Small Budget, Southeast USA, Camping/Trail Ride 1994 FJ80 Build (1 Viewer)

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Joined
Dec 10, 2018
Threads
4
Messages
39
Location
Macon, GA
I'm new to the Land Cruiser community so please excuse my ignorance and I welcome any help and corrections. I purchased a 1994 Land Cruiser FJ80 with 256,000 miles for USD$4,000 back in October 2018. I am loving it so far and it has been a dream of mine to own one for several years. I've driven 90's 4Runners and Tacomas for most of my life but this FJ80 beats them all. It's incredibly reminiscent of my first vehicle which was a 1995 4Runner.

I'm wanting to build this out to be set up for weekend camping and Southeast USA trail riding (no rock-crawling) but it will be a slow and budget-friendly build as most of the extra money goes to bills and the babies.

So far I've got it fully serviced, had the brakes replaced, the back shocks replaced, treated a slow oil leak, and done lots of cleaning (PO was a little messy and had a dog). Of course I want it to cosmetically look great but more than anything I want it to be an incredibly reliable vehicle. 90% of my time in this will be on the road around town as it's my daily driver. Once a month or so I'll be off-road on the trails and doing camping.

Below is the beginnings of a list of what I want to do to it in the future (thanks to @NLXTACY and @jcardona1 for the start on my list) but I would love to hear what else needs to happen. This list is mostly to organize my own thoughts but I would LOVE any of your thoughts. I've put either purchase links or tutorial/info links on most of them. What did I miss?

To-Do List:

Electronics:
  1. ToyoCom OBD1 Scanner: Toyocom OBD1 reader review
  2. Stereo Upgrade: Purchased - Amazon.com: Pyle PLRDD19UB Bluetooth Digital Receiver with USB/SD Card Readers, AM/FM Radio, AUX Input, Remote Control, Double-DIN: Car Electronics
  3. Front Speaker Upgrade: Purchased - https://goo.gl/tB1w5p
  4. Front Tweeter Upgrade: Purchased - https://goo.gl/Thaev8
  5. 2nd Row Speaker Upgrade: Purchased - https://goo.gl/PpJSNJ
  6. Subwoofer & amp in rear trunk (modify existing hole) - https://goo.gl/U52TPQ
  7. Install Blue Sea Fuse Box for stereo, USB & 12V outlets, front fog lights, backup lights, side mounted roof rack lights, and CB radio. Should I put this near battery on in the rear side panel?
  8. Install buttons to controls aux lights (on, off, and auto options)
Interior:
  1. Replace lights on front dash & air control for several buttons that don't light up: How-to link?
  2. Add USB & 12V plugs into rear trunk area: https://goo.gl/179bGN
  3. Shelving Attic Upgrade: Attic racks made cheap and easy - 80 series
  4. Purchase fire extinguisher (mount to underside of attic shelving?). Love wits end's but it's too pricey for me
  5. Purchase flash light and mount to mount to side of center console where shifter is
  6. Mount CB Radio to driver side of Center Console: Purchased - or convince me of other location
  7. Tailgate Storage: Custom Tailgate Storage // Land Cruiser
  8. Rear trunk sliding floor storage: Land Cruiser Toolbox // How-To
  9. Purchase/Install Remote Entry: How to add only remote keyless entry & locking to 1994 FZJ80
  10. Install Coolant Temp Gauge: any tutorials??
  11. Install First Aid kit in trunk or on lift gate somewhere
  12. Purchase Seat-Back Organizers - MOLLE Seat-Back Panel 14in x 22in
  13. Purchase Seat Cover/Organizers - https://goo.gl/Pyitkz
  14. Install RAM mount for cell phone on left of steering wheel side of windshield
  15. Place patches & purchase more patches (of course)
  16. Replace plugs on interior plastic steps: 80 Series Plastic Step Nut- Black Standard
  17. Purchase Wit's End accessory panel organizer for center console: Accessory Panel Unit, 5"x8.5"
  18. Purchase Wit's End center console liner: 80 Series Land Cruiser Center Console Liner- Lower
  19. Purchase Wit's End refuse containment system: Refuse Containment System- Main Unit
  20. Purchase Wit's End useless cubby insert: 80 Series Useless Cubby Insert-base
Miscellaneous:
  1. Fix hi-beam headlight controls (only works when “flashed” not when flicked forward as always on.
  2. Repair shaky drivers side mirror: Shaky mirror fix 2 minutes 2 zip ties
Exterior:
  1. Budget Roof Rack: Purchased - https://goo.gl/1ucA6p
  2. Replace window seals
  3. Check on windows. Replace window motors/regulators on ones that can't be fixed
  4. Replace trim on all 4 fenders: https://goo.gl/DjnAtS
  5. Install hood light w/ on/off and dimmer switch
  6. Clean out sun roof - hopefully this stops the leaking?
  7. Repaint to original Toyota color
  8. 3M finesse for black trim: https://goo.gl/8psmFH
  9. 3M plastic polish for the cluster: https://goo.gl/ra2GmN
  10. Remove PO stickers and purchase new stickers for exterior
  11. Polish hubcabs
  12. Possibly powder coat wheels??
Camping Prep/Gear:
  1. Purchase stove/cooking option: https://goo.gl/dtGUD2
  2. Figure out a way to mount ENO hammock to roof rack
Trail-Riding Prep/Gear:
  1. Purchase recovery gear: Recovery gear for off-roading and overlanding.
  2. Do diff. extender/breather: any good tutorial links??
  3. Budget Chinese Snorkel: Budget Snorkel Review
  4. KC Hilites Fog Lights for Front Bumper: - https://goo.gl/JdjsH3
  5. 7" LED Light Bars for Front Bumper Holes: - https://goo.gl/x34p5v
  6. YodaTeq Light/Antenna Mounts: Rear Antenna / Light Mounts COMBO PACK - FJ80 Toyota Land Cruiser Lexus LX450
  7. Install LED light pods on sides of roof rack
  8. Figure out solution for better tow hooks w/ stock bumpers- any ideas?? 2 in. receiver shackle?
  9. Purchase/Install budget OBA solution
Armor:
  1. Purchase or find someone to fab skid plates for transfer case & transmission
  2. Find budget solution for sliders if possible
  3. ARB non-winch front bumper: Slee - Toyota 80 Series Land Cruiser Front Bumpers
 
