TLK-105: technical characteristics, tuning. Toyota Land Cruiser

Toyota Land Cruiser 105 is an offshoot of the hundredth series of the Japanese frame SUV. In fact, this is a package tailored for off-road use. The car was produced from 1998 to 2007 . Despite the fact that more than twenty years have passed the LC105 model , the car is still relevant for lovers of hunting, fishing or off-road.

It has all the necessary locks and a low-torque diesel engine to confidently make its way over rough terrain.

Basically, the Cruiser in the 105th body was sold in the countries of the Middle East and North America.

Peculiarities

The car in question is the entry-level GX and STD trims of the Toyota Land Cruiser J100, separated into a separate version based on a different design. It was produced from 1998 to 2006. The car underwent two restylings along with the main model (in 2003 and 2005). Since this modification is designed for particularly difficult operating conditions, the design was simplified as much as possible. Technically, it is an intermediate version between the J80 and J100, since many components are borrowed from the 80 series: chassis, transmission, engines, suspensions, and the body is from the Land Cruiser J100.

The car was only available in the African, Australian, South American and Russian markets.

As during production, it is now being purchased for off-road and expeditionary use. For other purposes, it is not advisable to buy the car, especially now that this simplified version on the secondary market costs more than the higher trim levels of the J100.

The specifics of operation necessitate a particularly thorough diagnosis of such machines upon purchase. It should be taken into account that the Toyota Land Cruiser J105, as a specialized version, has a significant proportion of modified units. Tuned copies must be assessed especially carefully: how well the modifications were made and what components were used. In addition, there are not many J105s on the market, so finding them is quite difficult. On the other hand, episodes 80 and 100 previously enjoyed great criminal popularity. This is not typical for the J105.

Price

Toyota Land Cruiser is one of the few cars that, after purchase, can be sold for the same price. It is indeed a fact: on average, the price of these models decreases by only 5 percent per year. If we talk about our body, it can be purchased for 1-1.5 million rubles. Moreover, the cost can sometimes exceed the price of a more luxurious “weave”. But as a rule, these are models already prepared for off-road, with a winch, all the locks and power bumpers.

Despite the high cost, these cars are very popular in the secondary market. There is a stable demand for them. Therefore, even after driving such a car for a month, selling it will not be difficult. However, there are few such owners. After driving a Cruiser a couple of times, you start thinking about permanent ownership of such an SUV.

Body

The TLK 105 has the same 5-door station wagon as the regular Land Cruiser J100. It features unpainted bumpers and vertical tailgate doors (except for the Australian market version). The length is 4.89 m, width - 1.941 m, height - 1.849 m, wheelbase - 2.85 m. At the same time, the chassis is slightly narrower. Externally, the GX J105 is very similar to the Land Cruiser J100, given that simplified versions of the latter were offered in Australia.

Petrol Land Cruiser

We also note that the Land Cruiser 105 for the American market in 2005 received a V-shaped, eight-cylinder gasoline engine 2UZ-FE. It is distinguished by a 32-valve timing mechanism and a VVT-i phase shift system. The cylinder block material is cast iron. The head is aluminum.

The maximum power of this power unit with a volume of 4664 cubic centimeters is 282 horsepower. With this engine, the car accelerated to hundreds in 11.7 seconds. At the same time, it consumed 16.5 liters of fuel in the city. On the highway this figure was around 10 liters.

Engine

The TLK-105 was equipped with two in-line six-cylinder engines borrowed from the Land Cruiser J80:

1. 1HZ. Atmospheric 12-valve diesel engine with a volume of 4.2 liters, used on the J70. Develops 129 hp. With. at 3800 rpm. and 271 Nm at 2200 rpm.

2. 1FZ-FE. 4.5 liter petrol engine. Its power is 212 hp. With. at 4600 rpm, torque - 373 Nm at 3200 rpm.

To simplify the design, the engine control unit has been removed.

Fuel consumption per 100 km for Toyota Land Cruiser (2007 - 2012), SUV, J200

Transmission

Transmission: 5-speed manual. Initially they used the H55F, and after restyling it was replaced by one borrowed from the Land Cruiser J80 R151F. The gear ratio of the main pair is 4.3 for a diesel engine and 3.9:1 for a gasoline engine.

The drive is all-wheel drive, with a rigidly connected front axle and a reduction gear. The axles are thicker than the 80 series, as are the axle shafts, and have five studs instead of six. The rear axle is of the unloaded type (with hubs), like the Land Cruiser J100. This provides the ability to move if it breaks down.

TLK-105 has up to three forced differential locks, depending on the configuration. Thus, the STD is equipped only with a center differential lock, the GXR1 is equipped with an additional inter-axle differential, and the GXR2 is equipped with both an inter-axle differential and both inter-axle differentials.

