Building my HDJ-80 and dads HZJ-80, EU

[Vitek]

Sourcing everything new OEM Toyota for the quad light conversion was not easy, neither cheap. Did it worth it or should I stick with the standard lights?

Yes the front grille is aftermarket, but I already had that on the shelf.
Cant wait for the new winch bumper to arrive and install that too.

 

[Vitek]

So these are the bolts which had to be replaced:

They got all replaced, just like the spacers below

All new koyo bearings everywhere

 

[lp2k]

Keep, clean and resale old parts. I don’t discard anything.

 

[Vitek]

Every bolt, spring, tensioner etc and handbrake part got cadmium plated

Brakes got new shoes, new pads and new rotors, later was supposed to be bosch, got the wrong size, so opted for OEM at the end.

 

[thelal]

Every bolt, spring, tensioner etc and handbrake part got cadmium plated ....

Thats impressive

 

[Vitek]

So the axle is almost complete:

One more side to assamble that it should be ready to go back in. Once its in the car it can go on a hoist so all the body mounts can be replaced. All the bolts are loosened already, only one broke!

 

[Vitek]

I also delivered to the workshop my JDM lower tailgate which got painted to match with the car. This was an important part of my oem tire carrier puzzle.

The Hzj80 is helping to build the younger brother
New brake discs for the back and the pto winch:

However, I got the delivery of something big.... so might be time for an oem electric winch?

 

[Vitek]

So my newest acqusition is this:
Hdj80 1994, general market model, VX trim level:
- LHD from factory
- Dual fuel tanks (very happy about this, as turbo diesel fuel lines for sub fuel system are hard to get)
- factory electric winch, but in pretty rough shape
- factory part time 4wd
- factory rear AC
- factory center console fridge
- quad headlights
- all electric but non leather seats
- 8 seater
- a442f auto transmission (yes, for me here in EU with everything manual this is a desirable thing)
etc..

Its in pretty beaten up shape. There is some rust on the rear right door and in the body between the upper tailgate hinges, but other than that, nothing worrying. The car was imported to the EU from Ivory coast, guess they dont salt the roads there, as the underside is suprisingly in great condition. I am very happy with my 6000 euro delivered purchase

There are though some interresting-concerning things. There is a diff lock switch, but there are no difflocks and also the axle code is k292...why the switch than?
The engine was removed at some point as the engine bay is partly apart, missing battery trays, Ac compressor and fuel filter housing and a large bunch of stuff is in the trunk. But hey, there is a new ac cooler included

The engine currently does not run. It has a brand new oil pan and clearly was worked on. PO only told me it has a new water pump and timing set.
I can imagine two scenarios:
- engine failed and got rebuilt, thus the new pan ad sign of work
- someone was just very detailed

The plan for now to store it until we have time to fire it up. Due to family things, this wont happen anytime sooner than christmas.
After that I will see. Really would like to take the sub tank and electric winch from this one. Probably also the seats.
The center console fridge and auto is a big maybe. Rear ac I dont want.

I would say 30% chance spending some time and money to get it running and okay shape and sell it with quite some profit as its rare as hell in the EU and
70% parting it out, keeping the rare stuff for my red 1hd-ft and selling the rest to recover my investment.
We dont need a 3rd 80. But we want it...

 

[Rigpig]

If you were closer I'd trade you an auto for a manual trans!

 

[Vitek]

Got both of the tail shafts/propeller shafts painted, balanced and new oem u joints got installed in them also. Driveline wise only the transfer and gearbox will remain none rebuilt, my 2nd synchro is not the best but first I will see if some synthetic gearbox oil will improve it.

 

[lp2k]

Excellent work

 

[Vitek]

The axle is almost finished

 

[lp2k]

looking good @Vitek I wish I could go into this level of detail on my own build but maybe in a year or 2. As for resto of the 8 seater gray, that is great idea especially when you can do it right without shortcuts.

 

[Vitek]

Some older pictures about the rear diff andlocker rebuild:

So the axles is back under the car, oils to be filled for diff, gearbox and transfer and ready to roll after 3 months!
So many little things delayed this work, but worth all the waiting.

Also, soon an update with the OEM tire carrier install, stay tuned!

 

[lp2k]

Will you paint the recently cleaned parts? When I removed the rust off from my axle, I cleaned it with a solution called TSP and air dried it. Then, I used a heavy duty flat black paint (John Deere blitz flat black). 2 coats. This paint is for commercial applications and resist rust very well. I doubt any rust will get back on the axle.

I would also look into wool wax for the undercarriage when you can.

 

[Vitek]

Will you paint the recently cleaned parts? When I removed the rust off from my axle, I cleaned it with a solution called TSP and air dried it. Then, I used a heavy duty flat black paint (John Deere blitz flat black). 2 coats. This paint is for commercial applications and resist rust very well. I doubt any rust will get back on the axle.

I would also look into wool wax for the undercarriage when you can.

Yes, all the rear axle and parts that were taken off got sandblasted and powder coated. Same as the front axle 2 years ago, time will tell.

The undercarriage I am already looking into fluid film as a protective layer, but first it will need a very good cleaning with hot pressure water as suggest earlier by SNLC.

 

[Vitek]

Some bad news time...

YesterdayI had to order a new front output shaft for the transfer case as the thread stripped on several of them. Lukcily only the whole shaft can be replaced....
All new bolts and washers for the front drive shaft also ordered, new bearings, oil seals etc... the never ending toyota money pit

Than today, some more good news...

Looks bad.

 

[Vitek]

As you can imagine, quite some of the hardware holding the flares is rusted, rothed, belongs to the bin. So it was a quick and easy decision to deflare the car.
I actually prefer the more clean look without flares, also they will fit better the quad headlights:

 

[Vitek]

Definetly deflared is the way to got just need to order a set of new mud flaps
Wondering if I should get chrome mirrors and door handles?

 

[Vitek]

Flares removed, holes welded up, painting hopefully will be done soon.

On the drivers side the new door is installed, slightly less faded and the front fender rust shown earlier got repaired too.

And finally, the tire carrier is on!
The reinforcements were replicated and now I dont need to worry about the carrier braking the pillar, its solid!

Need to reorder the mudflaps as they were not available at the moment, also the rear wiper needs to sorted out. But slowly its coming together.
The shaft for the transfer case should arrived on monday, that is the major remaining issue.