Builds A Vancity HDJ81 Build Thread. (1 Viewer)

[HDJDub]

Hey Guys, I haven't posted too much on here but I figured I'd share what I've been up to on my 80 series lately. A bit of backstory, I bought this truck to replace a 1KZ/5spd Hilux Surf I really loved but it came to a point where I was going to have to do coil sprung SAS in the front because I kept ruining front end parts every time I went on a trip. I decided with the money it would take to do that I would be into the truck for the same amount I could buy my dream truck, a 5spd 80 series diesel. I sourced the truck myself, it's a 1995 HDJ81, 5spd, triple locked, 24 valve. It's got higher mileage (292,000kms now) but it's well maintained and I don't intend on selling it anyways...

Heres the Surf

Here's the 80 series before it left Japan

After the first wash..

I was surprised to find the truck already had a few mods, Fujisubo full exhaust, minor pump tweaks, stainless brake lines, camping kit/drawers, ohlins shocks, diorama springs, nardi steering wheel and few other little things. When I first got it, it still had the reminents of an old stereo system and alarm. I removed about 50lbs of bull**** wiring from the truck. Did a fuel filter, oil filter change right away.

I'm friends with Jeremy (Wheelingnoob) who was looking to upgrade his suspension so I ended up trading him some 4" Slee front springs along with my ohlins shocks for his Ome 2.5" kit. I also scored an old ECB bumper for $200 locally.

Last week I met up with Christian (BCR4619) so we could trade rear brakes, I went to the slightly smaller rear rotor so I can open myself up in wheel/tire choices to 15's as well.

 

[HDJDub]

Now I decided to two tone my truck with 3m Anthracite vinyl. Not only will it look pretty good as it's already pretty close to the two tone available from the factory, but will add another layer of protection to the paint. I go camping/exploring quite a bit so any bit counts

So I pulled off the flares (had to redo the gaskets anyways), rear bumper and side steps to make it easier to run the vinyl under the flares.

I actually didn't break any of the plastic clips however I broke bolts off in the rear frame and some of the nuts on the flare's themselves. My friend own/operates a detail shop so over the last week we clay barred and polished the truck to get it ready.

Thats just after the clay bar, this is after the polish.

I noticed however after removing the side steps I had a small rust spot on one of the rockers. So yesterday knowing well that I had organized to do the vinyl wrap today I thought, hey it's just some light bubbling, should be easy to fix. s***ty picture but this is basically what it looked like.

I thought for sure, wire wheel, rust convert, maybe a skim coat of bondo to get rid of the pitting and we'd be golden...This is what happened when I started removing the paint with the screw driver...

So I wasted no time at all.

Doesn't match but I knew the vinyl was going to cover it up. Hard to take a lot of pics but we slowly tacked the plate while forming it so it ended up being pretty good. we undercoated the inside afterwards.

 

[HDJDub]

So anyways fast forward to this morning, we start applying the vinyl and quickly realize we had less then we initially though, so the flares were going to have to wait for now. Here's where I'm at right now.

Stay tuned!

 

[ranma21]

Nice truck, only wish we can legally import one of this to US!!

 

[wrongway around]

nice, so you upgrade brakes with christain, then you might want to upgrade your diesel for mine, ateb has modded most internals nice quiet smooth reliable monster, or a you just going to see what ateb can do for yours.if your looking for info might want to post this in the right forum(diesel section)

 

[HDJDub]

Haha, yea I stopped by to chat with John and Philip last week. I half expected to see you there, the last few times I've been by you're always there.

I like the raunchiness of the 12valve why would want to make it smooth!! I plan on tuning it myself and my friend at rotomaster is going to be putting to be putting together a turbo for it. I didn't post it in the diesel thread cause I'm not really asking any diesel questions.

 

[wrongway around]

not realy asking any questions (yet). ah your the guy always riding with josh i see at atebs. which one of you are the detailer,always the shiniest trucks you guys drive. nice truck and a smoking deal. ateb said it was a nice truck too. rotomaster turbo guy sounds interesting. i know josh buys alot of trucks to resale ,is this going to be your own truck or is this just to flip. glenbj74 is looking for a clean one . not sure if its an issue yet but ateb has the bomb fix for the frame crack at the steering box, if your going to be wheeling it. id retube the rear lower links with heavy wall, and the skid plate cruisin sells is a good design and fairly cheap. then have some fun..

 

[HDJDub]

Josh usually polishes his trucks up super nice. I intend to keep this thing for a long time. It's got some small things I need to fix but I can deal with in due time.

 

[Wheelingnoob]

So clean! Cant wait to have your friend take a crack at my paint.


...via IH8MUD app

 

[ForealBoreal]

nice wheels buddy.
curious to see what you end up with for a turbo upgrade.

 

[HDJDub]

Thanks man, they need a refinishing badly but I do really like them. Next on the list...

Yea the turbo is going to be fairly straight forward not trying to reinvent the wheel. The last truck one of my friends had we put a modified one on as well and ran 24-25psi and it was crazy. I'm running about 12 right now. Looking to up it to at least 22.

 

[HDJDub]

More little s*** accomplished today while waiting for stuff to arrive to finish the vinyl wrap..

Painted the rear frame/bumper section, wiper arms etc

Also fixed and installed my oem roof spoiler, I wanted this thing almost just to emulate the shape the roof had on the surf. I really like the look.

 

[steph92fr]

Nice !

Where did you get your roof spoiler ?

 

[HDJDub]

Thanks! I bought it on yahoo auctions japan.

 

[HDJDub]

Polished up the side steps and the rear step a bit and re-installed them, was tired of falling out of the truck awkwardly every time.

Can't get enough of the look with the spoiler, I noticed this morning the spray onto the back window from the road is pretty much eliminated now.

 

[HDJDub]

Well since the last time I posted things have really come together.



Started putting it back together Thursday night. Ended up borrowing some wheels so I could take mine off to be refinished. Here it is all back together on the borrowed rims.



Unfortunately the tire machine ate one of my tires when I was dismounting them so I immediately started looking for another set of used tires on Craigslist.

I ended up with these 315/75 Kumho A/T's and some newer Tacoma wheels for now. I plan on swapping my wheels back over to these tires. I also just bought one inch front coil spacers to level it out a bit.

 

[HDJDub]

The last few weeks have been super hectic. Finally got around to finishing my wheels. They're 3 piece so I pulled them apart and paint stripped them and then sandblasted them.



I got some new Deerfield stickers cut out and after applying 2 coats of primer then 2 coats of paint I put them on. Then I cleared over top to stop them from pealing off.



Let the reassembly begin!





And finally it all came together tonight!

 

[Wheelingnoob]

Looks great man!


...via IH8MUD app

 

[B Point]

Bloody nice ride!!

 

[Cruisin']

Looks really sharp. I'm loving the two tone colour choice.

Now go get it dirty!!!