Build 97eighty - 1997 FZJ80 Build

[97eighty]

Hey guys,
I picked up a completely stock 97 Land Cruiser with 192,000 miles this past June and thought I would start a start tracking my build. Despite the lack of factory lockers, the truck was in awesome shape and practically rust free. I picked it up to be my daily driver as well as my camping rig that can handle the trails in Colorado and the areas surrounding. Below is a picture of the day I bought it.

 

[97eighty]

First thing I did when I brought it home was get rid of the running boards. Soon after I ended up ditching the fender flares as well. Looking back on the decision to get rid of the flares, I wish I would have waited a little longer before taking them off. Although, I wasn't a big fan of the grey and I like the look of flareless 80s.

 

[97eighty]

Next, I ended up replacing the stock sized tires with some 285/75r16 duratracs. Here's a couple pictures of the cruiser at stock height with the new tires.

 

[Kaninja]

Looks awesome. How do you like the Duratracs?

I like your de-flared look. Contemplating it myself.

 

[97eighty]

Thanks! I like them a lot. They have treated me well so far both on and off road. My only regret was not going with 35s at this point haha

 

[baldilocks]

Welcome to your new addiction. It always starts with losing the running boards. I solute you .

 

[97eighty]

New suspension installed. I ended up going with 2.5" Old Man Emu springs and Fox IFP shocks. Here is a picture in the garage taken right after we installed the new suspension.

 

[Rivman1243]

Hope you could back it out after you lifted it!

 

[97eighty]

The 80 in front of some big snow banks back taken in January.

 

[97eighty]

@Rivman1243 haha exactly. That's the reason I did it in a friends garage and not mine.

 

[Rivman1243]

When I helped my brother sas his 88 Taco we went drive it out of the garage and had to put the old wheels and tires back on and air down the tires to get out. It was a very small door. Neither one of us thought about it until it was finished and ready to go to the alignment shop

 

[97eighty]

Hit 200,000 miles this weekend. Also finally got a CDL switch (ended up using a hazard light switch) and did the pin 7 mod.

 

[97eighty]

@Rivman1243 that's a halarious story at least you got it out haha!

 

[97eighty]

The Land Cruisers first trip out to Moab! Got some pictures on the Top of World trail and had a blast.

 

[97eighty]

Rebuilt the steering knuckles using a rebuild kit from Cruiser Parts. It was a super messy job, grease was everywhere. Ended up replacing wheel bearings and brakes while I had everything taken apart. The first picture is the soupy mix I found before cleaning everything up and repacking the birfields with grease.

 

[97eighty]

Got a CB mounted under my single DIN head unit.

 

[97eighty]

Front bumper should be coming in the very near future. I'm thinking I will probably run a Slee Shortbus or buy the kit made by Northwest Trail Innovations. Any recommendations? For now, I'm running no bumper after a fender bender which left my stock bumper looking pretty rough

 

[D21FJ60]

How did you deal with the holes left by fender flare rivets?

 

[97eighty]

I haven't really delt with it yet. Right now I just have plastic plugs in all the holes. I'm not sure what I'm gonna do in the long run I don't really want to bed line if I don't have to. Possibly weld them up if I end up repainting the rig someday.

 

[dubyahard]

Your ih8mud name is my instagram name!