[clarkrw3]

I would like to see what Ron has to say...because many of these "miss guided attacks" have been bacause of the fact it seems he has no idea what is going on with his truck or if he will ever get it back. Has he paid them? Does he need to pay them? Has he been able to contact them? Have Portal Tech been holding up his project due to a lack of funds on Ron's part or their own? Have they had good communication btw the two parties?

[Project FJ80]

Hello all.
Ive been spread thin with life as of late. So I havent had time to do much of anything else. Here is where I stand with everything today.

Do I know what is going on with my truck?

Kind of. I know what I want to have done to my truck. I just dont know what progress has been made to it. Why? Because I dont have any pictures. Progress reports are few and slow. getting in contact with Russ and Hardy can be diffucult most of the time.

Have I run out of money?

No, money is not an issue. Having left over parts around the house or being shipped back home are. Not for me, but for the missis. So, everything but the body, and the tires will be sold.
This was a change made a few months ago. Where I noted that Im not waiting on just the axles, But a few tweeks and changes here and there. They money from the parts will go to towards other options. New rims, parts and accessories. But again, pictures would help.


What to do now?

Well, There is not much I can do right now. I have a new cleaning business that we have started (the missis and I) and we do 75% of the work. Plus I work a second part time job at home depot. that way I can work 7 days a week.
In one way, Having my Cruiser up north free's up a parking spot in front of the house. Since I work late and wake up later, I have only 6 hours from wake up to go back to work. That gives me time to do what needs to get done around the house and everything else. About 1 hour is dedicated to doing nothing productive
So, the past two years have gone by quite fast. And also uneventfull with the land cruiser. Being out of site out of mind.

Has it been too long?
Yes, I think it has. In fact I know it has. I should have been up and running 6 months after I started this thread. When I go out to do a job, And I tell a customer we can have it done in X amount of hours, It gets done... If not, I lose a customer, time, material, (Gas) and money. it adds up fast.
So on one side, Im upset, but on the other side, Im still upset.

Now What?
I keep working. Portal-Tek is about 10 hours or so away. maybe 8 or so the way I drive. I would need 3 days off to drive up there to make the trip worth while. That would give me time to do everything I wanted. September would be the next avi. time I would have to go up there and check the place out. Unless Portal-Tek wants to Fly me up there, Ill have to wait untill then.

Im still waiting on pictures.

-Ron

[yotaman]

I feel for you man. This has to be one of the worst company's out there other than maybe Trail-Mart.

My customers would have a shit fit. I've done 3.4 motor swaps for guys and feel bad if I'm a few days past the time I told them it would be done.

I can't understand how or why these guys are still in business. Are people just not that smart? Do they just keep sending their trucks to this black hole called Portal-Tek?

EDIT: To portal-tek: you guys just suck. You can sing about this and that but it just comes down to this - GET THE SHIT DONE! STOP TAKING ON NEW CUSTOMERS - STOP SELLING YOUR SHIT! I mean didn't you guys father every tell you, "If you're not going to keep your word, KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT".

If you guys are still testing your product then thats another story and fine and all. You shouldn't be telling people you can build them and selling them to customers, if you can't deliver.

[ontherox]

Lets start an e-mail barage from all members willing to do so with links to this thread.Maybe we can convince them to do something with Ron's truck!!

[jts560]

I hope your truck gets finished while you are still young enough to enjoy it. Good luck.

[Project FJ80]

Hello All.

Here are a few pictures that were sent over.

[liljlandon]

Is it my screen or does that appear to be blue? I thought your rig was green? Anywho, when it gets done it should be pretty sweet! Maybe sweet enough to inspire my uncle to get some portals for his

Then I can have his 80axles!

[Wile E Coyote]

Interesting that you just finally happened to get some recent pics. I'll cool my comments and not rain on your excitement at seeing some progress. I hope this beast turns out better than your dreams!

[Project FJ80]

I hope it turns out better than my dreams also.
Shes always been blue. Though Ive been thinking of turning her white.

It seems as if things are starting to move along on her. THe axles and hubs are all sitting in a box waiting for the truck to be finished. Jim (the new guy) has been very responsive to the call backs, and assures compleation of the vehicle. So Im hoping that sometime this year shell be close to done.

[LandCruiserPhil]

Glad to hear something is finally getting done. Ask them to send you pictures weekly on the progress.

[Project FJ80]

Here are some more pictures as to whats going on with her.
Everything is running full production. Im given a new time frame of october/november by the time she sould be driveable. At this rate, it may even be before then.

[boots4]

It's ironic that now after some Mud frustrations (not being the only ones) on why your project hasn't been worked on for so long that it's finally getting attention. Perhaps they just got too busy but I think some opinions about them have changed due to your experience. Regardless, it's nice to see some progress on your project and you are definitely a patient person. I hope they continually tell you how grateful they are to have a customer like you.

[Portal Tek]

Here are the latest pics of the build going on here at Portal-Tek. The 12 point cage came together nicely. We had to strip the dash out so that we could trim it for the A post bars to go thru the dash instead of wrapping around it. This saves leg room and makes it trophy truck strong without losing normal entry. The cage also continues through the firewall where it will tie into the motor cage for weight transfer and a solid mounting point for the front coilovers. There are some surprises in store for some interior details to really give this truck full trophy truck capability without losing drivability. We are getting ready to start on the next stage of the build which is going to be a full tubular chassis that ties to the cage underneath the 80 body again for full weight transfer and strength. This also allows us to optimize suspension geometry and put the weight where we want it as opposed to having to fit within the stock framerails. This way we can make a truck capable of handling the big whoops sections at speed while still being able to fit in some of the "necessities for expedition" that Ron needs. Now we are just waiting on the green light from Ron to go on to the next stage. We have put a lot of thought and engineering in to the scope of this build with Ron. Here is a brief glimpse of what we have agreed with Ron to finish this truck.


