Gray replied:

I also have a 97 HZJ80, I also had similar problem when new, The dealers response was that i was not use to the larger vehicle. I had to tell him to stick his other foot in his mouth because i had traded a 300k 90 model, So his second response was to give it time to develop. I had found a 2nd gear take-off was a less shudder. The gear box was rebuilt 3 times during the shuddering time and clutch was inspected once, nothing found and refitted. But what had a surprising result was having several attempts at a sand dune and the clutch overheated,smelt bad too. A mechanic asked if i wanted to book it in. The funny thing is that 100 000 ks later, it's still works 90% better than it did new. Go figure. I can't say my dealer was very oblidging. They had to have more than one attempt to fix anything.

Geoff-2 replied:

Gray
You must have been so ###### with your dealer I think we can all
relate to your experience as we have all been there.It is amazing
how problems dissapear when they take vehicle for test drive,HA ha and how
they can suggest that your driving tech may be at fault.Ha ha.
I find it very interesting that after" smoking" up the clutch there
was an obvious and lasting improvement,this together with a reply from
Simon on Aug 3rd that people he knows had clutch plate refaced with
asbestos material and that fixed problem, it all points to Toyota trying
to eliminate asbestos from their manufacturing process for obvious
reasons,If refacing clutch plate with conventional linings will save my
gearbox and my sanity,HOW? WHEN? WHERE? WHO would I go to about
having it done? maybe my local clutch man? any suggestions from
anyone most welcome.I live on Central Coast NSW.
Gray thanks for your input
Geoff-2

Member - Karl replied:

Hi, I have a 91 Series 80 and have experienced the shudder. On doing some research through various magazines, web sites etc I am looking at making my Series 80 a part time drive instead of constant full time drive by adding one of the kits out there on the market, eg Marks Adaptors or 4wd Systems. These manufacturers talk about a 'drive line backlash' and I think this is the shudder we are feeling. Hope this helps.

Steve replied:

Karl : WRONG... 'driveline backlash ' is not what we are talking about !! ... Clutch judder is a common 'problem' which is part and parcel of an 80 series ( and apparently the 100 series) landcruisers....It is more noticable when cold but after initial start up it goes away and while annoying will not ( as far as I am aware ) cause detriment to the drive train... It is annoying, but apparently nothing fixes the problem !! Anyone know how long the clutches can last ? I have 180kms on the clock on a 1996 model and it has given me the same grief since day one !
steve

Steve replied:

Geoff 2 : For me , its not a life and death problem, more a bit of bother and more obvious after I have driven the 'boss's' little (also manual) frizbee!! As I am loosing hair-- I have reached that age ... i'm not real bothered, but the judder/shudder exists and I am a machinery sensitive person and dont lose sleep over it... seeing as it seems to be a minor irritation more than a problem worth worrying about... steve

Derek replied:

Geoff. See my posting to Moose. It's a couple of postings before yours
Derek.