You'd think twice about that after breaking a master leaf at highway speed.
Builds Evolution of a Land Cruiser: My 80's build thread (28 Viewers)
- Thread starter jcardona1
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What does breaking a leaf at highway speed have to do with breaking a upper link in low gear and having the axle do a backflip
You commented that leaf springs were in a better light after seeing the wishbone failure. I was disagreeing
This is why I run a 9 linkYou commented that leaf springs were in a better light after seeing the wishbone failure. I was disagreeing
- Thread starter
- #2,885
Bunch of small updates over the last few weeks...
Got the coilovers removed and shipped off to Radflo for repair. Hope to have them back in a week or two. Looking a little bendy
I decided to box up and reinforce the wishbone for the time being so I could at least use the truck once or twice more for the year. Then over the fall/winter I'll work on rebuilding it. Used whatever scrap metal I had laying around the garage to build this abomination.
This is the design I'm thinking for the new wishbone
Started buying the hardware. This is what a 6lb $200 heim looks like. One of the biggest heim joints made by FK!! 1.5" heim with 1.5" shank. They make a 2" version that weighs 14lbs but I don't think anybody's seen one in real life. It was hard enough finding jam nuts, misalignment spacers and tubing adapters for a 1.5" joint.
Added a 3D printed console made by @Ballsie. Went with a GPS inclinometer option and 2" gauge (battery voltage).
Swapped out the old Glow Shift analog transmission temp gauge for the Max Tow version with digital readout to match my coolant temp gauge.
Added color-matched hoods just because
New OEM shifter
Upgraded my Polk coax door speakers to Kicker KS components with customer tweeter pods made by @Outsane. These things are awesome! Simple mod that makes a HUGE difference in sound quality. It's amazing what moving a tweeter up to listening level does.
Removed the old nasty tint that was on the truck when I bought it and installed 20% bronze on all windows. Purchased a precut kit from SnapTint and it came out great. While the kit was precut I still had a local shop install it because window tint is one thing I refuse to mess with. Not worth the hassle to save a few hundred bucks. The bronze all around looks great from the inside and matches with the factory color. From the outside there is still some difference because the rear windows have a reflective finish but the color still looks good. I'm happy with it.
And finally got the revised armrests back from the shop! Initial pattern was cut wrong. Had to wait a few weeks for the ones to be made/installed. Interior is finally complete.
Got the coilovers removed and shipped off to Radflo for repair. Hope to have them back in a week or two. Looking a little bendy
I decided to box up and reinforce the wishbone for the time being so I could at least use the truck once or twice more for the year. Then over the fall/winter I'll work on rebuilding it. Used whatever scrap metal I had laying around the garage to build this abomination.
This is the design I'm thinking for the new wishbone
Started buying the hardware. This is what a 6lb $200 heim looks like. One of the biggest heim joints made by FK!! 1.5" heim with 1.5" shank. They make a 2" version that weighs 14lbs but I don't think anybody's seen one in real life. It was hard enough finding jam nuts, misalignment spacers and tubing adapters for a 1.5" joint.
Added a 3D printed console made by @Ballsie. Went with a GPS inclinometer option and 2" gauge (battery voltage).
Swapped out the old Glow Shift analog transmission temp gauge for the Max Tow version with digital readout to match my coolant temp gauge.
Added color-matched hoods just because
New OEM shifter
Upgraded my Polk coax door speakers to Kicker KS components with customer tweeter pods made by @Outsane. These things are awesome! Simple mod that makes a HUGE difference in sound quality. It's amazing what moving a tweeter up to listening level does.
Removed the old nasty tint that was on the truck when I bought it and installed 20% bronze on all windows. Purchased a precut kit from SnapTint and it came out great. While the kit was precut I still had a local shop install it because window tint is one thing I refuse to mess with. Not worth the hassle to save a few hundred bucks. The bronze all around looks great from the inside and matches with the factory color. From the outside there is still some difference because the rear windows have a reflective finish but the color still looks good. I'm happy with it.
And finally got the revised armrests back from the shop! Initial pattern was cut wrong. Had to wait a few weeks for the ones to be made/installed. Interior is finally complete.
Last edited:
FMC80
SILVER Star
I find it incredible that after all you’ve already accomplished on your 80 and how much you’ve done to pave the way, that you still find ways to improve and innovate (ahem: spend money).
Always a pleasure following along on your journey.
Always a pleasure following along on your journey.
- Thread starter
- #2,887
Thanks man! There's always something on the todo list. This is what happens when you don't drive your trucks enough, you become a serial modder!
That 3D printed console is impressive. Would be perfect spot for additional blank switches, gauges, and other items (assuming wiring run correctly). How hard was it to wire up your gauges?Bunch of small updates over the last few weeks...
