Builds Box Rocket 1995 FZJ80 Build (1 Viewer)

[Box Rocket]

The vinyl wrap looks great! Would you mind sharing a little bit about your mud flaps? I’m thinking about doing something similar. Thanks!

They are just some generic (pretty stiff) mudflaps from Autozone. They are attached to the front flares with some small button head bolts and to the bumper wings in the rear with nutserts and bolts. That way I can remove them easy if I need to.

 

[S.CarolinaFZJ80]

The next big thing I tackled was trying to hide some of the failing clearcoat on the paint. Decided to do it with vinyl for now until I decide I'm ready to repaint the truck. I kept some of the Moonglow visible on the doors but added the white to the main problem areas and some black on the rear purely for the aesthetic.
Untitled by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

Finally, the most recent addition was a Weboost cell booster. I've wanted to try one of these for a while so my trip next week will be a good test.
by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

What did you change out the Prinsu gutter mounts too?
The ones in the post vinyl wrap photos look way beefier than the OE Prinsu gutter mounts.

 

[Box Rocket]

What did you change out the Prinsu gutter mounts too?
The ones in the post vinyl wrap photos look way beefier than the OE Prinsu gutter mounts.View attachment 3738646

Yeah I changed those out a while back. They are the updated ones from Prinsu, much stronger design. Prinsu replaced them under warranty.
Untitled by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

 

[S.CarolinaFZJ80]

Yeah I changed those out a while back. They are the updated ones from Prinsu, much stronger design. Prinsu replaced them under warranty.
Untitled by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

Nice! Thanks!

 

[Box Rocket]

These aren't the best pics but I forgot to add these to my build thread. This was a quick project I did back in October before a week long trip in Idaho. I have had Goose Gear drawers in my 80 for years and the middle row seats are level with the drawers when the seat back is folded. This has worked (sort of) as a sleeping platform but would leave a gap between the front seats and the middle seats. So I've wanted to add a more purpose built platform to the middle row area. I built these as two pieces, one for each side, so that I can still use half of the middle row seat if needed and still have a platform to sleep on. The two sides clamp together and use the seat mounting to secure them to the floor. Each side has a access door on the top (repurposed by old tailgate storage hatches), and the driver side also has a side access door. The amount of storage that these provided was a nice surprise. Kept so much stuff out of the way and secure but also easy to get to. They worked much better as a sleeping platform too. Sprayed them with Raptor liner.
Now that our kids are older and the rear seats aren't needed as much these will probably live in the Cruiser semi-permanently. Really happy with them considering I built them in a rush the day before leaving on the trip in October.
Untitled by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

 

[Broski]

These aren't the best pics but I forgot to add these to my build thread. This was a quick project I did back in October before a week long trip in Idaho. I have had Goose Gear drawers in my 80 for years and the middle row seats are level with the drawers when the seat back is folded. This has worked (sort of) as a sleeping platform but would leave a gap between the front seats and the middle seats. So I've wanted to add a more purpose built platform to the middle row area. I built these as two pieces, one for each side, so that I can still use half of the middle row seat if needed and still have a platform to sleep on. The two sides clamp together and use the seat mounting to secure them to the floor. Each side has a access door on the top (repurposed by old tailgate storage hatches), and the driver side also has a side access door. The amount of storage that these provided was a nice surprise. Kept so much stuff out of the way and secure but also easy to get to. They worked much better as a sleeping platform too. Sprayed them with Raptor liner.
Now that our kids are older and the rear seats aren't needed as much these will probably live in the Cruiser semi-permanently. Really happy with them considering I built them in a rush the day before leaving on the trip in October.
Untitled by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

Good job not using 3/4 Plywood it's over kill and heavy !

 

[ColoradoLC]

Finally, the most recent addition was a Weboost cell booster. I've wanted to try one of these for a while so my trip next week will be a good test.

Adam, I have had my WeBoost cell phone range extender for a while, but never found a rotating mount like the one you have attached to your Prinsu rood rack. Can you provide some details on what you got and where you got it?

