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11-28-05, 03:20 AM
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#1 | | Addict
Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Kingsport, TN
Posts: 1,283
| ROTW TiredironGRB
1991 FJ80 with Volvo Portals
Having been a military vehicle collector for over twenty years I’ve owned a wide range of vehicles from a World War Two tank to a Slantback Humvee, but the military vehicle that performed best off-road was the Volvo C304 6X6 which had portal axles but lacked in the "Creature Feature" area. 
I’m also a big Land Cruiser fan having owned a couple FJ40s and a FJ55, so when I ran across a good deal on a "91 FJ80 I couldn't resist. My original intention was to make it a medium duty trail rig with the usual modifications (springs and shocks, lockers, tires, etc.). I drove the 80 for a couple of weeks and was amazed at the comfort and sturdy design, with it parked beside the Volvo 6X6 I began to notice how well the Volvo portal axles would fit underneath the 80. 
Fujitsu tablet PC with Delorme TopoUSA with GPS. 
ARB Bumper with MileMarker 12,500# winch. 
Mounted the MileMarker upside down and used the upper fairlead mount. 
I picked up a setup of Volvo C303 Portal Axles with the 5.99 gearing. 
All the old brackets were removed and the stock FJ mounts were graphed on.  
The Volvo axles have vacuum operated lockers so I also got the control valves from the donor vehicle. 
I added a vacuum pump from an RV to backup the engine vacuum, it also acts as backup for the brake booster. 
These adapters let me keep the stock driveshafts, the Volvo stumps were 1" shorter so the adapters fit perfectly.  
The portals gave me 5" of lift but it was still a little close so I got a set of OME 2" Heavy springs and shocks from Slee. 
I went with 38.5-11-16 TSL Boggers, anything wider would require custom wheels with less backspacing. 
With the new springs it measures 44.5" to the center of the wheelwell. 
There's about 2" of clearance at the tightest point. 
17.5" of ground clearance.  
Homemade sliders.  
I have put about 3000 miles on it and it drives great and is very capable off road.
Last edited by TiredIronGRB; 12-25-06 at 10:53 AM.
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11-28-05, 03:36 AM
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#2 | | 250+ Club
Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Eagle, ID
Posts: 692
| wheeling PICS!!!!!...... very cool build... | |
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11-28-05, 06:51 AM
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#3 | | Addict
Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Texas
Posts: 1,388
| WOW  That is awesome. Very nice truck.
How are those drum brakes on stopping the Cruiser? Your 3000 mile test drive any on the highway? How has does it roll at 65? Braking from highway speeds?
Edit...and I second...MORE WHEELING PICS!
__________________ 1994 FZJ80, stock, emerald green, 175k
TLCA #14457
LSLC Member
TX_TLC ROTW
"We will know how long they last when the first one wears out."
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11-28-05, 07:00 AM
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#4 | | Addict
Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Kingsport, TN
Posts: 1,283
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Last edited by TiredIronGRB; 12-25-06 at 10:55 AM.
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11-28-05, 07:37 AM
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#5 | | 11400-66041
Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Posts: 10,528
| Nice air on that tree corner...you need some more pushers!!
Beautifully throught-out rig.
Congrats! 
-onur
__________________
Bend to fit, dent to match."
-CDan
"Nothing is “like” anything else. There are no metaphors, there are no similes. Each thing is the thing it is and nothing else."
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June 1997 FZJ80: Soon to be retired
November 1985 FJ60
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11-28-05, 09:22 AM
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#6 | | Lifer
Join Date: May 2004 Location: 'in dat der briar patch'
Posts: 3,931
| Wow!!!!!
Thats all I have to say about that.
__________________
"If it wasn't a Landcruiser and hadn't been built the way it was you do realize you would be DEAD." VA State Police Officer
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11-28-05, 09:44 AM
| | neowulf |
This message has been deleted by Romer.
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11-28-05, 10:01 AM
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#7 | | 250+ Club
Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: 14 mins from the bus
Posts: 465
| I want those axles !!!
Very nice rig,
Thanks
__________________ Chris
97 lx450 retro-locked, CDL switch, 7 pin mod, Slee 4" kit, ShortBus bumper, 35's, GPS, DVD.
Temporarily not muddy or dented. The Gruen Machuen
04 530i 
"A human being has a natural desire to have more of a good thing than he needs" | |
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11-28-05, 10:32 AM
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#8 | | Forum Regular
Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Boca Raton/University of Florida, Gainesville
Posts: 186
| watched your build up. great job i love your rig.
__________________
2002 UZJ100 (sold)
1996 FZJ80 J Sprung L Shocked, 315 BFG ATs, Rhino Lined Interior, Pioneered Speakers
1992 FJ80 (stolen)
1977 FJ40 (Papa Duke's)
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11-28-05, 11:58 AM
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#9 | | 250+ Club
Join Date: May 2005 Location: Long Island, New York
Posts: 390
| How would you say that Slant Back Mil Spec Hummer does against your LC???
I almost sold the LC for a Mil Spec M998 with 27k miles but that 6.2 GM diesel stinks!! And the matinence is insane.
__________________
DESPERATELY SEARCHING FOR A CHEAP FJ60!!!! HELP!
1997 FZJ80 117k miles FACTORY NEW (For Sale)
1997 FZJ80 69k miles (SOLD)
2011 Honda Ridgeline
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11-28-05, 12:19 PM
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#10 | | Addict
Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Kingsport, TN
Posts: 1,283
| I wouldn't trade my 80 for two of the Humvees if I had to keep them. I got it stuck in wet grass once...seriously  | |
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11-28-05, 12:39 PM
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#11 | | Addict
Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Cranbrook BC
Posts: 1,368
| Well, I am sure you have heard it before.
