What Did You Do with Your 80 This Weekend? (102 Viewers)

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After this, the rear main is last suspect for leaks.

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Removed a “cup holder” and added com. Didn’t realize there was a steel frame on the other side of the console plastic so I attached to that. Then filled the useless cubby for a place to hang the mic and nav.
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Finally had a chance to start installing some of the goodies I had accumulated over the last few months. Installed the Landtank lower control arms from wits'end, new 4" Delta radius arms and new upper control arm bushes. Night and day difference on the handling!. All I can say is that if you are on the fence with the Delta arms, get off. Driving the 80 is so much more pleasant, and safe, now! Previously I had installed the Delta panhard bracket before which had helped but nothing like the new arms.
 
Engine on our '97 has >300k on it and burns and leaks oil so if we are going to keep the 80 the engine needs to be rebuilt or replaced. A lower mileage replacement will be going in. Thanks to @jmlockwood for the 1FZ that was pulled from his 80. This has become one of those, "as long as it's out...." approaches. Initially I thought I would address the easy seals and gaskets and leave the head alone. But as long as it's on the stand.... A couple of easy afternoons and I'm to this. I will replace the head gasket and have the head refreshed but I am not planning on a full rebuild. Thus far working on the 1FZ doesn't seem more complicated than working on a 2F or 3FE. I think the engine stand is rated at 1250 lbs but I don't fully trust it.

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broke my panard bar, then drove up to the local cruiser graveyard to get a new one. Got my DD good and muddy :eek:

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Hurt my 3rd member re-installing the rear 3rd member (JK). Installed an Aussie outback (pun intended). Not hard at all. If you decide to do it, just have all sizes of thrust washers ready. Some feedback on operation after 100 miles of driving: it’s totally transparent and I realize that I drive like a grandpa because it fits my style of driving. I tried to get the tires to squeal and I couldn’t.

Having had experience with another factory locked vehicle, I like the thoughtlessness of the lunchbox’ operation and, most importantly, I know every component and tolerance. If it misbehaves or breaks, I can fix it or replace it.

Best: it’s inexpensive! It’s so easy to install that I can see adding a spare like the way I carry a spare alternator and starter.
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Finally warmed up enough to paint my sliders I installed last week. Pretty happy with how they turned out. Need to re-paint the front bumper to match. Oh, and get a rear bumper.

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Also used the hydraulic ram to push the sheet metal around my tail light back out. Not perfect but it'll do for now.
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Had a killer weekend in Coppinger Cove. Finally did a flare beyond repair. Weighing my options but I'm a flare lover so I'll probably replace it or try to fix it. Truck is too clean otherwise to run it missing one or without filling holes somehow.

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