In addition, the latest configuration is equipped with a winch.

Chassis

The front suspension, unlike the Toyota Land Cruiser J100, is dependent on the 80 series. As a result, the car has a higher seating position. The rear suspension is also dependent, like the J100.

ABS can only be present on the GX trim level, and then only for some markets.

To ensure the same track as the J100, the TLK-105 wheels with a narrower chassis due to the front dependent suspension have a convex shape. The STD version is equipped with stamped wheels, the GX version is equipped with cast wheels.

Description

The first generation Land Cruiser was released 68 years ago - in 1951. This series of cars has existed on the automotive market longer than others. The car manufacturer is the largest Japanese engineering corporation Toyota with an 82-year history, a guarantor of reliability and quality.

The TLC 105 is a framed all-wheel drive SUV adapted for crossing countryside, unlike the TLC 100. The World UN recognized this Land Cruiser model as the most durable representative of its class. Despite its reliability and ability to overcome any difficulties, serial production of the car was discontinued in 2007.

Appearance

The exterior of the Land Cruiser 80, 100 and 105 is almost the same: angular shapes, lines, wheels with massive discs. Main differences:

• bumpers - on all 105 TLK they are painted black;
• rear lights - single;
• Door 5 is hinged, not vertical, as on the TLK 100.

In 2002, the car underwent its first restyling. The radiator grille was expanded, it acquired a single edge with the front bumper. 3 years later, in 2005, the Toyota concern carried out another restyling of the Land Cruiser 105. The photo shows that this time the headlights underwent changes (they were combined with turn signals, and the ratio of the low/high beam lamps became horizontal), the shape of the brake lights signals and again the radiator grille.

The car gives the impression of a rugged, powerful, truly “masculine” SUV.

Some owners, especially those who are interested in cross-country auto racing or hunting, additionally tune the car, making the body even more durable and stronger.

The quality of the car's anti-corrosion and paintwork is beyond compare. Over a couple of decades of operation, rust does not appear even on chipped areas. When exposed to sunlight in summer, the varnish does not fade and the paint does not crack.

The dimensions of the SUV are impressive:

• length - 4 m 90 cm;
• width - 1 m 94 cm;
• height - 1 m 89 cm (clearance 23 cm);
• weight varies from 2 to 3 tons.

High-profile mud tires will allow you to raise the car a couple of centimeters, and you can increase the strength of the car by installing power bumpers.

Salon

The interior of the Toyota Land Cruiser 105 series SUV is dominated by minimalism and simplicity (mechanical windows, 1 airbag). In addition to the standard set of seats, there are two folding benches in the trunk of the car. And the front passenger seat is so wide that 2 people can comfortably fit on it. The salon is large enough to accommodate 10 people.

Trunk volume:

• without benches is 830 l;
• if you fold the second row of seats, the amount of space increases to 1370 liters.

Due to its spaciousness, the car is convenient for long journeys or hunting trips with a large group. The SUV is initially equipped with 2 heaters and an air conditioner, which create comfortable conditions inside at any time of the year.

Since the interior of the LK 105 car is a simpler version of the LK 100, the only option for seat upholstery is velor. In the extended full model TLC 105 GX, in addition to fabric seats, electric windows and air conditioning were installed.

Land Cruiser 105 owners note a high level of noise insulation despite the budget configuration. In the cabin of the SUV you can’t hear external sounds or the roar of the engine.

Also, one of the features of the car is the presence of 2 gearbox control levers (1st gear, 2nd transfer case). And the switch for the fuse box 3 of the differential locks is located to the left of the driver at the ignition level.

Interior

The TLK-105 interior has expanded capacity, simplified finishing and reduced equipment. The first is provided with additional seats: the front passenger seat is expanded for two people, and double benches are installed in the trunk along the sides. As a result, the car can accommodate up to 10 passengers. The STD has vinyl upholstery. Electrical accessories and airbags are missing. The GX is equipped with air conditioning and simple power accessories. The upholstery is fabric. The car has two stoves. In any case, the Toyota Land Cruiser J105 has a more comfortable interior than the corresponding versions of the 80 series.

Owner reviews

Feedback from owners of this model of car is clear - many people are satisfied with the TLK 105 despite the simplicity of the configuration:

• Valentin. Economical, reliable, passable and, at the same time, comfortable SUV. The car was produced in 2001, with almost 300,000 km of mileage. Today I have owned it for 2 years, during the entire period of operation the only thing I had to do was change the brake pads. The engine is unpretentious and reliable, the SUV can handle both flat and mountainous terrain. Although the mountains were a bit difficult for him, he managed to cope. In the summer, I fill it with tractor fuel, pre-filtered through a sieve, and the 105 Kruzak still rushes along like a tank.