But NICE!
Portals and an 80. Sounds tasty.
Put a 1HD-T into the mix and I would have to steal it from you. 
But seriously, good job.
Thats one nice looking rig.
__________________
1988 BJ74 / Lots of goodies - Sold
1990 HDJ81 / Fully outfitted loaded beautiful truck - Rolled
1985 BJ60 / Beautiful Stock truck - Stolen
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11-28-05, 01:04 PM
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#12 | | 250+ Club
Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Eugene, OR
Posts: 996
| Thanks for thinking outside the box! You have pushed the envelope just a bit further in what can be done, and how to do it correctly. One question, what would you consider the weak link now of the rig? No more Birfs, but what are the limits of the Volvo's?
Nice rig!
-Matt
__________________ 94 FJZ80- locked - snorked - AMMO Armored - plated - FAB'd - int LINEX'd - body lifted - HD tie-rods - Sparco's - rollin on 8 Bolt HMMV's on 37" PitBull Rockers sitting 8" taller then most - 5.29's- 4X4 Labs Rear w/ Dual Swing HID's & LEDs and a few secrets... http://www.linkmotorsports.com | |
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11-28-05, 01:10 PM
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#13 | | Addict
Join Date: May 2004 Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 1,904
| Thats one sweet rig. A few questions
Hows the engine performance with the new axles?
Is it easy for you to regear if you ever need to?
How are the vacuum operated lockers in comparison to the standard lockers we all know ie OEM or ARB?
__________________
Victor
08 FJ TT edition
71 fj40 project rig
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11-28-05, 01:11 PM
| | Biff |
This message has been deleted by Biff.
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11-28-05, 02:27 PM
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#14 | | Addict
Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Tampa
Posts: 1,157
| You've definately got some skills. Truck looks great! I also enjoyed perusing the WWII vehicle restoration on your website - also some nice work. Thanks for raising the bar in the 80's community. | |
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11-28-05, 02:35 PM
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#15 | | Addict
Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Kingsport, TN
Posts: 1,283
| Quote: |
Originally Posted by AMMO One question, what would you consider the weak link now of the rig? No more Birfs, but what are the limits of the Volvo's?
-Matt | It still has birfs but they are pretty strong, I think the weak link would be the portal gears if you had more horsepower. Biggest limit is not wanting to tear it up. Quote: |
Originally Posted by Biff Thats one sweet rig. A few questions
Hows the engine performance with the new axles?
Is it easy for you to regear if you ever need to?
How are the vacuum operated lockers in comparison to the standard lockers we all know ie OEM or ARB? |
It performs better with the portals because when I got it had 33" BFG ATs and it was very slugish, final gearing now is a little lower than stock so it gives the 3FE a little more out of the hole.
There's only three different ratios on the Volvo portal axles 6.00 (which I have), 7.10, and 7.56.
The vacuum controls are great, with the 80 or the Volvo 6X6 I never had any problems. Vacuum tends to seal rather that seep. I never cared much for the ARB lockers because of the leaks after they have some age on them. All the vacuum parts are servicable from outside the axle housing.
Last edited by TiredIronGRB; 12-25-06 at 11:00 AM.
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11-28-05, 06:01 PM
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#16 | | Ales what cures ya
Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: The Green Dragon
Posts: 3,268
| Portals on the 80, that is cool! That's a good looking rig, nice job  | |
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11-28-05, 09:41 PM
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#17 | | Lifer
Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Reno
Posts: 9,949
| Good pics and great video...thanks for sharing!
__________________ 1999 100-Series...kinda modded.
2009 Kimberley Kamper Sports RV; sadly gone but to a great new home that will surely sponsor as many wonderful memories for them as it did for me. Truly one of the best possessions I've ever owned!
ROTM: spressoWAGON ROTM Blue Ribbon Coalition Life Member | |
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11-29-05, 03:19 AM
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#18 | | 250+ Club
Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 253
| Been waiting to see you on the ROTW for a while now. Love your rig, I want my 91' on portals.
__________________ Nick Martinez
TLCA # 14984
07' Tacoma PreRunner 5spd Brought home 12/29/06 
05' SR5 Tacoma Brought home 4/24/06 Flipped 12/06/06 
1991 FJ80 155k - Traded in 4/25/06  | |
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11-29-05, 09:42 AM
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#19 | | Addict
Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Houston, Texas for now - Romance, MO soon!
Posts: 1,400
| Just when I start thinking I am done with the mods.....
Nice job bro!
__________________
Tim A
TLCA #2620
'93 FZJ-80 (One chromosome away from farm equipment!)
'12 Touareg TDI
'09 Jetta TDI
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11-29-05, 10:15 AM
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#20 | | problems solved daily...
Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: uhhhh...duh...Northern CA
Posts: 6,028
| That's a very nice and very clean build.
__________________ a couple pairs of pink panties...
Another convert to the Church of Latter Day Swank, a sub-cult of Shahrislam
"...Opportunity doesn't knock, you have to kick the fuckin door in and drag the bitch out screamin." -- Ullr
"I have more respect for people who change their views after acquiring new information than for those who cling to views they held thirty years ago. The world changes. Ideologues and zealots don't." - Michael Crichton | |
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Gruen Machuen
