1998 Landcruiser Colarado 3.0D Offroad/Daily

On our local lanes centre and diff clearence is really important. So I usually go for atleast a 33" tyre or near enough. Cooper Discoverer MT's are a great price and pretty quiet on the road, ive had 285/70/16's fitted by a local mobile tyre fitter. I also removed the side steps as some of the mounts were rusted through.







I also took the grille off as it was looking very faded and painted it black again.




It was touch and go if the tyres would fit without a lift but they did with a little rubbing on full lock. I bought 5 tyres so i have a macthing spare if i get one fail off-road, high lift farm jack also requred for such events.

Come September we had a cancelled event in Wales and a hotel booked so we went over to Elan Valley area to hit some lanes. Totally different terrain to wiltshire with rocks and boulders everywhere. Some fantastic lanes where you are literally in the middle of no where. We went out in an odd group of monkey bike, quad, defender and land cruiser. The LC performed well just with the mud tyres, luckily not much water to be seen as i hadn't decided on a snorkel yet, off the shelf ones are plastic and sit above the roof line so in my opinion look ugly.

























Little did i know that this had caused the upper tie rod mount on my rear axle to sheer from rust corrosion. Something we only spotted when it went on the ramp a few days later for some work. It was only when the truck was lifted on the ramp that you could see the axle part from the mount. So some fabrication was required to repair before we went any further with anything else. i had noticed the rear diff was noisy and it turns out that rust had a made a small hole in the axle casing so it would have taken on some water. Anyway all repaired with fresh oil in and she's sweet now.





















I had purchased a 40mm Pedders/Monroe lift kit from roughtrax already so it was a good opportunity to lift her as well. We added a longer rear brake line for flex and also new front and rear pads. One UJ in the prop had some play so we replaced that as well.The rear ARB also got chucked away which will allow for more flex but will be a negative on the road. Even with the lift and tyres she sits at 70 on motorways without issue.



















Of course several changes requires more testing so off up the local lanes again and you could just feel the extra flex through out the chassis, feels great.




























We also did another two day trip into Wales but this time there was more water and we stayed in the trucks. I removed the boot seats (7 seater) and when that was done i could fold and move the rear seats forward and fit in the back with double duvets and stretched out, with rear heating switched on it was cushty to stay in. We went with two discos and a Shogun.I also fitted a CB radio and Ariel.

Looking good! Lots of sensible and effective mods.

Looking good. Do these have a locking rear diff as standard?

3 wheel drive is normally enough! Front is handy when you explode a cv though! On my radar for when my frontera expires - if I can find a non rotten manual d4d. I dislike the yota tax though

You mention that there was a small hole in the back axle, caused by rust, which let water in; is there a breather also on the axle, in which case with a warm axle being immersed in cold water when off-roading, this would draw said water into the axle when immersed, etc...?

Wading kit would include venting front & rear axles; gearbox & transfer box; possibly timing cover if similar to a Defender. With outlets of the various pipes terminating well above the potential level of any water you are likely to encounter, would alleviate these issues.

Just a thought.

Furthermore have you told your insurance company of the various modifications that you have already carried out? Failing to do so could negate your present cover.

Keep safe and continue to enjoy your vehicle.

astranaut, hopefully you are correct.

It is amazing how many individuals fiddle with their vehicles, and just don't bother updating their insurance companies with this information. I wouldn't trust the majority of insurance companies further than I could throw them; any excuse to avoid paying out.

So better to be safe than sorry and slipngripross will be alright then.

Absolutely love this. It looks great on the new wheel and tyre combo.