1986 HJ61 Land Cruiser Build Thread - Vegas

[sissupr]

Hello All,

I wanted to start a build thread documenting all I will be doing to my HJ61 Land Cruiser. I started with a 2018 ORP 4runner, Land Cruiser 80, and now my latest interest... 1986 HJ61 Turbo Diesel Land Cruiser.

2018 ORP 4runner
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1994 Land Cruiser 80 3xLocked
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1986 HJ61 12HT Turbo Diesel 5spd
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I posted a couple new videos of the HJ61 from
us picking it up and walk-thru, to a quick cold start video. Got a lot of plans and not enough time and money!

https://youtube.com/user/sissupr

Cheers!

*I suck at taking pics!

 

[GLOCKer]

Damn that thing is beautiful!

 

[sissupr]

What I did this past week 5/3-5/7.

- Added Kilmat sound deadening to the interior floor from the under the driver seat to the rear trunk & all four doors. Spent about $150 in sound deadening material. Probably could have gotten away with $100 bucks of material, but once you get going you just start applying it everywhere. This took a better part of 2.5 days to remove the interior and install & making sure not to cover up any holes you shouldn't. Not something I really enjoyed, but I'm really happy if it reduces the road noise down any better than stock. So incredibly noisy inside the cabin compared to my 4runner and 80 series when on the highway. This install really helped me with learning a bit more about the interior, cleaned up the cabin, sprayed PB Blaster/oiled up on some needed areas, etc. It was well worth the time IMO.

- New Sony head unit w/ 5.25" and 6.5" Kicker CS speakers & $90 hideaway sub from Amazon lol. Kicker or any other name brand hideaway sub was $300. Worth the try IMO to save a couple bucks. I'm not far stereo snob, just needed some deeper sound. The aftermarket system that was installed was only a 2 channel, and was a bit dated. Wanted something new and also wanted to see all the wiring behind the dash. Glad I did... I was able to clean up the wiring a bit and see how it looked behind the dash. Also a great learning experience. I also never realized what the plastic sheeting was behind the door cards. Didn't realize that was for moisture barrier. The old ones were crap, so I bought new 2mil plastic and butyl tape and re-wrapped all the doors.

- Replaced the old speedometer cable, as the needle was bouncing - hopefully this addresses this issue. Really annoying staring at the needle on the highway! This was a PITA replacement. Now that I've done it, it would be easier the next time around. But geez, hopefully I don't have to lol.

- Received most of the stock AC parts to install a full OEM AC system. Missing one bracket and condenser. Should have those next week. The car didn't have AC from Toyota when purchased by the original owner in Germany. Very rare I guess, but not something I can live without in Vegas.

I'll update the post with a couple videos when I'm done editing.

Throttle cable sucked!
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Kilmat everywhere. Makes a huge difference in the interior noise level!
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Cheers!

 

[sissupr]

Updates from the past couple of weeks.

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- DIY goose bear base plate out of 3/4" plywood. I had to split it in half because I didn't want to risk scratching my $500 window tint lol. I'll add some 1/4-20 inserts once I know what fridge slide to go with. I did try to use some t-slot aluminum rails, but didn't like it... so I'll be putting rows of inserts equally spaced, just like a CNC base plate. I may use frontrunner bins as my storage system, so I'll probably space the inserts accordingly and lay down some vertical and horizontal square pcs to lock everything down.

- I had a small issue with my radio bracket harness that shorted out a switch/ACC relay. So I took the opportunity to make a better rear mounted stereo bracket and upgrade the 24v-12v voltage step down that was in the car. That old thing is HUGE, compared to the new one from Amazon.

- Purchased a Bowfin rack. This rack is amazing and kind of like Prinsu, but better in every way. I'll have a review of the install up on my YouTube this week. I'm loving the rack.

1st trip out to Lake Mead 8 mile road. It was a fun first trip with the family n rig! Super easy trail, more like a scenic drive haha. Made me realize a couple more things I need/want.

- Air compressor - wish I could of air down a bit... ride was bumpy. Airing down from 33psi would have helped. May go with m240 portable or viair 480c mounted to read. Trying to stay around $200.

- Need a water system. Going to pickup a waterport. Family found some mud lol, no easy way to clean off the crocs!

- I've putting of getting some Maxtrax / recovery boards. Don't want to spend $300 on boards, may go with Rototrax since it uses the same mounting system... or go Xbull / knockoffs.

- Want to start my 3rd battery rear cargo (completely isolated from my 24v system) setup with a 100ah LiFePO4 battery, 100w+ Solar panel, Victron controller, Blue Sea fuse box, Blue Sea rear electrical panel (couple USBs and cig port), pure sine inverter (not sure which one?). So I can run my compressor and fridge. I'll be going with an Engle 40qt or CFX3-35 or 45 series. Pretty much the max width size with slide I need to equalsplit my rear hatch perfectly.

