Deanie’s 80 Series: Half the Cruiser, Twice the Character.

Can You Fix Perfection? Deanie Has Some Ideas.

Deanie’s pride and joy is a 1994 Toyota 80 Series LandCruiser, a vehicle that has been part of his life since July 2017. When he first purchased it, the Cruiser showed signs of its age, including some rear end damage. For many that would have been a reason to walk away. For Deanie it was the perfect opportunity to do something different. Rather than repair it back to stock, he decided a chop was the way forward. After researching who could do the work properly and within budget, he landed on Flamin Fabrications in Melton, Victoria. James and the team there delivered a full package excluding paint. They managed the entire process from the initial cut through to TIG welding the rear panel, and even organised an engineer to sign off on the modification. The inspection passed on the first attempt. They also designed custom tray mounts and fabricated a tray to Deanie’s exact specifications, including integrated tiedown points in the tray floor. The result was a tough, practical setup that transformed the 80 into something unique.At the heart of the build remains the naturally aspirated 1HZ engine paired with a five speed manual transmission. Known for its durability rather than speed, the 1HZ has been carefully maintained with servicing carried out every 5000 kilometres. Supporting the engine is a Fuel Manager diesel pre filter rated at 30 micron, followed by a factory style Ryco 15 micron filter. Together they provide peace of mind in protecting the thirty year old fuel system. Every tank of fuel also gets a dose of Nulon diesel injector cleaner to keep corrosion away and maintain injector health. A Safari Snorkel provides extra confidence for water crossings and dusty conditions, while inside the factory airbox a K and N filter replaces the restrictive paper element, improving the way the big six breathes. Deanie noticed the difference immediately. Under the bonnet is also a Redarc SBI12 dual battery isolator, keeping the main Varta starting battery charged while managing a Kickass 120 amp AGM auxiliary battery for accessories and camping gear.