redthies
Renaissance Redneck
Do tell! PMs are fine... We have lots of grizzlies around here and thus lots of "repellent":elkgrin:
Schattenjager's 1997 LX450
- Thread starter Schattenjager
- Start date
Do tell! PMs are fine... We have lots of grizzlies around here and thus lots of "repellent":elkgrin:
Schattenjager
Expedition Leader
I think Scott and the gang said 'no' to gun sales on ExPo so I want to respect that and venture not down that path. PM if you like, however!
Schattenjager
Expedition Leader
So much to be said for finding the right vehicle! While the Lexus service booklet is full of dealer stamps showing proper maintenance since birth, I went to the store, bought a boat load of grease and diff fluid and prepared to REALLY baseline the car. That took about 14 minutes. As I checked everything fluid related (thanks MoGas for all your posts and pictures related to these!) I wound up adding a little Mobile 1 to the drive shafts and u-joints. That was it. Birfs were full of fresh, clean looking grease and the diff fluid looked new. I am very thankful for this rig and the care it received prior to me and greatly appreciate the time and energy saved today.
Now Atlas and I are off to photograph Alaska instead of busting knuckles and paws.
Now Atlas and I are off to photograph Alaska instead of busting knuckles and paws.
Schattenjager
Expedition Leader
DieHard battery
Another minor mod but wanted to add it to the build:
Bought the big DieHard Platinum group 31M battery today. Prior to the Odyssey / Sears marriage I had the Odyssey version of this in my Tacoma. Really enjoyed the peace of mind a large capacity battery offers. Was able to add lights and a winch with no concern. A second battery, while a solid safety feature, would have been overkill for my uses. I do carry the heavy duty Xantrex PowerPack, just in case.
I discovered there is a little work needed to install this battery in an FZJ80.
I trimmed the last three 'fins' off of the negative side of the battery. Then I had to use some pliers and very gently bend the fender bolt seam down and out of the way. Factory fender - sticker is there etc. etc. Then I had to disconnect the cable clip on the positive side of the battery tray in order to introduce some slack. Even still, I opened the holes in the battery tray to avoid rubbing. Then I used a tie down strap to secure it. Not that an 80 pound battery is accidentally going to go anywhere, but it seemed the thing to do...
Here it is:
Not super pretty, but should do the job.
Nearly flipped the truck over when I hit the starter for the first time. Nice improvement over a wet cell battery!
I will do a proper fitment and probably fab nicer tray when I get back to America.
Another minor mod but wanted to add it to the build:
Bought the big DieHard Platinum group 31M battery today. Prior to the Odyssey / Sears marriage I had the Odyssey version of this in my Tacoma. Really enjoyed the peace of mind a large capacity battery offers. Was able to add lights and a winch with no concern. A second battery, while a solid safety feature, would have been overkill for my uses. I do carry the heavy duty Xantrex PowerPack, just in case.
I discovered there is a little work needed to install this battery in an FZJ80.
I trimmed the last three 'fins' off of the negative side of the battery. Then I had to use some pliers and very gently bend the fender bolt seam down and out of the way. Factory fender - sticker is there etc. etc. Then I had to disconnect the cable clip on the positive side of the battery tray in order to introduce some slack. Even still, I opened the holes in the battery tray to avoid rubbing. Then I used a tie down strap to secure it. Not that an 80 pound battery is accidentally going to go anywhere, but it seemed the thing to do...
Here it is:
Not super pretty, but should do the job.
Nearly flipped the truck over when I hit the starter for the first time. Nice improvement over a wet cell battery!
I will do a proper fitment and probably fab nicer tray when I get back to America.
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LandCruiserPhil
Expedition Leader
Nice to know you can squeeze a group 31 in the hole. Are you concerned about the tightness or stretching of the fuseable link wires over the long term?
Schattenjager
Expedition Leader
This was the reason behind trimming the holes in the battery box as well as unplugging the 'holder' for the wires. There seems to be plenty of slack now and none of the wires are under any tension.
Schattenjager
Expedition Leader
Problems, Solutions and new better problems...
Just keeping the thread updated so I can keep track of the mods.
I had a slight whistle coming from the intake that was a bit annoying. Someone said the resonator was sometimes an issue. I assumed this to be the bottle looking device in the fender by the air pickup. Not seeing an easy solution for removing this, I bought a Snorkel. Got it on Amazon for a crazy good deal and no shipping fee! Took a week to get here, but still!
So here is Atlas inspecting the results after the project:
Now - the new problem - I am going to have to find an extra slick wax to make it easy to peel the girls, who can't help but throw themselves at the besnorkeled Cruiser, off easily. Oh, will the problems ever stop?
:victory:
Just keeping the thread updated so I can keep track of the mods.
I had a slight whistle coming from the intake that was a bit annoying. Someone said the resonator was sometimes an issue. I assumed this to be the bottle looking device in the fender by the air pickup. Not seeing an easy solution for removing this, I bought a Snorkel. Got it on Amazon for a crazy good deal and no shipping fee! Took a week to get here, but still!
