine is apart, there are somethings that might be worthwhile to have done.

I assume that you will have the air filter changed. Go with Mr. Toyoda's--you can clean it and is a top notch product. I would stick with factory everything--plugs, oil filter, belts etc and carry some spare oil filters for the trip. You don't want to find out that the Autozone part is defective in an area without a Toyota presence.:yikes:

Stick with Toyota red antifreeze or if you use the other stay with it--do not mix the antifreeze types. Some people think this accelerates the HG problem. I stick to the red.

This maybe overkill, I got some recalibrated fuel injectors from Man-A-Fre. I couldn't tell the difference with my '97 with 60K, but it made an improvement with the '94 that had 130K on it at the time. Since everything iwith the engine is in peices now, it might be the time to do this. The cost is something like $160 with a $400 core fee (refunded when you send your old ones back).

I assume the fuel filter will be changed too. Not having any idea of the fuel quality you might get, it could be a useful additional spare.

If you need Toyota parts there is no better person than CruiserDan. Dan is at American Toyota in Albuquerque and is one of the most knowledgeable people around when it comes to 80's. Say you go on IH8MUD and you get something like a 30% discount and no taxes. 800.432.6668

If you haven't noticed, I like Mr. T's stuff.:bowdown:

 

[Atomic Dog!]

Well the air filter is totally clean so it doesn't need replacement, though I'll probably take an extra.

I'll ask my mechanic about the fuel injectors should be replaced. What is the advantage of the Man-a-Fre ones?

We've installed an in-line fuel filter to pre-filter before reaching the real one. It's a big model, that according to Rocky, "will hold a lot of crap". It's accessible for me to change it out when I need to and I think I counted three or four spares so I think I'm set on that.

I saw the new fan clutch today too and it has larger blades than the factory so I'm told will be better. The head just got back from the machine shop this afternoon, it's so shiney!

I've heard a lot about Cruiser Dan sounds like a great guy to know. Luckily, I don't buy parts retail so I think I'll keep going through Rocky, he can get everything I need and show me how it fits!

~Adriana

 

[Atomic Dog!]

Contact Kurt at cruiseroutfitters if you are going heat exchanger type - I would add a 12v shurflo pump to this set up for trouble free maximum pumping pressure

I'm going to install the shurflo pump for sure. But I'm going to wait a bit on designing the whole water system. I need to take some time to design my cargo system first and then see what I'll be able to do.

~Adriana

 

[rgsiii]

I'll ask my mechanic about the fuel injectors should be replaced. What is the advantage of the Man-a-Fre ones?

The new Toyota ones are about $160/injector IIRC. The Man-A-Fre ones are recalibrated/remanufactured and the cost is after everything is said and done about $25/injector. One time that I won't go with new Toyota.

I forget who does the injectors for MAF, but their propaganda says something like more uniform than originally from the factory and other stuff. It did make a difference in the older vehicle.

 

[blupaddler]

I believe the Toyota air cleaners are washable. Also a spare is a great idea. After three weeks in Baja mine was REALLY dirty!

 

[Desertdude]

Well the air filter is totally clean so it doesn't need replacement, though I'll probably take an extra.

if you have the OEM paper filter - you are in luck most folks believe it to be superior and it can be washed with water - the dried and re installed

 

[rgsiii]

We've installed an in-line fuel filter to pre-filter before reaching the real one. It's a big model, that according to Rocky, "will hold a lot of crap". It's accessible for me to change it out when I need to and I think I counted three or four spares so I think I'm set on that.

If you have a pre-filter in an easily accessible filter, that may be a plus. The standard filter is not in a good spot for easy removal.

 

[MaddBaggins]

I haven't read this entire thread yet, so if this is already mentioned please forgive me.

Brakes-don't just top off the fluid, slap on new pads and walk away.
Besides tires, these are going to be one of your most important items. For not alot of $$ you can rebuild all 4 calipers, replace rotors, pads and rubber lines, and completely bleed out the old fluid and get fresh stuff in there.
I've recently done all of this to mine and I feel much better knowing my whole brake system is tip-top right now. The caliper rebuild kits from Cdan are cheap, the rotors cost a little more but not to bad, the rubber lines arent to much and changing out all the fluid on a regular basis is always a good idea.

Now I'm gonna go back and finish reading this thread

 

[rgsiii]

My experience with 80 brake pads is that they wear quickly and that on a 20,000 mile trip you may be at the end of the brake pad life.

Some people use 100 series pads with modifications. The experience with this modification ranges from "it stops much quicker" to "it it doesn't stop any quicker but it sure last longer." I believe that the squeelers have to be removed. I have not done this modification.

I have gotten drilled and slotted rotors and some of the super duper aftermarket pads. I don't know if they are any better than the factory. There are supposed advantages of less heating of the brakes/less warping of rotors/less glazing of pads.

The caliper rebuild mention is a quick thing for a mechanic and not expensive.

 

[tarbe]

I have 20,000 miles on my 100 series pads (half of those miles are nasty Houston commute) and the pads are only slightly worn.

If my driving cycle stays the same, I believe I will get 50,000 miles from them.

YMMV

 

[silverscout]

Any word yet on the window grills?

 

[Atomic Dog!]

Latest Pic

Hey there,

Just wanted to send an update and include the newest pictures of my truck. I just got it back about 10 days ago and headed up to Yosemite immediately to break it in! Loved my roof top tent, except that I didn't think it would be that cold and didn't take a sleeping bag, brrrr...

Most everything is done. The inverter I have draws a small amount of power constantly but I don't think that'll be a problem. Since the fridge will be running constantly anyway I'll probably leave it alone. We did a test running an old school tv that draws lots of power off of it for about 8 hours and didn't drain the battery so I think it'll be ok. I've got electrical outlets in the tent, in the back, both 12v and 110. In the front ashtray we are going to stick another 12v for my navigator.

I've got a water tank, pump, purifier all installed. The faucet/hose isn't connected yet since I've still got to build my platform and storage area to figure where it will come out of.

The window grills were custom fabricated from metal shelving. We also added some lights up top for camping. Switches on the center console control all the lights inside and out. I also had a kill switch installed that looks totally stock, you'd never guess what it's for.

The heater hoses were replaced and then the heater valve broke so that got replaced too. The head gasket and valve work were all done too. Timing chain was replaced and the fan clutch. Lets see what else, gosh I can't remember it all.

Additionally, I'm postponing my departure date until January. I have the opportunity to volunteer on an archelological dig in Guatemala in May-June so I've decided to wait to leave so that I can be there at that time. Otherwise the timing wouldn't have worked very well. And that gives me more time to put the final touches on the truck and test things throroughly before leaving.

~Adriana

 

[MaddBaggins]

Looking good! How exciting! :bowdown: