1997 fzj80

[sdnative]

Next up was to remove the roof rack and weld up the holes. I was lucky that all the nutserts held and did not spin, and there was little to no rust under the feet. Getting the double-sided tape off was a huge pain until I discovered the perfect tool.

Grinding out the nutserts:

Welding the holes:

This is what I used to get the double-sided tape off:

 

[sdnative]

I needed a clean and functional way to install my radios. I ended up using a 12"x12" piece of 100-mil aluminum sheet and mounted two radios, a fuse distribution and my APRS TNC to it. Came out nice.

The faceplate will go above the mirror up front. I'll post up some pictures of that soon.

 

[80BajaBound]

Very clean Eric. I hope you took extensive notes as to make your life easier when you do mine!!!!

 

[Bluetribal]

I ended up breaking a few of tabs on the rear speaker grills because I thought they popped off like the rest of the trim. They are actually part of the headliner. I am thinking about removing the speakers and grills and installing some more lighting for the rear cargo area.

You can also add a stock ceiling light to the rear cargo area like they have in the overseas 80's. I used an older ceiling light but the larger new light fixtures will work the same.
Cruiser-07-Cargo-Light

BTW some now say you don't need to cut out he sheet metal. Just use self tapping metal screws to mount the light to the sheet metal. So you would only need a cut out in the head liner for the light to sit flush.

 

[FJ-Ollie]

Very nice rig Eric. I'm jealous.

IMO LED's are the only way to go when installing internal lighting now. Just swapping out the existing bulbs with LED's makes things nearly 100% brighter. They make all kinds of LED's that plug into the factory lights.

 

[sdnative]

Thanks Mark and Ollie!

I agree with the LEDs. Eventually I will replace all of the interior lighting with LEDs. Problem is I need to find a way to add cargo lighting as it doesn't already exist.

Mark, I saw your cargo light mod. It is very nice, but I'm not ready to cut into the headliner yet. I really want to find a light that will mount into the existing cut-outs.

 

[Bluetribal]

I believe someone put some cabinet LED lights from Lowes or IKEA in the speaker pods. Search the 80 section for Cargo lights or the FAQ section.

 

[sdnative]

Took the truck into SDTrux today to fix a sloppy front end issue I have been fighting with. I was focused on the part-time conversion and the FOR suspension, but it turned out the front panhard rod had a worn joint on one side and the nut was loose. They tightened everything up and it feels 10x better. I actually enjoy driving it now.

Plus I had all of the fluids changed: tranny, xfer case, both diffs, power steering system, brake system, cooling system as well as the u-joints and drive shaft slip joints lubed. They don't have mobil-1 so I'll do the engine myself

 

[gon2srf]

Thanks Mark and Ollie!

I agree with the LEDs. Eventually I will replace all of the interior lighting with LEDs. Problem is I need to find a way to add cargo lighting as it doesn't already exist.

Mark, I saw your cargo light mod. It is very nice, but I'm not ready to cut into the headliner yet. I really want to find a light that will mount into the existing cut-outs.

Eric I have replaced my front and rear domes with two of the wafers in each and added these to the interior of my cabinets. You can velcro these anywhere in your truck and you only need to cut a very small slit for the wiring. They are super bright (my wife calls them obnoxious)

Order them online or most Autozones carry them with adapters for any dome light but you do not need to utilize the adapter you can just run wiring direct to the wafers.

 

[mendozart]

Plus I had all of the fluids changed: tranny, xfer case, both diffs, power steering system, brake system, cooling system as well as the u-joints and drive shaft slip joints lubed.

What do they charge for this?

 

[sdnative]

What do they charge for this?

I'd rather not quote prices here. Your best bet would be to give John a call.

Toyota Repair and Service Home

 

[Briguy280z]

nice rig

 

[KimoSabe]

Frankies Off Road (FOR) ... Here's Frankies website

FZJ80

 

[sdnative]

Added a nice rear bumper. Very happy with it so far:

Also picked up a nice set of HQ sliders and a Slee skid plate from another MUD member:

 

[sdnative]

Finally got the second battery installed and everything wired. I added a manual switch to combine the batteries and/or isolate the radios.

 

[sdnative]

Recent day trip out to Sandstone Canyon in Anza Borrego Desert State Park. This has to be one of my favorite areas.

 

[landcruising]

great progress, so how did the sliders do on the way down off that rock?

 

[80BajaBound]

Nice Eric! I'd like to try that step down that we passed last time. Looks like you did it with all that new armor! I'm glad you like that bumper!

 

[VCCruzr]

Will work for beer & pizza

Next up was to remove the roof rack and weld up the holes. I was lucky that all the nutserts held and did not spin, and there was little to no rust under the feet. Getting the double-sided tape off was a huge pain until I discovered the perfect tool.

Grinding out the nutserts:

Welding the holes:

Eric,
The bumper & sliders are nice additions to your rig. If you haven't done anything with your roof hole patches yet, let me know when you are ready to line your rails with Al's Liner. You buy the liner, beer, & pizza, and I will provide my masking materials and Mike's spray hopper if he doesn't mind. I will even spray it for you if you like. Just say when,

 

[sdnative]

great progress, so how did the sliders do on the way down off that rock?

Thanks!

Actually I came down pretty soft. The sliders could have easily handled a hard drop as they are very stout!

Nice Eric! I'd like to try that step down that we passed last time. Looks like you did it with all that new armor! I'm glad you like that bumper!

Me too. This was a different area, but similar sized rock!

The bumper & sliders are nice additions to your rig. If you haven't done anything with your roof hole patches yet, let me know when you are ready to line your rails with Al's Liner. You buy the liner, beer, & pizza, and I will provide my masking materials and Mike's spray hopper if he doesn't mind. I will even spray it for you if you like. Just say when,

Thanks for the offer Derrick. I have already primed and painted the patches. I guess I should update the pics. Not perfect, but good enough.