So here is Atlas inspecting the results after the project:
Now - the new problem - I am going to have to find an extra slick wax to make it easy to peel the girls, who can't help but throw themselves at the besnorkeled Cruiser, off easily. Oh, will the problems ever stop?
:victory:
Schattenjager
Expedition Leader
Front Spring Spacers
Long day left only enough time to install front spring spacers. Helped clear the 285/75 which do not, in fact, work well on a stock LX450. Maybe a cruiser has different springs, but I had a bit of rubbing. Regardless, I dispelled another 'fact' by removing the front sway bar while I was under there. A wee bit more list in the roundabouts - very very little - and rapid lane transitions still felt solid. The plus is a much smoother ride and better conformity over the bombed out roads up here. Also lost the weight of the sway bar, which can't be all bad. All stock save the 285's, the swayers left 'witness marks' on the undercarriage from the very mild outings I've had so far. Without proper OME gear, the front sway bar is undoubtedly a limitation. The rear swayer will remain for vehicle control, however. I will install the rear spacers on Tuesday. Right now I am amused at the 'accelerating' stance. Oh how i wish....
Long day left only enough time to install front spring spacers. Helped clear the 285/75 which do not, in fact, work well on a stock LX450. Maybe a cruiser has different springs, but I had a bit of rubbing. Regardless, I dispelled another 'fact' by removing the front sway bar while I was under there. A wee bit more list in the roundabouts - very very little - and rapid lane transitions still felt solid. The plus is a much smoother ride and better conformity over the bombed out roads up here. Also lost the weight of the sway bar, which can't be all bad. All stock save the 285's, the swayers left 'witness marks' on the undercarriage from the very mild outings I've had so far. Without proper OME gear, the front sway bar is undoubtedly a limitation. The rear swayer will remain for vehicle control, however. I will install the rear spacers on Tuesday. Right now I am amused at the 'accelerating' stance. Oh how i wish....
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Schattenjager
Expedition Leader
Rear Spacers In!
Whew - dodged a bullet today - Opened the box from Man-a-fre with the spacers, pulled two out and put them in the front. Not until I did the rear today did I notice the second set was different. Fortunately, I was lucky and got the right sets in the right place the first round. Not a job I would lose sleep over doing a second time. Anywho, here is the final result of 1 1/4 inch spacers over 285/75's. Nice to have the clearance AND the plush ride. Not to mention having a lift, for the mean time, that only cost $65...
Whew - dodged a bullet today - Opened the box from Man-a-fre with the spacers, pulled two out and put them in the front. Not until I did the rear today did I notice the second set was different. Fortunately, I was lucky and got the right sets in the right place the first round. Not a job I would lose sleep over doing a second time. Anywho, here is the final result of 1 1/4 inch spacers over 285/75's. Nice to have the clearance AND the plush ride. Not to mention having a lift, for the mean time, that only cost $65...
Schattenjager
Expedition Leader
:box:
BIG order placed today!!!
Found an amazing deal on an ARB bullbar, Sliders, and OME 2.5" kit - Like my first 80, going with Heavies in the front and medium in the rear and a 1" spacer up front. That setup did everything I ever wanted and rode very well. Big break in shipping (lowering fuel costs?) made this do-able up here in the north waste land. Just a couple weeks ago, the shipping was over double the rate today.
BIG order placed today!!!
Found an amazing deal on an ARB bullbar, Sliders, and OME 2.5" kit - Like my first 80, going with Heavies in the front and medium in the rear and a 1" spacer up front. That setup did everything I ever wanted and rode very well. Big break in shipping (lowering fuel costs?) made this do-able up here in the north waste land. Just a couple weeks ago, the shipping was over double the rate today.
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Schattenjager
Expedition Leader
Fun stuff today!
Got a big box from our friends at Slee this AM - ARB, step sliders, and full suspension kit.
ARB was easy to install. I know our world is defined by millimeters, but it is hard to trust the fact that a WINCH bumper is held into place by a handful of small bolts - 8.8 being stamped on the head withstanding. Never occurred to me until today (a bit slow, as most here know) that it is the sheer strength of the bolts that is actually withstanding the forces of winching. :Wow1:
Sliders were also pretty easy. Slee commissions a quality manufacturing job for sure. Another head shaker, as these are held on with U-type bolts of dubious diameter.
Can't wait to get the suspension on as it rides a bit funny with all the newfound weight.
The days results:
Got a big box from our friends at Slee this AM - ARB, step sliders, and full suspension kit.
ARB was easy to install. I know our world is defined by millimeters, but it is hard to trust the fact that a WINCH bumper is held into place by a handful of small bolts - 8.8 being stamped on the head withstanding. Never occurred to me until today (a bit slow, as most here know) that it is the sheer strength of the bolts that is actually withstanding the forces of winching. :Wow1:
Sliders were also pretty easy. Slee commissions a quality manufacturing job for sure. Another head shaker, as these are held on with U-type bolts of dubious diameter.
Can't wait to get the suspension on as it rides a bit funny with all the newfound weight.
The days results: