Replace Air-con Condenser on Landcruiser

The Condenser on my Land cruiser has seen better days and  I decided to change it out before the unit fails completely. Aftermarket condensers are very cheap and plenty full to choose from. I had no intention to purchase an original condenser from Toyota as they extortionately expensive.

First step was to remove the ARB Bullbar, Spotlights for better access.

Next step was to remove the oil cooler for the automatic gearbox and the inter-cooler including pipe work. This has also give me the opportunity to maintain the T-max winch, as it was a bit in a bad state but still working.

The condition of the oil cooler is not that bad. I believe I can get a view more years out of it.

A bit of paint and the cooler looks much nicer.

The same with the inter-cooler. A black spray can and everything look much neater.

This was the state of the old condenser, still in working  order but no idea for how  much longer.

This is the new condenser, no doubt Chinese manufactured, but good enough for me. For the cost of an genuine Toyota, I can buy four of this type. The condenser comes with air dryer already attached.

Connecting was strait forward, as the aftermarket unit fitted very well. Just a bolt on job.

 

Installing the oil cooler and inter cooler was easy.

After recharging,  the air-con system was good as new. I can be sure the system don’t let me down on hot days.

Auxiliary Battery Switch

After having a few cold and wet winter months, the weather finally improved enough to continue work on my LC.

 Over the winter, when I charged the LC with my Ctek charger, I have noticed constant clicking noise on the relay for the auxiliary battery, as not enough power came from the charger, the relay opened and closed again. To prevent this I had to add a switch between the main battery’s and the Tmax relay.

A bracket was made up and bolted down between the Air filter housing and the Brake booster next to the Tmax relay.

I purchased the switch from a Marine Chandler, as it seems to me they are better and can handle up to 750 Amp for a short time.

The new installed Switch beside the relay.

I have used 25mm2 cable for the connection. After first test the switch worked a treat. Now I just need to remember to switch it off when required.

Iberian Adventure – relaxing in Barcelona

The crossing of France was no problem at all and this afternoon we arrived in Barcelona in good spirit. The weather is fantastic. We have 30 degrees Celsius which is a bit of a transformation of the single figures which has shown on the Buschtaxi gathering. Now it is time to dry our mattress from the RTT and also time to relax and maybe later with a nice glass of Spanish wine.

 

 

Iberian Adventure

For our annual trip this year, we will travel across Europe from north to south (and back again). Unfortunately it won’t be as long as we would like – only 20 days to cram everything in we want to do.

If everything works out as planned, we will hit the road very soon. Our first stop is the “Buschtaxi gathering” in Storndorf, central Germany, where we hope to stay until the weekend. We have attended this gathering for the last two years and we enjoyed it so much we decided to re-jig our travel plans so we could be part of this again. The gathering is very popular and well attended. It’s aimed at owners (and want-to-be owners and fans) of all Toyota Land cruiser, Hilux and FJ Cruiser models, along with many other people from all over Europe.

After leaving this event, we intend to travel on to southern France. After a short stay there, we plan to head on down to Spain and maybe thereafter on to Portugal. We need to pack a lot into a relatively short space of time as we have already booked a ferry return from Santander (Spain) back home for the end of September.

The photo  shows the RTT and some boxes already in place. Spare wheels fitted and nearly ready to go.

Battery Management System for my Land Cruiser

For many years I have used an intelligent Battery system to connect the two main batteries with the auxiliary battery. I have chosen the IBS System which is made in Switzerland and I was very happy with the system. First I had the IBS fitted in my Isuzu Trooper and later after I have sold my Trooper in to the Land Cruiser.

 Now, after many years of trouble free use, the IBS system has packed in and after a view unsuccessful trials of repairing the equipment and also fitting a couple of new relays I have decided to purchase a new one.

 The IBS system is fairly expensive and as I plan to go on to our long holiday trip very soon I don’t want to spend so much money again. Luckily with a bit of research in the internet I found a similar system from T-Max in Australia for the fraction of the costs.

 The fitting was very easy as I could use the old wiring from the IBS system and I’m wondering if it is not build from the same manufactures. Even the colour code of the cables is the same.

 Only the solenoid is different and seems to me a bit stronger build and also good for 180 Amps. The function of both displays units are the same and include a manual over-ride feature.

Old IBS display unit

IBS Solenoid

T-MAX display unit

T-Max 180 Amp Solenoid

Finishing touches on the Land Cruiser 100

The weather was good to me and I have managed to finish all the time consuming jobs to finish the LC off.

The Snorkel is fitted again also the wing protectors bolted on. I have painted the steps black, as I was never keen on the silver alloy color. I believe it does looks now much better. The roof rack is on again and all what is left is to get my wheels aligned, which I have planned for this week.

A Day in the Moors

A  short time ago we spent a day offroading in the Yorkshire Moors. A good friend joined us for the trip. The weather was fantastic for the time of the year and we could not have asked for more.  In the afternoon it turned a bit chilly as the wind picked up but it didn’t dampen our spirits and we continued to have a great time.

Checking the Route

The first part

The 80 series needed a bit a help from the 100 as the front and rear differential locks we’re not working

The 100 series behaved very well

80 series in the rocky section

Fitting ARB Bumper to a Land Cruiser 80 Part2

As it is well known, there is nothing easy in life and we ended up having to get the grinder out as there was no way to fit the new Bumper straight onto the chassis rails.

We have never figured out why this happened. We had no experience of fitting another Bumper onto an 80 Series. I remember on my 100 Series it was a very easy and precise fit.

The proud owner with his new addition

No doubt he will add a winch very soon to the Bumper

La Manga

The next part of our journey was a fabulous spot on the South-East coast of Spain. With fantastic facilities and a very conveniently placed pub just outside near the beautiful coastline, this is definitely a recommended spot! Camping La Manga is on the Costa Calida, near Cartagena.

 

After a tasty Spanish breakfast, well under the Spanish sun, you always need to leave a few minutes to pop the washer on!

 

 

 

 

Canet-Plage (France)

We left the Buschtaxi  gathering and made our way to France. Our target was to head south to the Mediterranean sea. It took us about 15 hours to reach the destination. We stayed in Canet-Plage which is near Perpignan in southern France.

We where very lucky as we found a good camp side (Mar Estang)