Land Cruiser 105 series ... road trips, 4wheeling

[gerardines]

this project started with probably the last comfortable and capable Land Cruiser, the 105 series ...
It's a 2000 standard model with solid axles, 1FZ-FE engine, manual, plenty space inside, no electric windows or seats, swing out back doors.

The cruiser was an escort vehicle of the government but due to engine problems was put in auction ... so that was where all begins.

 

[gerardines]

the hard process begins

Got all the parts from the local Toyota dealer to rebuild the engine, even the crankshaft had to be replace, the axles were also rebuild, strip out and painted with epoxy touch, new seals …

As the cruiser is going to be use in many overland trips through the desert dunes, the jungle muddy roads and as a dd, the suspension had to be upgraded, the goal was 3” lift kit … at the beginning try to get the same Fox Performance 2.0 that I've got in the Jeep XJ, but they seem kind of rough for everyday use … the other options were the Australian known brands, some friends have the ome medium duty in theirs 105 series but they are too soft and the cruiser doesn't feel much stable, the ironman coils seems to loose height with the years … and asking in aussie forums, the best price option were the Tough Dog foam cell that can resist up to 300kg of additional weight in the front and rear without losing height or comfort, so those are the ones I got, so it can keep up with the bulbar in the front and the glp tank in the rear, as the new tire carrier in the back.

To choose the tires doesn't really had much options, the highly priced Goodyear MTR or the fair price Maxxis BighHorn, with the price of 2 goodyear bought 5 maxxis, in 285/75r16. Also got a set of 5 steel rims 16x8 from a GX model (the ones that come were the skinny ones 16x6.5 from the standard model).
Then upgraded the brakes lines with a larger set of StopTech stainless steel braided lines.
Also a new set of oem lights, front and rear. Rebuild the seats fabric

 

[Go4Lo]

So jealous of your solid front axle, barn doors and manual tranny. Looking forward to more of this build.

:smiley_drive:

 

[redthies]

Welcome to the good side! I was going to ask if you had a 105 in the 100 series registry thread, and then saw this thread. Nice rig!

 

[gerardines]

Welcome to the good side! I was going to ask if you had a 105 in the 100 series registry thread, and then saw this thread. Nice rig!

Thanks redthies.
at the beginning I though that a 100 series could do the job just fine, but as seen from the ones that go in the dunes and jungle roads around here, the ifs can't keep up with the front live axle ... the only regrets are the lack of power windows and mirrors.

 

[gerardines]

front bullbar mods

I've got the bullbar from a friend, it was first adapted to a Jeep WK probably from another Jeep ... so some mods need to be done in order to fit the cruiser.
All the work was done by a fríen locally, and installed the upper tubs to complete the look of the bullbar.

 

[gerardines]

painting process

the body wasn't too damage but it still needed some work before painting, the color chosen is the same blue color code from Toyota use in the new lexus 570 ... pretty much similar like the one it had.










still working in some painting details but soon will be in te road again after installing all the basics off road equipment ...

 

[zimm]

id love to squirrel one of these into the US. you cant buy this package configuration in anything sold here, LC or other. thats the way an overlander ought to be drawn.

i think id install power windows and heated seats tho.

 

[peripatew]

Does the 105 have ATRAC like the other 2000+ 100's? So no lockers? Looks like it's coming along great! I've been looking at some 105's, but might settle on an 80

 

[gerardines]

id love to squirrel one of these into the US. you cant buy this package configuration in anything sold here, LC or other. thats the way an overlander ought to be drawn.

i think id install power windows and heated seats tho.

Sure the power windows are in the "to do list" after a trip to the jungle in rain season the first weeks of february ... and you're right, an overlander vehicle should be reliable, simple, practical and tough as hell so this FZJ105 Standard version is the best one around, no electronics that could go bad any moment

 

[gerardines]

Does the 105 have ATRAC like the other 2000+ 100's? So no lockers? Looks like it's coming along great! I've been looking at some 105's, but might settle on an 80

This FZJ105 as Standard doesn't even came with an LSD, so definitely no ATRAC or any kind of traction help, just old school open diff ... hope to get soon an E-Locker or a LSD at least.

 

[Rumpig]

This FZJ105 as Standard doesn't even came with an LSD, so definitely no ATRAC or any kind of traction help, just old school open diff ... hope to get soon an E-Locker or a LSD at least.

No LSD...Really?...My standard HZJ105 here in Australia atleast had a LSD in it, didn't have anything else though, which was what i loved about it. In saying that, I'm loving the central locking and power windows of my new dual cab 79 series....i must be getting old...lol.

 

[gerardines]

hahaha I guess that the transition from a HZJ105 to a 79 series wasn't too hard if it's the V8 diesel ... here in my country a couple of 79 dual cab has been imported but with the lame 4.2 diesel ... and the owners had to upgrade them with aftermarket turbo intercooler kits.
I wish Toyota dealers here could sell all the range models of the Land Cruiser family, insted you only get the Prado 2.7 and 4.0, the 200 4.7 and the troopy as the 79 series with the lame 4.2 diesel.

 

[ChuckB]

I wish Toyota dealers here could sell all the range models of the Land Cruiser family...

Amen...

 

[Rumpig]

hahaha I guess that the transition from a HZJ105 to a 79 series wasn't too hard if it's the V8 diesel ... here in my country a couple of 79 dual cab has been imported but with the lame 4.2 diesel ... and the owners had to upgrade them with aftermarket turbo intercooler kits.

not real hard at all mate, I'm loving the new V8 under the bonnet over the old 4.2 that's for sure. I do miss the coil springs alround of the old 105 though, was a much nicer ride when off road. Strange to read they only have a 4.2 in the dual cabs for you guys, geez Toyota do some mind boggling things at times.