I've never done a build thread so I'm not really sure how well this will turn out. I have a bad habit of not slowing down enough to take picture of most of the work I do, but I will try my best. A lot of the fun for me is in the building stage and I have another bad habit of getting bored once the build is done and selling it. I'm really hoping this one will be around for a while, I think this vehicle will fit my needs the best of any I've owned in the past.
This vehicle will be used mostly for exploring/camping but it will serve daily driver duty on occasion as well. I have a 4 week Alaska trip planned for June 2017 so I have a little over a year to get this thing sorted out!
I was looking for an 80 series for a few months while I was in the process of selling my 2001 Tacoma. I was looking for a clean low mile 96 or 97 in white. I found this 97 LX450 for sale on here in southern California. The only thing it didn't have was lockers but I really like the look without the fender flares, plus it was white and only had 118K miles. I decided the lockers could always be added later on down the road and drove to California and trailered it back. The interior is immaculate and the exterior is not to bad either. It's been repainted and wasn't as good as I was told over the phone but it's still pretty decent.
Traffic on the way home getting out of LA area was ridiculous! I took some time during the 3 hour/40 mile commute out of the city to order a Prinsu Designs roof rack.
At home in the driveway.
The chrome on the stock wheels was flaking pretty bad. After some time trying to find a set of wheels I liked I decided I would just stick with the stock ones and get them sandblasted and powdercoated black. It was much cheaper than buying 5 new wheels! While I had the wheels off I spent a couple hours with the pressure washer getting the 20 years of grease/oil and road grime off the undercarriage and engine compartment.
I also found a good deal on some new BFG KM2 255/85/16's on ebay. I ran these tires on my Tacoma and was really happy with how they performed. Plus there about 1/2" taller than most of the 285's measuring in at 33.3" tall, not to mention they are lighter. Since I'm trying to get by without regearing I think they will work out well.
The new tires and Prinsu roof rack awaiting install.
I was lucky enough to get in on a couple of IH8MUD group buys going on. I ordered a York OBA kit from NLXTACY, 4X4labs dual swing out rear bumper, and Autocraft/redline 50MM slinky heavy lift kit. In the next couple weeks I plan on ordering ARB rear drawers and fit kit from Sierra Expeditions. After that I will still need sliders, front bumper (thinking 4x4labs), and a winch. I already have an ARB fridge and Tepui RTT left over from my Tacoma.
This vehicle will be used mostly for exploring/camping but it will serve daily driver duty on occasion as well. I have a 4 week Alaska trip planned for June 2017 so I have a little over a year to get this thing sorted out!
I was looking for an 80 series for a few months while I was in the process of selling my 2001 Tacoma. I was looking for a clean low mile 96 or 97 in white. I found this 97 LX450 for sale on here in southern California. The only thing it didn't have was lockers but I really like the look without the fender flares, plus it was white and only had 118K miles. I decided the lockers could always be added later on down the road and drove to California and trailered it back. The interior is immaculate and the exterior is not to bad either. It's been repainted and wasn't as good as I was told over the phone but it's still pretty decent.
Traffic on the way home getting out of LA area was ridiculous! I took some time during the 3 hour/40 mile commute out of the city to order a Prinsu Designs roof rack.
At home in the driveway.
The chrome on the stock wheels was flaking pretty bad. After some time trying to find a set of wheels I liked I decided I would just stick with the stock ones and get them sandblasted and powdercoated black. It was much cheaper than buying 5 new wheels! While I had the wheels off I spent a couple hours with the pressure washer getting the 20 years of grease/oil and road grime off the undercarriage and engine compartment.
I also found a good deal on some new BFG KM2 255/85/16's on ebay. I ran these tires on my Tacoma and was really happy with how they performed. Plus there about 1/2" taller than most of the 285's measuring in at 33.3" tall, not to mention they are lighter. Since I'm trying to get by without regearing I think they will work out well.
The new tires and Prinsu roof rack awaiting install.
I was lucky enough to get in on a couple of IH8MUD group buys going on. I ordered a York OBA kit from NLXTACY, 4X4labs dual swing out rear bumper, and Autocraft/redline 50MM slinky heavy lift kit. In the next couple weeks I plan on ordering ARB rear drawers and fit kit from Sierra Expeditions. After that I will still need sliders, front bumper (thinking 4x4labs), and a winch. I already have an ARB fridge and Tepui RTT left over from my Tacoma.
