Not An IH But Still A Great Garage Find

[Robert Kenney]

So some times we cross paths with a vehicle because we have our IH's that we can't refuse to bring home.
This one is not an IH but still a world renowned desert rig.

1984 toyota land cruiser, original owner, 100% socal resident, 100% as it left the factory with the exception of added age.
4 speed, 4.2 liter 6 banger, factory air. Not a dent or spec of rust. Paint still good if not for the dirt. Interior typically dirty from sitting but still nice and rip free.

It was parked before 1999 and remained parked since then.
Needs some restorative tlc and care before trying to run.

[ihpartschad]

I like it!!!

I've always said if I wasn't into the IH's I would be into the land cruisers. Really dig the paint scheme even!

[Greg R]

I thought I liked land cruisers.

My wife got a 92 some 12 years ago, now I really Like them!!

Good score!!

If they allow it, maybe some updates here

[Robert Kenney]

I think they will allow some progress reports.

[Tiny Yokum]

Don't need no more gov't controlled effin smoggers.
Pre '76 is the only way to go.

[Robert Kenney]

Originally Posted by tiny yokum

don't need no more gov't controlled effin smoggers.
Pre '76 is the only way to go.

Well while I agree with you, but sometimes they are necessary. My 35 mpg dd racks up some major miles and this May become a part time dd when I need the extra room.

[jchazen]

Very cool! I had one back in 89...

[Robert Kenney]

* ot vehicle update *

so last weekend I figured I'd pull the valve cover, pull the dizzy and do a quick pre-oil of the engine. I had already verified that the engine was not locked up by putting it in 4th gear and pushing the truck. Yep it turned. I also knew that the head had been rebuilt in 2000 (about when it was parked) because there was a receipt in the glove box from a local machine shop with the name zeke justice as the customer (google that for kicks), saying it was gone through along with a head gasket set and other parts.

The oil on the dipstick was new. With the vc removed and the plugs out I figured I'd bump it to tdc #1 and verify the dizzy was stabbed correctly. Bump, bump, bump, wtf the rotor was not turning but the valves were operating. First thought was water from a blown head gasket at or before 2000 had corroded and locked the oil pump, and the distributer gear pin had sheared when po had tried to start it after the head was replaced. This was 14 years ago.

So at least the dizzy was going to have to come out. Fail it was not budging. Uhhhooohhhh. Pulled the oil filter and I find corrosion in the passages and a bone dry filter.

Not looking good

seeing that the dizzy would not come out from the top I would have to pull the pan and try to remove the oil pump which wan probably rusted to the dizzy drive tab.

Pan off------- here is what I found. Yep still not looking good... The rods are free and move as they should. The problem as you can see is surface rust and lots of it. So mush that flakes off that there is no way the oil pump could survive ingesting it and that the float screen will surely plug up. Looks like the engine will need to come out and be gone through. The bores looked ok through the plug holes so maybe I can get away with a light hone, ring job and replace the other corrosion damaged parts. Looks like a cam and lifters will be in order.

[FDChappie]

Not only that, but it looks like someone put the engine in upside down. ;-)

[Tiny Yokum]

If you got it for a good price, and it needs to be solid and dependable to pass smog, a rk rebuild will do it proud.
Like my fj40, 10mpg.

[Robert Kenney]

Originally Posted by tiny yokum

if you got it for a good price, and it needs to be solid and dependable to pass smog, a rk rebuild will do it proud.
Like my fj40, 10mpg.

Hope so. Hope the smog gods are smiling. Paid $1k for it so I think there is some wiggle room for a good refresh job. Super solid truck. The fj60 has ok gearing and with 31-10.50s on it it will turn 2600 at 65. All that I have read says 18 on the highway. May do the h55f upgrade (5 speed).

[mikeindustries]

I am a "car" guy through and through. I don't care who made it. If it does the job well then its worthy.
Great find. What are your ultimate plans for this yota?

[Robert Kenney]

Originally Posted by mikeindustries

I don't care who made it. If it does the job well then its worthy.

That's generally where I am too. These, like the Scout and land rover, have proven them selves worthy from the city to the sahara in their factory form, should be good for my intended use.

Originally Posted by mikeindustries

Great find. What are your ultimate plans for this yota?

After getting her back running, and properly shaken down, it will stay with me as a second dd and vehicle to go to the local mountains in the winter. I hate chains to a capable 4wd is necessary. I will put 31-10.50-15's on the stock wheels and possible a 2 inch spring lift. The lift is out in the future however.

[Cheyladd]

Hey neighbor. I read through your travelette thread and this one as well with interest. I own a 66 1200a travelette that was a forest service truck and love it. Original paint but pretty beat up as you can imagine. New motor going in right now. Also a 63 Scout that is as pristine original condition as probably any in the country that I recently purchased here in covina. Finally, I have owned a number of landcruisers and you have a good one here. If you get 18mpg, you will be very lucky. I had an 85 a few years back that ran perfect and the best I ever saw was 14. I am currently buidling an fj40 in the final stages. Good luck on your projects. Ladd

[Robert Kenney]

Update in progress.
Ended up buying a second fj60 solely to give up it's 5 speed and drive shafts to my first one.

Trans reconditioned and fully inspected. It had a chipped primary reduction driven gear on the cluster gear shaft.

Ordered a new one, tore the trans down and installed it. It is in great condition now. Ready to install after I go through the engine.

The donor fj60 will receive the nice 4 speed mounted on it's original transfer case and the appropriate drive shafts which are longer rear and shorter front for the 4 speed

my keeper fj60 will get the 5 speed, the same transfer case as it came with and the 5 speed drive shafts.

Last weekend I got the front of the lc removed to make yanking the engine easier, 99% of the lines and needed hardware off. Next weekend the engine will be on a stand and 4 speed will be out. .........I hope.

More later.