GuyW/Aviators' 1985 Toyota Land Cruiser HJ60

[GuyWithAviators]

So after many months of looking - including (failed) bidding on sight unseen cars 9 hours away from me, mincing around car yards and looking at more rust than I care to remember - I finally pulled the trigger and purchased one of these fine automobiles. 

Reasons being: 

 - It was local in Auckland. 

- The Toyota tax wasn't too extreme. 

- It was ratty, showing it had been somewhat legitimately repaired. 

 

Anyway, what I purchased is a 1985 HJ60 high roof model, not sure which trim level but it has the 'power pack' interior with central locking, power windows and sunroof, A/C, rear passenger heater. It's powered by a 2H 3980cc straight six diesel engine and an H55F 5 speed transmission. It also has a working PTO winch on the huuuuuge front bumper. 

Initial impressions of the truck is just how big it is, it's massive! Especially compared to my usual modes of transport, the Austin 1300 or Nissan Sentra Sportwagon. 

The paint is rough but it shows where work has been done. There is filler but it is mostly fresh metal underneath. Looking up the D pillar I can see some rust at the roof seam, I've acid treated this and will address it at some point. There are also a couple of small patches of rust in the rear inner wheel arch and under the rear seat floor. Will apply wax to the body to preserve the patina. 

 

Driveline wise the P/O had the engine reconditioned (receipts provided) and the owner prior to me did the cylinder head after the HG blew between no. 2 and 3 pistons. This was caused by the head not being torqued down evenly. The front hubs were also rebuilt by him after a WoF fail on oil leaks. 

The gearbox is a little noisy, I believe this is the input and/or output shaft bearings. Kits for this are available ex-Australia. Probably caused by towing - it lived in the Waikato towing horse floats for a while. Have not tested the 4wd system properly yet. 

Anyway, overall I am stoked about my new truck! Diesel and 4wd is all new to me. Planning to daily this if practical. 

The conveniently most appropriate stickers applied - thanks @Archetype! Also thanks @MichaelJFox for assisting in collecting this tank.  

Discuss: 

 

 

[GuyWithAviators]

One of the selling points of this truck was the history of it, paperwork for everything done to it in the last 10 years. Everything from new engine in 2006 (!) to Nolathane bushes and new leaf springs in 2009. Vtnz WOF sheets etc. 

I love the mechanics write up here on the first line: 

 

Here's the obligatory new car photo:

Also got this thing stuck in sand today. The aged A/T tyres didn't cope.

What are some good options for better performance in soft stuff? I have no idea about tyres that are Supercats. 

 

 

[GuyWithAviators]

Small update on this slug. Been daily driving it since I got it up until last week when I started pulling it apart. Did about 1500 trouble free kilometres during that time including a few drives out west. Man it's slow in the hills haha. 

The radiator has a small pinhole leak on the top tank, soldered it up and all was good. Until it started leaking again so going to heat it up and re-flow the solder once more. 

Started pulling the dash out recently to tidy the wiring and replace the JVC minidisc player. 

Today I put some new speakers behind the door cards. JVC 5 1/4" units, fit well! Just needed new holes drilled. Have put the Diatone covers back on top for a more period look.

Going to need to give the gearbox some attention soon. There are late and early versions of the H55F with the crossover year being 1985... I'm not sure if mine is early or late.

Does anyone know how to find out without taking the 'box apart? This forum says to look for this cover but I can't find it. 
https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/1984-bj42-h55f-input-shaft-question.788943/page-2#post-8984906

 

I'm looking at getting this kit which suits late models, I can't find an early one. 

https://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=1410645352
https://www.onlineautoparts.com.au/products/Gearbox-Kit-Manual-(Undercar)-OEM-Replacement/ZPN-00874

Any ideas wise people of OS? 

 

[GuyWithAviators]

Been daily driving this lately. No big issues. Still waiting on some Aliexpress electrical stuff before I put the dash back together. The 24v > 12v DC converter I ordered from Banggood arrived, nice 40amp unit. 

Changed the engine and gearbox oils. All 15l of them. Not including the 18l of coolant. 

Went to an Oldschool meat. 

Had a ride on an AA tow truck. 

 

... wait what? 

Just a fuel bleed nipple fitting that decided to go missing... The empty looking spot near the filter. 

Didn't notice for a little too long... Diesel everywhere. Nice and clean under the truck now though. 

Back window has a nice sheen to it now also. 

 

Put a new fitting and filter on and she is all good now. 

[GuyWithAviators]

Better update this fred. 

Daily'd this truck for a year or so. These things happened during that time;

Radiator started leaking so yanked that and got a replacement, new brass unit from CoolDrive. Nice. Old one was missing lots of fins and had split along the top egde. 

[GuyWithAviators]

A Mazda Demio wrote itself off by crashing into me. Broke my tail light lens and pushed the bumper into the body, no dramas. His insurance paid me out a decent amount of cash for the hassle.

 

Then @Geophy built me a motorcycle rack, and I used it to transport mopeds to Christchurch for a Moped NZ / QCR ride. Had 2 Honda Chaly's inside inside the back and three dudes inside. 

Found some snow and riverbeds while spending time down there. 

Handled the 3000km round trip with no issues other than a flat tyre. 

[GuyWithAviators]

Used the PTO winch to haul this Fiat out of a field for @mo999 - that was fun. 

Then had to be towed out of damp grass by a new Landcruiser after I got stuck. Initially I'd just put down the average off road perfoamance to my old tyres but then realised that the front wheels weren't evening spinning when stuck.  Checked the transfer case was engaging the front drive shaft and it was - odd. 

So dug a bit deeper and pulled the front hubs apart. See if you can spot what's missing. 

Yep - the entire clutch assembly is missing on one side - so that combined with open front diff meant that no power was going to the front wheels - the axle going nowwhere was just spinning. Found the missing parts and reassmled it - tightened both wheel bearings and greased the lot while I was in there. 

 

[GuyWithAviators]

Some more things. Put in extended shakles in the rear - 2 inch lift. Just to help level out the saggy leaves. 

And then when 'cruising down the motorway one night the sunroof dissapeared, it flipped back over onto the roof. The frame had rusted so much the glue sealant separated from the frame. Didnt smash the glass though suprisingly. This stayed held on with a tie down until I sorted a replacement. 

[GuyWithAviators]

And here ends the saga of this Landcruiser in my ownership. 

I put new tyres and wheels on it. Some 31 inch mud tyres - cheap Goodrides but did the job. 

Loaded here up to the brim and moved myself and all my bikes to Tauranga from Auckland.

 

Then while poking around at some flakey bits found some scary looking rust so made the decision to sell the Landy. 
The rust combined with the still noisy gearbox made this easier - I just can't afford it right now with an overseas trip coming up soon. 

One day I'll own another 60 series - I absolutley love them. But my time with this one is over. 

Here's how she looked when I sold it. 

Sad reacts only.