Builds Evolution of a Land Cruiser: My 80's build thread (6 Viewers)
- Thread starter jcardona1
- Start date
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- Thread starter
- #862
Sorry to post off topic but where did your buddy buy those LED replacement lights for the front markers?
I believe those are the Phillips DRLs from Amazon. There is a thread here somewhere.
Exterior dimensions are roughly 54x84".
The flip windows are the tits. From WagonGear. Super nice, but $$$$$$$$$$$$$$ x $$$$$$ + $$$$$^2
Hey guys-
The LED DRL's are Hella's, I do have a write up on here someplace....
And the gullwing's are Kevin's as mentioned above... Www.wagongear.com.
-A
Digging the progress, J. That rear fender work looks like a job for Heliarc.
By the way, have you thought about moving the rear axle further back to give you more to cut?
- Thread starter
- #866
HIGHWAY TO HELL - HELL HOLE 4X4 TRAIL
Buddy and I just came back from a really cool 2-day trip on the Hell Hole trail. Been reading up about this trail for a while and finally were able to make it happen! In my opinion and experience, this was a really tough trail. It will really test the limits of you and your rig. Hell Hole trail runs along the north side of Hell Hole reservoir and ends at the shores of the lake. It is seriously out in the middle of nowhere. After leaving Foresthill we didn't see any cars on the road the entire time. If you get in trouble out here, you're screwed. It was eerily silent the whole time we were there. My book describes the trail as:
And they weren't kidding! Trail is only 4 miles long but challenging. Trail is very narrow and you need to come out the same way you went in. Going in is downhill. Coming out is uphill.
After what seemed like being on the road for hours we finally came upon French Meadows reservoir. This has been an extremely dry year in CA. You can see what the lack of rain has done to our reservoirs.
About 15 miles more and finally reached the Hell Hole trailhead! There's an abandoned forest ranger station right at the start of the trail. Looks like nobody's been in there for years. About a 1/2 mile into the trail you're greeted with the official sign. "Jeep trail"? We'll show them...
Hell Hole reservoir looked even worse than French Meadows. Drained down to a puddle. The 4x4 trail dumps you wayyyy out in the back where all you see is dirt.
2 miles in is where you come across the first real challenge(s). A series of downhill rock gardens that never seem to end.
Rock sliders are important
This trail will make your truck flex until it can flex no more
Buddy and I just came back from a really cool 2-day trip on the Hell Hole trail. Been reading up about this trail for a while and finally were able to make it happen! In my opinion and experience, this was a really tough trail. It will really test the limits of you and your rig. Hell Hole trail runs along the north side of Hell Hole reservoir and ends at the shores of the lake. It is seriously out in the middle of nowhere. After leaving Foresthill we didn't see any cars on the road the entire time. If you get in trouble out here, you're screwed. It was eerily silent the whole time we were there. My book describes the trail as:
And they weren't kidding! Trail is only 4 miles long but challenging. Trail is very narrow and you need to come out the same way you went in. Going in is downhill. Coming out is uphill.
After what seemed like being on the road for hours we finally came upon French Meadows reservoir. This has been an extremely dry year in CA. You can see what the lack of rain has done to our reservoirs.
About 15 miles more and finally reached the Hell Hole trailhead! There's an abandoned forest ranger station right at the start of the trail. Looks like nobody's been in there for years. About a 1/2 mile into the trail you're greeted with the official sign. "Jeep trail"? We'll show them...
Hell Hole reservoir looked even worse than French Meadows. Drained down to a puddle. The 4x4 trail dumps you wayyyy out in the back where all you see is dirt.
2 miles in is where you come across the first real challenge(s). A series of downhill rock gardens that never seem to end.
Rock sliders are important
This trail will make your truck flex until it can flex no more
- Thread starter
- #867
This about where the rock gardens end so it's time for truck selfies
You get a short break on some easy driving then it gets hard again at mile 3. Here start the really steep ledges, waterfalls and staircases that proceed all the way to the shore of the lake.
After taking 2.5hrs to go 4 miles we finally reached the lake! Or where a lake should have been. Water levels were extremely low. This side of the lake was reduced to a trickle of water that was feeding into what was left of the reservoir. Would be nice to see this thing in all its glory one day. Exploring the empty lake basin was really cool. Almost like being on another planet. With the water gone, you're left with a King of the Hammers type playground if you have the right rig for it.
Toyotas in the Wild
You could have some serious fun here with a rock buggy
The sun-bleached rocks showing you where the water levels USED to be. Incredible.
- Thread starter
- #868
You really can't relax because you know you have the hardest portion of the trail left; going uphill on everything you came down on. It's the only way out. There's no bypass or emergency exits if you break something. And as luck would have it, that's exactly what we did....break something.
