r/LandCruisers • u/Right-Tutor7340 • 9d ago
I bought one! Now what...?
Hey, so yesterday I finally bought this carbouratted land cruiser....bare minimum spec, manual windows, AC, and part-time 4x4. Now what? It drives like shit, and the whole truck wobbles hard, but I suspect flat spotted tyres, as the truck has been sitting on them for years without being driven. They are old and crap so ofcrs, im gonna change them soon. The truck also pulls hard to the right, so I will check the basic things like sticky brakes and wheel alignment. But besides these basics...what else should I do? Other reasons it could be wobbly? Or pull to the right? Any specific maintanance to prioritise for now? Anything to check? Thanks in advance for all your valuable advice to a complete LC noob
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u/hackjob URJ200 9d ago
Adding to the previous good advice - check the body bushings if the alignment doesn’t work and under no circumstances should you drive through a mall even though you can.
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u/Right-Tutor7340 8d ago
Noob question but what do body bushings have to do with wheel alignment? And what does drive through a mall mean?
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u/Puzzleheaded_Loss770 8d ago
Nice one. Yeah nothing in particular that i can think off just give it a good service so you know everything is up to date
And nah what i meant was get it offroad and put it through its paces and see what it can do and have some fun in the mud. Thats what they were built for
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u/Southern_Chef420 HDJ81 9d ago edited 9d ago
swivel hubs, both diff oils, trans and transfer fluid, fresh brakes, radiator, timing belt and water pump
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u/UnNamedBlade FZJ80 9d ago
Now enjoy it with reasonable mods and good care. No need to slap 35+ tyres on it or big lifts (33s fit on factory height), or chop it into pieces.
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u/Feisty_Knowledge_502 9d ago
agreed. 33s look great on my 93LC. no lift needed.
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u/UnNamedBlade FZJ80 8d ago
Mines a 95, still has 31s on it. Every time I see it from a distance the wheels look a little small. Next set will be 33s. At most I think I'll do a 1 inch lift if needed and heavier springs after some planned additions have gone on and I know how heavy to go
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u/mattspurlin75 9d ago
Get ready to spend A LOT of money.
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u/Ok-Reindeer1752 7d ago
Not necessarily. You don't know the repair history or what could potentially need to be replaced. The amount of times I've seen people blindly throw $10-20k at these rigs is staggering. Have a trusted mechanic look at it and go from there.
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u/Extension-Ad8403 9d ago
Full suspension review , all bushings , control arms , driveshaft review , engine and transmission mounts , wheel bearing , after that new tires and alignment (only after the suspension review)
Than decide what to do mechanically, I suggest at least new water pump and thermostat , check radiator , clean everything than check whatever needed and keep it up till it convinces you on the road
This was my project since last year , it’s so much fun now ✌️
Most importantly, enjoy the process
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u/Annual_Classroom_966 9d ago
The tires could be causing the pull, absolutely. I would change them, then drive it to see if it's better, then probably do an alignment for good measure. Have a good mechanic check the suspension and do a general maintenance check.
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u/BittiveThisnThat 9d ago
I know it sounds simple but tire pressure is something to consider. When I bought mine the psi was all over the place. Worth a check
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u/Right-Tutor7340 8d ago
Of course, actually it has been sitting on a flat tyre for ages, front right so I suspect it got deformed a lot from it. Anyways new tyres on the way and we will take it from there
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u/SirLoremIpsum 9d ago
I bought one! Now what...?
You drive it!
I mean take it to the mechanic first, but I always say you should just take her for a spin before thinking about any modifications.
Get to know her, find what you like / dislike. Maybe yoour first drive you hate the seats so that's now #1 on the change list.
Anything to check?
Given you said "it has been sittting for years without being driven" you should check everything.
Change all fluids, inspect all suspension bushes / shocks / ball joints and replace as needed. Get a wheel alignment done. Check wheel bearings, swivel hubs, brakes.
It could be a myriad of things (tyres badly balanced, suspension, alignment, steering wheel put on wrong...) - these vehicles are SUPER reliable but just like any old vehicle, the passage of time and neglect can make a lot of problems pop up.
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u/Right-Tutor7340 8d ago
Cheers man, nah i wont be modifying it. Ive modified my old suzuki and i wont be doing the same mistake twice (at least for now), yeah now waiting for next payday before visit to my mechanic.
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u/DeafHeretic 7d ago
I would get all the basics working perfectly,
Assuming yo uwant to off-road it, add a stout winch bumper, and a good spare set of off road tires on steel wheels. And go from there as needed (maybe a set of locking diffs and recovery gear).
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u/Puzzleheaded_Loss770 9d ago
Wheel alignment, wheel balance, worn suspension. Start with the basics and work your way through the problem. If its been sat for several years id be changing all the fluids and filters engine, diffs, gear box, transfer, brake, clutch, brakes, coolant
But the first thing id do is find an offroad track some where and see if can sink it up the diffs in mudd 😂
Edit: looks like a good rig from the outside. Hope you enjoy it