Builds Build - ‘96 FZJ80 “Bullwinkle”

[FJhammer]

Next I throw in the front springs and shocks. IMS and C59-612V. And yes, gators go on because gators bitches better be using jimmie’s.

 

[FJhammer]

I’ve been dabbling some time with the idea of polishing the stock wheels or going for that bronze on black heritage edition look. After spending months trying to track down the right color bronze (believe me I went through a few) I end up going with a Volvo paint code that was posted by another mudder. I have the wheels blasted and then lay down an epoxy primer to help seal out any oxidation. Then I lay down some color. It’s not my ideal tone and it’s got a bit more flake than I was going for but it’s the best of the options I’ve been able to put together. Most of the other bronze’s are actually just gold. The I lay down a satin 2k clear coat. I get new caps and paint them too with an old school black center and sweet Toyota emblem I got off of some guy on Etsy.
I’m liking the look.

 

[FJhammer]

With the wheels done, I get them on the truck and pull the jacks. Now that it’s under its own weight, I install the sway bars and torque down every single bolt in accordance with the FSM specifications.

I bolt on the LSPV bracket and set the height for braking. Then I attach the greatest invention of all time, the Speedi Bleed and proceed to bleed the brakes starting with the passenger rear.

 

[FJhammer]

I take it for a drive to Toyota too get an alignment. Turns out I nailed the alignment perfect and not a single adjustment needed to be made.

 

[napir]

Love this build/revival. What's next?

 

[mudgudgeon]

Nicely written.

View attachment 3418433

Got details of the paint you used?

 

[PrydeFall]

Any updates on this? You do absolutely beautiful work.

 

[FJhammer]

Any updates on this? You do absolutely beautiful work.

No, I got distracted this entire past year on a 3rd gen 4Runner. A 2000 Limited fell into my lap and I've always wanted to build one, so I went ham on it and redid everything from top to bottom. It was quite time consuming and left all the projects on the 80 and the 100 by the wayside. I just picked up a new 250 so I'm probably going to dabble in the suspension on that and definitely swapping out to the round lights (I hate the rectangle ones). As always, time and my ability to procrastinate are my biggest challenges.

Upcoming projects for this year on the 80 will be a prinsu roof rack and re-upholstering the front seats.

 

[FJhammer]

Also, if anyone in the PNW knows of a OEM front bumper laying around, I'm interested. I thought this bump it offroad one would grow on me,,, but it has not!

 

[FJhammer]

And becauseI know I'm going to catch s*** from someone, yes I know I bought a Prius Prado. I was at the dealer getting the 3rd gen aligned after I put in new lower control arms a steering rack so I figured what the hell, I'll check it out while I'm here. Truthfully, I wanted to hate it so much but I ended up loving it. I know I'm a hypocrite but who are we kidding, you're not perfect either. I'm still sore about the powertrain and at Toyota for literally forcing me into this. Okay maybe not literally, but figuratively I could totally tell the salesman had a notional gun in his pocket.

 

[PrydeFall]

Unfortunately, I don't have the stock bumper for mine either. I've got an ARB that I took off, I'm going to end up building my own bumper. When I get back to working on mine.

 

[nagrom46]

I’m basically building the twin to your truck! Finally getting to the body and need to paint the rear hatch and hood. How’s the spray can job holding up? Do you remember where you sourced your base coat and clear?