Builds El See 1996 FZJ80 build

[MODist]

I finally finished wiring and installing the lights today. So much work from the new switches to the heavy duty wiring up to the roof rack. I went with some inexpensive 4" 55w HID lights, two spot and two flood. I wanted to put 6" lights on top but they just won't clear the top bar. It is exactly 7" from the mount to the bottom of the bar and most lights I saw were 7 1/4" with the mount. Should I change my mind later the wiring can handle 4 x 100w. I also finished the upgrade of my KC fog lights. Completely rewired the lights using 12ga wire and ran separate relays for each light. They put out a lot of light with the 130W bulbs and the amber covers are great for the fog.

 

[Tennessee Jed]

INTI rack? Looks good.

 

[MODist]

INTI rack? Looks good.

Custom rack built by the previous owner.

 

[MODist]

Last night while looking for lost tools in the passenger seat I found treasure.

 

[MODist]

Well the new roof lights are a bust. After spending one night sitting outside I found this.

 

[PolarRunner]

Time to tear em apart and re-seal. If you care to or it's worthwhile.

 

[MODist]

Nope, returning them. I get crazy spill from them down in the windshield and dash. I also noticed a lot of wind noise on the highway. I'm rethinking roof lights. I'd love to find some small projector type lights. The stock headlights are great on the 80 and the KC fogs put out a wide beam from the ground out to the center of the high beams.

 

[Travish325]

Nope, returning them. I get crazy spill from them down in the windshield and dash. I also noticed a lot of wind noise on the highway. I'm rethinking roof lights. I'd love to find some small projector type lights. The stock headlights are great on the 80 and the KC fogs put out a wide beam from the ground out to the center of the high beams.

why not just do an LED light bar?

 

[MODist]

Most LED light bars are great for flood to medium distance. I have that covered already. I need long distance fill.

 

[MODist]

I got around to doing some upgrades under the hood. I replaced the air cleaner, original throttle cable, leaking distributor seal and the standard high and low beam lights. I can now feel the gas pedal while driving, no more lead foot driving. I checked the timing before replacing the distributor o-ring. It was 4 deg before shorting the E1 and TE1 terminals and 3 deg after. I never got the CEL to flash but there was a definite change in timing. I upped the timing to 5 deg which came out to 8 deg in normal mode. The bottom end really came alive however I did get pinging under higher RPM load. I dropped it back to 4 deg base and 5 deg normal with no pinging. I may bump it up again with some higher octane gas and try again. I'm not sure why the ECU is adding so little advance in normal mode at low RPM. No CEL codes and the vehicle runs good but does have an occasional miss at idle. The plugs, wires, rotor and cap were replaced before I purchased it and look in good condition. I did a seafoam treatment and it seems to have made some improvements. Another oddity I have noticed is the engine needs to crank for 2-3 seconds before it starts(warm or cold).

No amount of lube would help this cable.

I wonder if my old filter will fit my wet/dry vac?

So far one low beam done, three to modify.

 

[MODist]

It's been a while since I've updated but I haven't stopped the upgrades. After I returned the water filled HID lights I found some cheap 20w LED spots that do well on top. They don't have the wind noise as the other lights and don't reflect off the windshield.

Last weekend I got 4 new 285/75R16 BFG AT KO2 tires on sale for black Friday, $771 after rebate. The next day we took a long shakedown run to eastern Oregon in search of snow. The new tires made a huge difference in ride and noise levels. I think I may take the roof rack off to cut down on the wind noise from above. My other half says the seats have to go. Too stiff on the butt and not long enough to support her legs. Yay, I get to buy new seats! Anyone have ideas for more comfortable seats with leather? I have the same complaints besides being cramped while driving.

The long day loop.

Today I replaced the fuel filter. Not sure how old it was but it was dirty inside. It was a cheap filter made in China. I really think April fools and Interns had something to do with Mr Toyota's design of the fuel filter. The location is the worst for access but would have been acceptable if it was mounted in a clip instead of bolted in. Then there is the fuel lines, did they really have to bolt those on also?

I replaced the knock sensors with some Denso sensors I got off ebay cheap. I don't think the sensors I pulled off were stock. The sensor on the left is the old one and the new sensor is on the right. Something isn't right with the old sensors.

I got new cats and o2 sensors to install but only got 3/4 of the bolts off the old cats. I will finish that install tomorrow and report on any improvements.

 

[MODist]

While packing for the last trip I found this. Someone can't wait to get on the road.

 

[Enders]

Subb'd!

 

[Str8Razor]

Sub'd nice work...... going down this path with mine next week....stereo upgrades and sorting out some other stuff in the interior....

 

[MODist]

I finished the new cats install. I spent half the day drilling out two bolts. The Magnaflow cat replacement is much lighter than the stock. Installation was easy and they sit higher out of the way compared to stock. After starting up the rig I immediately noticed a louder exhaust note. I believe the old cats were partially clogged as the exhaust was silent, however there were no CEL codes. Standing next to the outlet you couldn't tell the engine was running. It is now audible but by no means loud. The computer is still in learning mode but I can feel the bottom end power is much stronger. WOT seems about the same. On a quick trip to Costco (50 miles round trip) I noticed it accelerated much better under partial throttle and MPG is a little higher via Torque monitoring app. I'll get a true mpg reading when I top off the tank tomorrow after a visit to Cabelas. Saturday will be the real mpg test on the day trip to Mt Hood for snow and trails. Total for both cats was $450 on Amazon. CARB versions run much more, sucks if you live in Cali!

New and old cats side by side

Old y merge

New improved y merge

Installed and tucked away.

 

[LINUS]

Dang - is it raining blue 80's lately or what?!? (The blue /grey is my 'white whale').

Subbing for the boxer(???) mix (dark brindles are my fav) -& all your good work - quality in your skills shows.

That's a clean looking 80, one exactly like it was FS in the S end of the rust belt last week (blu/gry, e-locked) - the motor showed salt corrasion tho, yours looks like a West Coast lifer.





That Waag brushguard has to go though, but you know that already

Also, that quarter looks like worth a 2nd look, it looks silver & I can't read the 3rd digit...

 

[MODist]

Dang - is it raining blue 80's lately or what?!? (The blue /grey is my 'white whale').

Subbing for the boxer(???) mix (dark brindles are my fav) -& all your good work - quality in your skills shows.

That's a clean looking 80, one exactly like it was FS in the S end of the rust belt last week (blu/gry, e-locked) - the motor showed salt corrasion tho, yours looks like a West Coast lifer.That Waag brushguard has to go though, but you know that already

Also, that quarter looks like worth a 2nd look, it looks silver & I can't read the 3rd digit...

The rig got its start in Kansas then moved to California and finally up to Oregon.

She's an American Bulldog and she weights 85 lbs which is on the larger side for a female. She loves road trips and would ride in my lap if she could. The next two large(expensive) upgrades will be an ARB front bumper with winch and 4.88 gears. The rear bumper is fine but I am leaning toward replacing it with something that can hold fuel and extra supplies. New seats have suddenly been moved to the top of the list as demanded by my wife.

 

[MODist]

Filled up today, averaged 13.9mpg in mixed driving. Tomorrow it is off the the trails near La Dee Flats.

 

[LCNOLA]

Very cool build and info in this thread, thanks for taking the time to post it all up.

Total for both cats was $450 on Amazon.

I'm looking to replace cats soon, do you have an amazon link or vendor name for the ones you got? I don't see those on a basic amazon search, thx!

 

[MODist]

Very cool build and info in this thread, thanks for taking the time to post it all up.



I'm looking to replace cats soon, do you have an amazon link or vendor name for the ones you got? I don't see those on a basic amazon search, thx!

The vendors change and so do the prices. After I ordered mine the price of both went up but it looks like it dropped back down what I paid. The CARB versions have different numbers and cost a lot more!
The two into one and first cat.

The second cat