• Konstantin. I bought it back in 2004, and it so happened that I immediately gave it a test drive. It was winter, and my wife and I decided to test the car - we drove out to a field with a snow level of more than half a meter. We crossed this field at speed. The cruiser easily copes with ascents and descents. For 10 years of use, not a single breakdown, subject to timely maintenance. In cold weather, despite the frost, it started with half a turn thanks to 2 heated batteries.
• Natalia. The Toyota Land Cruiser 105 has no analogues today. The 105 GX version is more tailored for off-road use, which is why I sold it, for me this is a minus (I am more of a city dweller). Although I wouldn’t say that it feels bad in the city, it is difficult to overtake and change lanes in it. Among the advantages, I can note a comfortable seat, steering wheel and radio.

Engine

The motors are very durable. Their service life can be more than 700 thousand km. However, they are characterized by high fuel consumption: 15-20 liters for a gasoline engine and 10-15 for a diesel engine.

With 1FZ-FE you only need to monitor the oil level, change the timing chain in time and adjust the valves. The main problem is a break in the ignition coil winding inside the distributor. It should be borne in mind that different versions of the engine were installed on cars for the Japanese and Arab markets, so they are not interchangeable.

Diesel is also very unpretentious and poorly sensitive to fuel quality, especially compared to engines equipped with Common Rail. Fuel equipment can only be damaged by very low-quality diesel fuel. The main problem is chemical corrosion and cracking of the cylinder head. With proper operation, the engine can last 500-800 thousand km.

Let's sum it up

So, we found out what a Toyota Land Cruiser is. Among its main advantages are:

• Brutal appearance.
• Corrosion-resistant body.
• Resource engine.
• Reliable transmission.
• Indestructible pendant.
• Spacious interior and roomy trunk.
• Liquidity in the market.

Among the disadvantages it is worth highlighting:

• Modest interior equipment.
• Expensive spare parts.
• High fuel consumption.
• Excessive roll and roll.

This car is ideal for those who want a reliable and comfortable SUV with good off-road performance. Many people doubt which engine to choose. An atmospheric diesel engine is more suitable for those who like to skid off-road - its traction is enough for the eyes. Well, for those who like more dynamic driving, we can recommend the eight-cylinder engine. True, in terms of fuel consumption it is not at all economical. As for the gearbox, it is better to choose a pure mechanic for off-road use. Any automatic transmission does not like overheating, so versions with automatic transmission are more suitable for operation on asphalt terrain.

Transmission

Among the gearboxes, the H55F is considered problematic. The other gearbox is very reliable. With regular oil changes (every 40-50 thousand km), it lasts about the same as engines. Even the clutch lasts 150-200 thousand km.

Often, when operating in difficult conditions, the front cross-axle differential and the main pair are damaged. In addition, the splined part of the front driveshaft suffers. Although with proper maintenance (injection of universal joints and checking the adjustment of wheel bearings every 50 thousand km), the service life of the hubs and cardan shafts is more than 200 thousand km. The rear axle hubs and front shaft wear out first.

Differential locks may become sour.

The transfer case lasts more than 500 thousand km. Its main problem is corrosion of the drain plug and aluminum housing.

The front axle must be rebuilt every 150-200 thousand km. In addition, it can bend or leak due to depressurization of the beam welds.

Repair and service

According to the regulations, the recommended vehicle maintenance interval must be carried out every 10,000 km or once a year (depending on which comes first).

But check the oil in the manual transmission and transfer case, the fluid in the automatic transmission and clutch and, if necessary, change it every 40,000 km. Oil in differentials, checking the tightness of the exhaust gas system, drums and shoes of the parking brake and air conditioning system, checking the coolant level - every 20,000 km.

The first antifreeze replacement should occur when reaching 160,000 km, the next - after every 80,000 km. The radiator, pipes and cooling systems are checked for the first time at 40,000 km, then at 80,000 km, and then every +20,000 km. The timing belt needs to be changed every 150,000 km, and the chain - every 200,000 km.

If you do not monitor the condition of the SUV, then over time problems will begin and you will have to carry out repair work. The video review shows how the power and reliability of the TLK 105 help overcome difficult sections of roads and off-road terrain. And if treated with care, the car will serve the owner for many, many years.

Chassis

The greatest threat to the chassis comes from crossing fords. Thus, the service life of the beams reduces the ingress of water. To avoid leaking seals, it is necessary to clean the breathers. In addition, after crossing fords, you need to inject the crosspieces, as with every maintenance.

The service life of front arms and ball joints is from 60-80 to 150 thousand km, shock absorbers - from 150 thousand km, stabilizer bushings - 40 thousand km.

The brakes are very stressed on such a heavy car, so they wear out quickly. On the 1HZ version they are more durable.

Body

Off-road tuning usually involves installing a power body kit, including bumpers and side skirts.

In addition, it is necessary to protect the bottom with metal sheets.

For larger wheels, wheel arch extensions are usually used.

A winch should be installed.

An expeditionary trunk is often installed. Additional lighting fixtures are usually placed on it (many options have specialized mounts).

Some parts were equipped with versions for certain markets. Thus, the Arabian modification has a ladder to the roof, a spare wheel mount and an additional 50-liter fuel tank in the rear overhang. There are also non-standard additional tanks of larger volume.

Sometimes a body lift is made by installing spacers.

Engine

Tuning the 1HZ-equipped modification of the TLK-105 is very common: the diesel engine is rather weak for such a heavy car, especially if it is equipped with additional equipment. Therefore, it is often turbocharged. To do this, use a turbine from 1HD-T or ready-made kits. In any case, a more efficient fuel system and a modified exhaust will be required. It is also advisable to install an intercooler. In addition, there is an opinion that it is necessary to replace the piston. In addition, sometimes a 24-valve cylinder head from 1HD-FT is installed.

Another option is a 1HD-FT swap, which may turn out to be both simpler and cheaper.

The performance of 1FZ-FE is enough for many.

In cold conditions, a pre-heater is very important. In addition, you can install a heated fuel filter, as well as heating the tank and lines.

A snorkel is required to overcome water obstacles.

To avoid water getting into the crankcases when crossing fords, the breathers should be moved higher.

Due to the fact that during off-road tuning a lot of additional equipment that requires energy is usually installed, the car is equipped with a second battery.

Chassis

A complete suspension tuning kit includes springs, shock absorbers, torque rods and castor plates or a castor kit. Lift kits provide a ride height of 2 to 6 inches. A castor kit, which includes silent blocks for axle levers with a modified central hole, is necessary to maintain controllability, since the castor changes during a lift. There are adjustable and designed for a specific elevator size. Another option is to bring the installation angle of the kingpins to the factory one by using castor plates (spacers) above the rear mountings of the trailing arms. Since the stock Panhard rods will lead to displacement of the bridges, split and extended rods are used. In addition, you will need to install spacers between the anti-roll bars and the body.

Due to the increase in suspension travel, it will likely be necessary to lengthen the brake hoses by installing spacers or replacing them.

When choosing off-road wheels, you need to keep in mind that 35-inch options are considered optimal. They allow you to maintain the durability of the main pair and CV joints. When installing large wheels (37- and 38-inch ones are often used), the service life of these elements, as well as the axles, will be significantly reduced. In any case, large wheels require increased ground clearance: 32- and 33-inch wheels by 2 inches, 35-inch wheels by 4 inches.

The car is often equipped with a tire pressure changing system, which includes a compressor and a receiver.

From flagship to horse

Land Cruiser HZJ 105 - this car was first ordered to Australian specification, and then we took on the task of “building” it according to the Dutch “recipe”

This is the story of how an absolutely standard Land Cruiser 105 series was turned into a fairly serious off-road conquering tool in record time.
A couple of months ago, Maurice Ubach from the 4x4 Service company located in the Dutch town of Valkenburg decided to order directly from Japan a Land Cruiser HZJ 105, assembled to the specifications of vehicles intended for Australia and South Africa (currently a Land Cruiser with dependent suspension on both axles not officially supplied to Europe). The application was sent to Japan and six months later (just before Christmas) we were receiving our purchase at the Rotterdam docks. One could consider that the first stage of the epic was completed. All that remained was a mere trifle - to “build” what was planned. And this is what our technical adventure ultimately resulted in... What good do we find in new cars? Just that they are under warranty? Or do we just like the sweet smiles of salespeople at car dealerships? Or maybe this is not the case at all, and we are attracted by the recently damned affordable opportunity to buy a car on credit? However, as you might guess, many other options are possible. For example, I think that “building” an off-road monster from a car without mileage is much more reasonable.

Building from new is much more pleasant

As I just said, the process of turning a new car into an uncompromising off-road "projectile" is much more fun than tinkering with a well-used SUV. Of course, you may not agree with me on this issue, but it’s still stupid to argue with the fact that working with shiny new parts is much more pleasant than sadly and joylessly delving into rusty and shabby pieces of iron and inevitably wasting energy, money and time along the way. elimination of a whole bunch of old “diseases”, which, if desired, can always be found in any used car.

We need a continuous bridge

As I already said, our “expeditionary” project began with a brand new Land Cruiser 105 2006 model year with a 4.2 liter six-cylinder diesel engine, the same as the 78 and 79 series vehicles are equipped with. Why was this particular model chosen? Let's start with the fact that such cars can be found all over the globe: from Australia to South Africa, from the oil deserts of the Persian Gulf to the jungles of Southeast Asia. Moreover, in the company’s off-road line, this car simultaneously plays the role of flagship and “workhorse” (meaning Toyota Land Cruiser 100 and Toyota Land Cruiser 105). In addition, if you compare it with other diesel classmates, the Land Cruiser seriously wins in price. For example, a car cost us 40 thousand euros (price in Holland). Moreover, even at the factory, at our request, the car was equipped with a second 50-liter fuel tank in addition to the main one (volume 95 liters) and a separate seat was installed for the front passenger (instead of the standard one-and-a-half-liter sofa). Overall, the “before” photo clearly shows that before the transformation process began, this was a damn boring standard SUV. But at the same time it had a wonderful front continuous axle...

Selection of components for tuning

Any project of this kind begins with a thorough market study. As you understand, it was very important for me to make sure that the selected additional equipment would work properly for quite a long time. I ended up turning to products from ARB Corporation, Warn Industries Inc, Black Widow 4WD Storage Systems, and Pro Comp Tires (as far as I know, these companies' philosophy is to bring only the best to the market). As a result, almost simultaneously, two sea containers were sent from both sides of the globe - from Australia and the USA - to Holland, and four weeks later we already received all the necessary components. After this, the car was “registered” for five days in the work area of ​​Maurice Ubach’s tuning studio in Valkenburg.

The work schedule was extremely tight. This is understandable - we had to “walk” from the front bumper of the car to its “stern”, from the bottom to the roof and from the engine compartment to the interior. In general, I spent the next week carefully documenting the successive stages of turning a standard car into a “combat” machine. However, at times I had to put aside my digital camera and pick up the most ordinary wrenches. In addition, my immediate “responsibilities” included constantly helping the mechanics, understanding the instructions for installing components that arrived from Australia and the USA.

Let's start with increasing engine power

To breathe new energy into the engine, we installed a turbocharger with an intercooler. For this, a Garret turbine was used, and the intercooler itself was taken from a standard, turbocharged version of a Toyota diesel engine. I will say right away that this work was not easy and took the whole day. But honestly, it was worth it - the said operation increased engine power from 130 to 180 hp. And this despite the fact that, in general, there was no task to squeeze the maximum out of the engine: over time, when we are convinced that everything works as it should, it will come to additional tuning of the engine. According to our estimates, this will allow us to increase the power to 200 hp, and maybe a little more. And now, while Rud Essers finishes installing the supercharger, you have to get acquainted with other, no less interesting fragments of this off-road mosaic...

Rear bumper with spare wheel holder ARB

In fact, when going to a decent (from the point of view of an off-road enthusiast) country, it is advisable to have at least one spare tire with you. So why not dig it out from under the luggage compartment floor and place it somewhere more accessible? This is exactly what the rear bumper produced by ARB allows you to do. Not only does it provide excellent protection for vulnerable rear quarter panels, but it also accommodates a spare tire holder and a special fuel canister mount. This makes it possible to remove the spare tire from under the “stern” of the SUV, firstly, greatly facilitating access to it, and secondly, freeing up space for something useful, for example, a larger fuel tank. In this case, you do not have to drill any holes in the frame - the bumper has the same mounting points as the standard one. Moreover, if you wish, you can place not one, but two brackets on it, which will allow you to have not one, but two spare tires. I decided that for traveling on the roads of Europe, one spare tire would be enough for me, but on long-distance expeditions to the countries of North Africa or Eastern Europe, it wouldn’t hurt to be on the safe side. In this case, it will only take me about an hour to install the second bracket. In total, the work of installing the bumper with bracket took approximately four and a half hours. The tire size I chose (35″) turned out to be the maximum that can be used with ARB brackets. If you install two brackets, the Pro Comp tires will touch in the center area. Yes, I completely forgot to mention that the bracket is equipped with a gas shock absorber, which greatly facilitates access to the rear door. However, if you stop on the descent, the force developed by the gas stop will not be enough. Folding the brackets with the spare wheel and canister to the side does not cause any difficulties. To gain access to the door, just pull the lever, and to return the bracket to its place, you just need to slam it, like a car door.

WIDOW 4WD STORAGE SYSTEM

Remember how many times, returning from a long trip, you said to yourself: that’s enough, next time I’ll be more organized, I’m just tired of having to turn everything over in the car in order to get some little thing from the very bottom of the trunk. So, you will forever get rid of the need to do something like this if you install any of the Black Widow systems. First of all, you will have compartments that are locked with stainless steel locks. These bearing-supported drawers slide easily on galvanized steel slides for easy, convenient access to contents. The side panels lift up and remove to allow access to long loads such as the hijack. Having installed such a system, you will simply be amazed at how much additional space is immediately created in the trunk of your car! No wheel arches protruding inwards, just a flat floor. This doubles the space available to you, making your journey comfortable and enjoyable. In general, being neat and organized is the key to a successful trip. And these are not all the reasons that make Black Widow a market leader. You receive a completely ready and already assembled system. But alas: before installation, we had to completely disassemble the system and remove the drawers in order to gain access to the main frame and make all the measurements necessary for accurate installation. We had no problems mounting the frame onto existing holes in the bottom using bolts and washers used as spacers. Then the side, top and rear elements of the space frame are mounted on the frame. After this, the drawers are returned to their place, and finally the installation is completed by installing the outer panels. The whole process took no more than two hours. In addition to the main system, we also installed a divider and an upper shelf, which required another 45 minutes of not too intense work. Total - about three hours.

FRONT BUMPER ARB, SIDE PROTECTION, WARN WINCH M12000

Since car protection cannot be limited to kangurin, we installed a front power bumper and side protection from ARB on our Land Cruiser. In fact, in order for a kengurin to properly perform its assigned duties, many factors must be taken into account when developing it. Vehicle design features, strength, airbag deployment conditions, approach angle, the ability to install additional equipment, weight and aesthetics are what ARB engineers think about before a new bumper model is put into production. Before starting the installation, we dismantled the standard bumper (the car immediately took on an unusual look) and unpacked the box with the Warn M12000 winch. This model is the workhorse of Warn's large family of winches due to its high torque, power and 30 fpm (9.14 m/min) reeling speed. The winch is driven by a 4.6 hp electric motor, which, through a planetary gearbox, rotates a drum with a 38-meter cable with a diameter of 3/8.

This model has a traction of 5440 kg on the first layer of cable, which is perfect for the Land Cruiser 105. Now you don’t have to worry that the car will get stuck in clay ruts or won’t be able to overcome some slippery slope. After the winch has taken its assigned place on the bumper, and the cable has been passed through the guide rollers, it is time to install the entire structure on the car.

This requires the efforts of two people. Insert two bolts into the mounting bracket holes and tighten (but do not tighten!) the two nuts. Then you need to carefully check the position of the bumper relative to the car body (the gap between the bumper and the front panels should be strictly 15 mm). It remains to tighten six bolts, and you need to pull so that the Grover washers are deformed. Then we put in place the deflector located under the bumper, which directs the air flow into the engine compartment. The next stage was the installation of side protection, the bars of which had to be attached to the frame side members and the side branches of the bumper. First, the side rails are attached to the frame using U-shaped brackets. To attach the front guard rails that run along the fenders, we had to drill three holes on each side (two on the side guard bars and one on each side of the bumper). The work required 4.5 hours.

ADDITIONAL LIGHTS WARN OFF-ROAD LIGHTS

It's no secret that Warn auxiliary lights are extremely reliable and durable, as is everything that bears this name. In this case, I chose the SDB 210 HB model, aggressive headlights that can illuminate a space 270 m from your car. This model has an internal frame to hold the lamp and serious glass protection, and the body is made from impact-resistant polycarbonate. The kit includes a complete set of accessories and wiring necessary for mounting the headlights, as well as a key switch for installation on the dashboard. A two-position switch allows you to control the nature of the beam. Plus, it has an LED indicator so you won't miss the switch at night. We assembled the kit in just an hour and a half, and voila, let there be light!

WHEELS PRO COMP MUD TERRAIN 35″ ON 8×16 DISCS

Why did we choose this particular brand and this model? First of all, by installing a new suspension kit, we discovered that we could now fit 35″ tires, whereas previously the choice was limited to 33″. In fact, it would have been possible to install wheels of a slightly larger size, but we decided to limit ourselves to 35, or more precisely, wheels of size 315/75R16. After all, we were going to “build” a real car for travel, and not a show car, a kind of luxurious palace on an unreliable foundation, ready to crack at the first blow of the elements. If you go too far with the tire size, this will inevitably lead to an increase in the frequency and likelihood of serious breakdowns, and, according to the law of meanness, these breakdowns will happen somewhere in the middle of a mud bath in the middle of the Great Nowhere. Handling will also suffer... After all, the main task of tires is to ensure reliable adhesion of the tread to the road, and the heavier the car, the more difficult it is to achieve this.

OLD MAN EMU SUSPENSION KIT WITH OLD MAN EMU LTR SHOCK ABSORBERS

As you probably know, the emu is a bird native to Australia. She cannot fly, but her powerful legs allow her to move across rough terrain with amazing ease. The fact is that the emu’s limbs perfectly absorb impacts on the ground, so that when running, the body remains at the same height from the ground and moves very smoothly. Such smoothness was the main goal of the company's engineers when developing a whole family of integrated suspensions for 4x4 vehicles. Rocking, insufficient energy consumption of the suspension, problems with handling and discomfort when driving on uneven roads - these are what owners of standard SUVs often encounter. By installing the OME integrated suspension system, you radically improve safety and handling. The elite LTR (Long Travel Remote) shock absorbers were designed specifically to perform in extreme conditions, such as towing trailers or high-speed off-road driving. Remote reservoirs allow more oil to pass through the shock, and the piston separates it from the fill gas, preventing the oil from "boiling." Thanks to this, LTR shock absorbers are characterized by high efficiency, and they can work in extreme conditions where conventional shock absorbers can no longer cope. So, we replaced the stock shock absorbers on our Land Cruiser with LTR shock absorbers. But in order to improve driving characteristics, it was necessary to replace the elastic elements of the suspension - four springs. We also found a replacement for them in the OME catalog. Old Man Emu springs are precision molded to the highest quality standards. The mechanical properties of the metal are measured both before and after the final heat treatment, designed to relieve internal stress and prevent subsidence. The powder coating protects the springs from corrosion, and, of course, they exactly match the dimensions of the seats of the car brands for which they are intended. The complete OME suspension system includes a combination of springs and shock absorbers with precisely matched characteristics to work together to provide improved ride and handling under varying load conditions. Particular attention is paid to increasing the suspension travel, while the geometry of both the steering and driveshafts remains unchanged. In most cases, you can choose from several options for combining spring rates and shock valving characteristics to best suit your vehicle configuration and your driving style. The main things that are taken into account are the vehicle's weight, ride characteristics and versatility, but wheel size is also a consideration. We will return to this issue a little later.

What else can I say about springs?
During the work on our project, the rear of the Land Cruiser became seriously heavier, because it included a heavier power bumper with a bracket for the rear wheel, an additional tank for 50 liters of fuel, a cargo storage system and a roof rack. That's why I decided to choose springs with a load capacity increased by 600 kg. For the front wheels, where only the power bumper and winch added extra weight, according to my calculations, there were enough springs designed for an increase of 200 kg. After installing the new suspension, we re-measured the car in height and found that it had risen above the road by 10 cm. And this was without a body lift, only due to new springs and shock absorbers! To protect the rear shock absorber brackets, we installed special shields. They are included in the suspension tuning kit, and their installation took only 30 minutes on each side. When installing the shields on the rear suspension arms, make sure that they are located in front of the axles of the stabilizer bars and that their lower edge is parallel to the ground. These simple and easy-to-install devices reliably protect your shock absorbers when driving on rocky roads. KACTEP-KIT OLD MAN EMU
OME offers a huge variety of polyurethane cushions and silent blocks for shock absorbers, springs, Panhard rods and anti-roll bars. Among them there are special silent blocks equipped with splines for caster correction. Incorrect caster setting (the angle between the wheel's axis of rotation and the vertical) is immediately felt as a deterioration in handling: the driver loses contact with the car, and the car begins to “float” on the road. Most often, this problem occurs after lifting, but OME corrective inserts allow you to get rid of it forever. Their unique design is designed to withstand long-term use in the harshest conditions, and installation takes an hour and a half. So, we are getting closer to completing the project. We spent three full eight-hour days in Maurice's workshop, but before the finished car went on its first test drive, we had one more major problem to solve. It was necessary to equip both axles with differential locks. I could have ordered original interlocks, but we preferred ARB. My choice was predetermined by the fact that I had seen such devices on the roads all over the world, they were successfully used by many athletes I knew, and I myself had the most positive experience of using these interlocks.

ARB AIR LOCKER AND COMPRESSOR

Many people mistakenly believe that traction and all-wheel drive go hand in hand and that you cannot have one without the other. But the truth is that in most cases, an all-wheel drive vehicle simply cannot transfer traction to the wheels when it is needed most, i.e. on very rough terrain. In such cases, only a lock can help, forcing the wheels to rotate synchronously. The world's most respected EOD device is the ARB Pneumatic Lockout, designed specifically to help serious off-road enthusiasts tackle the most extreme obstacles. When the driver needs extra traction, he simply flips a switch located on the dashboard. Air under pressure is supplied from the compressor to the locking mechanism, after which the wheels can no longer rotate independently of each other.

The ARB Air Locker is turned off with another click of the switch, which again opens the differential. The reliability of ARB interlocks is time-tested and is ensured by the simplicity of the design: a minimum number of parts ensures maximum reliability. All parts are made from ultra-high quality steels and machined to aerospace standards for precision and surface finish. Many of the latest ARB locks feature synchronized gears for even greater durability and ease of use. This design is also protected by US patents and its development was accompanied by extensive and extensive testing. The widespread use of computer-based finite element analysis (FEA) has allowed engineers to simulate off-road situations.

It took us six hours to install the interlocks on both bridges. The speed of work was significantly slowed down by the fact that the installation instructions brochure contains 36 pages of text and we constantly had to refer to it, checking each step. In addition, we were convinced again and again of the correctness and quality of installation of all lines and connections, and also controlled the size of the gaps. It was really painstaking work. After installing the blockers themselves, we had to stretch the air lines into the front of the car, bring them into the engine compartment and install the compressor there. Once that was done, we moved on to the “interior work” of the cabin. Fortunately, installing the toggle switches on the dashboard was quite easy. We installed the compressor on/off switch on the dashboard, and the lock switches on the center console.

STEERING DAMPER OLD MAN EMU

This device is designed to reduce vibrations transmitted to the steering wheel and improve handling. In addition, it prevents sudden steering wheel turns when hitting obstacles without interfering with control. The design of the device is similar to that of OME shock absorbers. The damper is equipped with an adjustable 9-position valve that allows you to change the stiffness and optimize the damper's performance, a more durable rod with a diameter of 15 mm compared to the standard one, a two-pipe design, a 35 mm piston, multi-lobe seals, and steel shock protection. In this case, the device has the same dimensions as the standard damper and is mounted on standard brackets. Installation took 40 minutes.

ARB EXPEDITION RACK

The Land Cruiser is, of course, a very roomy car, but it is still better to transport bulky things on the roof. A well-designed trunk radically improves a vehicle's ability to transport oversized cargo, and we chose the ARB expedition trunk. This was the largest box in the load that came to us from the Southern Hemisphere, as I chose a cargo basket measuring 1120 x 1120 mm with an additional mesh floor. It took about two hours to install the trunk. It took two people to get the luggage basket into place. The basket is attached to the supports using special brackets supplied with the trunk. By the way, you can load up to 150 kg on the trunk.

OUTBACK CEILING CONSOLE

This product is installed on existing mounting points. It is made of leather-embossed plastic and has built-in zone lighting bulbs, a niche for installing a radio station, a central container that opens downward, and side containers on the driver and passenger sides. Installing the console took 45 minutes.

PLEASANT TRIFLES

We installed a Pioneer audio system and an ASN Tex-Alarm alarm system in our car. This work was carried out in a specialized workshop and took 12 hours. Why so much? Well, we received the audio system in eight separate boxes, which contained everything - a CD player, an amplifier, speakers - in a word, everything you needed to get the highest quality sound and be able to listen to anything in the car - from Snoop Doggy Dog before Pavarotti. As for the alarm... Let me not tell you about it. Let the secrets of its installation remain secrets both for you and for potential hijackers.

PRELIMINARY RESULTS

So, what did we manage? All work on the project took us just under five full working days. During this time, an ordinary, although very good, SUV has turned into an Extreme Off-Road Conquest Machine! From a financial point of view, everything turned out well too. The final price of the project turned out to be lower than that of the “stuffed” versions of Toyota Land Cruiser with V8 and automatic transmission available to European dealers. We managed to fit in around 75 thousand euros with additional equipment.

FIRST departure

Seven months after placing the order in Japan, the Land Cruiser HZJ 105, arriving in a container at the Rotterdam docks and rebuilt in a small workshop in Valkenburg, was ready to set off on its first journey. I turned the key and heard the dull rumble of six cylinders of a 4.2 liter turbodiesel engine, which was never installed on 105 series cars. Yes, managers of trading companies will tell you a lot about the equipment that you are going to install on your SUV, but you will only find out how it will actually behave after real tests. So, having climbed into the driver’s seat (the car had become noticeably higher), I first of all made sure that the seating position had not changed and the seats remained comfortable. The combination of the Old Man Emu suspension and 35-inch tires is superb, and once you get used to the steering characteristics, you'll find yourself capable of handling anything from high-speed sand and mud to the most rugged terrain possible. Behavior on asphalt also did not cause any complaints - the Land Cruiser turned out to be quite suitable for marathon throws across the continent. You just need to remember that you are not sitting in a sports car, and not make too sudden movements with the steering wheel. But the Pro Comp tires amazed me. Designed to work in mud, on asphalt they behaved no worse and made no more noise than common models in the All Terrain category!

PS That's all, actually. Now you can expect new travel stories from me, to which this wonderful car will be a “pass” for me.

text and photos: Fred M. KRIJGSMAN translation: Andrey SUDBIN