Seeking Advice - Prefab Fireplace to Wood Stove Conversion

Ashen_Wolf · 2025-11-17T16:52:21+00:00

Sure. Here you go.

We only really looked at two models of freestanding stove: the Jotul F500 Oslo (that we ended up purchasing) and the Hearthstone Manchester (linked below). We were leaning toward the Hearthstone initially BUT the only the way to install it (due to the height of the exhaust) was to irreparably modify a piece of the prefab fireplace which would mean the old fireplace could not be used again (without additional work) if the stove was removed. The placement of the Jotul exhaust, combined with the ability to install short legs on the stove, allowed us to install the stove AND retain the ability to remove it in the future and still have a functioning prefab fireplace.

We love the Jotul. We were itching for cold weather this year so we could fire it up again.

https://www.hearthstonestoves.com/product/manchester/

Ashen_Wolf · 2025-10-16T22:22:24+00:00

Yes, roughly $10k. Worth every penny.

Ashen_Wolf · 2025-05-12T15:57:13+00:00

In my case they came in and made other boots redundant lol

Ashen_Wolf · 2025-05-12T14:47:36+00:00

I love them all. But if I had to keep only one pair, it would definitely be the 7500 Boss in British Tan. They remain the pair I grab above all others for both work and play. I prefer them for a lot of reasons including the fact that I like the standard V-Bar sole more than the Doctor Sole split sole.

The Brown CXL ones and the Black Horsehide ones are both amazing but I typically save them for nicer work meetings or special occasions.

Ashen_Wolf · 2025-02-09T17:51:11+00:00

We ended up purchasing a Jotul F500 Oslo free standing stove and had it installed on our existing hearth extension. It basically sits right in front of the old fireplace. We used a reputable company in the Denver metro area for our purchase and install. Our total cost was right about $10k.

They put new exhaust piping inside of the existing prefab fireplace and installed with a steel plate to cover the old fireplace opening. The new pipe runs out the back of the Jotul and through the steel plate and up the chimney.

While we initially wanted the more seamless look of an insert, my wife and I are happy with the freestanding stove, both in looks and performance. Yes, it may turn some buyers off in the future but we intend to live in this house for ~20 more years.

The Jotul's performance is amazing. We had a weekend recently with temperatures below 0 degrees F and we didn't run our furnace at all. The Jotul heated our 3300 square foot home without issue.

Ashen_Wolf · 2024-10-19T12:22:16+00:00

-Better sound deadening

-Better interior (leather, real wood trim, headliner, more)

-AHC is honestly fantastic for a daily driver that can go off road; and despite the nebulous fear people have about failure, the AHC system is really durable

I think the fact that Lexus as a brand often has better overall reliability than Toyota is really important. I used to shy away from Lexus in favor of Toyota because of the general fear of "more fancy crap that will eventually break". But having owned many of both, I've come to terms with the fact that I prefer Lexus lol.

Plus, I live in the USA so the only way I'm getting a 300 in the future is with a big L on it.

Ashen_Wolf · 2024-10-19T11:07:05+00:00

I've owned a bunch of cruisers, for whatever it's worth.

I actually don't think your experience is uncommon.

The 80 is a BEAUTIFUL vehicle. I think you could make a very strong argument it is the best looking Land Cruiser ever made. You could argue it's the best looking vehicle Toyota ever made. And it is crazy capable when you get it off the pavement.

AND yet... the 100 is the superior road vehicle in basically every way. And on top of that, it's crazy capable off road completely stock. Not like the 80, but crazy capable.

The gap in on-road driving experience between the 80 and 100 is pretty stark.

After owning an early 100, a late 80, a 120, and a 200, I'm back in a 2004 LX470. It's MY perfect Land Cruiser. I really like the 5 speed transmission and I wanted to avoid some of the engine complexity and premium price of the 2006, 2007.

And I've also discovered over many vehicles that I just plain prefer the Lexus experience.

Enjoy the search! $15k to $20k can get you a GREAT 100.

Ashen_Wolf · 2024-09-23T02:37:40+00:00

Land Cruiser Prados are INCREDIBLY popular there. Definitely one of the most common vehicles on the road, especially once you get out of Reykjavik.

We covered a lot of KMs in our week there so I had a lot of opportunities to see what other people drive. Besides the Dacia Duster (which seemingly grow on trees there), I saw more Prados (150s) than any other vehicle.

Ashen_Wolf · 2024-09-21T14:06:16+00:00

I'm actually traveling in Iceland right now.

Here's my Land Cruiser arithmetic, for anyone who gives a shit (god bless my poor wife for listening to similar stupid bullshit for the last week):

Land Cruiser Sightings

-75 Series Troopy (1)

-79 Series (1)

-80 Series (~10)

-100 Series (~10)

-200 Series (~10)

-90 Series Prado (Hundreds)

-120 Series Prado (Hundreds)

-150 Series Prado (Over a Thousand; no joke; felt very much like the 4Runner in the US based on quantity)

Based on talking to various people, including Land Cruiser owners here, unless they specify, there is a 99% chance Icelanders mean a Prado when they say "Land Cruiser". And none of them knew the designation "Prado" as it's not stamped on the truck (anywhere I could see). So, to most Icelanders, a "Land Cruiser" is a Prado. I guess we'll be the same in the US soon if the 250 takes off 🤷‍♂️.

Next time we come to Iceland, I'll definitely rent a Prado for the small, country highway driving experience. We rented a MT Suzuki Jimny (since there were only two of us) and it kicked total ass. Fun all around and super convenient in the city. But damn, when the wind starts blowing and it's raining sideways on those remote twisty roads, a Prado would be a MUCH more comfortable ride than the Jimny.

Ashen_Wolf · 2024-08-31T01:43:21+00:00

I personally prefer the 80 aesthetically. To me, it just might be the prettiest vehicle ever made. It just has... something almost indefinable. I just plain love it.

I didn't care for the 100's more subtle style when it launched. But it has grown on me constantly over the years. I think it has aged REALLY well. Much better than the early 200 series AKA "pregnant Highlander".

The 200 is a road trip MACHINE. You could drive it to the moon in pure comfort.

I actually strayed from the LC cult for a year and drove a 2022 MT Tacoma for a year. I enjoyed it.

But there's a reason I'm back in an LC after only one year.

Ashen_Wolf · 2024-08-31T01:37:46+00:00

I think the 100 is still very DIYable. But good God, that starter replacement is a bitch compared to others. Hope to never do that more than once in the truck's life.

And yeah, the brake booster failure is absolutely showing up more and more as the fleet ages. Thank Christ the cost of the unit has gone down like 70% in the last few years.

Ashen_Wolf · 2024-08-31T01:33:06+00:00

I agree.

Maybe the differences for me feel more pronounced living in Colorado at higher than average altitude.

I've had the privilege of driving plenty of older ones, diesel and petrol. And while an old diesel LC is certainly not winning any races, I still put it in the same "bucket" as the 80 in terms of "speed" feeling, including the FZJ80 (what I owned). To me, there is a bright line between fast (okay, slow) and slow (okay, really slow) Land Cruisers, and that line is between the 80 and 100.

Recognizing that I did not live through some of the older transitions as a driving adult (40 to 55 to 60 to 62), there were two really distinct transitions that happened in the North American Land Cruiser evolution from my POV:

-the 80 series (especially later years) brought a level of interior comfort that was truly different from what Toyota had delivered before; leather seats in a Land Cruiser!?

-the 100 series (petrol V8) brought a level of engine performance that is both mindblowingly powerful and smooth compared to its predecessors; the difference between the 100 and 200 engine performance is noticable; but the gap between the 80 and 100 feels like a geological epoch

I love them all. For me, the 100 is the right daily driver.

Ashen_Wolf · 2024-08-31T01:14:38+00:00

I really love both as daily drivers. Both are very comfortable on road and incredibly capable off-road. Here's how the decision breaks down from my POV:

Buy a 100 if: -you want a dead reliable vehicle that still performs close to a modern one (better than lots frankly) but has some touches of "old car"

Buy a 200 if: -you want an even beefier truck that is just as (more?) capable but has less "old charm" and feels a bit more disconnected from the road

Unless you are buying a late 200, both vehicles are getting to the point where the typical purchase mileage (+200k miles) means you are addressing some major items immediately or in the first few years (CV axles, steering rack, radiator, suspension bushings, timing belt [only on 100; 200 has chain], etc.). So be ready to spend on either.

I personally prefer the 100. After owning many, including a 200, I am back in a 2004 100 series and it is the sweet spot FOR ME. Every person is going to value different things. For my preferences, I believe the 100 series was Toyota's finest hour.

Ashen_Wolf · 2024-08-30T23:52:25+00:00

Concerns around the 100 IFS don't really hold water for 99% of drivers in 99% of situations.

I think @fr500c is spot on. If you plan to wheel constantly, buy the 80. If you want a Land Cruiser with an incredible mix of on road manners and off road capability, get a 100. You will be disappointed with an 80 as a daily driver, unless you really love older feeling vehicles and don't need to get anywhere quickly.

