[PKP80]

Make you all wait a little and get hungry for a new ROTW.
The ride starts now.

As far back as I can remember my family has always had some sort of truck/SUV. In 1993 the folks leased a white 80, fully loaded, locked and all (one of you may be driving it today). When the lease was up they got a 96 FZJ80 black (no lockers).

I was only 15 when the truck came into my life, but the 93 had prepped me and had me ready to go. I learned to drive with it, washed it, waxed it, and took care of her like she was my own all the way through till the lease was up.

The parents gave the car back regardless of what I said or did and for a few months there was no FZJ80, I was crushed. I ended up finding her at the used Toyota lot and re leasing myself a few monthes after thanks to a good job.

My first time taking her out was in Pismo with a few school friends.

[PKP80]

My 80 was headed toward the "bling" zone having had it since High School. I wanted the 24" rims, lowered suspension, with the stereo and all. I started with the stereo, but thank god stopped right there.

A few pics of the stereo setup in the rear.
-(2) 15" kicker Solobaric subwoofers
-Rockford Fosgate 800 a2

Bass was real "cool" back in school and the setup I had was pretty brain rattling.

[PKP80]

So as I graduated my way and started college, I met Ian (RogersFJ40) and Freddie (70RedChev) it wasn't too long after that happened that I realized what my mall cruiser at the time was capable of.

These are a few pics of the 80 at a make shift RTI ramp by the Rail road tracks. The truck is all Stock with the exception of the BFG AT 31" tires.

[PKP80]

I first discovered Ih8mud and the toyota world late 2003. A good portion of the wheeling I have done in my rig has been with stock suspension and no lockers.



The experience of knowing how to pick the correct line, having and trusting your spotters, and actual confidence in your rig is all you really need to a certain extent.

A few pics from a Silverwood lake and Gorman run also the good by party for my running boards.

[PKP80]

My first LC event was SnT 2004. After 2 FJ40's broken down, we stuffed everything into my 80, and 4 hours late we left to sit in 405 traffic up to Pismo, but along the ride up I ran into Silvercruiser and Ammo. Seeing 2 Built 80s I was in AW and figured they had to be heading up to SnT. Seeing all those cruisers and meeting and talking with the hundreds of cruiser fans I was HOOKED.

Discovered the cruiser could "fly" my truck was dubbed by many the "low rider" that year b/c of all of the sound and lack of suspension height.

[MaddBaggins]

Nice pics and good write up so far. I like the color and I'm glad you didn't drop it and bling it out.

[PKP80]

After the Silverwood lake run, the saving for the OME and tires got serious, I wanted to be able to push the truck harder and do more,
SO:
a Drive over to Man-a-fre one rainy evening provided the lift and we did the trail again soon after and Was there a difference.

[clownmidget]

I'll contribute these from Sam's trip on Miller Heep Trail unlocked with sliders. He did the whole run without a strap, a testament to his "skillz" :hillbilly

[PKP80]

The obvious came after the lift and the mangled running boards and that was to get me some Sliders. So I went over to LINK Motorsports in El Segundo and they fabbed up a set of sliders for me. Based off of Ammo's sliders they sit further out than most sliders, have slots for hi-lifting the truck, and also serve as a great side step to help get into the truck.

I also got a set of 33"x9.5x16 Firestone Desination MT and 16x 10 street lock steel rims.

[PKP80]

Living in Cali I had to have SOME sort of "bling," enter Safari Snorkel.

Some claim it adds hp, few actually need the thing, but EVERYONE loves it especially women. I have to actually give credit to my snork for sparking a few rewarding conversations with girls I have met.

Can't forget to mention how little kids think it's a submarine.

Was tough cutting that hole, but great outcome.

[PKP80]

While I was adding the lift and other goodies I also managed a cb with first a 4ft wilson then when to a 3 foot super slim firestick mounted rather geniously to the rear hatch, but still working out the kicks.

I added an Alpine 7998 HU in the front with 6 3/4 front speakers and 4 " rears. I fiberglassed and custom made the from enclosures and added another amp to power it all.

[PKP80]

As SnT 2005 approached I recalled the infamous night run and overall darkness that needed lighting up when the sun set. So I went with 4 Hella blk magic lights across the front and 2 Hella 550 lights one on each side of the truck.

The blk magics are bolted on a mini light rack I made from steel and mounted to the roof via Confer bull dog clamps and the rear lights are bolted into the roof rack.

[PKP80]

My CB antenna mount

Lights are also adjustable for clearance purposes.

[PKP80]

The final bit of work I've done on the cruiser leading up to this week was what I hope to be the last I will do to the stereo, which I took out the mulitple amps, farad capacitors, and subwoofers replacing them with one 5-channel Hi-Fonics amps and a small bazooka tube.

I Herculined just the rear cargo area which has been the greatest so far although I was high off the fumes for a week or two.

