Toyotie, part 5: Build Plan

My early concept sketch build plan.

I have a confession: I’m one of those people that enjoys trip planning almost as much as the trip itself. Similarly, it seems that I also get a kick out of plotting scheming planning a vehicle build.

I hadn’t done one for several years, since I bought the Jeep a decade ago, but now I found myself deeply immersed in another build. I had a lot of other things going on at home and work that needed my attention, but when I did have spare cycles I was often online doing research, educating myself, or just thinking about the build. It even crept into my dreams once or twice.

I started with Plan A even before I’d settle on the final vehicle to purchase. This was something of a rough draft and very much subject to changes. As I learned about tire and lift sizes, what worked and what didn’t, and what I wanted and needed, the list items morphed and shuffled back and forth.

It helped that I had been through the process before, so I knew much of what I’d want based on my experience with the Jeep. And although the build on the Land Cruiser might perhaps be less-involved, I realized that it was still going to be a lot of work.

Out of necessity, my build plan needed some chronological ordering and prioritizing. There were certain prerequisites and preferences I needed to keep in mind. I also wouldn’t have the budget to just do everything at once. For example, I planned for a dual-battery system from the start, which the engine compartment of the late series 80 supported nicely. But I decided that this would have to come at a later stage of the build. Instead I would start off with getting the front bumper and winch sorted. Similarly, I wanted to have some work done on the roof rack, and that would need to be completed prior to mounting auxiliary and work lights, antennas, etc.

I did hope to compress the Land Cruiser build. The Jeep was built up in several stages, over a period of several years. In comparison, I hoped to have the new build completed – mostly – over the course of several months. There were some long-term decisions – like perhaps getting a rooftop tent – that would be put off until later, but in general I had a pretty good idea of what I wanted, at least to start. I would always be open to changes later, based on experience.

When I finally purchased the Land Cruiser, Plan A was immediately overhauled into Plan B. Much of the initial stages of Plan A involved things that had already been recently added to Toyotie, so they didn’t need to be on the list anymore. The lift was done, the tires were on, the rear bumper with tire carrier and jerry can holder was already in place, and so on. Having ARB air lockers was also no longer an issue. Conversely, there were a few repairs (like the busted radio antenna) that now needed to be added near the top of Plan B.

So Plan A was ripped asunder and patched back together like Frankenstein, emerging as Plan B.

Like its predecessor, Plan B would be a dynamic document, as I refined my decisions and altered my priorities.  I would also consider changing my purchase plans based on opportunities, like when something went on sale, saving me money long-term. Again, this was something I had done during the Jeep build. I also might need to delay items based on my schedule, budget, and the availability of the part(s).

Trip plans would also influence the build schedule. If I was going to go on a group run where I needed a CB, I’d have to get one installed or use a handheld. If I was going where there might be snow, the tire chain purchase would get moved forward. However the final order turns out, I have a rough schedule in mind and hope that my budget and other considerations work out so that most of the work is complete by Christmas.

One consideration while putting together the build plan was figuring out exactly what I needed, and – perhaps just as importantly – what I didn’t need. My intention was to stick with OEM Toyota parts for the most part, and not to change out parts where it wasn’t necessary. Figuring that out would take some time. I had to get to know Toyotie… More on that later.

The build also included sub-projects including a tool kit, spare and maintenance parts, and updating my car-camping gear including an update of our cooking set. Each of these would need to be planned as well, and would require more time and research. And plotting and scheming.