2 Years Later! My LS Swapped 80 Series Land Cruiser Update, Repairs & Upgrades. I love this thing!
This is probably the most overdue update on the channel! This is my 1997 Lexus LX450 which I finished a 5.3/6L80 swap on two years ago. After 2800 miles, its time to address a few things.
This truck has been stellar! Averaging around 16-16.5mpg, that's a significant improvement over the 1FZ's 12-13mpg. I used it for two seasons pushing snow and it did well! However, I've removed the plow set up because the amount of salt they put on our roads causes severe rust, and plowing puts a lot of strain on components that usually don't see it. Now I push snow with a clapped out GM truck that I haven't poured years of my life into.
In this video, I tackle a handful of things I could've done better when I did my swap, including some belt alignment, hoses and fittings. The truck also gets some easy maintenance, and upgrades!
There might be some off-roading and yard work in the video. Maybe.
If you happen to need 80 series land cruiser parts, we have several of them on our lot for parts, email us at Importapartsales@gmail.com or visit www.importapart.com
I hope you enjoyed this mid-week update! As always, I love all of the comments, feedback, and even the criticism.
Catch you on the next one!
-Eric
I’m still laughing from yesterday. This was probably my favorite so far.
I lift things up, and I put them down. Congrats on your debut.
Thank you for sharing Eric with the rest of us!
Keep the wife laughing buddy yall will be together forever
To those of you who haven’t seen the series on this truck, it’s well worth the watch. Whether you want to laugh like usual, or get some inspiration/motivation on your own project, it will absolutely do the trick. Happy to see it alive and kicking! Made me think I could work on a PT Cruiser, only to find out you can never fix a PT because Chrysler. That’s some serious confidence building if you ask me.
On the edge of my seat the entire time with the bolt and tool storage between the battery terminals. Thank you for the awesome videos. Always the right amount of entertainment, skill and knowledge.
ok I'll go back and watch this series thanks for bringing it back forward for us.
I did an LT1 swap on a 94 S10 Blazer 4X4 after the 4.3l died of an oil pump failure. Despite 2mo to work out things like clearance issues, the wiring harness and a myriad of every problem as it came along, it was the best build I've ever done. Over 5yrs and still running great! Looking forward to an LS swap sometime in the future after watching your build.
One of the few that actually made it
Im about to start on my 91 S10 Blazer 4x4 5.3 swap...been saving money all winter...ive got that 90's edition v8 swap manual that goes through most of the clearance issues...im undecided on rebuilding the automatic transmission that is in it because i really want to put a manual transmission in it...i restored my 94 K1500 truck and the 4l60e is built as strong as i can get it but im tired of an automatic....did you keep your AC?...i want to keep mine only because i live in the south and when its hot and rains then the inside of your vehicle gets supper hot/humid and windows fog...other than that i dont ever use my AC...and good job on completing your build
It’s so nice to see a highly respected Toyota improved with a transplanted Chevrolet engine. 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
LS3 swapped my super clean FJ62 Land Cruiser with a H55F 5speed using a Marks Adapter kit back in 2018. Passes CA emissions and has been super reliable. But the hardest LS swap I did was my 2gen 4runner back in 2013. That one took a year to iron out the problems. It’s been super reliable with no overheating issues even stuck in traffic with the AC on in 100 degree temperatures. The drive by wire cruise control works flawlessly and the truck passes CA emissions as well. Good luck and be patient. You’ll eventually get it perfect 👍
I wouldn't mind swapping my 2nd Gen as well, there seems to be a little more info out there today than in 2013 possibly but still looks to be quite the challenge. In your opinion, what made it difficult?
A master technician and now an incredible landscaper. Eric, you're amazing!!
I love these J80's. Mine is a '97. I have a Wit's End turbo kit on it. Currently running 8.5 PSI of boost. Installing Methanol injection on it right now, and then going to 10 PSI of boost. The stock 4.5L loves boost. Takes care of the power problem you mentioned, makes the fuel efficiency problem worst.
Keep up all of the videos Eric. Love watching all of them. Not only the teardowns but all of your other projects. As soon as I see one of your videos I immediately start watching.
5:24 "Never let perfect be the enemy of good."
As a former street rodder who is now in recovery, I can understand and sympathize with your need for "projects". Love your tear down videos and am regularly searching for past episodes that I either have not seen or are worth another look. The bumper test was classic too. Why do I think that your neighbors are never surprised at anything car related that goes on at your house?
Off roading in your own yard is always stupidly satisfying lol
You should have more than 1M followers. I hope soon. Because you deserve it
Leave the rear hitch ON ! Comes in REAL handy, if you get stuck ! Speaking from experience !
When they were assembling 09 engines they likely found a storage container full of f-body oil pans and they were out of or low on 08 pans.
I watched them and almost every video now. that is my goal when I love a channel is to watch every video
You amaze me with your ability, your dad must be very proud of you.
Hi Eric's wife, thanks for allowing these shenanigans! He must have some other redeeming qualities that we never see 😁
Thanks for reminding me to never consider such an undertaking.
this thing looks and sounds amazing. you even have some properly serious tires on it
@8:46 "Good and tight! Wait this isn't German." Lmao what a gem that was. Thanks for sharing this project, you're a huge inspiration to me
Oh man, thanks for the update!
Always enjoy your humour! As proper off-roaders for use in remote parts of the world, these trucks were of course primarily designed to run a 4.2L inline 6 diesel, either turbo (1HD series) or non-turbo (1HZ), the latter being known as The Slug in Australia. The 1HD-FTE version (100 series) is incredibly sought after now and secondhand prices have skyrocketed. Locking centre diff and usually a locking rear diff, with top spec models getting a locking front diff too. In this config, it would have walked up that wee slope like it was climbing a low kerb. The 4.5L inline 6 petrol (1FZ series like you had) was unpopular due to lack of torque and fuel consumption. In the US for whatever reason (emissions?) Toyota didn't release the Land Cruiser in our normal diesel form, and you guys got mostly the half-baked Lexus version which was a great shame because the proper LC would have spawned a huge off-road after-market scene I'm sure. It would have given Jeep a real run for its money (the Land Cruisers are considerably more reliable than Jeep).
Good stuff! Always enjoy watching you wrench.
I'm about to LQ9/4L60E swap my 80 series (96 LX450) so I appreciate all the videos. Since you mentioned cruise control someone already has this figured out with DBW on ih8mud. You'll need to dig around but the information is there.
As a tech who replaces 6l80's every other week, if you just change your trans fluid when it loses the red tint, you'll be good.
Eric like the hydraulic leg bumper installer. 😃. Like the new bumper.
compared to early videos your editing is awesome and your humor is really good.
The exhaust sound is really amazing!!!
One the BEST power trains ever! Plus that wonderful chassis & interior!! Ok it weighs 19,000 lbs. without fuel. Great job! Now I've just gotta go back & watch the old build series! Now ya might want to look for more vehicles for your "collection"?! Maybe a BMW or one of those " Back to the Future Cars"? Yeah, maybe nor! Or you could just drive it? 😎
congrats man, looks good!
Back in the 70's I knew a few guys that put SMC's in Toyota FJ's. They belonged to a 4X4 club. Called them ToyLet's
I appreciate the hell out of you going full send on that last climb! 😆👌
Nothing looks better on an 80 then an ARB bar 🤌
One of my favorite uploads of your site. Well done, and a good and noble cause!!
Absolutely awesome
i love the teardowns but it was fun watching you work on your own truck. I really like it and look forward to some other projects you have in store for it.
This was an awesome swap! Glad you brought it back around for us to see. You’re right, a lot of us haven’t saw this truck. Great Video and awesome truck!!! You make very watchable videos while also being informative and entertaining… 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Good to see this Eric, was wondering how it was doing. Good job.
