Builds Brunt Force Trauma's fj80 thread.

[BruntForce77]

I've noticed some cracks forming in the filler around the seam from the bob. When i started grinding away the filler over the seam i found that that there was some surface rust in a few spots under the filler, so the filler must have absorbed some moisture in the days before i painted it. Since I have become much better at welding since I did the bob, I decided to spend this afternoon taking the whole rear end down to the bare metal. I'm going to re weld all the seams and weld up some of the holes and low spots in the metal. I really despise body filler and I am tempted to just leave the imperfections be, and just throw a coat of paint on it. We shall see.

 

[BruntForce77]

Have to say that for the most part, the guys making parts for the 80's are way nicer to deal with than the guys i used to deal with when i had my old bronco... Thank you to Shane at IRONCLAD OFFROAD. Extremely accommodating and helpful. Not to mention he gave me a smokin' deal on his original prototype.
Going to leave the bumper as-is for now. But once I relocate my AC dryer I will be relocating the bottom cross bars of the bumper for more clearance.

 

[UWdave]

Your rig is looking good. Man... I need to move back to LA.

I don't recommend chopping an 80 in the WA winter when:
1) Your garage is too small to close the door when working on the rig
2) Your wife has claim to the garage on weekdays

 

[Mikesta]

Your rig is looking good. Man... I need to move back to LA.

I don't recommend chopping an 80 in the WA winter when:
1) Your garage is too small to close the door when working on the rig
2) Your wife has claim to the garage on weekdays

Or 3) its winter.

 

[BruntForce77]

Or 3) its winter.

Winter is relative. I've had my doors off all "winter" up until 2 weeks ago. They will probably come back off in a couple weeks. Got to love Southern California.

 

[DetroitStyle]

It was -6 here this morning...

 

[95ToyCruiser]

Thanks for the kind words... Glad you like it. The bob is looking good... I like the side prices. I am going to do something similar with to the sides on mine, only in the form of an exocage.

Is yours painted with rhino lining? I want something similar as a base to hide the imperfections, then paint over it with whatever color I end up choosing... Get tired of colors quickly haha.

 

[BruntForce77]

Thanks for the kind words... Glad you like it. The bob is looking good... I like the side prices. I am going to do something similar with to the sides on mine, only in the form of an exocage.

Is yours painted with rhino lining? I want something similar as a base to hide the imperfections, then paint over it with whatever color I end up choosing... Get tired of colors quickly haha.

Right now its just painted with Rustoleum Universal satin black. When I finally finish all the bodywork I plan on having everything line-x'ed except the hood, roof, and doors. This I will have painted with some sort of gloss paint so they are easy to clean.

 

[Camino]

Nice bumper. Thatis exactly what I wanted,but my bender would not bend that hoop. We have never had a problem hitting the lower cross bars on our frankenbumper (composed of the rear bumper cross plate, generic winch plate and 1.75 tube). but one time we hit the tow ring that I mounted on the bottom. Your tow rings are in front, so that won't be a problem. I left the tow rings there for sort of a warning indicator. If I had it to do over, I would have bought a bumper like yours.

 

[Delancy]

Nice bumper.

X2. The additional tube from the stinger to the horizontal tube is a good idea.

How are you planning to relocate the dryer?

 

[BruntForce77]

X2. The additional tube from the stinger to the horizontal tube is a good idea.

How are you planning to relocate the dryer?

Not sure yet. im still working on that.

 

[Delancy]

Not sure yet. im still working on that.

In the process, now. PITA even with the kit.

Has to resort to professional help and, based on his suggestion, doing away with fittings and welding.

That said, think a competent AC shop could do pretty easily and theres several dryers that'll fit in the battery box, so may be worth finding a mom and pop shop to reroute lines,

I have a extra, new dryer that may be a direct fit for the OE fittings, if you go this route. Will know for sure m, shortly, but welcome to it. I can't return.

 

[BruntForce77]

Had today off, so I decided to start figuring out my plans to close up the rear end. After a bit of measuring I figured out it would be easier to work with, if the top of the tailgate was beneath the "triangles" on the sides. This meant taking a few more inches off the rear end. So I dug in. Now that I'm into it, I've decided that I'm going to answer my own question of how much can you bob an 80, and still retain a full width, functioning tailgate, and factory tail lights. More pics to come.

 

[95ToyCruiser]

I admire you're work... It's looking great! Are you planning to keep it street legal? That's the problem I'm running into, I have these great plans... But no tow rig, so mine has to stay street legal... For now haha

 

[BruntForce77]

I admire you're work... It's looking great! Are you planning to keep it street legal? That's the problem I'm running into, I have these great plans... But no tow rig, so mine has to stay street legal... For now haha

Thanks! The only reason ther is any rear end on this thing at all is because its my DD. So, yes, it will remain street legal. I do see a new DD in my near future, but it won't be a tow rig, so ill still have to drive to the trails. Plus I like to drive the 80 when I go camping, or snowboarding, or whatnot. So it will probably remain street legal for quite a while.

 

[VCCruzr]

Man, you better sell your Sawzall quick on CL before there's nothing left of your 80!

 

[BruntForce77]

Man, you better sell your Sawzall quick on CL before there's nothing left of your 80!

I know. I have a problem... But I figure the smaller I make it, the bigger the tires look.

Ps. - you reminded me of the parts. Sorry its taking me so long. I keep forgetting and starting new projects. I promise ill get them out of your way soon.

 

[VCCruzr]

I know. I have a problem... But I figure the smaller I make it, the bigger the tires look.

Ps. - you reminded me of the parts. Sorry its taking me so long. I keep forgetting and starting new projects. I promise ill get them out of your way soon.

No worries, I already have your money!

 

[BruntForce77]

Got a bit done this weekend. I ended up actually being able to shorten it more than I anticipated. Ended up being shorter that the side panels, so i will have to do some work on those to get everything lined up. Also have a bunch of little things I need to address... More to come.

 

[95ToyCruiser]

Lookin good! Let's see some full side and rear shots...

Your departure angle is amazing... Are you gonna run a full rear bumper, or just between the frame rails? (don't know what your local laws are regarding bjmpers).