LuX450 Build: 97 LX450 (FZJ80 Cruiser)

[Spyduh]

@Spyduh

I'd love to know how the steering wheel cover goes in. I've been thinking about recovering my Tacoma's wheel as it is getting sticky in places and cleaning it only makes it worse.

Boort

Sorry for the late reply. I don't visit my thread build too much.


Slip new wrap over old wheel. Just follow the instructions on how to stitch it. It's not to hard at all. You'll need a firm grip to pull the thread tight and an extra hand is helpful when you tie the last knot. Your hands will hurt by the end of the wrap. Think of pulling floss really tight for an hour or two! Cuts into the fingers after awhile.

 

[Spyduh]

How is that the Autozone antenna working for you? My antenna on my LC is busted and was thinking of going with one of those universal ones from Autozone too but I have to get my CFO (wife) approval

Do not buy the cheap autozone antenna. It broke on me after 1 to 1.5 years. Plus it was really bad reception. I went back to my OEM antenna and just bought a new OEM toyota antenna mast from ebay! $50.XX

 

[Spyduh]

More mods but no time to post. Real life and trips make it hard to keep up with my build thread.

Ebc yellow stuff pad swap. I can't believe a LC can stop this fast. Best upgrade ever!!! No regrets except for the extra brake dust, but who really cares when you drive a 4x4 anyway since it's usually dirty and dusty.

Back Bay Customs tailgate storage mod. Easy install. It's stupid expensive but all Cruiser things are always expensive. Don't but a Cruiser thinking parts are going to be cheap. Cause it ain't. Go buy a Taco or 4R if you want slightly cheaper parts.

Iron pig off road cross member armor. Had to mod the cross member cause my sliders interfered. Cutting half inch thick plate aint easy.

 

[Spyduh]

Refinshed my LX and spare LC wheel caps.

New wheel bearings anf seals for the rear. It was leaking all over my brakes.

 

[Spyduh]

Update: Now completed! Got air into the ABS lines some how. It was spongyyyyyyy. Took a lot of fluid and pumping to get all the air out and had to break open the lines directly on the ABS module to bleed from there!


1. OEM Extended Brake Hose Upgrade. Waiting on my OEM hoses from Japan!
Part # info courtesy of ih8mud. https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/oem-extended-brake-lines-w-part-numbers.291018/page-3

1x Right (Passenger) Front Part Number: 90947-A2016 = 2 1/8'' from stock.
1x Left (Driver) Front Part Number: 96940-34605 = 4 3/8" from stock
2x Front Outers (at caliper) Part Number: 90947-02A16
1x Right Rear at caliper Part Number: 90947-02614
1x Left Rear at caliper Part Number: 90947-02615
1x Rear center Part Number: 90947-02A18 This is actually the factory length for the front left frame to axle hose. It's longer than the stock hose in the rear center. Stock is 13.38 long, this is 15.86 long (this 90947-02A18 is 2.5 inches longer). *Other hose (96940-34705) is 5 inches longer. Good for 4"+ lifts

 

[Spyduh]

Repaired the ARB Bumper and sleeved the inside. Good as new!

Also did a mod and went with a LED turn+fog light combo $20. Had to cut the ARB bumper and make the hole a tad bigger.

I just touched up everything with Cardinal Semi Gloss BK01.

 

[Spyduh]

Sewed my own attic net and doubled up with a $8 bungee net. Works great for storing jackets, sleeping bags, air mats, etc. bulky items!

 

[Spyduh]

LRA 24 Gallon Aux Tank Install + AirLift Airbags & Wireless compressor to combat the extra weight. Fabbed my own bracket for the air compressor/regulator and couldn't fit more perfectly in that little spot right next to the spring.

The included rear bracket doesn't work with the 4x4 labs rear so I had to do a bit of fab and make my own rear bracket to hold the rear tank. I made sure it was strong and gusseted the crap out of the angle iron, then welded it to the 4x4 rear bumper. Had to make another simple bracket with nutserts for the ext. fuel pump.

 

[Spyduh]

Next project:

Engine Preventive Maintenance:

Why? because my Wits End Turbo kit pre-pre-order should be shipped hopefully in a few months =)

Pull the head and do a valve job
Head Gasket (Valve Grinding) Kit
Valve Stems
Ex & In Manifold gaskets
TB Gasket
Dissy ORing
Oil Cooler Gasket
Front Crank Seal
Fuel Filter
Timing Tensioner
Fuel Pump Strainer
Injector ORings, Seat and Grommets + DIY injector cleaning
Oil Pan FIPG - need to do this since it's leaking + the Turbo kit requires a oil return drain line installed and I'll need to drill a hole into the lower pan =)

 

[Spyduh]

Not enough trip pictures in this build thread.

Here's some pics for end of last yr
Wentworth Springs/Loon Lake Snow Run (LuxFZJ and my 2 buddies that are also OB members with the JKrubi and T4R4G)

Pismo (Turf & Surf 2018) (Brought both my rigs. Crawler + LuxFZJ. My buddies also went with their T4R4G and T4R2G)

Stanislaus NF (Brought both my rigs Crawler + LuxFZJ and my buddy who's also a OB member with the T4R4G)

Rubicon @ Marlin Roundup 2018 (Crawler)



Oh and if you noticed my pickup (crawler) was a different color. I rolled it @ Rubicon a few years ago and crushed the A pillar. I never got around to doing a cab swap and just pulled it out with a PortaPower + put a new windshield with the help of my buddy. Right after Marlin Roundup I finally broke down and did a cab swap with my buddy and used his forklift. The new cab was hit in the front and radiator support was smashed. I had to sawzall my original cab and then splice and stitched welded it onto the new cab. I did a DIY paint job at home. Did all the body work myself using Miller welder, 3m Undercoating, Upol Dolphin putty and Upol Fiberal. Turned out pretty good for my first time.

I do not have a build thread for my crawler and barely have the time to even update Lux450 thread. But here's pics of some of project crawler's stuff.