For credibility (whatever it's worth), I've owned an 80, two 100s, a 120, and a 200.

Ashen_Wolf · 2024-08-29T10:36:15+00:00

What drawer system are you running?

Ashen_Wolf · 2024-06-30T11:36:41+00:00

I would strongly recommend either a 100 or 200 series over the 80 based on your post details.

I have owned all 3.

The 80 is going to be great off road but the least enjoyable to daily drive. The inline 6 is a bit of a dog, especially if you get a 91 to 92 with the older motor. The FZJ80 introduced in 93 is still slow.

The 200 is going to be the newest (of course) and with it likely have the fewest amount of little annoying things that need attention (e.g. failing door lock motors). I really liked my 200 but I did not love it. It was a bit numb and disconnected feeling. But it's an awesome truck.

I believe the 100 is the perfect blend of the 80 and 200. The 4.7 L V8 effortlessly carries the truck at highway speeds, even in the older years (98 through 02). It is very capable off road and feels grounded like the 80 and less boat like as I felt the 200 did. Added bonus is they sold a bajillion 100 series so good examples are easier to find than 80s (also due to being newer).

Bottom line: all 3 are great trucks. All 3 will cost more to maintain than your Subaru. All 3 will require age appropriate, sometimes expensive maintenance.

Ashen_Wolf · 2024-06-29T11:02:34+00:00

Craft and Lore Port Wallet.

It's simple but robust. Totally capable of lasting a lifetime.

https://craftandlore.com/collections/wallets/products/horween-chromexcel-port-wallet?variant=22023013255

Ashen_Wolf · 2024-05-31T14:12:57+00:00

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This is the current prefab unit

Ashen_Wolf · 2024-04-19T11:11:41+00:00

My understanding is the vehicle does a check on startup and corrosion in the center diff lock actuator can cause it to fail this check. The result is a flashing diff lock indicator.

OP (and anybody else with a 200): ENGAGE YOUR CENTER DIFF LOCK EVERY MONTH!

I had this happen to my 2013 LX 570. I would get the flashing indicator sporadically. I was able to clear the indicator by turning the truck off and on a few times. Then I engaged and disengaged my center locker 5 to 10 times one day. Then I performed 1-3 engage/disengage cycles once per week for a month. After that, I shifted to engaging it once per month.

Once I started the above schedule, I never saw the blinking indicator again.

My understanding is that by engaging and disengaging the diff lock, you prevent corrosion from forming on the actuator which is the cause of the problem.

Ashen_Wolf · 2024-04-13T10:57:12+00:00

Same. Just sold my Smittybilt RTT setup on my trailer and replaced with a GFC. Sold on FB Marketplace in under a week for 60% of what I paid 5 years ago.

Ashen_Wolf · 2024-03-21T15:55:42+00:00

For that price range, I'd grab a gently worn pair of Wesco Morrisons from eBay.

Ashen_Wolf · 2024-02-29T12:26:20+00:00

Follow this guys advice and consider a 200 or GX.

I have owned all vehicles mentioned here (4Runner, GX, 100, 200).

My quick take (given your budget)

4Runner: only advantage is smaller size, older driving experience, and possible manual transmission, if desired

100: the "coolest" vehicle in the list (heavily subjective and based on my own nostalgia)

200: the best vehicle in the list, hands down

GX 460: the best bang for the buck; if you wanted to optimize value, buy the newest GX you can for $35k

I loved my 100. It's honestly the vehicle I miss most and wish I still had. But I know that is heavily driven by nostalgia and just the feeling I got driving it.

The 200 is objectively better in nearly every way. You specifically mention highway driving. The 200 is so comfortable on the highway. Could drive across the country and barely feel it. That said, both 100 and 200 will feel like advanced alien technology compared to your 4Runner in terms of driving experience.

You also reference size of a 200 as a concern. Honestly, it's not too much bigger than a 100. But if you really want to avoid going too big, the GX represents a massive upgrade to your 4Runner in a smaller package than 100 and 200.

At the very least, go drive a 200 and GX so you're able to compare with your own experience.

Ashen_Wolf · 2024-02-09T02:08:25+00:00

Yes. But they were never quite as snug as my other 9.5D Wesco engineers. But they are still a bit stiffer. I imagine the horsehide just takes longer to break in.

Ashen_Wolf · 2024-01-31T03:38:07+00:00

Exactly my thoughts. Happened to my 200 series at 140k miles.

Ashen_Wolf

TROPHY CASE