Keylime
New member
My first post here but I've been reading a ton of the threads, mostly here in the TLC group of threads. Thanks to everyone who has contributed to the loads of insight. I'll give a little background on the truck, purchase, pitfalls and plans.
Bought on eBay, which is at best a crap-shoot especially from the distance (no way to check the vehicle prior to purchase) but sometimes you just have to go on faith. My daughter and I too the train from Brooklyn, NY to Omaha NE and took the low-way (I despise highway driving) back via backroads; about 8-days. Truck performed perfectly with the exception of the tranny oil overheating, so eventually somewhere in IL I had another flush and filter done. I was pretty certain I had all the fluids changed in Iowa, but maybe the shop skipped on the tranny.
Seeing the CCOT tag on the back of the truck was a plus (knowing it was in their hands at one time, and knowing their reputation), and the sunburn on the hood and roof somewhat confirmed the claims that the truck spent most of her life in Texas and Nevada. The chassis and body are totally rust-free, and having previously owned an Airstream trailer, "character marks" are nothing to be ashamed of. There are a few dings here and there, nothing worth worrying about.
Well, after two days back in Brooklyn I lost two cylinders and we discovered that the head-gasket blew between them. So, my options were to replace the head gasket and try to get the additional 75k or more out of the engine, or go full-throttle and do a rebuild.
Now I have to tell you, I've owned quite a few vehicles (including 4wd Toyota PU and a 4Runner) and go through them like the wind goes through a screen-door, and I've had my heart set of getting a FJ62 for a long time, I'd like to think that this will be "the one" that stays with me. Mechanic friend says that Jasper is the only way to go with a rebuild in terms of reputation, quality and support, so while I'm at it, I might as well do the tranny too even though there was nothing indicating the need for it. I just liked the idea of new engine and drive-train from day-1. I suspect the gasket went on account of some owner neglect (poor PM), and the overheating of the tranny might very well have been caused for the same reason. Months later, I've got her back and have started making plans.
The timing was perfect actually, even though I waited way too many months for everything to get completed (Jasper does not stock the engine and rebuilds your core). I just returned from three weeks in Mexico; one week in Mexico City,the other time driving my father-in-laws mini-van on roads (between Mexico City and Merida) I had no business driving anyone else's vehicle on. But the seeds were sown, and it wasn't even 24 hours after returning to Brooklyn that I was thinking about tweaking my business in order to take away for a 6-month excursion. I must say, I've known a few people in my life who's untimely death got in the way of them doing things they wanted to do, I don't want to be one of them.
Making way along the gulf from Sesal to Progresso, we discovered that Mexican maps arean't really up to date. This road was washed out years ago by hurricane Gilbert and other sections were precariously close to being washed into the gulf completely, as in a matter of inches. The map also stated that the road was "paved", but they didn't state what year it had been paved and with what material, sand? Additional FLICKR images here.
All too often I found myself driving down roads in Mexico that eventually closed-in on the van and got pretty rough. "Isn't this why I bought my LandCruiser?" is what I was asking myself all too often, especially after doing about 2kl in reverse.
Just prior to leaving for Mexico I purchased an ARB bar for the front. I spoke with the shop owner about winches, he said he had a WARN 8274 in stock and if I bought it, it would be based on his pre-increase prices. I suggested that it wasn't really necessary at the time even though it was a great deal, but one of the first calls I made after Mexico was to see if the winch was available, now it is sitting in my shop waiting to be installed.
I've read posts regarding using anything other than OEM parts and it makes a lot of sense to me. I don't regret the MAF headers, especially with the gasoline squeeze. That decision was made more for efficiency than performance. Neither do I mind the oversized aluminum radiator with tranny-oil cooler either, as long as I don't lose that list with the appropriate hoses. Mean-Green alt is easily swappable as is (what I have discovered totally unnecessary) M-G starter.
I was considering making a trailer for the rig, especially since the trip will include lots of time "in the weeds" and away from the civilized (and uncivilized) world. Cooking and storing food, equipment, spares and toys just seems to work better that way, but my wife makes a good point. If we're staying in an urban area and need to park the rig for a week or so, the trailer might not be the best way to go.
After looking at (never enough) roof racks, I think I will have a friend fabricate one for me, able to carry everything needed, but in the back of my mind, there's never enough room. Use of the back-seat area will be off the list of options unless I can find a rig for the two-year old (or the wife for that matter) on the roof.
Considerations now are fuel (cans or an extended-range tank), aux-lighting, battery set-up, fridge or cooler, storage/security, roof-rack maybe a tent set-up etc. I'm sure there are other considerations, and the more I read here the more I'll learn, some of the blogs are great.
