Well, since it's the only thing getting any work done on it... my 1994 Toyota Landcruiser

[DetroitStyle]

As some of you know, I have a thing for Toyota trucks. A brief history:

The little guy that started it all... 1994 Toyota 4x4 pickup. Bought it with 80k miles, sold it 100k trouble free miles later to an MM'er:

Fun

Then I bought an '82 for $400, cut it up and sold it for $800. LOL

After that, I had a '91 4Runner:

That got a 3" lift via Landcruiser rear springs and a ball joint spacer kit up front:

and then I spraypainted it flat black:

And the cleanest '85 pickup I've ever seen:

 

[DetroitStyle]

Once I was done with the little trucks, I moved on to the best offroad/overland/expedition vehicle ever made. The Toyota Landcruiser FZJ80. I searched for over a year to find one that I wanted. And here is was on the day that I got it.

1994 Toyota Landcruiser, out the door for $3200

and most importantly... it came with the rare option... factory electric locking axles front and rear!

First things first, new tires. Toyo Open Country ATs, 285/75/16s (33s) which fit with no lift (you can actually cram 35s with very minor rubbing, but I didn't want to go that bad)

Removed the factory running boards:

Then, about 6 months later, I started getting some cold air while the heat was blowing and found this:

Headgasket time!

Wifey made me some EGR blockoff plates to remove the EGR while I was at it:

Replaced a whole bunch of "might as well while you're at it" stuff... (new intake and exhaust gaskets, rebuilt injectors, plugs, wires, fuel filter, belts, thermostat, etc, etc

Good thing I replaced the notorious "pesky heater hose"... this is a hose that goes from the back of the head to the block and is notorious for bursting and leaving people stranded. Nearly impossible to replace with the head on. It was either already leaking... or about to go

Plastidipped the wheels:

Didn't drive it much over the summer... had a lease that was way under the miles, so I drove that and missed my cruiser dearly. However, looking at it in the driveway made me realize how much I don't like green. Sooooo...

Off with the flares!

Cleaned up a bit of surface rust and sprayed with primer:

and then I rolled the entire truck with Monstaliner (color is "pyroclastic")

Very stealthy!

 

[DetroitStyle]

Oh yeah, Lemmy sticker

 

[DetroitStyle]

I have also removed the factory roof rack, which is garbage and designed for little more than luggage, as it is mounted directly into the roof skin. I have purchased a set of Gamiviti gutter mounts and a full length ARB style safari rack. I'll be installing that this month. I have also purchased a dual battery kit and a small fridge, which will hopefully getting installed this month as well. At that point, I'm getting on my way to having a solid camping truck.

After that, I have 4 big purchases, which will have to be spaced out:
1. Rooftop tent
2. Front bumper and winch
3. Lift kit (2.5-3" at most... I don't rock crawl so massive clearance isn't necessary)
4. Rear bumper with swingout tire carrier/jerry can holder

 

[DetroitStyle]

I also added a 20" LED lightbar to the front bumper... I did some reading and I know that a lot of people try to justify spending the extra coin on an American built product, but considering that a Rigid or Baja Designs bar at the same size would be $700+ and I paid $75 for my Chinese one, I cheaped out on this purchase.

Stock headlights:

Highbeams:

LED Bar + highbeams:

 

[red347lx]

Cool project!

 

[347convert]

I love the old toyota/rover bricks.

 

[DetroitStyle]

Safari rack I will be mounting a rooftop tent to this:

 

[DetroitStyle]

SCORE! The one, the only, ARB winch bumper

 

[4Gas$]

SCORE! The one, the only, ARB winch bumper

Details - was that new or used? Where did you get it?
Was that "made" for your truck or does it simply fit it?

 

[twotwoturbo]

badass

 

[wikdsvt]

I also added a 20" LED lightbar to the front bumper... I did some reading and I know that a lot of people try to justify spending the extra coin on an American built product, but considering that a Rigid or Baja Designs bar at the same size would be $700+ and I paid $75 for my Chinese one, I cheaped out on this purchase.

They are ALL made in China.
Rigid is made by Aurora in China.

I sell both, plus JGL, which is just as good at a fraction of the price.

 

[DetroitStyle]

Details - was that new or used? Where did you get it?
Was that "made" for your truck or does it simply fit it?

Got it used off of Craigslist... Normally retails for about $1000. Even used ones sell on cruiser forums for $700-$800. I paid half of that. They make them for many models, but this particular one is for my truck

 

[4Gas$]

Got it used off of Craigslist... Normally retails for about $1000. Even used ones sell on cruiser forums for $700-$800. I paid half of that. They make them for many models, but this particular one is for my truck

Indeed, that was a good "score"!
Gotta love craigslist.

 

[DetroitStyle]

Started ordering lift kit stuff for it. Old Man Emu medium rears and heavy front springs. Should yield about 3" of lift. If you're wondering why different springs (heavy vs medium) it's because I will not be adding a lot of weight to the rear of the truck in the foreseeable future. However, the front is getting an ARB bumper and dual batteries at the same time as the springs (will add about 120lbs) and a winch whenever I can afford it. So it needs the heavy springs up front to stay level.

 

[DetroitStyle]

Lift kit installed!

Before:

After:

It's sitting about .75" higher in the front, but when I install the ARB bumper, winch and dual batteries, it should level out nicely

 

[hangemhigh]

Looks fun, Mike....Nice job!....:thumbsup: