After several PM's from IH8MUD members to start a build thread here it is.
I started out wanting to build somthing different with more comfort in mind. I've built many different rock crawlers in search of the perfect rig. I found the FZJ 80 looking very teasing fixed up right. I search for a clean unabused landcruiser. They did not exist. I found that the LX450 (Lexus)was mostly better taken care of with nicer creature comforts. I found a 97 LX450 with 84K miles for 12K from the original owner. Although the truck didn't have the factory lockers it was so clean I couldn't pass it up.
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The first decision was bumpers and a winch. I went with the ARB for the front and was tossed between two different bumpers for the rear. I asked a freind for help and here it is. They both are ARB and I am very happy. The Lights are HID's from Kragen for $100 each. For the winch I sought after the 10K warn but found they were discontinued. I went for a 12K and soon discovered the 16.5 thermetric weighed the same as the 10K but a whole lot more skrilla. I was patciant and found a new one on Craigs List for $1100. Yeah Baby! Have you ever seen one of these big boys in action (Buried Earth Roamer)!? Different time different story.
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Next step was to decide what type of lift and size tires I wanted to run. The most important objective was to be very road worthy. Most lifts available for the 80 were mostly alike using stock or after market radious arms. The 80 radious arm are alot like the old bronco radious arms not alowing alot of articulation.These systems are very worthy and do a great job but I was on a quest to do somthing different. I decided to use a Rubicon Express JK long arm for the front. R.E. has put alot of R&D into this design and has rave reviews. Believe it or not a well outfitted JK weighs close to an equivilent 80. My first step was to parked it in the garage and put it on jack stands. Two out of four of my home built stands were at my buddies place being used. I had to build a couple of new ones.
Jodo
I started out wanting to build somthing different with more comfort in mind. I've built many different rock crawlers in search of the perfect rig. I found the FZJ 80 looking very teasing fixed up right. I search for a clean unabused landcruiser. They did not exist. I found that the LX450 (Lexus)was mostly better taken care of with nicer creature comforts. I found a 97 LX450 with 84K miles for 12K from the original owner. Although the truck didn't have the factory lockers it was so clean I couldn't pass it up.
View attachment 340322
View attachment 340323
The first decision was bumpers and a winch. I went with the ARB for the front and was tossed between two different bumpers for the rear. I asked a freind for help and here it is. They both are ARB and I am very happy. The Lights are HID's from Kragen for $100 each. For the winch I sought after the 10K warn but found they were discontinued. I went for a 12K and soon discovered the 16.5 thermetric weighed the same as the 10K but a whole lot more skrilla. I was patciant and found a new one on Craigs List for $1100. Yeah Baby! Have you ever seen one of these big boys in action (Buried Earth Roamer)!? Different time different story.
View attachment 340326
View attachment 340327
Next step was to decide what type of lift and size tires I wanted to run. The most important objective was to be very road worthy. Most lifts available for the 80 were mostly alike using stock or after market radious arms. The 80 radious arm are alot like the old bronco radious arms not alowing alot of articulation.These systems are very worthy and do a great job but I was on a quest to do somthing different. I decided to use a Rubicon Express JK long arm for the front. R.E. has put alot of R&D into this design and has rave reviews. Believe it or not a well outfitted JK weighs close to an equivilent 80. My first step was to parked it in the garage and put it on jack stands. Two out of four of my home built stands were at my buddies place being used. I had to build a couple of new ones.
Jodo
