Chris Green90
Well-Known Member
As some of you may be aware I have just finished (well, ish) My off road, extreme, Solid axle conversion 90 series. Having taken that truck a little too far for sensible road use I figure its time for another cruiser/project.
This one will probably not move along quite as quickly as my SAS as I want it to be right. However the truck I have picked isn't the easiest starting place. I picked this up yesterday.
Now, for a little info on it. It is a KZJ95 import. Long wheelbase Prado, imported in 2003. I am not sure what year it actually is so if anyone that can help me find out that would be great. It's a TZ which as far as I can see is the base spec import and if that's the case, boy did they get more goodies than we did.
Now she is in a bit of a sorry state at the moment I got it from a guy who bought it for the rear axle but on finding it didn't fit decided to try and recover some of his cash.
So here are the bad points.
And the Good.
Well its pretty good really. It has done less than 117Km. (Ok the head is stuffed but it shows in other places.) and appears to have been dry stored for the past 4 years meaning it has only had about 7 years of our abusive climate. Underneath is mint, 100% spot on. The chassis in every place I have wiped the dust from so far has been solid and covered in the OE Black paint. same goes for wish bones chassis mounts, control arms. The body work has some minor pin striping down the passenger side and a ding in the rear pillar.
And that's about the worst of it.
So, I hear you ask, What's the plan.
Well the idea is to have this as my going away truck. Something that will pull the big girl and give me somewhere to eat, sleep and relax. Me being me I think I still want the "look" so HD winch Bumper(s), sliders, moderate lift, good size AT's but probably only 31's. Full rear kitchen. Swivel seats, Roof rack, OMG the list really does go on and on and on. But first, Before anything else a 40MM BODY LIFT. I have now decided that this mod is 100% essential for maintenance. It makes so many things so much easier.
I suppose I should have thrown in there somewhere fit a new engine. This is rather a bone of contention at the moment. I am not entirely sure what to do about it really. I am a little concerned about just replacing the head due to how long it may have been stood in pieces for. So I am thinking of dropping the engine out of Dirty Gal in but then I think how nice it would be to drop a V8 in the overlander as well. argh decisions decisions decisions.
Had a bit of a go with the truck today.
I built the axle back up to get it off the trailer and had a tinker on the front and it looks a little more respectable now.
Like I said the interior is a little grotty
But pulling the seats out and giving it a good hoover has made a difference. There is just a few rust stains where nuts and bolts have been left inside but I have some treatment stuff for that (if not wd40 helps).
Not a fan of fake wood in cars so this will have to go. not decided as yet what to change it to but it has to go. Also not seen this switch set up before. Is it just that Dirty Gal has no air con???
Think this cubby is excellent.
Also I found it strange to have a sunroof aswell as air con, I always thought it was one or the other???
This one will probably not move along quite as quickly as my SAS as I want it to be right. However the truck I have picked isn't the easiest starting place. I picked this up yesterday.
Now, for a little info on it. It is a KZJ95 import. Long wheelbase Prado, imported in 2003. I am not sure what year it actually is so if anyone that can help me find out that would be great. It's a TZ which as far as I can see is the base spec import and if that's the case, boy did they get more goodies than we did.
Now she is in a bit of a sorry state at the moment I got it from a guy who bought it for the rear axle but on finding it didn't fit decided to try and recover some of his cash.
So here are the bad points.
- The engine, 1KZ-TE with inter-cooler is stuffed, Head has gone and has been removed.
- Judging by the Tax discs it has not been taxed since 2010 so been off the road for 4 years.
- The trim on the front passenger wing is broken
- The interior was covered in Dog hairs so was not sure what I would find underneath.
- Spare carrier has a stud broken
- No rear locker (import)
And the Good.
Well its pretty good really. It has done less than 117Km. (Ok the head is stuffed but it shows in other places.) and appears to have been dry stored for the past 4 years meaning it has only had about 7 years of our abusive climate. Underneath is mint, 100% spot on. The chassis in every place I have wiped the dust from so far has been solid and covered in the OE Black paint. same goes for wish bones chassis mounts, control arms. The body work has some minor pin striping down the passenger side and a ding in the rear pillar.
And that's about the worst of it.
So, I hear you ask, What's the plan.
Well the idea is to have this as my going away truck. Something that will pull the big girl and give me somewhere to eat, sleep and relax. Me being me I think I still want the "look" so HD winch Bumper(s), sliders, moderate lift, good size AT's but probably only 31's. Full rear kitchen. Swivel seats, Roof rack, OMG the list really does go on and on and on. But first, Before anything else a 40MM BODY LIFT. I have now decided that this mod is 100% essential for maintenance. It makes so many things so much easier.
I suppose I should have thrown in there somewhere fit a new engine. This is rather a bone of contention at the moment. I am not entirely sure what to do about it really. I am a little concerned about just replacing the head due to how long it may have been stood in pieces for. So I am thinking of dropping the engine out of Dirty Gal in but then I think how nice it would be to drop a V8 in the overlander as well. argh decisions decisions decisions.
Had a bit of a go with the truck today.
I built the axle back up to get it off the trailer and had a tinker on the front and it looks a little more respectable now.
Like I said the interior is a little grotty
But pulling the seats out and giving it a good hoover has made a difference. There is just a few rust stains where nuts and bolts have been left inside but I have some treatment stuff for that (if not wd40 helps).
Not a fan of fake wood in cars so this will have to go. not decided as yet what to change it to but it has to go. Also not seen this switch set up before. Is it just that Dirty Gal has no air con???
Think this cubby is excellent.
Also I found it strange to have a sunroof aswell as air con, I always thought it was one or the other???
