Builds Tenerife to Texas: a 1997 HDJ80 Tale (1 Viewer)

[FJRanger]

The Lutz Auto EGT/boost gauge is great, I really love it!

Same here, almost enough for me to do a dash swap

 

[bottombracket]

Look at the shiny gleam of the chrome roof rack, reflecting the morning sun…

I’m even getting used to that.

 

[bottombracket]

We are in the middle of an ice storm shutdown here in Texas. The 80 carted us all around today- roads were just wet.

 

[bottombracket]

Fast forward a couple months, and I finally had a chance to do a couple of simple things for the dash. The intermittent wiper function never worked. I picked up a replacement from @Deathvalleypaul to use while I repin the original with the (still available) OEM wiper assembly.

Nate was not impressed.

 

[bottombracket]

Next step was the climate control. The vent position switch never worked, and the buttons were in bad shape. I got a 40th anniversary climate control on Facebook, and ended up using the circuit board from the US domestic climate control, as well as the 65-75-85 face plate. Everything works and everything lights up. Awesome.

The black plastic dash surround had been cut up and was available new, so I replaced it.

Unfortunately, it turns out that the useless cubby had previously been broken and was glued in place by a previous owner. I have actually been using it to hold my work parking pass. I guess I will now just have to install the @NLXTACY Wit’s End useless cubby replacement block that I bought a year or two ago.

 

[Vitek]

I am thinking about doing the upgrade for Holley lights, how do you like them so far?

I have them same quad headlight setup, its okay, but could be much better. Not blinding incoming traffic is super important to me.
Thanks!

 

[bottombracket]

@Vitek, I love the Holleys. The low beams are 95% as good as the JW Speakers I run in other trucks, and I think the Holley high beam pattern is superior. Plus, it looks a LOT more normal.

 

[bottombracket]

More parts arrived from the magic of Bin Mahmood.

This dash panel has significant sun damage from 25 years on Tenerife. Replacing this will get the dash to perfect condition.

Big question:

Should I cut the dash for the grab handle? I have always loved them.

 

[bottombracket]

And a second box just arrived. I’m speechless.

 

[bottombracket]

I hope late 80 and early 100 wheels are the same spline count…otherwise, @Workhorse do I have an opportunity for you!

 

[bottombracket]

I ordered an oak dash from my local dealership…maybe I’ll pick @c2dfj45’s brain (and all y’all’s) on best gray dye, and dye the new oak one and keep this original in climate controlled storage. Or maybe the other way around.

Oak dash: 55401-60150-E0

Charmingly called a crash pad, in Toyota speak.

 

[bottombracket]

Well, the wheel fits…but the airbags are not compatible. Turns out 100 series have a 2 stage airbag. Guess I should have MUD searched before splurging.

80 airbag:

100 airbag:

It looks awesome, though. No airbags: we die like men.

I did see one MUDder who made some brackets to adapt the 80 airbag to the 100 wheel. I’ll sniff around some more.

Now I have 3 dash lights on at all times. Sigh.

 

[Vitek]

More parts arrived from the magic of Bin Mahmood.

This dash panel has significant sun damage from 25 years on Tenerife. Replacing this will get the dash to perfect condition.

Big question:

Should I cut the dash for the grab handle? I have always loved them.
View attachment 3321752View attachment 3321753View attachment 3321754

There is a reinforcement that you will need to have this properly installed, I think it can be installed via the glovebox. I am debating myself also about the necessity of this
Handle... but as I have two of these, if you need a bracket let me know

 

[bottombracket]

I DO need a bracket…I’ll message you.

 

[77mustard40]

Hey Gman, better add this bad boy to your garage.

 

[bottombracket]

I got the faded dash replaced. And a new mirror switch.

 

[bottombracket]

I have a new key escutcheon in the piles of parts….somewhere.

 

[bottombracket]

So I’ve been having intermittent problems with the door ajar light on the dash. It has been flickering intermittently, but stayed on 90% of the time. Recently, the light is on 100% of the time.

The driver’s side courtesy light switch must have been wearing out because it had a piece of cork glued to it.

I replaced both fronts but now, no matter what I do, the front door lights stay on, and the dash light remains on permanently.

Depressing the switch does not turn the lights off, and testing for continuity per the FSM shows all the switches are good.

I am assuming I have an exposed wire that grounds onto the frame or another wire at some point…Somewhere between front doors and dash.

 

[bottombracket]

Popped the hood yesterday to find this:

Glad I was checking the fluids!

Luckily I had another radiator ready to go, waiting in a super secret safe location.

Time for a comprehensive cooling system refresh, so I might as well do the water pump, timing belt, and delete the EGR. While I’m at it, I will add the PDI intercooler and 3 inch exhaust I’ve had ready and waiting. I might also even have a green wheel G turbo on the way for a little bit of a power upgrade (thanks @orangefj45). I’ll add the @Lutz Auto EGT and boost gauges too.

The only problem is it’s 104 outside and I have to completely gut the barn and move crap around… It’s already taking a day of prep just to get the barn emptyish.

 

[Broski]

Popped the hood yesterday to find this:

View attachment 3398747

Glad I was checking the fluids!

Luckily I had another radiator ready to go, waiting

View attachment 3398742

A lot of cool cruisers in that picture !!
Did you make it to SAS ?
If you did I'm sorry I missed you !
Looks like control arms I see under that 73 ?, I didn't think they got that tell 1999 ?
In any case that's a super cool Rig !!