Sweet new bumper! Thanks Mrs. I Do Cars
Props for seeing this all the way through, and thanks for all the videos along the way!
I haven't seen a video of this vehicle since I subscribed. So stoked! I have an LX570
I love these build style videos, it reminds me of the OG Hoonigan videos
I just love the shot of the driveway all normal then boom! There is a truck just jumping in frame
This is some dedication!
I went on a trip to the Australian Outback before covid, hired a 4wd Toyota Troop Carrier with and awesome flip roof camper conversion, it was powered by an awesome 4.5 litres Toyota V8 ☆turbo diesel with a stick, loved that 4wd, we went everywhere across the Top End and did some amazing fishing, caught a 1.2m Barramundi and spied crocs well over 5m. LS swappedToyota and Nissan 4wds are everywhere there, we talked to a lot of guys that did the conversions. Most popular used the Marks Adapters conversion kit (located in Melbourne) they make complete swap kits for all of the popular models of Toyota and Nissan 4wds. Some of the guy completed their conversions in their spare time over a few months (depending on ability, etc). Some just paid a shop. New Landcruiser and Nissan Patrols (Armada) are stupid expensive there, over 100k. The troopy we hired was worth over 150k, why LS swaps in older cars arecso popular.
Fantastic video!! Thank you!!! Love that “ truck”!!!
It’s an amazing truck or 4x4, that bumper is a whole lot better! Nice job!
Did you at least CONSIDER a Cadillac Northstar engine swap? LOL. All kidding aside just the dedication was amazing in itself. You would almost think that someone would have a "KIT" for this, but you did it all. And it sounds cheap and easy just sitting and watching, but most would of just given it up just like most do on a kit car. Last, but not least, it was nice to see the Mrs. and see her help, but REALLY- you had her do all of the heavy lifting!!! She IS a wonderful woman to let you have all of the toys that you do so take her out to a nice restaurant. VERY ENJOYABLE video.
Loved the video!!! Awesome build too!
Your videos, even with your looking like Adam Sandler, are nothing short of excellen! Thanks for the quality and entertainment!
I also have a LS swapped SUV. The engine is a 4.8 LR4 from a 04 Express. It now resides in my 84 Grand Wagoneer. Kept the 727 trans. Like you, I average about 16-17. On highway I have knocked out 20mpg. No worries on the reliability. I have put almost 9K miles on it in about 18 months. As far as what I've had to replace, it's been an alternator, a throttle position sensor, and an O2 sensor. Good to see you enjoying an older ride with more power.
I would really like that Land Cruiser. Nice project.
Iconic Vehicle recovered with Iconic engine. Both favorites 2 decades now and for all this century !
I'm not sure why but all your videos are extremely relaxing to watch like you would think that somebody tearing down a LS power steering bracket would be a pain in the ass to watch but no dude it's actually very relaxing maybe that's why I like your videos anyways been a huge fan ever since your first tear downs keep up the good work
I love it. You gave that hill hell. STL forever!
I would leave that piece of tube steel in just for extra frame strength and also since it's already there. Just give it the ol' rustoleum black on it.
I was just waiting for the bumper to fall off when you pulled the honeysuckle. Of course, glad it didn't. Great to get rid of that invasive garbage. Fun video!
80 series with an LS is the norm in Australia now. Nice to see it in the state's.
LS makes everything better.
I like the ARB bumper. Nice rig
Good thing you put that new bumper on! Would have never made it up that hill without it! 🤣
Bumper looks good on there
I hope there was an HOA meeting going on within view of your little off-roading expedition, lol
No hoa for me! Lol
LSs love boost, need I say more? Sweet ride Eric ✌
Nice to see the addition of a "roo bar" you'd fit in well here in Australia.
