A new to us 1997 Toyota HZJ80R Landcruiser
- Thread starter p1michaud
- Start date
4Rescue
Expedition Leader
Awesome new truck. Talk about a good starting point.
I'm envious for sure, Brisbane's a neat city and the country around there is amazing for sure. Have you gotten out to explore much yet? You shoud head up north to Yepoon and the "Orange Bowl" dunes area I think you access through Makay??? There's a neat are where you drive in on these "lader bridge" like tile roadway under the sand for a ways then into the 4wd only areas and the ocean acccess.
Cheers
Dave
I'm envious for sure, Brisbane's a neat city and the country around there is amazing for sure. Have you gotten out to explore much yet? You shoud head up north to Yepoon and the "Orange Bowl" dunes area I think you access through Makay??? There's a neat are where you drive in on these "lader bridge" like tile roadway under the sand for a ways then into the 4wd only areas and the ocean acccess.
Cheers
Dave
p1michaud
Expedition Leader
A great foundation of a vehicle.
Thanks for all the compliments. It's a new project for me and I'm very excited.:smiley_drive:
I belive that all Australian spec 80 Series came with factory sub tanks (still a Landcruiser newbie at this point, so I may be wrong :elkgrin
. They have excellent range from the factory. I have not used a full tank of diesel yet, but I expect the fuel consumption to be between 15.5 to 12 L/100Km (19 to 24 MPG). That should return better than 800 - 1000 Km range. Now if you really want to extend your range, I've read that you can fit aftermarket fuel tanks totalling 260L of capacity! Not a bad idea because as you head into the Outaback, prices of fuel tend to increase up to 2x or 2.5x the going price closer to civalization.
Fortunately for me the seller was reasonable with the tires failing inspection (they were weather cracked due to their age, approx. 10 years!). We came to a concensus and he adjusted the price of the rig accordingly. Suited me fine because I was going to change them anyhow. I decided to go with the MTZ for a few reasons. Untill now, I've tried the Good Year MTR and Cooper ST brands. I was happy with the performance of the Coopers but wanted to go with something a bit more aggressive. I had spoken to quite a few STT owners locally who were not at all satisfied with the wear and noise characteristics of the STT's. That left Mickey Thompson, BF Goodrich, Toyo and Maxxis. I had heard many good things about one particular tire shop: Fourby's and gave them a call. The salesman did not recommend the BFG MT KM2 due to their experience with balancing them plus they were $40 a tire more. They did not carry Toyo. We were left with Maxxis and Mickey Thompson. I'd always liked the MTZ and read good things about them. He gave them a glowing recommendation so I made the call to give them a go.
I've only got 300 Km on them so far but on the road they are very quiet compared to the MTR and Cooper ST. I don't have a way of measuring this, so it's a totally subjective observation. They don't bounce, shake or otherwise wobble like others I have used. For such an aggressive tire, I'm quite suprised at their road manners. They are brand new so only time will tell!
Thanks for all the compliments. It's a new project for me and I'm very excited.:smiley_drive:
I belive that all Australian spec 80 Series came with factory sub tanks (still a Landcruiser newbie at this point, so I may be wrong :elkgrin
. They have excellent range from the factory. I have not used a full tank of diesel yet, but I expect the fuel consumption to be between 15.5 to 12 L/100Km (19 to 24 MPG). That should return better than 800 - 1000 Km range. Now if you really want to extend your range, I've read that you can fit aftermarket fuel tanks totalling 260L of capacity! Not a bad idea because as you head into the Outaback, prices of fuel tend to increase up to 2x or 2.5x the going price closer to civalization.Fortunately for me the seller was reasonable with the tires failing inspection (they were weather cracked due to their age, approx. 10 years!). We came to a concensus and he adjusted the price of the rig accordingly. Suited me fine because I was going to change them anyhow. I decided to go with the MTZ for a few reasons. Untill now, I've tried the Good Year MTR and Cooper ST brands. I was happy with the performance of the Coopers but wanted to go with something a bit more aggressive. I had spoken to quite a few STT owners locally who were not at all satisfied with the wear and noise characteristics of the STT's. That left Mickey Thompson, BF Goodrich, Toyo and Maxxis. I had heard many good things about one particular tire shop: Fourby's and gave them a call. The salesman did not recommend the BFG MT KM2 due to their experience with balancing them plus they were $40 a tire more. They did not carry Toyo. We were left with Maxxis and Mickey Thompson. I'd always liked the MTZ and read good things about them. He gave them a glowing recommendation so I made the call to give them a go.
I've only got 300 Km on them so far but on the road they are very quiet compared to the MTR and Cooper ST. I don't have a way of measuring this, so it's a totally subjective observation. They don't bounce, shake or otherwise wobble like others I have used. For such an aggressive tire, I'm quite suprised at their road manners. They are brand new so only time will tell!
I've been fortunate enough to go out with a local bunch of 40 Series owners or should I call them crazies! Great bunch and we had a blast.
p1michaud
Expedition Leader
My favorite store
Last Friday after having the new shoes put on the cruiser I headed off to my new favorite store in Brisbane...
Yes, that would be the ARB Coopers Plains store. Apparently they have been voted the best store in Australia for five consecutive years and I can understand why. On my first visit, they gave me a nice cold lemonade, gave me a full tour of the store and shop. Got to seen the owner's comp rig and all the other gems in the shop. Talk about a great day.
Anyhow, after talking to the ARB specialist I walked out with a brand new Hi-Lift for jacking and temporary recovery use, an ARB high flow compressor with tire inflation kit and they tossed in a EZ deflator for free to sweeten the deal! I was all smiles. :elkgrin: They also had their new ARB Fridge Freeze on display. The folks at ARB really did their homework on this one. Every little nuance that I could think of with my Engle had been corrected with this new design. It took every once of will power to walk out without one, I mean it was meant to go on that empty fridge slide in the back of the rig!
Now, time to mount the compressor and wire it in. Any feedback on the slee mounting bracket for the 80 series?
Cheers,
P
Last Friday after having the new shoes put on the cruiser I headed off to my new favorite store in Brisbane...
Yes, that would be the ARB Coopers Plains store. Apparently they have been voted the best store in Australia for five consecutive years and I can understand why. On my first visit, they gave me a nice cold lemonade, gave me a full tour of the store and shop. Got to seen the owner's comp rig and all the other gems in the shop. Talk about a great day.
Anyhow, after talking to the ARB specialist I walked out with a brand new Hi-Lift for jacking and temporary recovery use, an ARB high flow compressor with tire inflation kit and they tossed in a EZ deflator for free to sweeten the deal! I was all smiles. :elkgrin: They also had their new ARB Fridge Freeze on display. The folks at ARB really did their homework on this one. Every little nuance that I could think of with my Engle had been corrected with this new design. It took every once of will power to walk out without one, I mean it was meant to go on that empty fridge slide in the back of the rig!
Now, time to mount the compressor and wire it in. Any feedback on the slee mounting bracket for the 80 series?
Cheers,
P
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Desertdude
Expedition Leader
Its a fine bracket - fits perfectly - its a tight location
That EZ deflator is a very cool unit, DesertGirl loves hers :ylsmoke:
I enjoy others shopping for their 80's :coffeedrink:
solidfrontaxle
New member
I'm jealous of the fender bars and the quad headlights. Good find!
4Rescue
Expedition Leader
Look mate, understand something... I am living vicariously through you at this point in time. Having lived in and loved that area you're in right now, these pics are kind of taking me on a little trip through my mind
hahahahahah Really glad to hear you're getting to go out and enjoy the amazing country eh. Somehow I kind of expected you wouldAnd yeah, on the fender bars. I have major Bull-Bar/Fender-bar envy... I want them, but I also think the truck wants them too.
Keep the pics coming
Cheers
Dave
COngratulations on your 80 series purchase P1michaud.
Im sure you will put it to good use:coffeedrink:
Im not trying to steal you away from your friends here,but if you need good local advice(especially landcruiser advice) you may wish to use this site.
http://www.exploroz.com/Forum/Default.asp
There is lots of maps,fuel consumption figures and general long distance travel info.
Im sure we'll see you in the Simpson soon:bike_rider:
Im sure you will put it to good use:coffeedrink:
Im not trying to steal you away from your friends here,but if you need good local advice(especially landcruiser advice) you may wish to use this site.
http://www.exploroz.com/Forum/Default.asp
There is lots of maps,fuel consumption figures and general long distance travel info.
Im sure we'll see you in the Simpson soon:bike_rider:
CanuckMariner/Nomad
Love having fun 😊 in the 🌞 by the ⛵ and the ⏳
Congrats Pierre...I knew you would get one, but was hoping you might get a 70 series so we could chat about them. As for the hooks, they are for shipping, used to hold vehicle on a boat, in a cargo container, or on an 18 wheeler when you ship it back to Kanukistan (is that a possibility?). I know Targa88 has used them before but I suspect not for really hard reefing or jarring a guy out of mud, I think DesertDude says it right, they have been known to pull apart/off and break. Use that for an excuse to get a real bumper at each end now that you're in OZ and can get some cool stuff. If you do ship it back to Kanuksville, let me know before you do and I can help fill the container with goodies for my NOMAD. I too am in the market for an 80 but a limited JDM. Goodonya, mate!
