Builds A Humble Man's Attempt to Build His 1996 FJ80

[Broski]

Not much Felix in the side walls on a 20" wheel when you air down for off road. And much easier to damage a wheel

 

[Yansa]

Yea. I really don't like the wheels that are on it. I made a knee jerk reaction when I bought tires. What I should have done was go to some black steely wheels and run the original 16's. The good thing about those 20's, I can always stick them on CL and get my money back.

I found the Quality stamp on the inside of the wheel.
MADE IN CHINA
don't get me wrong, I have used tons of things I knew were made in China and no tellin how much stuff I have used that I didn't know was made in China.
A chineese wheel is probably not one I would pick. Just sayin.

 

[Yansa]

My next task was to get rid of that terrible lookin Gold Package. That was an easy fix. I just removed all the pieces on the front grill sanded them a little. Applied Bulldog and painted them flat black. I'm going to take the badging of the rear so that will also be an easy fix.

While I had the grill and lights out I pressure washed the condenser and Trans Cooler. The bug guts were pretty thick in there.

 

[NCFJ]

Congrats on the new ride and welcome to the addiction.

 

[Broski]

If & when you get new wheels 17" wheel will give you a much bigger selection of tires to choose from, 16" tires are going the way of the dinosaur extinct.

 

[Yansa]

Another problem I've found is this shaky mirror. I've read that it a common problem.
What's the easiest fix?

 

[Heckraiser]

20's don't look as terrible as I would have expected. Nice start. I have never seen that much gold on the front of a yota

 

[half k cruiser]

View attachment 1306328 Another problem I've found is this shaky mirror. I've read that it a common problem.
What's the easiest fix?

The zip tie method is the easiest but I cant remember who posted it. Try searching it and see what comes up.

 

[thatcabledude]

I have never seen that much gold on the front of a yota

What I was thinking too. Should have offered to trade @scottryana

 

[Yansa]

I removed the factory rack. I found one that I liked which was originally built for a Range Rover. Will have to adapt it so it will fit securely but it's a nice set up. It is the right lenth and width. I installed finishing washers and screws in the holes that were left.

I figure I'll leave the inner rack strips attached.

I used clear waterproof silicone around each screw to make it more waterproof.

 

[Yansa]

Here it is on the ground with no mounts.

It really is a good look!

Here is a pic of the new rack. I need to tinker with the gutter mounts to make its secure

 

[Yansa]

It should be as close fit and very usable!

 

[Yansa]

Yesterday I started dismantling the front bumper to get measurments for what type of bumger set up I will use. I started shaping off nuts and bolts. Had to replace most of them. Used stainless steel type. Since I had the bumper cover off I wast ahead and wet sanded it and shot it black like the truck
I measured the distance between the front body ends without the cover on it. Looks like I could probably mount a winch plate there and incorporate the oem bumper cover. Has anyone done that?

 

[Yansa]

I also ( after much looking) I found pipe cone tires the seem to work just fine.
Home Depot has galvinized fence panel clamps that bolt up perfectly. After I installed them I bulldozed them and shot them with plack paint too.

 

[Yansa]

I wonder how many times I can post the same pic?

 

[Yansa]

While I had the cover off i still noticed a lot of surface rust. I removed almost every lot under there. Scribed and sanded an applied ungercoating. Turned out pretty good!

 

[canman]

Looking good.

 

[Yansa]

View attachment 1308739

View attachment 1308738 View attachment 1308739 Here's a few quick transformation pics so far

 

[excessive]

Good work man , not feelin the wheels but to each his own....

 

[Comet]

Welcome to the forum. You have a nice rig. Really cant beat the Troopers for simplicity and tree climbing ability. My teenage son is the proud owner of a super clean 1988 Trooper SE with 169,000 miles. There's a guy down in Georgia (Jerry Lemon?) that stocks NOS trooper parts if needed. He is on "the planet". The Land Cruiser is looking bad@ss, keep up the base lining.