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**Pictures taken by @andycarterphotography. Check him out on FB and Instagram. Photographs Georgia, TN, SC***

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looks nice; great photos
 
Who took the pics? Ok kidding

Truck looks great. Almost to nice rubber coat it. Is that 6M1. If so I can understand ;) but still appears to be in good shape (for cloudy rainy pics)

Welcome. And enjoy the build whichever direction you go. Check out the local clubhouses as well. Old north state cruisers. Upstate cruisers. Georgia cruisers.
 
Lol gotta give credit where credit is due but thank you for the kind words.

Exterior color isn’t an original Toyota color and is fairly scratched up.. Clear coat is great and there’s not much fading. Still VERY undecided on paint color.

Who took the pics? Ok kidding

Truck looks great. Almost to nice rubber coat it. Is that 6M1. If so I can understand ;) but still appears to be in good shape (for cloudy rainy pics)

Welcome. And enjoy the build whichever direction you go. Check out the local clubhouses as well. Old north state cruisers. Upstate cruisers. Georgia cruisers.
 
Nice, before any that though I’d say engine work and all fluids. All heater hoses, if you have some with cotter pins those are original. New radatior if you don’t know age. New heater valve. All heater hose bypass hoses. Go through brakes and change brake lines possibly, look at all bushings for suspension.
 
Nice work,
I have many similar needs and wants but have to start like Ajax1 said and start on engine. Can I use oil additive(Lucas?) Or any blended ful synthetic oil. Should I use recommended transfer & dif fluids or ? Something more modern?
 
If you are really on a tight budget, then lots of the items on the list can be axed. While items listed may be nice, many are not (IMHO) necessary. Why so many lights? The ODB1 reader also not necessary. I would not suggest an ARB bumper to anyone. If you are running trails, sliders are way more important than a bumper. Again, lots of stuff on the list is nice, but not at all needed.

However, if you have some money to spend, you've come to the right place for ideas. People here will definitely help you spend way more than you were hoping to. ;)
 
nice truck :cheers:

you really don't need to spend all that money right now

just go on a trip and enjoy :steer: - with extended use, the truck will tell you what it needs/wants
 
I agree with others. Take it out and use it before investing too much. That will help you know what you really need. Like others have said, do maintenance, get sliders and skids early. I agree with @jfz80 That paint looks too clean to monstaline... especially for a non rock crawler.
 
Thanks for the info and advice, everyone! This will be a really slow project as money for this vehicle will not be top priority for my family so a lot of the things on this list are just for future reference so I don’t forget things I’ve seen and liked.

I’m planning on going out on a trail ride with a group in Chattanooga, TN in February. What should I do as far as preventative maintenance or any “minimize-damage” precautions before heading out?
 
I’m kinda OCD about being able to see when I camp. I want my campsite lit up like a 7-Eleven

If you are really on a tight budget, then lots of the items on the list can be axed. While items listed may be nice, many are not (IMHO) necessary. Why so many lights? The ODB1 reader also not necessary. I would not suggest an ARB bumper to anyone. If you are running trails, sliders are way more important than a bumper. Again, lots of stuff on the list is nice, but not at all needed.

However, if you have some money to spend, you've come to the right place for ideas. People here will definitely help you spend way more than you were hoping to. ;)
 
What what, another middle ga cruiser. Need to make the trip to dublin one day and hang out with us.
 
@deadman1689 You ever make it to the north side of the ATL let me know. I can give you some ideas on how to part with more money. nice looking rig.
 
nice truck :cheers:

you really don't need to spend all that money right now

just go on a trip and enjoy :steer: - with extended use, the truck will tell you what it needs/wants

Depends on what it wants / needs. If it needs sliders, it will tell you by beating up the rocker panels. Pretty sure you want it to speak up earlier. :)
 
My Chinese budget-friendly roof rack is on the way (with a can of rust inhibitor o_O) as well as new speakers and a new aftermarket stereo. Also found a great deal on a CB with an antenna included so I'm excited to try that out on my first trail ride in February
 

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