As promised from this thread ordering-custom-17x12-wheels-40-tires-minium-lift-thoughts-about-offset, here comes the build thread of my HDJ80.
As previously mentioned, I`m builing this rig like my previous "Arctic" builds.
Minimum lift and a massive amount of bodywork to obtain the best possible ride and keeping the suspension geometry as close to original as possible..
alot of you who have never seen this type of building must think we over here are crazy, but i for one swear to this method.. i use my cars everyday, winter and summer, vacations and everything.. so the ride must be good, if not better than OEM.. this is achievable but it requires some work and knowledge.. and you and your welding machine better be best buddies.. cause it is alot of bodywork involved..
Little about the rig and the parts going on it.
-1994 HDJ-80 on 315/75-16 aka 35" tires with no lift. just passed 200k miles. (hardly broke in)
Axles and transfer have done 40k miles, swapped from a japanese donor vechicle..
-Stock suspension, actually quite low compared to other stock 80s, the springs have done their job and is going to be retired for a TJM 50mm kit from SleeOffroad.
-Upgraded brakes (Rotors and pads) from EBC, 6000 series, slotted and drilled rotors.
-Many many more things, but in general she is very stock and very well maintained over the years.
Was going to fit 40" tires, but kept getting delayed on the delivery from summitracing, so i got 42x14.5-17" Goodyear MTR Kevlar fitted on custom 14x17" Marsh Racing Wheels with -90mm/-3.54" offset.
Flares are custom ordered from Island of course, these are the "narrow 44" fender flares", got the base/flange separated from the flare itself so i can have more freedom in choosing the width of the flare. when im done i want approx .7" of the tire side (not tire pattern) on the outside of the flare, so they wont get ripped off in case i have to hug a tree or going thru some ice in river crossings.
this is how far I`ve come today..
Pre measuring. with just the fender flares, no base attached.
Right Fender off.. this shows just how extremely easy these cars are to build considering the space you have with detachable inner-fenders. previously cars i actually have modified the door hinges to get 38" tires on.. this is just fun..
first draft. had to remove the exhaust since the wheel would come in conflict as well.. have to reroute it on the inside of the frame.. was going to build 3.5" anyway.
finished cutting for today, some more minor touches are to be made..
but remember this is with the spring removed and the car is resting on the bumper stop with the wheel fully turned to the right!..
i dont go any further now. this is just fun, with 1" Body Lift and i will never rub..
but this was the easy part.. and looking at the pics it just looks like I`m going crazy with the grinder, but believe me ther is is alot more to it. lot of welding, measuring and adjustments to be made. the thing that actually takes time here when the cutting is done is rustproofing the car and to be sure that everything is sealed and 100%..
im out, night here now.. back later after some sleep with more updates..
"We dont lift our cars, we just widen them"
As previously mentioned, I`m builing this rig like my previous "Arctic" builds.
Minimum lift and a massive amount of bodywork to obtain the best possible ride and keeping the suspension geometry as close to original as possible..
alot of you who have never seen this type of building must think we over here are crazy, but i for one swear to this method.. i use my cars everyday, winter and summer, vacations and everything.. so the ride must be good, if not better than OEM.. this is achievable but it requires some work and knowledge.. and you and your welding machine better be best buddies.. cause it is alot of bodywork involved..
Little about the rig and the parts going on it.
-1994 HDJ-80 on 315/75-16 aka 35" tires with no lift. just passed 200k miles. (hardly broke in)
Axles and transfer have done 40k miles, swapped from a japanese donor vechicle..-Stock suspension, actually quite low compared to other stock 80s, the springs have done their job and is going to be retired for a TJM 50mm kit from SleeOffroad.
-Upgraded brakes (Rotors and pads) from EBC, 6000 series, slotted and drilled rotors.
-Many many more things, but in general she is very stock and very well maintained over the years.
Was going to fit 40" tires, but kept getting delayed on the delivery from summitracing, so i got 42x14.5-17" Goodyear MTR Kevlar fitted on custom 14x17" Marsh Racing Wheels with -90mm/-3.54" offset.
Flares are custom ordered from Island of course, these are the "narrow 44" fender flares", got the base/flange separated from the flare itself so i can have more freedom in choosing the width of the flare. when im done i want approx .7" of the tire side (not tire pattern) on the outside of the flare, so they wont get ripped off in case i have to hug a tree or going thru some ice in river crossings.
this is how far I`ve come today..
Pre measuring. with just the fender flares, no base attached.
Right Fender off.. this shows just how extremely easy these cars are to build considering the space you have with detachable inner-fenders. previously cars i actually have modified the door hinges to get 38" tires on.. this is just fun..
first draft. had to remove the exhaust since the wheel would come in conflict as well.. have to reroute it on the inside of the frame.. was going to build 3.5" anyway.
finished cutting for today, some more minor touches are to be made..
but remember this is with the spring removed and the car is resting on the bumper stop with the wheel fully turned to the right!..
i dont go any further now. this is just fun, with 1" Body Lift and i will never rub.. 
but this was the easy part.. and looking at the pics it just looks like I`m going crazy with the grinder, but believe me ther is is alot more to it.
lot of welding, measuring and adjustments to be made. the thing that actually takes time here when the cutting is done is rustproofing the car and to be sure that everything is sealed and 100%..im out, night here now.. back later after some sleep with more updates..
"We dont lift our cars, we just widen them"
and 
