What should I plan to do next?

kidglove13 · 11-04-09, 09:18 AM

94 FZJ80 FOR Lift, 33's, sliders, front tube steel bumper
lockright rear locker.

I want some opinions on what I should strive to do next for my rig.
I am setting it up for moderate to heavy wheeln/expedition type.

Iam not big into fancy bumpers.

A front locker would be nice but I do not feel it is nessesary right now, I can get into plenty of trouble with just the rear locker.

What else would you all suggest that I focus on or consider for the rest of the build out?

I am primarily talking about the exterior of the rig.

Thanks

Natty · 11-04-09, 09:28 AM

I would wash it, paying close attention to the wheels and clean the windows with that cool foaming glass cleaner...

freshspecbluegt · 11-04-09, 10:14 AM

1. Go use it
2. While using it figure out what is doesn't do well for you
3. Plan your next step accordingly

kidglove13 · 11-04-09, 10:21 AM

I use it quite a bit.
I was thinking maybe some front and rear side armor for the tight stuff.
I was wheeln with some minis with exo cages and it really had me thinking.
I would not want a full exo but some more protection so that I could step up the wheeln a little.

What about a winch?

Ebag333 · 11-04-09, 10:21 AM

Have you done a belly skid plate, or armored up the rear lower control arms?

BrotherRob · 11-04-09, 10:22 AM

The best advise I can give you it to talk to guys in you area that do the same kind of wheeling as you.

They can tell you what's important for your area.

Oh, and bumpers aren't made to be fancy.

The 80 has a big tail end and a good bumper gives the body some added protection.

kidglove13 · 11-04-09, 10:26 AM

I know bumpers are not made to be fancy, but I want somrthing a little more simple which I will probably do my self.
I like the belly skid idea.

What about a winch?

jfz80 · 11-04-09, 10:31 AM

# 3 is the best one above. Answer some of your own questions first. Like where are you sleeping, inside or out. Are you ok with tire inside? How many people/much gear will you need to carry? etc
but I'd say

protection protection protection......(and castor too if you havent already)

skid plate
diff guards
LCA mount guards and/or beefing up the arms themselves
tube bumper corners (great clearance and budget option)

then
set of drawers w/ tie down for tire on top and go have fun.
lightweight roofrack w/ lights and possibly lights below if you trail at night

should all be stuff you could fab or find a guy to fab up for you and starting cheap
oh and then go buy ricks turbo manifold

besides you never mentioned a budget

jfz80 · 11-04-09, 10:42 AM

ok so im a slow typer

side protection

tube bumperettes

yes get a winch

kidglove13 · 11-04-09, 11:11 AM

Now Im leading to protection ie. side protection and belly.

Where can you get diff protection?

I will fab most of it myself and with a buddy.

Anybody done like front fender gaurds and larger than normal rear quarter protection?

Maybe something that would tie into the sliders, not full exo.

Ebag333 · 11-04-09, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kidglove13

Where can you get diff protection?

The diff's in these are pretty beefy. I don't think they need much protection unless you are going crazy.

CreeperSleeper · 11-04-09, 12:02 PM

I agree with wheeling it and modifying it to your needs... Armoring your rear LCA would be a good idea. So would a skidplate. So would a real rear bumper...

luk4mud · 11-04-09, 04:32 PM

Being a jeep convert who played in the bigger rocks for awhile, I'm a big believer in putting armor on anything underneath that will take more than a very mild hit. Most trails are designed for jeeps not the bigger Lc's so we can expect to hit more stuff than the jeeps typically do.

The LC is a wonderful offroad platform, but like anything it has its vulnerabilities too. On the LC, the tranny pan is very vulnerable. You can get home without a winch and an exo, but not a tranny. I would focus exclusively on underside armor until you're comfortable- tranny, transfer, lca's, maybe even the radiator bottom. Diff covers look pretty impressive to me already and the oil pan is tucked up there so high and behind the diff that it would take a freaky event to touch it much less damage it.

I would also address the muffler and exhaust. There are parts behind the cats that are just begging to snag up on even moderate sized rocks. I think it needs to be tucked up closer to the frame and a small skid built for it in a couple of places where it has to cross the lower part of the frame.

The problem with the LC's is the very limited choices for armor and the prices. After scoping out the options, I ended up at a fab shop and just had stuff made. Turned out to be alot cheaper and I got exactly what I was after. Maybe the aftermarket stuff will be there someday for the LC's but the choices right now are pretty paltry compared to the jeep world. HTH.

douglashuft · 11-04-09, 05:05 PM

skidplate/bellypan for the tcase/trannie. This is also my next mod which is a higher priority than bumpers to me.

kidglove13 · 11-05-09, 04:17 AM

Belly protection is now the next on the list along with control arm protection.
I will fab my own.
I will post up pics when it os done.

CreeperSleeper · 11-05-09, 10:42 AM

Good choice!

Bluetribal · 11-05-09, 02:58 PM

You say you want to set it up for wheeln/expedition but it doesn't sound like you are too into the expedition style of wheeling from your post here in this thread and it doesn't sound like you have any expedition gear currently. So if you truly are into expedition wheeling I would consider something along that route. Here are some expo ideas: Roof Top Tent or cargo bed platform, roof rack, on board shower, solar panel, GPS device, satellite phone or spot unit.

kidglove13 · 11-05-09, 04:48 PM

Not expedition like some may think. but being able to camp where ever I want kind of expedition.
All the things you mentioned above are great but a little over the top for me.
Unless you are going to use that stuff quite abit it is all pretty much not worth the cost.

Armor is where im am going right now.
You can never have to much armor.