Ok now you need some 4x4 labs bumpers, lockers and some 35's, and take the kids to Moab, my kids grew up in the back of an fzj80, Toyota really did a great job on them, just got back from rubithon in mine.. great video's btw
That`s a real bumper.Been thinking of getting one for my 4 runner.
Did not follow the build but appreciate the fact thtat the exhaust sounds stock. For that, I thank you
I'm jealous, this truck has always been underrated and with the LS you absolutely nailed it. This is optimal GM & Toyota shot gun marriage.
We love the 80!
that's awesome! Was wondering if the Laguna Seca M3 is out running around now. I was out near New Melle last Sunday and one was headed down D. Immediately thought it might be yours. Keep up the great content on the channel!
Beautiful outcome. Although you state you are not a master mechanic or mechanical engineer, you are a complete natural. Thanks again for posting your work and including the birds (tufted titmouse I believe) chirping in background…reminded me of the great time my wife and I had when we visited St. Louis a few years back🙂
Great video, I’m thinking of doing the same swap nervous just thinking about it 😮
Badass truck 👍
Still laughing at that hill test. 🤣🤣🤣 Love it. Sweet swap. Great content
Good swap 👍and great video. Also, thanks for pulling out the honeysuckle, it's a nasty, hard to control weed.
Nice improvement to the Yota! I’m jealous! I want one of those for my first gen Tacoma.
It sounds great, and you're so right it's simple Dependable parts are cheap maintenance is easy. And it looks like Toyota made some great axles with lockers
Your videos are always fun ! 😅
The wise mechanics rule of thumb. Do what makes things easier not what’s easiest. Doing what’s easiest often results in far more work and scarred knuckles and time wasted trying to get to impossible places to undo seized fasteners because you’ve already removed the easy ones. Going for the hard ones first gives you the opportunity to give up trying to do it the obvious way and start doing it the way it will ultimately need to be done anyway. For example. Pulling the heads on an overheated corvette engine while it’s still in the car when there’s a near 100% chance you will need to pull the engine anyway.
Yessah I totally forgot about the 80 series first vid I seen by you✊🏽
Good Australian bullbar right there.
In Australia we call that ARB "bumper" a Bullbar, as they help save vehicle occupants when you happen to run into one, a cow or other large wildlife on our country roads. They are known as a quality brand here.
When you said you going to test the bumper, I was really hoping you WERE going to run into something!😆
I LOVE 80's!
OK, I'll say it then. "that's what she said" Great show, thanks!
That ending segment is also my method of removing ground cover. Fun AND effective!
I see you have the same Astro lights as me. I have two of them, with the wireless charger on the side of my box. Besides my Stinger, it’s my favorite flashlight ever.
that bumper looks way better than the chrome tird that was there
What’s funny is the in-line six but the Land Cruiser hat is the same in-line six that we have in our Toyota yard forklift at the winery I work for, literally everything is the same including the air cleaner housing it looks like a big vacuum cleaner bucket!
You have the best taste in cars!
So my ‘97 LX450 just turned 250k. I’ve owned it for over 10 years now and love everything about it other than the lack of power and thirst as you’ve stated. I’m contemplating doing this swap or going to a 100 or 200. I’m in Scottsdale, and the general impression I’ve gained from locals who’ve done a LS swap here, really tough to keep them cool. Even with everything Toyota OEM, things are marginal in 110*+ weather. I know the answer is a later series, but I’ve put a lot into this LX build over the years. Not sure I want to start over. And I did stumble onto this channel because your 80 series swap. Stayed for the trivial knowledge of seeing how the various manufacturers design their engines. Awesome content!
This thing is AWESOME!!!!!
Sweet ride sounds healthy to✌️
Not a purest but love the irony of the comment "I dont want anything in the front that's not supposed to be there" of my ls swapped land cruiser...
Nice swap.
good job! for a smart guy , you have to try to be goofy. as always, enjoyed mechanical work.. ed
Triple locked! Nice