Got the coilovers removed and shipped off to Radflo for repair. Hope to have them back in a week or two. Looking a little bendy
I decided to box up and reinforce the wishbone for the time being so I could at least use the truck once or twice more for the year. Then over the fall/winter I'll work on rebuilding it. Used whatever scrap metal I had laying around the garage to build this abomination.
This is the design I'm thinking for the new wishbone
Started buying the hardware. This is what a 6lb $200 heim looks like. One of the biggest heim joints made by FK!! 1.5" heim with 1.5" shank. They make a 2" version that weighs 14lbs but I don't think anybody's seen one in real life. It was hard enough finding jam nuts, misalignment spacers and tubing adapters for a 1.5" joint.
Added a 3D printed console made by @Ballsie. Went with a GPS inclinometer option and 2" gauge (battery voltage).
Swapped out the old Glow Shift analog transmission temp gauge for the Max Tow version with digital readout to match my coolant temp gauge.
Added color-matched hoods just because
New OEM shifter
Upgraded my Polk coax door speakers to Kicker KS components with customer tweeter pods made by @Outsane. These things are awesome! Simple mod that makes a HUGE difference in sound quality. It's amazing what moving a tweeter up to listening level does.
Removed the old nasty tint that was on the truck when I bought it and installed 20% bronze on all windows. Purchased a precut kit from SnapTint and it came out great. While the kit was precut I still had a local shop install it because window tint is one thing I refuse to mess with. Not worth the hassle to save a few hundred bucks. The bronze all around looks great from the inside and matches with the factory color. From the outside there is still some difference because the rear windows have a reflective finish but the color still looks good. I'm happy with it.
And finally got the revised armrests back from the shop! Initial pattern was cut wrong. Had to wait a few weeks for the ones to be made/installed. Interior is finally complete.
- Thread starter
- #2,889
It was super easy for mine since all I needed was 12v power (battery voltage and GPS meter). Any other gauge will require a bit more work getting the wiring up there from the engine bay.
That is indeed an abominationI decided to box up and reinforce the wishbone for the time being so I could at least use the truck once or twice more for the year. Then over the fall/winter I'll work on rebuilding it. Used whatever scrap metal I had laying around the garage to build this abomination.
I think of this when I read the updates on this thread.
- Thread starter
- #2,892
Went out to the local OHV park
voodu3
SILVER Star
Your rig is so rad!
Outsane
Supporting Vendor
Ai?
- Thread starter
- #2,895
Outsane
Supporting Vendor
Impressive!
2KCruiser
Everything 2KRacing, practically live here
In World News today, a Toyota Land Rover was seen decimating a 10,000,000 year old Mayan Civilization
2fpower
SILVER Star
2KCruiser
Everything 2KRacing, practically live here
Just mocking how the news never gets anything right. Also, just noticed my error, I meant 4runner.
- Thread starter
- #2,900
QUAD HEADLIGHT CONVERSION
Well fellas the round headlights are no more! Over the last few months I've been working on a quad headlight conversion. In my relentless pursuit of dumping money into this truck, I decided to try something different again. This may be its final form, really liking the new look. I ended up buying all new OEM parts which was very difficult and expensive. As part of the project I also starting selling plug-n-play conversion harnesses which give you the option to run quad low/quad high which is neat, double the light output. The lights are Holley Retrobrights which use Morimoto LEDs. Really impressive light with great output and retain the classic look.
Rather than document all the detail, I'll just put the video links here which cover everything you'd wanna know about converting to quads
Part 1
Part 2
SNOWBOUND CUSTOMS CHASE LIGHT SPOILER
Also installed a new spoiler with integrated chase lights. Very cool new product. The guy was originally making these for 3rd gen 4Rrunners and recently started making them for 80s. Aluminum, come in powder coated black or bare aluminum. I went bare and spray painted it to match the rest of my truck. Spoiler is made for flush mount Baja S2 lights although he recently made an adapter to run some of the cheaper Amazon versions which is cool.
Well fellas the round headlights are no more! Over the last few months I've been working on a quad headlight conversion. In my relentless pursuit of dumping money into this truck, I decided to try something different again. This may be its final form, really liking the new look. I ended up buying all new OEM parts which was very difficult and expensive. As part of the project I also starting selling plug-n-play conversion harnesses which give you the option to run quad low/quad high which is neat, double the light output. The lights are Holley Retrobrights which use Morimoto LEDs. Really impressive light with great output and retain the classic look.
Rather than document all the detail, I'll just put the video links here which cover everything you'd wanna know about converting to quads
Part 1
Part 2
SNOWBOUND CUSTOMS CHASE LIGHT SPOILER
Also installed a new spoiler with integrated chase lights. Very cool new product. The guy was originally making these for 3rd gen 4Rrunners and recently started making them for 80s. Aluminum, come in powder coated black or bare aluminum. I went bare and spray painted it to match the rest of my truck. Spoiler is made for flush mount Baja S2 lights although he recently made an adapter to run some of the cheaper Amazon versions which is cool.