Quick new video update from the past couple of weeks.

1986 Land Cruiser HJ61 - One Month Update
Cheers and happy Sunday!

 

[sissupr]

Updates form the last couple of weeks.

- Added CVT 94" awning from the guys at CVT Vegas.

View attachment 201415

- Also picked up a set of Maxtrax recovery boards and a Rotopax 2.5 gallon tank with mounting hardware.

Some driveway pics because the kids need some shade haha...

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[CR-Venturer]

Hello All,

I wanted to start a build thread documenting all I will be doing to my HJ61 Land Cruiser. I started with a 2018 ORP 4runner, Land Cruiser 80, and now my latest interest... 1986 HJ61 Turbo Diesel Land Cruiser.

2018 ORP 4runner
View attachment 197099

1994 Land Cruiser 80 3xLocked
View attachment 197100

1986 HJ61 12HT Turbo Diesel 5spd
View attachment 197101

I posted a couple new videos of the HJ61 from
us picking it up and walk-thru, to a quick cold start video. Got a lot of plans and not enough time and money!

https://youtube.com/user/sissupr

Cheers!

*I suck at taking pics!

Daaaang, nice rigs, but that 80 series....mmmm yummy. Do want.

 

[Ob1]

Nice rigs. You will love them. Do you have a good diesel mechanic?

I have also a 60 (since 1990) and an 80 (since 1998). Could never sell them. Both converted to diesel in CA. 13Bt-H55 in the 60 and 1HDFT/H151 in the 80. i wrote blog about the 80 in this forum. The 60 has 500K miles and is our utility vehicle - and drives like new. They both made the trip from CA to the Arctic Circle. The 80 is set for expeditions. Oh, yes and also 2 40 series. One with a 13Bt/H55 and the other being converted from 2F to 1HDT/H55. Once you get them, they tend to attract others... ;-)

Cheers mate.

 

[sissupr]

Small world. My wife just transferred from the VA hospital in Palo Alto. We used to live in San Mateo last year.

back to the thread lol. No I don't have a diesel mechanic locally, but I got a few recommendations from some local people in Vegas. Lmk if you have any recommendations... btw, nice stable! Pics???

edit: I clicked your link haha. Nice rigs!!!

 

[Ob1]

This is the 40 we are building. Kermit!

 

[Ob1]

back to the thread lol. No I don't have a diesel mechanic locally, but I got a few recommendations from some local people in Vegas. Lmk if you have any recommendations... btw, nice stable! Pics???

edit: I clicked your link haha. Nice rigs!!!

Valley Hybrids in Stockton CA. George Esterer is the owner. They specialize in diesel landcruisers.

 

[sissupr]

Quick update.

- Finally got the car registration done in NV. This was a pain, but finally got done after going to three different DMVs. Biggest issues was trying to find two VIN stamps. I had to scrap off some paint off the frame and then had to go to another DMV for an engine inspection. All done and license plate arrived...

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- Went to first my meet in Vegas with the Battle Born Toyota crew. Glad I went, met a lot of very inviting people. New to Vegas, so it was cool for sure.

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- Got all the parts together to add OEM AC to the ride. Geez, it's been killing me out here in Vegas without AC... haha. Hopefully there are little hiccups with the install. I know there's something or custom fab that will need to be done to make it work like 'stock'...

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I got a POV video coming once the AC gets installed. A lot of requests just for a drive... which I don't mind doing with AC haha...

cheers!

 

[sissupr]

Been without the truck for just over two weeks. AC lines needed to overhauled by a local AC shop and some random nuts, bolts, belts, pulley, etc needed to be ordered as well. I'm hoping to have this back this coming week or next. Progress pics...

- Vintage AC condenser and new Denso AC mounted. I bought a used AC with most of the parts and the shop installing it said the damn AC compressor was seized . So I found a new AC on Amazon lol for $300 bucks. So freaking happy to have found a replacement. AC needs to be converted to r134 anyway from r12... so the old one probably wouldn't have lasted as long anyways. Just glad it bolted up with the stock adapter. Supposedly finding the adapted is the hardest thing. The previous owner helped me source all the 'hard to find' parts.

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Side note, since the truck hasn't been around. I finally got my garage floors done with Polyurea as opposed to epoxy. So happy with it! I digress...

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Cheers, happy Sunday!

 

[sissupr]

Man, no real updates... been busy with life, kids back at school, and the car is still at the shop finishing up the AC! I will get another video and updates this week! Can't wait to have AC... I'll do a POV for everyone, which I have never done before.