Thanks again. BTW, and Gotham City Land Cruiser members here?
Bought on eBay, which is at best a crap-shoot especially from the distance (no way to check the vehicle prior to purchase) but sometimes you just have to go on faith. My daughter and I too the train from Brooklyn, NY to Omaha NE and took the low-way (I despise highway driving) back via backroads; about 8-days. Truck performed perfectly with the exception of the tranny oil overheating, so eventually somewhere in IL I had another flush and filter done. I was pretty certain I had all the fluids changed in Iowa, but maybe the shop skipped on the tranny.
Seeing the CCOT tag on the back of the truck was a plus (knowing it was in their hands at one time, and knowing their reputation), and the sunburn on the hood and roof somewhat confirmed the claims that the truck spent most of her life in Texas and Nevada. The chassis and body are totally rust-free, and having previously owned an Airstream trailer, "character marks" are nothing to be ashamed of. There are a few dings here and there, nothing worth worrying about.
Well, after two days back in Brooklyn I lost two cylinders and we discovered that the head-gasket blew between them. So, my options were to replace the head gasket and try to get the additional 75k or more out of the engine, or go full-throttle and do a rebuild.
Now I have to tell you, I've owned quite a few vehicles (including 4wd Toyota PU and a 4Runner) and go through them like the wind goes through a screen-door, and I've had my heart set of getting a FJ62 for a long time, I'd like to think that this will be "the one" that stays with me. Mechanic friend says that Jasper is the only way to go with a rebuild in terms of reputation, quality and support, so while I'm at it, I might as well do the tranny too even though there was nothing indicating the need for it. I just liked the idea of new engine and drive-train from day-1. I suspect the gasket went on account of some owner neglect (poor PM), and the overheating of the tranny might very well have been caused for the same reason. Months later, I've got her back and have started making plans.
The timing was perfect actually, even though I waited way too many months for everything to get completed (Jasper does not stock the engine and rebuilds your core). I just returned from three weeks in Mexico; one week in Mexico City,the other time driving my father-in-laws mini-van on roads (between Mexico City and Merida) I had no business driving anyone else's vehicle on. But the seeds were sown, and it wasn't even 24 hours after returning to Brooklyn that I was thinking about tweaking my business in order to take away for a 6-month excursion. I must say, I've known a few people in my life who's untimely death got in the way of them doing things they wanted to do, I don't want to be one of them.
Making way along the gulf from Sesal to Progresso, we discovered that Mexican maps arean't really up to date. This road was washed out years ago by hurricane Gilbert and other sections were precariously close to being washed into the gulf completely, as in a matter of inches. The map also stated that the road was "paved", but they didn't state what year it had been paved and with what material, sand? Additional FLICKR images here.
All too often I found myself driving down roads in Mexico that eventually closed-in on the van and got pretty rough. "Isn't this why I bought my LandCruiser?" is what I was asking myself all too often, especially after doing about 2kl in reverse.
Just prior to leaving for Mexico I purchased an ARB bar for the front. I spoke with the shop owner about winches, he said he had a WARN 8274 in stock and if I bought it, it would be based on his pre-increase prices. I suggested that it wasn't really necessary at the time even though it was a great deal, but one of the first calls I made after Mexico was to see if the winch was available, now it is sitting in my shop waiting to be installed.
I've read posts regarding using anything other than OEM parts and it makes a lot of sense to me. I don't regret the MAF headers, especially with the gasoline squeeze. That decision was made more for efficiency than performance. Neither do I mind the oversized aluminum radiator with tranny-oil cooler either, as long as I don't lose that list with the appropriate hoses. Mean-Green alt is easily swappable as is (what I have discovered totally unnecessary) M-G starter.
I was considering making a trailer for the rig, especially since the trip will include lots of time "in the weeds" and away from the civilized (and uncivilized) world. Cooking and storing food, equipment, spares and toys just seems to work better that way, but my wife makes a good point. If we're staying in an urban area and need to park the rig for a week or so, the trailer might not be the best way to go.
After looking at (never enough) roof racks, I think I will have a friend fabricate one for me, able to carry everything needed, but in the back of my mind, there's never enough room. Use of the back-seat area will be off the list of options unless I can find a rig for the two-year old (or the wife for that matter) on the roof.
Considerations now are fuel (cans or an extended-range tank), aux-lighting, battery set-up, fridge or cooler, storage/security, roof-rack maybe a tent set-up etc. I'm sure there are other considerations, and the more I read here the more I'll learn, some of the blogs are great.
Thanks again. BTW, and Gotham City Land Cruiser members here?
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