Full tubular chassis, flat bellied, with UHMD skidpale.
Full 7075 4-link front and rear with adjustable height on Sway-a-way coilovers
Portal-Tek G3 Pro-Series portal axles with CTIS wider than stock
40 Maxxis Creepy Crawlers on Hutchinsons forged DOT beadlocks
Line-X Spray in Liner interior and bottom side.
Custom front and rear bumpers and Modular roof rack with tent option
Custom snorkel
ATS twin turbo with custom 5" exhaust
O-Rings, big injectors, FASS pump and intercooler for the 6BT diesel
Paint (white) with blackout hood
80 gallon custom fuel cell
25 gallon custom water tank. Hot and cold water for the long trips
Icelandic fender flares
Toshiba Toughbook integrated into the dash on hideaway mounts fully GPS capable (primary system)
Alpine double din head unit slaved to the Toughbook (GPS secondary system)
5K watt inverter

Ron is man with a plan and definitely has the ability to think big. So it is very safe to say that this is the short list. We will probably continue to change tweek and refine this list as things go along (bigger, better, badder, etc.). We are always here working so if anyone wants to check out what's going on please schedule a time to drop on by.

[ontherox]

I see.

[PKP80]

that's going to be one heavy 80, but I look forward to finally seeing this thing built up and wheeling. RUBITHON 2009 you should plan on being there. Nothing like big rocks, 40" tires, and an 80.

[Mazz]

How many miles did you have on your Toyota I-6 before you decided to go with the Cummings? Was it still running OK? How much total cost do you figure you have in the swap? Sounds like it's going to be a great LC once it's done. Wish they would come out with some desiel hybrids LC'ers. Good luck

Mazz

[concretejungle]

80 gallon fuel cell and 25 gallons of water!!! wow, that will be heavy and expensive at the gas station.

[Portal Tek]

Being that this build is not budget in any way, Ron has decided to offset some of the build costs by selling parts off the 80 that will not be used for the build. His 80 is in excellent shape and so are the parts that will be sold. This is a great opportunity to help Ron out with this build and score a great deal on 80 parts. Ron will be selling the following:

Frame
Front and Rear Axles (E-locker)
Slee 6" lift kit
Steering box
Inner Front Fender Wells
Stock Bumpers and Running Boards
5- 17 x 10 Forged Allied Rock-A-Thon Monster Bead Locks (3-3/4" backspacing)
(Yes they are still safe in our shop)
5- 37" BFG Krawler Blue Labels

We have more parts that are not listed since the only thing that will remain on/in this truck is the body and the dash. Nothing has been sold yet so everything off of this rig is still around. If you are interested in parts please PM or e-mail production@portal-tek.com

[Project FJ80]

Hello All.
Build is comming along nicely. Unfortuantally I will have to slow it down, with they way everything is going. But thats ok,. She will still get done. Ive made it this far.

All of the parts have around 150,000 miles on them. GIve or take. I would have went with the cummings regardless of the miles on the engine. Less computer controlled componets to deal with. THe only computer to controll anything will be on the transmission. and I will have that sealed in a box, up in the dash. everything else will be all mechanical. the swapp, I beleave can be done cheaper than the route that I am going. My swapp involves a new drive train from front to rear, plus a new undercarrage. Id say you should beable to get away with the swap for under 10,000. If you do most of the work yourself. and dont buy all the high end parts. the harder you want to drive it., the more expensive it will become. I will have alot invested after shes done.

[Portal Tek]

Forgot to mention that anyone in the area is more than welcome to stop by and check out the progress on this build.

[orangefj45]

could you give me some more info on the rims? pics?

[Portal Tek]

We will post some pics up tomorrow of parts new and old. Shoot an email over to production@portal-tek.com and I will respond to you with an attachment of wheel pics.
Edit: Still working on getting more pics of this build posted. Will do as soon as possible.

[CruisinFJ60]

its great to see some progress on this thing.

cant wait to see it wheelin!

[liljlandon]

Any progress? Im die'n to see this thing alive!

[liljlandon]

Progress? come on Its been alittle over a month!

[Project FJ80]

Hello All.
No progress as of late. I had to stop where its at untill things get better.
It will be a 3-5 part build. the first part is what you see. I hope to start on the second part before this year is out, but that will now be dependent on the market. S@&t kinda hit the fan pretty hard, and thats what I am left with. But I think everyone is in the same boat of sorts.
Im now shooting for the end of next year by the time she is good to go.

Untill then,

-Ron

[liljlandon]

I understand, glad to here something though! My uncle has been needing some motivation, seems the economy has been helping him prosper... Dang lawyers!

[LQ9 4D]

Originally Posted by Project FJ80

Hello All.
No progress as of late. I had to stop where its at untill things get better.
It will be a 3-5 part build. the first part is what you see. I hope to start on the second part before this year is out, but that will now be dependent on the market. S@&t kinda hit the fan pretty hard, and thats what I am left with. But I think everyone is in the same boat of sorts.
Im now shooting for the end of next year by the time she is good to go.

Untill then,

-Ron

Yeah man I feel yah. There is no boat anymore, mine sunk. I have no money, no job, but the LC is going no where, too much blood, sweat, and beers.
Ill be back on the map again, after my BA in business is done. I give you mad props for your ideas.
Like titties, I have to bounce.

[muddmadness]

how is the front end sitting with the springs from slee? i have the 6bt in my 80 and i make 22 on the highway. i have 35's on it and the cruiser really rips. easly light up the tires and awesome power for crawling. good luck with the build looks like it will be a sweet rig.

[liljlandon]

I know ive asked before, and Ill most likely get the same answer, but, hows it coming? progress? degress?