 

[residualboulders]

what's the verdict on the weboost?

Did i read before you are running spacers with those rebound pro wheels? Thinking about getting a set soon. I bought a set for my 200 so I don't destroy my HE wheels and have liked them. Installed some apex valves on them which have been great. Making me want to get some for my 80.

 

[Box Rocket]

Adam, I have had my WeBoost cell phone range extender for a while, but never found a rotating mount like the one you have attached to your Prinsu rood rack. Can you provide some details on what you got and where you got it?

I got the WeBoost Overlander model and it came with the rotating mount. The mount is also in the accessories section of the WeBoost website.

Overland Mounting Bracket & Hardware | weBoost

 

[Box Rocket]

what's the verdict on the weboost?

Did i read before you are running spacers with those rebound pro wheels? Thinking about getting a set soon. I bought a set for my 200 so I don't destroy my HE wheels and have liked them. Installed some apex valves on them which have been great. Making me want to get some for my 80.

So far the WeBoost does what it's supposed to. Gotta have some kind of signal to begin with but as long as you have some signal it increases the signal by a couple bars or more depending on conditions. It's been useful to me when using navigation and I end up in an area that I haven't downloaded the maps for. I typically download area maps ahead of time so that I can use the navigation offline, but when I haven't done that or change plans and go somewhere mid-trip that I didn't download then the WeBoost helps me get a little farther before losing signal completely.

I don't have the Rebound Pro, but just the regular Rebound wheels. But the specs are the same between the two with the exception of the beadlocks on the Pro. The reason Icon and others say they won't fit on the 80 is because the center cap is too shallow and won't fit. So you can run either wheel without the center caps and be fine. Or you can run a wheel spacer. I'm using the wheel spacers for a little wider track width not so I can fit center caps but the spacers make it so I can also run the center caps. If you don't care about the track width but want to run the center caps there are center cap spacers available from Delta for the Icon wheels. That's the best option if you are someone that doesn't like wheel spacers.

 

[residualboulders]

So far the WeBoost does what it's supposed to. Gotta have some kind of signal to begin with but as long as you have some signal it increases the signal by a couple bars or more depending on conditions. It's been useful to me when using navigation and I end up in an area that I haven't downloaded the maps for. I typically download area maps ahead of time so that I can use the navigation offline, but when I haven't done that or change plans and go somewhere mid-trip that I didn't download then the WeBoost helps me get a little farther before losing signal completely.

I don't have the Rebound Pro, but just the regular Rebound wheels. But the specs are the same between the two with the exception of the beadlocks on the Pro. The reason Icon and others say they won't fit on the 80 is because the center cap is too shallow and won't fit. So you can run either wheel without the center caps and be fine. Or you can run a wheel spacer. I'm using the wheel spacers for a little wider track width not so I can fit center caps but the spacers make it so I can also run the center caps. If you don't care about the track width but want to run the center caps there are center cap spacers available from Delta for the Icon wheels. That's the best option if you are someone that doesn't like wheel spacers.

Thanks for the info. I ran spacers on my 200 for a while with no issues. Rebound Pros provided the wider stance and eliminated the need/want for spacers. But they don’t quite have the same effect on the 80 so I may run them. Still debating staying with 35s or moving to 37s…

 

[residualboulders]

They are just some generic (pretty stiff) mudflaps from Autozone. They are attached to the front flares with some small button head bolts and to the bumper wings in the rear with nutserts and bolts. That way I can remove them easy if I need to.

curious, have you tried the factory mud flaps for 80 series with no side steps on the front? I planned to get sliders that will accommodate the factory flaps, but I wondered if they will just get pulled off on the trails.

Have you had your Maxxis tires out on some trails yet? I'd be curious your thoughts comparison against the Toyo MT and Kendas you've had. I went with the Maxxis because they were quite a bit lighter than the Toyo. I don't love them in the snow though, kinda want to get them siped or go another route in a 37. Do you miss the 13.5 width?

 

[Box Rocket]

curious, have you tried the factory mud flaps for 80 series with no side steps on the front? I planned to get sliders that will accommodate the factory flaps, but I wondered if they will just get pulled off on the trails.

Have you had your Maxxis tires out on some trails yet? I'd be curious your thoughts comparison against the Toyo MT and Kendas you've had. I went with the Maxxis because they were quite a bit lighter than the Toyo. I don't love them in the snow though, kinda want to get them siped or go another route in a 37. Do you miss the 13.5 width?

I did have some factory front mud flaps a few years back. I ripped them off on the trail. I still have them but the holes for the bolts are ripped out.

I've got some good trail time on the Maxxis tires now and overall they are doing well. I like them better than the Kendas but only by a little since the Kenda MT is actually a pretty good tire. My reason for liking the Maxxis better is more for the road manners than the trail performance. They both do well on the trail but the Maxxis is quieter/smoother on the road. Both did quite well in Moab.
The Toyo MT is still better than both in my opinion. It's still the quietest/smoothest MT I've had on the road and excellent offroad on the desert and mountain terrain we have around here and they do great in Moab.

For winter driving the Kenda was probably the better of the 3, but I haven't ever had an MT that did well on hardpack snow until having them siped. So if you have a lot of hardpack snow during the winter then I think siping is very worthwhile, especially on the Maxxis since they have the largest treadblocks of the three. We haven't got much snow yet so I don't have time with the Maxxis in deep snow but I expect they will do fairly well in deep snow. I guess we'll see soon enough. The Kendas were decent in deep snow but not awesome. The Toyos were better than the Kendas in deep snow but I think there are probably better options for deep snow if that's your priority.

As for the width difference, in truth I think it's nearly impossible to notice much performance difference in one inch of width. But I did like how the 13.5's look.

 

[residualboulders]

I did have some factory front mud flaps a few years back. I ripped them off on the trail. I still have them but the holes for the bolts are ripped out.

I've got some good trail time on the Maxxis tires now and overall they are doing well. I like them better than the Kendas but only by a little since the Kenda MT is actually a pretty good tire. My reason for liking the Maxxis better is more for the road manners than the trail performance. They both do well on the trail but the Maxxis is quieter/smoother on the road. Both did quite well in Moab.
The Toyo MT is still better than both in my opinion. It's still the quietest/smoothest MT I've had on the road and excellent offroad on the desert and mountain terrain we have around here and they do great in Moab.

For winter driving the Kenda was probably the better of the 3, but I haven't ever had an MT that did well on hardpack snow until having them siped. So if you have a lot of hardpack snow during the winter then I think siping is very worthwhile, especially on the Maxxis since they have the largest treadblocks of the three. We haven't got much snow yet so I don't have time with the Maxxis in deep snow but I expect they will do fairly well in deep snow. I guess we'll see soon enough. The Kendas were decent in deep snow but not awesome. The Toyos were better than the Kendas in deep snow but I think there are probably better options for deep snow if that's your priority.

As for the width difference, in truth I think it's nearly impossible to notice much performance difference in one inch of width. But I did like how the 13.5's look.

Yeah my daughter just came home from Orem, says it's almost summer down there still. I'm sure you'll get to try the tires out in snow soon enough. We only have about 12" here, usually more by now. My son almost rolled the 80 off the bank into a river the other day sliding around a corner. I have been considering getting the tires siped but then they wouldn't last as long on the trails - might increase grip on the rocks though?

Anyway, thanks for the feedback. Looking at a summer Rubicon trip so 80 mods have been on my mind.

 

[reklund5]

in truth I think it's nearly impossible to notice much performance difference in one inch

We all say that...

 

[Box Rocket]

We all say that...

I wondered who would comment on that first. Haha.