MY CO2 is also in the rear, which I have had for a while now.

[blupaddler]

Hey nice lookin' truck so far...



Couple of quick questions for you,

How do you like the Firestone MT's?
How did you route the wiring for the Hella's on the side of your truck?

[PKP80]

I carry the spare tire in the back, along with a full first aid kit, 60,000 lb towing capacity strap, fire extinguisher, blanket, flashlight, bungee cords, ratchet straps, and water.

[PKP80]

My rig has no destination, but it's rather one VERY long Journey with several stops.
I am currently at a stand still with the rig b/c it's still my DD, but once I can keep it as my 2nd car the sky is the limit.

Future upgrades just a few:

-MORE lift
-at least 37" tires
-2nd Battery
-ARB lockers
-front and rear bumpers
-custom switch board for inside the truck to control the future lockers, more lights, 2nd battery, etc.
-skid plates


I'm also currently working on a fiberglass enclosure for the PS rear side of the cargo area which is going to house the amp and sub so that no space is lost making room for a drawer system of some sort.

[PKP80]

Originally Posted by blupaddler

Hey nice lookin' truck so far...



Couple of quick questions for you,

How do you like the Firestone MT's?
How did you route the wiring for the Hella's on the side of your truck?

thnx Blu, I love the MT's. They have good road manners and have performed well off the road. I would rec going wider than 9.5, but no problem on the freeway 80+ at times.

I ran the wires down the side by the snork and into the engine bay zip tied to the snork itself, you can kind of see it in this pic.

[Cruiserhead05]

Sweet truck, I love the "blacked out" look.

[cabron]

What rims are those? Price? Location?

That truck looks really good, aren't you glad you got out of high school before you made those 'bling' upgrades or downgrades, however you want to look at it. Nice work

[Brentbba]

Sam, great write-up. Funny you mentioning your first trip to Pismo and who you ran into and one of the first questions on your thread comes from Blupaddler, who I ran into on my first jaunt to Pismo. You ran into good folk on the way up, as did I.

When did the snorkle go on? I don't remember it at SnT 2005? You want to drill another hole? Did you use Safari's plastic nutserts on the column or something better?

Like your idea of running the roof light wires down the snorkle.

[LX_TREME]

Off the topic, What year your SL? lemme know if you need SL mods
Mine is '03

[loquito]

I like the PKP80 on your Co2 bottle, personalized

Could you show a closer pic of your antenia mount

[FirstToy]

the antenna mount is slick, nice writeup and nice rig!

[Biff]

Sweet rig, love the lights- can you tell us a little bit more on what you had to do to fab up the light bracket.

[PKP80]

Originally Posted by cabron

What rims are those? Price? Location?

That truck looks really good, aren't you glad you got out of high school before you made those 'bling' upgrades or downgrades, however you want to look at it. Nice work

Clownmidget,
Thanks for the good words I always follow your write ups and loved the Tequilla gift, next time you'll be there.

Cruiserhead,
Thanks you kept the pressure on with a job well done on your ROTW.

Cabron,
The wheels are by "rock crawler" and I believe they go for about 80 a piece. 4 wheel parts has them but they are more expensive. check out ebay.

Brent,
the snork was definitely there at Snt. it went on Late summer if I remember correctly. No problem drilling another hole, but something very liberating when you do it yourself. I did use the SAfari inserts and they seem to be doing just fine so far. it has been put to the test many times with regard to trees and branches pulling on the top end.

LX,
The SL is not mine, unfortunately, but if I ever do get one I know who I"m calling for when I make a few mods.

Loquito,
I can't take credit for the name on the bottle, I was inspired by Ammo, but thank you. will post a pic of the Antenna when I can snap another shot.

FirstToy thanks

Biff,
This light mount is real simple and honestly probably a little too build for the lights. to rectangular tubes joined by a length of sq. tubing on the back and angle iron in the front where the lights are mounted to. For added strength triangulated the frame in the middle with 2 lengths of square tubing.

[PKP80]

Courtesy of Clownmidet, what the rig would look like with 37's (don't worry Mike it's wasn't mounted, just lined up next to the truck).

A few pics of how I like to see the truck, dirty and on the trail

[PKP80]

Originally Posted by MaddBaggins

Nice pics and good write up so far. I like the color and I'm glad you didn't drop it and bling it out.

I like the stealth of the black although it is starting to fade to a charcol, believe me I'm definitely happy that I chose to get high rather than low.

[PKP80]

Originally Posted by MaddBaggins

Nice pics and good write up so far. I like the color and I'm glad you didn't drop it and bling it out.

I am a big fan of a stealthy look, although the black is now fading into a charcol. I can't tell you how happy I am that I went high instead of low.

[loquito]

Loquito,
I can't take credit for the name on the bottle, I was inspired by Ammo, but thank you. will post a pic of the Antenna when I can snap another shot.

Thank You