Starting a build thread to keep track of what's done to my 80.
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1997 White and Tan Collectors Edition (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter freezedriedfetu
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- #2
Love at first site. Was looking for a white/tan one with lockers (friend for scale).
August 10, 2019
August 10, 2019
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- #3
The vehicle it replaced. This was my daily driver throughout college and my high school project. 1969 C10, LS swapped, custom coil over suspension, etc.
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- #4
Some farewell tunes in a V8 octave…maybe some 100 series guys will like this
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- #5
August 27, 2019
Stock Flex. This truck is pretty cool too!
After some basic maintenance and an ARB addition , I took the 80 off-road for the first time
August 27, 2019
Stock Flex. This truck is pretty cool too!
After some basic maintenance and an ARB addition , I took the 80 off-road for the first time
August 27, 2019
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- #6
August 28 2019
Time for some pads, should have checked this sooner as they ruined the rotors. Luckily I was working a brake component distributor and had access to rotors, pads and a Bendpak.
Time for some pads, should have checked this sooner as they ruined the rotors. Luckily I was working a brake component distributor and had access to rotors, pads and a Bendpak.
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- #7
After swapping out the rotors and pads I now have a newfound appreciation for this vehicle. The engineering and build quality of this 90s Japanese tank really surprised me. More work needs to be done but I think she’s a keeper
August 28 2019
August 28 2019
Looks like you scored a clean rig!
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- #9
Thanks! Love your rig as well
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- #10
September 16, 2019
Headed out to Utah for a rock climbing trip. First big trip with the 80. Drove from SoCal to SLC in a day, no problems. After climbing in SLC we headed to Indian Creek, a famous climbing destination (some of the best cracks in the world!) and a neighbor to Moab
Headed out to Utah for a rock climbing trip. First big trip with the 80. Drove from SoCal to SLC in a day, no problems. After climbing in SLC we headed to Indian Creek, a famous climbing destination (some of the best cracks in the world!) and a neighbor to Moab
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- #11
September 18, 2019
During our rest day my homie Jack and myself decided to go check out Canyonlands and while we were there see if we could find an off-road trail. Looking at a couple maps we saw “Elephant Hill” 4x4 trail which is near the Needles section of the park. First time really wheelin the truck, getting used to the weight, wheelbase and power.
During our rest day my homie Jack and myself decided to go check out Canyonlands and while we were there see if we could find an off-road trail. Looking at a couple maps we saw “Elephant Hill” 4x4 trail which is near the Needles section of the park. First time really wheelin the truck, getting used to the weight, wheelbase and power.
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- #12
September 18, 2019 Part II
Near the tail end of wheeling the truck started to lose power. Started throwing codes related to the ignition and fuel. It was the end of the day so we limped it back to the campsite around 5 miles away, slept and decided to work on it in the morning
Near the tail end of wheeling the truck started to lose power. Started throwing codes related to the ignition and fuel. It was the end of the day so we limped it back to the campsite around 5 miles away, slept and decided to work on it in the morning
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- #13
September 20, 2019
Checked common issues with fuel spark and air that you would have with a misfire. I actually brought the FSM because it was a longer trip and I was unfamiliar with the vehicle, so I opened that up and tried diagnosing some things from the CEL code. As long as the throttle was more than halfway open or the speed was above 30mph or so the truck performed normally. Weird to me at the time. I had to return to work from Utah, so I decided to drive the truck. Almost all the miles were on +30mph roads and when I was on the highway the truck the ran good. Hundreds of miles had passed, sweat dripping down my neck as worried if I was making a dumb move, I pulled off per usual to the let the 80 cool off and do a once over. It was there I found the culprit..
In a dark parking lot I found the issue with a flashlight. A literal shot in the dark I was looking for anything out of the ordinary and boom I saw the intake hose was split. It was not connected at all there are two separate sides, The gap was so tiny but the flashlight was somehow able to pick it up. I patched it up with what I had on hand (duck tape and electrical tape), started up the truck and it reverted back to its old self.
As I’m posting this in hindsight I now know like everyone else how common this issue is and that it is something I could have went over when doing my first inspection after getting the vehicle. However, it might have been from running it on the trail and flexing that brittle rubber and in that case it was simply not a part on my radar of those that are known to fail. Also didn’t know how expensive it was going to be for the new OEM one…
Checked common issues with fuel spark and air that you would have with a misfire. I actually brought the FSM because it was a longer trip and I was unfamiliar with the vehicle, so I opened that up and tried diagnosing some things from the CEL code. As long as the throttle was more than halfway open or the speed was above 30mph or so the truck performed normally. Weird to me at the time. I had to return to work from Utah, so I decided to drive the truck. Almost all the miles were on +30mph roads and when I was on the highway the truck the ran good. Hundreds of miles had passed, sweat dripping down my neck as worried if I was making a dumb move, I pulled off per usual to the let the 80 cool off and do a once over. It was there I found the culprit..
As I’m posting this in hindsight I now know like everyone else how common this issue is and that it is something I could have went over when doing my first inspection after getting the vehicle. However, it might have been from running it on the trail and flexing that brittle rubber and in that case it was simply not a part on my radar of those that are known to fail. Also didn’t know how expensive it was going to be for the new OEM one…
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- #14
September 25, 2019
I decided to give the engine bay a nice wash as I will had no planned trips for a while and it would help me see if there were any active leaks underneath the crud. I actually found a photo of the motor from first day I saw it and in relation to the post above you can see that it’s really hard to see if the intake tube is cracked but that’s exactly what it looked like when I open the hood and found it cracked with the light.
I decided to give the engine bay a nice wash as I will had no planned trips for a while and it would help me see if there were any active leaks underneath the crud. I actually found a photo of the motor from first day I saw it and in relation to the post above you can see that it’s really hard to see if the intake tube is cracked but that’s exactly what it looked like when I open the hood and found it cracked with the light.
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That's actually a pretty clean fix. If you arent planning on hitting up a Concours show, I'd keep it as is!
Looks like you're about due for a radiator as well.
Plan on your cooling system soon. As that radiator turns more brown, the sooner failure will happen.
Interesting thought on the color change, what have you noticed is the main point of failure after the rad changes color? The only thing I have had issues with is stuff getting stuck in the fins/bending them and the tubes getting old/worn.
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- #18
Yes I’ll have to dig up some more photos but the cooling system gets tackled next. I believe it’s micro cracks in the plastic opening up that make turn radiator look brown. After learning that I forked over the cash for a new one.
Literally exploding the top of the radiator.
Mine blew straight across the top from the radiator cap to the drivers side, directly down the center.
Sounded like I blew a tire when it went. The hood jumped about 2" when it happened.
Damn, that is no joke! I'll have to be on the lookout. Luckily I have a spare but would rather not use it until I have to. No long trips planned for a little while but this is solid info, thanks!