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p1michaud
Expedition Leader
Dirty Weekends
Not sure what the future holds at this point. For now, it's short trips in South East Queensland and Northern New South Whales to get the 80 and the drivers comfortable with how it works off road.
I've got a decent TJM up front for now, just need to sort out the recovery points. I'll be installing something heavy duty because as you know, these babies are heavy!
I'm sure it would not take too long for the ExPo crew to "help" me fill a container!
Thanks. Not yet, but I'll keep you in mind!
Thanks for the link, I've been lurking on and off. I'll have to post up now that I actually own a vehicle. The Simpson is very high on my list of places to visit.
Yes it was between the Bighors and the MTZ. Not too many reports here on the MTZ performance while you have done a great job of covering the Bighorns here on ExPo. It poured rain on the drive home tonight, and I mean by the bucket! Their wet weather traction seems excellent at this time. I'll report on their wear in time.
Now the most difficult part of the week. Where to go? Another nice item found at the ARB store was a guide book called: Dirty Weekends South East Queensland 4WD Guide. There are too many choices! :safari-rig:
Not sure what the future holds at this point. For now, it's short trips in South East Queensland and Northern New South Whales to get the 80 and the drivers comfortable with how it works off road.
I've got a decent TJM up front for now, just need to sort out the recovery points. I'll be installing something heavy duty because as you know, these babies are heavy!
I'm sure it would not take too long for the ExPo crew to "help" me fill a container!
Thanks. Not yet, but I'll keep you in mind!
Thanks for the link, I've been lurking on and off. I'll have to post up now that I actually own a vehicle. The Simpson is very high on my list of places to visit.
Yes it was between the Bighors and the MTZ. Not too many reports here on the MTZ performance while you have done a great job of covering the Bighorns here on ExPo. It poured rain on the drive home tonight, and I mean by the bucket! Their wet weather traction seems excellent at this time. I'll report on their wear in time.
Now the most difficult part of the week. Where to go? Another nice item found at the ARB store was a guide book called: Dirty Weekends South East Queensland 4WD Guide. There are too many choices! :safari-rig:
p1michaud
Expedition Leader
Headlight warning buzzer mod required...
Well I had my first "breakdown" with the cruiser yesterday. It was totally my fault though. I left my headlights on by accident and this being the poverty pack (i.e. base model with nearly no options such as power windows or power locks...) does not have a headlight “on” warning buzzer. I hop in after work, turn the key and nothing. Hmm, that’s very strange. Grab my multimerter, pop the hood and figure out that my main battery is flat (dead). No dramas, I’ve got dual batteries in this rig but the catch is that the solenoid that combines the batteries is triggered via the main battery. I find a piece of wire in my tool kit, tape it to the solenoid and spare battery power thus forcing the two batteries to combine, start the engine and bingo we are in business! Don't need no stinking battery with the diesel... except for startign it :Wow1:
So now, I’ve got to do some research into adding a headlight warning buzzer into the circuit. I’ve been snooping under the hood and found that there are lots of empty connectors. I suspect that Toyota used a standard wiring harness for all these 80 Series so if I can find the right connector and hit a scrap yard to pick up a buzzer is should be a matter of plug and play! So do any of you fine ExPo folks have the wiring schematics for the 80 series? Where would I find the buzzer part number?
Cheers,
P
Well I had my first "breakdown" with the cruiser yesterday. It was totally my fault though. I left my headlights on by accident and this being the poverty pack (i.e. base model with nearly no options such as power windows or power locks...) does not have a headlight “on” warning buzzer. I hop in after work, turn the key and nothing. Hmm, that’s very strange. Grab my multimerter, pop the hood and figure out that my main battery is flat (dead). No dramas, I’ve got dual batteries in this rig but the catch is that the solenoid that combines the batteries is triggered via the main battery. I find a piece of wire in my tool kit, tape it to the solenoid and spare battery power thus forcing the two batteries to combine, start the engine and bingo we are in business! Don't need no stinking battery with the diesel... except for startign it :Wow1:
So now, I’ve got to do some research into adding a headlight warning buzzer into the circuit. I’ve been snooping under the hood and found that there are lots of empty connectors. I suspect that Toyota used a standard wiring harness for all these 80 Series so if I can find the right connector and hit a scrap yard to pick up a buzzer is should be a matter of plug and play! So do any of you fine ExPo folks have the wiring schematics for the 80 series? Where would I find the buzzer part number?
Cheers,
P
