Build Build: Snowball, the 91 FJ80

[CarcaineProblems]

First time posting something like this, so lmk if I am missing the mark. I don't usually "name" my cars but with 3 girls (9, 7, 5) they wanted to name it, so here she is, snowball the mostly stock, 3FE FJ80 with 161k miles

I bought this truck from @JML403 in late March and it is as advertised. Really clean and pretty stock except the ARB bumper

 

[CarcaineProblems]

JML403 helped load the Cruiser into the back of the trailer for the long trip from Georgia to North Dakota. It was a little tall so he pulled the roof rack and saved me the hassle when it got here!

 

[CarcaineProblems]

I was out of the country when it arrived and my lucky wife got to pull it in during an April blizzard

 

[Marco Lau]

Congrats, looks like one fine 3FE in great condition.

 

[huddleston]

Very nice - what are your plans for it?

 

[CarcaineProblems]

I think the basics? Suspension, wheels, tires, rack. Then some misc items…possibly desmog, replace the window wiper arms. Stuff like that.

Thoughts on tint? I think that’s a little much, and not easily reversed. Don’t want to screw it up for the next owner

 

[Marco Lau]

I think the basics? Suspension, wheels, tires, rack. Then some misc items…possibly desmog, replace the window wiper arms. Stuff like that.

Thoughts on tint? I think that’s a little much, and not easily reversed. Don’t want to screw it up for the next owner

i have a 15% tint all around and they work well out on the trail.

 

[CarcaineProblems]

Front windows too? Can’t tell if they’re rolled down

Great looking rig! Re-gear necessary with 37s?

 

[Marco Lau]

Front windows too? Can’t tell if they’re rolled down

Great looking rig! Re-gear necessary with 37s?

Front window is probably 10% , but its tinted. Definitely re-gear if you are on 35s or larger tires.

 

[OffRoadScott]

Great looking rig. Definately recommend re-gear for 35s or above.

 

[CarcaineProblems]

Man, re-gear sounds like the answer but not sure I have the skills to do that. Or trust a shop locally to get it right. Maybe I need to roadtrip to Slee or Cruiser Outfitters and just have them do it. Add lockers too??

 

[CarcaineProblems]

First project is to clean the vehicle, mostly the exterior. Get the paint dialed in and coated. Here's the steps I took:

1. Ironx iron remover. This stuff smells like rotting corpse. Works great!
2. Decon wash
3. Clay bar
4. Jescar correcting compound. Chemical Guys Hex logic pads
5. Carpro Eraser to remove residue
6. Crystal Serum Light ceramic coating

There was a lot of residue that came up with the pads. I think I went through 6 pads and blew each of them out at least once? I wasn't expecting that. You can see in this picture one of the pads I used and the residue...

 

[CarcaineProblems]

Pretty happy with the results!

 

[OffRoadScott]

Man, re-gear sounds like the answer but not sure I have the skills to do that. Or trust a shop locally to get it right. Maybe I need to roadtrip to Slee or Cruiser Outfitters and just have them do it. Add lockers too??

Or reach out to ZUK at gearinstalls.com

 

[Bryan Smith]

I don’t think I’ve seen a driver’s seat in such good shape! Nice seeing a fellow detailing enthusiast on here!

 

[BILT4ME]

Or reach out to ZUK at gearinstalls.com

Unfortunately, ZUK is taking the year off........

 

[CarcaineProblems]

Things are picking up steam. A lot of shopping (and varied experiences!)

1. Picked up a desmog kit from TLC Performance. Ordered the belt from Amazon
2. Roof rack from Prinsu (on sale). I really liked Bowfin but didn't want to wait.
3. OME BP51 from Cruiser Outfitters. Man those guys are awesome
4. 34" BFG KO2 from Tirerack
5. ICON Compression in bronze.
6. Equipt seat covers
7. Fusible links, new wiper arms, misc items from Wits End

I started on the desmog today. More to come...

 

[CarcaineProblems]

Desmog was next on the list. I had done this with my FJ 62 years ago, so I wasn’t too nervous. No real hiccups.

There is a nice video here

 

[CarcaineProblems]

I ended up just capping the air rail, instead of removing those air injector things

Pretty clean! I used some 1/4 threaded rod to make a support for the fan housing, as you can see on the driver side wheel well. Waiting for Wits End to send over their “keychain”, aka block off plate. Then I can get rid of my janky cut up license plate

Saved all the parts!!

 

[CarcaineProblems]

Been a busy 10 days or so. Started with an OME-BP51 lift.

Looks like the truck skipped leg day!

Easy fix with some 34" BFG on Icon rims