 

[Box Rocket]

Yeah my daughter just came home from Orem, says it's almost summer down there still. I'm sure you'll get to try the tires out in snow soon enough. We only have about 12" here, usually more by now. My son almost rolled the 80 off the bank into a river the other day sliding around a corner. I have been considering getting the tires siped but then they wouldn't last as long on the trails - might increase grip on the rocks though?

Anyway, thanks for the feedback. Looking at a summer Rubicon trip so 80 mods have been on my mind.

My experience with siped tires hasn’t really decreased the life of the tires significantly at all. It is possible that you’ll have more chunking in the rocks but it depends on the rocks you drive. Shale and volcanic rock will tear up tires. Moab and Rubicon shouldn’t be a problem with siped tires.

 

[lumbee1]

Installed some hood vents that I've had on the shelf for months. I got these to work with my hood scoop. My theory is that air coming into the engine bay through the scoop will circulate more air under the hood and the vents will let hot air out, and hopefully result in lower engine bay temps as well as coolant temps in hotter months. The vents are designed to create a low pressure area so hopefully there's a bit of suction that will pull hot air out. Time will tell how this works, but it will be a few months until we get into the really hot summer months before I'll know just how effective this mod is.

Started with some Range Rover side vents. Used a little bondo to fill in the embossed letters.
Hoodvents by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

Then used some carbon fiber vinyl I had a few scraps of to wrap the part I had bondo'd
Hoodvents by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

If you think cutting a hole for a snorkel is nerve wracking, try cutting massive holes for a hood scoop and vents.
Hoodvents by Adam Tolman, on Flickr


These vents come with a bit of short ducting on the base. This should help reduce some of the water from rain etc that can get on engine parts. With where these are located I'm not too worried about it. The driver side duct needed a little custom clearancing and is over the back corner of the charcoal canister, and the passenger side is over the edge of the air box. Neither spot is too vulnerable for water issues. Little hard to see through the vents but maybe you can make it out.
Hoodvents by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

Charcoal canister in there.
Hoodvents by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

Edge of the airbox.
Hoodvents by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

A few of the result.
Hoodvents by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

Hoodvents by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

Hoodvents by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

Hoodvents by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

Hoodvents by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

@Box Rocket what's your opinion of the LR side vents in the Cruiser hood?

I thought about LR side vents in the hood many years ago but never committed. My Cruiser actually runs cool even with a supercharger so I wouldn't do it for heat mgmt, however I'm getting ready to pull the hood to Sikaflex the hood frame back to the hood skin. I figured while I had it off I might add the vents as well.

I like the Supercharged emboss on the vents however I want the flats portion of the vent forward and the angled portion backwards. This puts "supercharged" upside down

The other option is something like this

 

[Box Rocket]

@Box Rocket what's your opinion of the LR side vents in the Cruiser hood?

I thought about LR side vents in the hood many years ago but never committed. My Cruiser actually runs cool even with a supercharger so I wouldn't do it for heat mgmt, however I'm getting ready to pull the hood to Sikaflex the hood frame back to the hood skin. I figured while I had it off I might add the vents as well.

I like the Supercharged emboss on the vents however I want the flats portion of the vent forward and the angled portion backwards. This puts "supercharged" upside down
View attachment 3810674

The other option is something like this
View attachment 3810675

I have those same supercharged ones. I just filled the embossing with bondo and sanded it smooth since I'm not supercharged. They have worked well for me and I like how they look. I'm not sure what you mean by the orientation you mentioned but if you oriented them the same way I did then the letters woudn't be backward. Forgot to mention that mine have a lower "drip pan" that connects on the underside of the vent under the hood. kinda nice to have piece.
Untitled by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

 

[residualboulders]

Posting this because this thread helps me document updates on the truck and have dates when they happened.

replaced the radius arm bushings with new OEM rubber. Fixed a clunk noise I could difure out. Replaced the drive flanges too.
Radius arm bushings by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

Radius arm bushings by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

Did the clunking noise sounds like it was coming from up front when you hit a bump? Mine has a small clunk. I thought it was loose factory running boards but those have been removed but the clunk has not.