Builds Evolution of a Land Cruiser: My 80's build thread (1 Viewer)

[Shipwreck]

Ok, I gotta ask. Why swap the headlights? It seems you put a bit of effort to install Kelly's grill and buckets and there are lots of options nowadays for single round led lights.
Was it better light output, aesthetics, or you wanted to increase the air-miles bonus on your credit card?

 

[Broski]

I think they look way better then the round one’s
Nice work.

 

[thelal]

New OEM shifter

how much was new Shifter leather- have link?

 

[FMC80]

This looks great!! It flows better than the previous version.

 

[OffRoadScott]

Looks good. Makes it look like a different truck.

 

[jcardona1]

Ok, I gotta ask. Why swap the headlights? It seems you put a bit of effort to install Kelly's grill and buckets and there are lots of options nowadays for single round led lights.
Was it better light output, aesthetics, or you wanted to increase the air-miles bonus on your credit card?

Mostly aesthetics. I still like the round headlights and the Morimotos are great, but with the quads and a custom harness, I can run all 4 lights on low & high and get even better output. Makes a big difference in light output

how much was new Shifter leather- have link?

I paid about $140 on eBay a few months ago. There were several sellers from Japan selling brand new OEM units but I can't find them anymore. Must have burned through all their old inventory.

I think they look way better then the round one’s
Nice work.

This looks great!! It flows better than the previous version.

Looks good. Makes it look like a different truck.

Thanks fellas!

 

[GW Nugget]

Saw on Instagram you sold the new quads...

 

[Fosters]

Saw on Instagram you sold the new quads...

Yes he did

 

[thatcabledude]

Extras I’m sure.

 

[jcardona1]

Saw on Instagram you sold the new quads...

That was an extra set i managed to get my hands on. Still have my set

 

[onemanarmy]

I like the quads better.....but the chrome grill does not flow with the truck

 

[jcardona1]

This past weekend I was driving on an easy dirt road with a buddy. I was in 2WD unlocked, that tells you what kind of trail it was. I went to climb a small dirt berm, took at it a slight angle. All of the sudden I hear a loud pop and I lose all forward movement. The rear driveshaft is spinning but i ain't going nowhere. Put it in 4x4 and climbed up and drove home. Since I was able to drive home fine with the CDL engaged and with no noise whatsoever, I suspected it was the rear RCV drive flanges (I did the 300M upgrade back in 2021).

Today I took it apart and sure enough, the long side flange was completely blown out. Unbelievable. The short side also has lots of damage but still had the splines intact. The splines on the axle shafts also look quite chewed up. Submitted a warranty claim online with RCV, we'll see what they say about the shafts.

I can't believe this happened! These were installed barely 3 years ago and have hardly any use. The hardest trail I've done since then has been Slick Rock probably. Really makes me lose a lot of confidence in RCV products. I know I'm not the first either. Somebody posted a set of blown rear RCV flanges on the FB group as well. And i think I remember seeing a similar issue in either @baldilocks or @Broski threads, can't remember who.

Anyway, I'm sure RCV will make it right but this is super lame. Gonna try and buy an extra set so this doesn't happen again on a harder trail. My OEM shafts took way more abuse and barely had a few chewed splines when I swapped them out.

Short side

 

[baldilocks]

I’ve had problems with RCV shafts front and rear that had more to do with machining QC but my splines haven’t stripped yet, well, as far as I know. My fronts are from 2016. The rears are 2-3 years old but haven’t seen a lot of battle yet. I was behind an 80 during the Sierra trek run in 2021 that stripped the splines out of both rear drive flanges. I’d never seen anything like it. I’ll remember to keep an eye on them. I do carry a spare flange but we should never have to be concerned about one of these axle shafts in my opinion.

 

[Broski]

I have also had a few issues with RCV Like both front inner axles snapping just inside the burfild.

To be fare I have been beating on them like they owe money since 2015, but I wasn't in a hard spot in the trail when they let go both at the same time.
One of the replacements stub shafts would not fit through the spindle. RCV did take care of all of this.

I have not had any issues with the rears, and they see a lot of action and I'm running 39s.
I do carry a spare drive flange after @spyduh striped both of his @ Sierra Trek.

I think this was about the same time that you bought yours and I'm thinking there was a bad batch

 

[Broski]

I have also checked mine a few times and they look great

 

[mustcamp]

I have also had a few issues with RCV Like both front inner axles snapping just inside the burfild.
View attachment 3637783
To be fare I have been beating on them like they owe money since 2015, but I wasn't in a hard spot in the trail when they let go both at the same time.
One of the replacements stub shafts would not fit through the spindle. RCV did take care of all of this.

I have not had any issues with the rears, and they see a lot of action and I'm running 39s.
I do carry a spare drive flange after @spyduh striped both of his @ Sierra Trek.

I think this was about the same time that you bought yours and I'm thinking there was a bad batch

To clarify a little @Broski 's front RCV axle shafts were OG 27 spline not the new 30 spline stuff they are selling now and definitely not the 300m stuff. In addition these shafts had more hard trails on them than most 80 owners are even willing to try. The Rubicon for this rig is just a weekend outing not a serious trail even including him dominating the soup bowl like a house cat trying not to step on water.

 

[jcardona1]

RUBITHON 2024

First time running a Rubithon event. Had a great time and definitely will be back. I did the 4Runner/Mini Truck run which is a straight shot to the Springs in one day with minimal stopping & spotting. Didn't take a lot of pics but the Stellar Built guys who were also in this run are putting together a pretty cool video of our run.

 

[Outsane]

Rad

 

[jcardona1]

Stellarbuilt's video of our Rubicon trip!

 

[OffRoadScott]

Stellarbuilt's video of our Rubicon trip!

Watched this video earlier today. Have always loved your rig and great to see it perform so damn well.