Builds Chicago 80 Series Fix & Re-build

[LS1FJ40]

1) Keep an eye on the classifieds/parting out section. Seems like there is always an ARB front bumper for sale. Just depends if it is close to you.

2) Check out the TJM T17 front bumper. I think it is one of the cleanest front bumper designs (have the discontinued aluminum version on my 92). @sleeoffroad has them for $600. You can always order the winch plate for it later on. Slee - Toyota 80 Series Land Cruiser Front Bumpers

3) Fluid Film is great stuff. I like it better than bar chain oil. It is Lanolin based. Buy it by the gallon (a couple of gallons will do). Tyvek suit or old clothes you don't mind smelling like a wet sheep and spray away. I like that you can get it down in the door easily. They also sell it in aerosol cans which is convenient but more expensive.

4) POR15 is great stuff. Do this after you've gotten everything sorted out.

5) my goal with my 93 is to make it "less sh!tty". She'll never be a show queen but...

 

[Red Merle]

I like Fluid Film more than the bar chain oil too, mostly because it is non-toxic. You could probably drink it and not get sick, not sure why you would though.

That said, Stihl makes a biodegradable bar chain oil that is also not toxic to the environment. I use it when I can find it, otherwise I just let the regular stuff drip in my garage and then clean it up with cheap kitty litter which I toss in the trash.

You can't really go wrong with either, the goal is to get that layer on everything underneath.

 

[Kaninja]

The lanolin based stuff is amazing. We use a lanolin based lubricant on our mechanical coupling gaskets, and while it smells a little funky, that stuff repels water and stays in place under high water pressures for a very LONG time. Even when getting splashed by puddles and beaten with road debrit it will remain.

 

[Red Merle]

The lanolin based stuff is amazing. We use a lanolin based lubricant on our mechanical coupling gaskets, and while it smells a little funky, that stuff repels water and stays in place under high water pressures for a very LONG time. Even when getting splashed by puddles and beaten with road debrit it will remain.

I think the Navy has been using it since at least WWII. If it didn't work, I doubt they would keep that up.

 

[LS1FJ40]

I think the Navy has been using it since at least WWII. If it didn't work, I doubt they would keep that up.

I bet they pay 4x as much for it as us too!

 

[Red Merle]

I bet they pay 4x as much for it as us too!

How could that be? Are you implying the Navy isn't a good steward of the tax payer?

As long as we don't have rusty ships, I am fine with it. Fluid Film is probably right up their alley. I imagine that some of the "staff" have a fair amount of free time to kill as they bob around the world's oceans. The fact that the product needs to be applied regularly works out well for the Admirals. Cuts way down on the shenanigans too, along with the rust.

 

[WanderingFZJ]

I'm trying to decide if this was the 80 I saw rolling around near Humboldt a few weeks back!
I can't recall if the damage multiplier was up front, then again I was suffering from having a few too many the night before.

I'm in burbs now, but I still get to Logan Square and/or Jeff Park every other weekend or so. Personally, I can't wait to get a solid bumper on my 80 just so I can laugh when an idiot tries to park by "touch". I'm leaning to the @NWTI front bumper, it's a bit different and offers solid protection.

 

[WanderingFZJ]

Hi everyone! So I was inspired to create a thread that documented the blood, sweat, and tears that has gone (and will continue to go) into my 1995 FZJ80. There has been a lot already and hopefully, this will turn into tears of joy in the future!

The backstory: Needed a truck that could haul more people and/or things than a Mini Cooper or Porsche 928 could. Went in search for an FJ60, FJ62, or FJ80. I landed on one west of Chicago and purchased it for a decent price. Low and behold I was shafted (literally). Over the next week, I started to find out all the things that were wrong. First I was lied to about the title, this will be another post entirely, but nonetheless a PITA. The second was the front driveshaft was missing! After doing some initial diagnosis using a borrowed front driveshaft and a lot of support from you great people here on mud, I found that the rear diff was working and locking along with the center. However, the front diff had some issues and was spinning (mostly) freely. Also, it needed a front knuckle job.

The start: Even from a semi-experienced wrencher, 4wd is a little out of my wheelhouse and needing most of a new front axle was a big hit to the confidence. For this part, I enlisted the help of Tatton's in Utah and Thom's Four Wheel Drive in Chicago. Tatton's is making a new Double Cardan drive shaft (similar price to a shipped used one) and Thom's happened to have most of a front axle including the factory front locking diff!

What is next? While waiting for the driveshaft to come in, there are a few more things I plan on doing to make rig better. Stay tuned for more!

I'm trying to think of other things I've knocked out over the years, but that may be especially relevant for Chicago/Midwest winters. I'm sure I'll come up with a few things, but the one that really sticks out right now is the PHH (probably because I'm thinking of re-doing mine with the bypass).

 

[bulldog8934]

I'm trying to think of other things I've knocked out over the years, but that may be especially relevant for Chicago/Midwest winters. I'm sure I'll come up with a few things, but the one that really sticks out right now is the PHH (probably because I'm thinking of re-doing mine with the bypass).

I love the quote from Slee on this, "Solutions we have heard from include removing the engine or refusing to do the work."

 

[bulldog8934]

I'm trying to decide if this was the 80 I saw rolling around near Humboldt a few weeks back!
I can't recall if the damage multiplier was up front, then again I was suffering from having a few too many the night before.

I'm in burbs now, but I still get to Logan Square and/or Jeff Park every other weekend or so. Personally, I can't wait to get a solid bumper on my 80 just so I can laugh when an idiot tries to park by "touch". I'm leaning to the @NWTI front bumper, it's a bit different and offers solid protection.

Haha it may have been! I might have also had the damage multiplier off for paint and service

How many 80s have you seen around the city? I have been living here for about 5 years and they are rare beasts!

 

[bulldog8934]

Next thing up, I found a non-rusty upper rear hatch on ebay. In the meantime, I grinded, treated, and fiberglassed the rust holes on the old one so no more water would get in. It is not pretty but it gets the job done. Now to just wait and paint the new one.

Any quick advice for the "gotchas" of swapping the metal on the rear upper would be appreciated. I will be swapping the glass, hardware, etc. to the new one.

 

[bulldog8934]

Another strange thing happened today... My key will no longer unlock the rear hatch. I dont regularly use it to do so, but I tried wiggling it and everything without luck. Has anyone had this happen before?

 

[WanderingFZJ]

Haha it may have been! I might have also had the damage multiplier off for paint and service

How many 80s have you seen around the city? I have been living here for about 5 years and they are rare beasts!

I've only seen a handful in the 4 years I was living there, but no wave or acknowledgment .
One that I see occasionally is a lifted green 80 around Logan Square.

There are a few 60's and two 40's (one I'm sure is an Icon) in the Wicker Park area. If you are in the Logan/Humboldt area, you may see mine rolling around this weekend (white, sliders, a pair of Hellas, and a CB mast). I have a feeling I'll be asked to haul around a couple things for my buddy's wedding.

 

[bulldog8934]

Weirdly enough in lincoln park and even in bucktown/wicker park there are a TON of 60s (4 just on my block). I was looking to buy one before I bought my current and they seemed to be all in the 20k range. Strange world we live in haha