This Year’s Cruiser Projects

I’m not the New Year’s resolution type of person. I’m more of laundry list of projects kind of guy. I’ve got three old diesel Toyota Land Cruisers now and lots of things to fix or attend to on them.

So in no particular order here’s some of the things I hope to accomplish on my trucks this year. I highly doubt I’ll get to all of them but it’s good to have goals.

1982 BJ42

• Swap out tired old 3B/H41 4 speed and replace with fresh engine and H55 5 speed transmission, also install an intercooler for the turbo at this time
• Fabricate rock sliders
• Fabricate a frame-mounted ball hitch
• Weld up a custom stainless exhaust with muffler (currently has no muffler)
• Install crankcase breather/filter
• Fabricate half doors
• Install Winch Mount
• Front disc brake conversion to mini-truck knuckles and birfields
• Finish body work and do fresh mustard yellow paint

1980 HJ45 Troop Carrier

• Fix blown head gasket
• Install H55 5 speed transmission
• Install front and rear lockers ARB ari lockers
• Fix frame rust
• Weld in new front floor pans
• Rust bullet the entire under carriage including frame and axle housings
• Fabricate water storage tank and mounting system
• Install rear fuel tank and electric switching valve
• Design and install house battery charging system
• Design extra aluminum roof rack section to work with BJ42 roof rack
• Install rear swing-out spare tire carrier
• Body work and paint job
• Sound proofing and head liner
• Mount and wire heated Cadillac CTS bucket seats

1982 HJ47 Troop Carrier
I’ve got a body and chassis to start with. Not sure if I’ll get much done on this truck this year. I have a 13B-T and H55 to install in it. Ultimately this will be the Troopy I keep but it’s going to take a lot of work to get there.

Off Road Trailer
I’m going to design and build an off road trailer this summer. I’ve been researching designs for trailers and think I’ll go with an independent suspension using air bags and shocks instead of the traditional leaf spring and solid axle approach. I’m thinking steel frame and aluminum tub. It’s going to be a significant effort but I really like doing this kind of stuff. I’ll be sure to take lots of photos along the way.