OlympiaFJ60

I don’t know why, but I like to try and fit winches into the stock bumper.  Here I will install a Warn Industries 9.5ti winch into my ’95 FZJ80 Land Cruiser.  A standard configuration winch would have been much easier to install, as the 9.5ti has the solenoids mounted inside the top cross brace.  This required extra clearance when figuring out how to position the winch.

To start with, I fabricated some frame horn extensions that the winch mounting plate will be attached.  I used the exhisting mounting holes and the stock extensions as the pattern.  I also used the stock extensions as the outside of the bracket and to fill in the front.

Continue reading →

Have you ever found a nail or screw in your tire but are too far away from a tire shop or don’t have time to take it to stop and get it repaired? This simple kit will help get you home.  The ARB Speedy Seal Tire Repair Kit has everything you need.

Locate the foreign object and move the tire to access it, or remove the tire from the vehicle.  Make sure the tire is full of air.

Continue reading →

Ever wish you could manually lock or unlock the Center Differential in the transfer-case of an 80 Series Land Cruiser?  It’s easy, with the addition of the factory CDL switch, available from your dealer or from Slee Off-Road.  For the US market, the Center Differential will only lock if the transfer-case is shifted into low range.  This also means your Center Differential will ALWAYS be locked in low range.  If your Land Cruiser is equipped with Factory Electric Lockers, they will only engage with the Center Differential locked.

Please note that with the CDL engaged, the ABS light will come on and ABS function will be turned off.  This is by design.

If you want to engage the CDL in high range, it’s as simple as adding the switch.  The wiring connector is already in the dash, behind the left switch blank, next to the hazard switch.  If equipped with factory alarm, this blank may be in use, but the wiring is still back there.  Pull the center instrument panel trim after removing the 4 screws, insert the switch into the dash and plug in the connector. Continue reading →

Are you having an issue locking your electric lockers or center differential?  One common culprit is the 4low switch on the top of the transfer case.

Often the problem can be easily fixed by using a thinner sealing washer.  Here I used a diff drain/fill plug washer (right).  It isn’t a solid washer, and crushes thinner than the original washer (left).

But first, make sure the switch functions properly by performing an ohm check while depressing the switch (requires removal of the switch).  The switch shouldn’t need to be pressed very far to close.  If your switch is bad, a new one can be found at your local Toyota dealer, part number 84222-12010. Continue reading →

To finish my dual battery installation in a 1995 FZJ80 I turned to CDan and crew at American Toyota in Albuquerque, NM.  They had the tray and all hardware in-stock and ready to ship.

The tray is from a ’91-’92 FJ80, that has the 3FE motor, and needs to be trimmed slightly to fit against the fan shroud.  The overflow bottle can stay where it is but the washer bottle needs to be relocated.  One common place is between the firewall and the air cleaner housing, right next to the cruise control motor.  Slee Offroad has a simple solution using two brackets.  I plan on just making my own.