Early the next morning we started up on the series of staircases
Took the idiot line and got caught up on the rear diff
But it did give me the chance to see the 37" Grapplers fully stuffed in my fender
And here's where the day just got a whole lot more interesting. Less than a half mile into the trail up my buddy gave it a little bit too much gas when he got to this top ledge. POP!!!! I heard the unmistakable sound of an axle break. F#CK. Good thing he brought 2 spare axles. Now it was just a matter of limping to the top and finding some flat ground. And shade.
F#cking IFS
After about an hour or so we were back on the trail. Eager to hit pavement. All we had to do was get past the rest of the ledges and the rock garden at the end.
And that was it! The rest was uneventful. Aired up, connected the sway bar back on and mind the coma-inducing long drive back home. Till next time
Early the next morning we started up on the series of staircases
Took the idiot line and got caught up on the rear diff
But it did give me the chance to see the 37" Grapplers fully stuffed in my fender
And here's where the day just got a whole lot more interesting. Less than a half mile into the trail up my buddy gave it a little bit too much gas when he got to this top ledge. POP!!!! I heard the unmistakable sound of an axle break. F#CK. Good thing he brought 2 spare axles. Now it was just a matter of limping to the top and finding some flat ground. And shade.
F#cking IFS
After about an hour or so we were back on the trail. Eager to hit pavement. All we had to do was get past the rest of the ledges and the rock garden at the end.
And that was it! The rest was uneventful. Aired up, connected the sway bar back on and mind the coma-inducing long drive back home. Till next time
bluecruiser
SILVER Star
Great pics. Rig looks to be performing as planned.
I hate you.
So what's this thing got since you're starting some harder and harder stuff. 5.29s and stock Tcase?
Lately I've been getting some serious complaints from friends w 80s and 5.29s w 3.1 Tcase gearing still disappointed with technical rock crawling prowess.
I plan to sort out duals, but don't wanna waste $ on 3.1s if it's just that, a waste.
So what's this thing got since you're starting some harder and harder stuff. 5.29s and stock Tcase?
Lately I've been getting some serious complaints from friends w 80s and 5.29s w 3.1 Tcase gearing still disappointed with technical rock crawling prowess.
I plan to sort out duals, but don't wanna waste $ on 3.1s if it's just that, a waste.
NLXTACY
Wits' End
Hate is a strong word. And quite frankly it's not strong enough.
So much fun seemingly every other weekend! Hoses a jerk! Lol
- Thread starter
- #874
Yup! 5.29s and stock tcase. The marlin crawler gears are somewhere on my wish list. With me, I really have nothing to compare it to. Never wheeled a dual cased rig before so I don't know what I'm missing. But I do know the gearing is too high for downhill stuff. The 80 likes to make suicide leaps off ledges and the only thing you can do is stand on the brake pedal.
The marlin gears are really the only option we have until somebody comes up a better solution. 4WU already took care of the front suspension, now we need somebody to show the drivetrain some love!
- Thread starter
- #875
Yeah, I plan on sleeving and extending the rear arms when I get the time.
Thanks guys! Training wheels for the tougher trails
Living the dream.......I see it is possible. Thanks for sharing the trip with us! I can't wait to get my build done.
cc93cruiser
CRUZAHEAD
Is this the reservoir behind Mckinstry Peak? If so that's some nice country in the the cutz... Pulled out a nice buck from that area years back..
1973Guppie
Supporting Vendor
ur guys expressions make me laugh, nice pics and thx for sharing!
Finnyfam60
Driving miss daisy
Wth!!?? No pavement under it? 
About time those LEDs got used!! (Oh wait, they were on during daylight... again!! )
Wish I coulda come bro, looks nice. Now let's pop your rubicon cherry!! And start planning for the dusy next year!
About time those LEDs got used!! (Oh wait, they were on during daylight...
again!! )Wish I coulda come bro, looks nice. Now let's pop your rubicon cherry!! And start planning for the dusy next year!
- Thread starter
- #880
Is this the reservoir behind Mckinstry Peak? If so that's some nice country in the the cutz... Pulled out a nice buck from that area years back..
Yup, that's the one!
Wth!!?? No pavement under it?
About time those LEDs got used!! (Oh wait, they were on during daylight...
Wish I coulda come bro, looks nice. Now let's pop your rubicon cherry!! And start planning for the dusy next year!
Somebody's got jokes today lol! I'm telling you, give me enough notice. Not 2 days to get ready for the Dusy
Next month my buddies are running either Fordyce or the Rubicon, might tag along.
