Build BAKA GAIGIN BUILD THREAD-Loading up on the JDM

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

Joined
Nov 28, 2006
Threads
571
Messages
2,695
Location
Charleston, SC
So i finally talked my wife into "letting" me sell my chevy and get an 80. This will be my build thread so hopefully some people wanting to do the same mods can get a good idea of what all is involed. so here we go!

Starting with a stock 1996 FZJ80 with 210k miles on it. first mod was some FJcruiser wheels. (my stockers came with fresh Bridgestone Blizzaks and we all know how they hate hot pavement...)

Next i got ahold of another oem rear swing out tire carrier. I had one before but like i said the wife wouldnt let me sell the truck so...
 
Tire Carrier Install

Got my tire carrier and all the hardware. had the guy parting out cut the upper body support out. you could also drill out the spot welds but it was easier for him to cut the whole piece out.

this is the top bracket. The only way to get it to fit inside is to trim off some of the metal. even then it barely clears where the body column is...

after trimming i drilled holes on the inside of where the spot welds would go by using the originil piece of the inner column. you can see where the indents and factory holes are. they are the same on my US too.
P6220002.webp
P6220001.webp
P6230002.webp
 
next i welded some nuts to the bracket. Dont put a nut on the bottom part of the bracket. like i said the clearance in there is minimal. Dont have a picture but i wound up grounding the bottom nut of so i could slide the bracket into place...

also here is where i drilled a hole in the interior part of the column. it is really a soft part of the body so i wasnt too worried about drilling it.
P6220005.webp
P6220010.webp
P6230003.webp
 
Here is the lower bracket installed. you should really install this first. its the easiest part too as it is totally bolt in. I also drilled a hole in the interior. you can get to it throught the rear seat belt opening but it will kill your arm and wrists. the whole is much easier.

once you get the lower bracket installed you can go ahead and bolt in the lower bracket. then maneuver the top bracket where it should be and mark your holes...
P6220004.webp
P6220003.webp
P6230004.webp
 
And here are some pics of the final product. Note i havent made the interior brackets yet for the tailgate latch but it seams pretty firm with a piece of angle iron behind the top bolts.
P6220006.webp
P6230001.webp
 
Nifty, always wondered how those bolted up. Looks good!
 
where can I get some of those nifty swing out brackets and tire carrier? how much?
 
where can I get some of those nifty swing out brackets and tire carrier and how much?
 
where can I get some of those nifty swing out brackets and tire carrier and how much?

Sounds like he had someone hack them out of a rig that was being parted out. So find yourself a rig out of the country, with the tire swing option, that is being parted out. Bingo you have a stock tire swing. Major PITA IMHO.
 
Sounds like he had someone hack them out of a rig that was being parted out. So find yourself a rig out of the country, with the tire swing option, that is being parted out. Bingo you have a stock tire swing. Major PITA IMHO.

Thats what it takes. Yeah its a PITA but well worth it in my opinion. definately not true bolt on:flipoff2:
 
Sounds like he had someone hack them out of a rig that was being parted out. So find yourself a rig out of the country, with the tire swing option, that is being parted out. Bingo you have a stock tire swing. Major PITA IMHO.

Yeah it is a major pain in the ass. Best to just buy a JDM and drive it. They come with all the good stuff already!
 
Yeah it is a major pain in the ass. Best to just buy a JDM and drive it. They come with all the good stuff already!

Aaah, but Joe, don't forget that most of our buddies here are in the US of A, and can't import the JDM vehicles until they're 25 years old. Lucky for us we can drive them now though (better not tell them about the fridge in the centre console;))
 
Aaah, but Joe, don't forget that most of our buddies here are in the US of A, and can't import the JDM vehicles until they're 25 years old. Lucky for us we can drive them now though (better not tell them about the fridge in the centre console;))

He he. too late Already got one just waiting on a couple parts for install:flipoff2:
 
Remember guys he was previous owner of a JDM 80 series. Lucky guy if you ask me. I wish i still had the connections in Japan like before. Looks nice, wouldn't mine having 1
 
So Ive got an issue. think i may need to do a knuckle rebuild. whe come frome a stop I can hear clicking:eek: So if im hearing clicking, does that mean I just need a rebuild or do I need birfs too. I know the best way to tell is to dig in there and see for my self but wasnt sure if the clicking was a tell tale sign of needing new birfs.
 
Back
Top Bottom