Building a home in a 80 series Landcruiser

Ob1 · May 23, 2024

Truck has done 90K miles since the diesel conversion 5 years ago. Just love the way it drives. This weekend I drove to Flagstaff for Expo. You put it in 5th gear at 65-70 mph in cruise control and it does not care uphill, down hill and it maintains the same speed. EGT never exceeds 870F.

Ob1 · Jul 18, 2024

Ordered a 37 gal main fuel tank LRA to replace the stock 25 gal. This would give us 800 miles range. I will fill gas always outside CA so instead of paying $6/gal, I can get it for $3.50. Figured in a couple of years it would pay for the price of the tank. ‍♂️

Ob1 · Sep 29, 2024

Finally got the 37 gallon tank. Took awhile to pull the stock tank off. Since the Long Range America (LRA) tank is deeper, installation instructions are to ‘butcher’ the sender unit wiring and arm and solder parts that they provide. I figured LRA should just provide a single bracket that locates the sender lower. I did machine such bracket and it makes the installation so much simpler.

Old OEM

LRA tank

This is the photo of the installation manual with the parts cut and soldered.

Machined bracket

New installation

UAZ-Boris · Oct 9, 2024

Loving the rig and travels you did! Thanks for sharing! Now I will read up the 70 series build ;)

Ob1 · Oct 13, 2024

Upgrading the rig for a Long Range America (LRA) 37 gallon main tank. It will give us over 800 miles range. I will never fill diesel in CA.

not sure why Long Range America. it’s actually built in Australia.

Had to pull the hot water heat exchanger and modify the plumbing a bit. Waiting for hoses before final installation.

In less then 2 weeks we will be with the Mojave Trail Guardian doing some work with NPS. Hope to finish this tank install otherwise I’ll take my bicycle.

Ob1 · Oct 17, 2024

Heat exchanger in place. Had to modify the location because of the tank. note driveshaft is out to help the installation. Tomorrow tank goes in. (I hope!). Monday headed to AZ and next weekend the Mojave Trail Guardian organized by OB and NPS.

Ob1 · Oct 28, 2024

Spent the weekend in the Mojave working with Overland Bound and NPS documenting hiking trails for damage and signs. This was all amazingly organized by @Kent R and @Narbob. Love that desert. Now with the main LRA tank I can get almost 800 miles of range. Did almost 2000 miles this weekend. Average 21 mpg including some off road. Love this 1HDFT engine. Best diesel ever made which is all mechanical. Single wire runs it.

Lost the clutch main and the pedal was stuck to the floor in down town LA so I drove 400 miles without clutch home (challenge in LA traffic with an 8000lb rig). Part already ordered and I'll have a rebuild kit with me now and a spare slave.