80 series Land Cruiser Build & Shenanigans thread

Just wanted to update the interior of my LC with some DeltaVS goodies.

Before -





After -





Behind the scenes -







Not only did I want to bring new life into the interior, I really had to get rid of these old pieces.

Sure, having steam cleaned these pieces would've helped a lot, but there were some deep scratches that bugged me. Let's not forget that dry rotted center console cover, or the CB radio mount screwed to the rear -



The climate/stereo bezel needed replacing too with that wood trim having seen better days -



Fortunately, Toyota still offers these brand new -



The downside is that, I didn't realize the wood trim specifically around the climate control was separate from the remainder of the bezel. So I swapped what I could over to the new piece -



There was one catch throughout the install; DeltaVS provides a bunch of hardware, and it's awesome, but in one instance you need to reuse your own. That's the M6 bolts found up front of the shifter console.

I was able, with force, to thread one side on...just barely, but god forbid if anyone could thread the right -





And this is why, they're not long enough for these aftermarket parts -



Quick trip to the hardware store took care of that with some M6 x 20mm bolts -



All done -







As for the comms, I do have the DeltaVS universal mounting plate that can attach either inside, outside, or to the rear of the console -



I just need to rethink my comms so I'll hold off installing anything until then.

On order I've got a Wit's End flat plug mount with notch which will hold a Ram 'B' ball mount for a Ram phone holder.

Also got a Blue Sea dual USB charger that'll occupy the 12v socket slot in the new console.

 

Decided to keep GMRS/FRS comms on the handheld and stick to a CB radio for inside the Land Cruiser.

That universal mounting plate comes in clutch making the install clean as heck -

 

Looks great! Glad to see they still offer parts for their older vehicles.

 

I have to admit, first thing I looked for..



I know this is 4R forum but please keep this thread and post more. I absolutely love these...!! Last proper Land cruiser in the USA.. Any detailed walk around video is highly appreciated.

 

DeltaVS and several other companies do; you really have to pay to play though

Don't blame you!

Only locked LC's here are either $20k or more or completely beat to hell.

This one has a center locker and rear lunchbox locker.

I'll keep posting in here as I make changes, but as embarrassing as the inside was, it's a little bad on the outside.

The front bumper has a slim lightbar which I'm not a fan of -



I'm also waiting on the remainder of my Dobinsons suspension order; rear coils were backordered. Going "stock height" with Dobi's and away from these worn OME coils.

Got other plans as well; one step at a time.

 

Oh my GOD....!!!!!!! Thank you for posting that pic.

If possible would be nice if you could keep the exterior stock look.

Not sure if you would change those rocker switches to OEM style switches.




I wonder this OEM switch can be used with Eton e-lockers or may be ARB lockers (if there is a way to kick the compressor automatically) Then it would look stock.





For CB and GMRS how about those low profile ones where you can hide the main unit under the seat?



Sorry if these ideas are annoying. Just shared because of my love to 80s and always wanted to build a clean one.

 

No you're good.

I want to do away with the switches I have now, and narrow down to a set of chase lights in the rear utilized by one switch.

To answer your question regarding the factory dial, yes DeltaVS has a setup where you can utilize your ARB lockers with the stock setup.

I'm sure one could wire a set of Eaton's the same way.

I wanted to keep comms to a minimum in the LC and CB radio is used by many out here. Most of my friends have CB, but resort to handheld GMRS if we've got a truck or two without as several of us have multiple radios.

Nothing wrong with posting your ideas here, I just wanted to display some of my new goodies.

 

Since y'all wanted updates

My cheap voltmeter, Blue Sea systems dual USB charger, Wit's End dash plug, and Ram Mount and 'B' ball have arrived -



Since a pair of wires are visible, and my center bezel still has a little bit of wood trim on it, I'm thinking of pulling the center out again.

I'll run the wiring better and finally get rid of the remaining wood trim -

 

Very clean..!!

If you add a full time 12v supply don't forget to add an automatic cutoff device between a main switch to protect the main battery.

This is what I use - https://amzn.to/3HOBADw

 

Oh dang that's nice!

Will see how I can implement that if I opt for a single zone Blue Sea systems fuse block.

I need to dedicate an entire day to trace and pull extra wiring, not to mention the auxiliary lights currently installed. That'll give me a fresh new slate.

 

Wood trim gone -

 

My buddy has a triple locked 93 LC. I've got a 100 series myself. Amazing trucks! Yours is super clean. On his 80 I've replaced the engine, replaced/rebuilt birfields, replaced steering gear. Harder and more expensive to maintain, yet very worth it.

 

Man, you must be enjoying the simplicity of that IFS. But that V8 though

Fortunately this one has had the baseline done just before I got it.

 

The 80 is far superior off road. When I had my 3rd gen Tacoma, my buddy left me in the dust in the 80. It is a beast.

 

Few more goodies coming along the way; one was shipped out, the others require picking up.

Should have a small update later today on one of those things

 

Seats picked up.

Old leather -





New leather -

 

If you did all by yourself vs an upholstery shop that is a near perfect job..!!

 

And this just arrived -





Install next week when my brackets arrive.

 

Those look amazing. Can't wait to see them installed

 

Just the driver, since you know...it's my daily.

Passenger seat I decided needs new leather to match the 2nd row so I'll have to place an order soon.

That way, all seats match sans the driver Sparco.

 

Sparco seat base and slider track arrived; mock up.



Hardware not included; M8x16mmx1.25 pitch as the seats are thread.



Slider track bolted into the seat bottom.



Seat base attached to the slider track and seat assembly.



Truly a factory replacement; '95 and up have the seat buckle attached directly to the seat versus '93-94 models.



Factory seat removed.



New seat installed.

 

Definitely need passenger seat now..!!

 

Wife finds the factory seat comfy; going to get new leather on it to match the rears.

 

Update; bought a Coastal Offroad DIY bumper kit.

In anticipation of building and installing my bumper, I needed to take care of a few things.

Pulled the cheap fog lights the previous owner had installed, as well as an auxiliary fan that wasn't even wired up.





Once that was out of the way, I got the bumper off.



Better time than ever to pressure wash any and all dirt and grime off; already looking better!



Back at the shop, first order of business was to weld up the gussets on the bottom plate.





Afterward, it was all about fitting and tacking parts together.



Once that was done, it was ready for a few interior and exterior welds.









Seeing as how I still need to order up some fogs, I refrained from finishing the bumper. There are tabs that get welded in place for auxiliary lighting, as well as the need to run a few more beads on the inside seams.

Figured it's "good enough" for now.

 

Ordered some Diode Dynamic SS3 fog lights so I figured I'd get the bumper finished up.

Never been a fan of buying anything cheap, especially for my vehicles; these things scream quality really.



As with anything custom, mocking things up is always a must.

Coastal Offroad made it convenient in that they offer 2 positions for their light brackets on their bumper.





Looking good!



After some quick tacks and some welds, it was time to finish up the recovery points.

As shown above, you'll see that a "recovery point" extends out from the front plate which is the same 3/16" thickness as the rest of the setup.

Coastal Offroad provides 2 additional plates that are welded onto each side of said recovery point.













Once the switch for my lights arrive, I'll finish up the install!

 

Well, had a few things to get done.

Going to school, I had a P0325 code, which meant knock sensor 1 of 2 needed attention.

Fortunately, the 1FZ runs fine with or without said knock sensor so I figured I'd check it out after work. It didn't worry me because I had no drivability issues at all. You'd need to lose both sensors before the vehicle goes into limp mode.

Upon inspection, I found this.





Yep, the wire had fell right out the plug.

Unfortunately, the plug is tied into a main harness and not something that's individually replaced.

And apparently, it's common in the Land Cruiser community. These things will literally fall apart just by looking at it but fortunately there's a fix!

This harness gets cut apart and attaches to your loose wire to provide a new plug! The other plug is a sacrificial offering to the Yota gods



Figured "while I was in there" I'd replace many of the vacuum lines I've been meaning to replace.





It's about damn time my switch arrived!

Also got the wiring harness done up and soldered, with a little friction tape to get it prepped.



LED pods sitting as level with each other before install.



My wire wrap arrived, but I was too tired to snap pics so let's skip to after the install!



Have to say, these are bright as fuck! Surprised they're SAE compliant!

 

Been a little while since I've done anything; that's mainly because our new house was finally finished and we've been busy moving in.

Now that I've got a garage again, I can get shit done.

It's rained on and off these past few weeks which left my bumper to gain some surface rust.

Nothing a wire wheel can't take care of.



With no real plans to finish and paint it anytime soon, I hit it with some primer for the meantime.



Reinstalled everything and I have to say, I dig the look!



Looks much better in person as it looks much more even.

 

Little mod day today with a few friends.

Still settling into the new house, so I went with some friends to install some goodies.

Icon 2.0 front and rear shocks (10" travel) with Dobinsons progressive coils (stock height).





Droop for days.





Onto the rear.





It's finally leveled out.

 

Love to see some front flex pics when you hit some trails..

 

Doing a shakedown run next month!

Hoping I don't have to put a wheel 3-4' in the air like I would do so often in my 4Runner.