Builds Evolution of a Land Cruiser: My 80's build thread (2 Viewers)

[Razor One]

You must be a bean counter. Those rifles look so pretty I don't think they've even been shot.

 

[rifleshooter]

Lefty uh..

 

[Finnyfam60]

Wanna bumper

No. I want a skid pan

 

[jcardona1]

No. I want a skid pan

Yeah, wtf happened with the skid plates Hobies was supposed to get us?

 

[jcardona1]

Lefty uh..

Good eye!

You must be a bean counter. Those rifles look so pretty I don't think they've even been shot.

These are old pics, after I finished the paint job on the rifle. But I really don't shoot as much as I used to. Lately I've just been hoarding ammo. I miss the days where I could walk into any Walmart and get boxes of 5.56 for $5. Prices have skyrocketed and all the stores are wiped clean.

Damn that looks sweet!(the bumper and the rifle

Tried posting a video of my kid shooting a pound of tannerite w an AR, but no video hosting here?

Thanks man! Made a little more progress this weekend. Really wish I had more time to spend welding and working on the truck - I have a needy wife Got the lights mounted up. Made a mini-stinger of sorts for the light bar. I really love this bumper. Looks nothing like a Land Cruiser anymore. I think it's gonna be tough to beat Luke's design. I know it's not for everyone, but I think this is the best looking bumper for the 80

 

[TheForger]

Looks like you have enough front end clearance to climb a vertical wall!

 

[Razor One]

Looks like you have enough front end clearance to climb a vertical wall!

you mean get two wheels up over it?

 

[PbnFJ]

You going to trim the body work that hangs below the side wings?

 

[jcardona1]

You going to trim the body work that hangs below the side wings?

Yup, that's the next task along with finish grinding. When it's done you won't be able to see any over-hanging core support.

 

[Honger]

Great thread and a very cool 80. Your photos from camping and wheeling leave me so jealous. Oh to have such nice access to such beautiful wide-open land. I'm likely going to be in the UAE several more years yet, but I have my eyes set out west when I do come home.

I'm with many of the others here in thinking you should avoiding taking the chopping and caging the 80. If you continue down this road you're going to wake up and find the 80 no longer suitable for long trips to the trailhead/campsite. I don't think you can go much further toward "Rubicon performance" without losing highway/camping/lighty duty suitability. Get yourself a second Toy to play in the rock gardens.

In any case, looking forward to seeing the continued evolution of this beast.

 

[Finnyfam60]

^ I agree to a point. I did the rubicon twice this summer in my 80 and it performed great!

 

[Honger]

^ Comments like this and from others... and seeing some of the other Rubicon run threads (WRT the Rubicon I'm an internet-wheeler only) makes me think this rig would benefit from better shocks and perhaps springs. Focus on dialing-in performance of the existing platform before you start cutting.

But again, I'll enjoy your thread no matter your direction. And it is YOUR rig, not anyone elses.

 

[DHwreckage]

God this thing is looking sweet, hurry up and 3-link it though jesus!

 

[jcardona1]

Great thread and a very cool 80. Your photos from camping and wheeling leave me so jealous. Oh to have such nice access to such beautiful wide-open land. I'm likely going to be in the UAE several more years yet, but I have my eyes set out west when I do come home.

I'm with many of the others here in thinking you should avoiding taking the chopping and caging the 80. If you continue down this road you're going to wake up and find the 80 no longer suitable for long trips to the trailhead/campsite. I don't think you can go much further toward "Rubicon performance" without losing highway/camping/lighty duty suitability. Get yourself a second Toy to play in the rock gardens.

In any case, looking forward to seeing the continued evolution of this beast.

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed the thread. We're lucky to have so many good trails in this part of CA, even some of which are too extreme for my skills.

^ I agree to a point. I did the rubicon twice this summer in my 80 and it performed great!

^ Comments like this and from others... and seeing some of the other Rubicon run threads (WRT the Rubicon I'm an internet-wheeler only) makes me think this rig would benefit from better shocks and perhaps springs. Focus on dialing-in performance of the existing platform before you start cutting.

But again, I'll enjoy your thread no matter your direction. And it is YOUR rig, not anyone elses.

Yeah I'm not committing to chopping anything just yet. I still need to get new shocks/springs for the rear, 3-link the front and go tube doors. Once I see how that setup works I'll decide what the next steps are, if any. I do want some form of external body protection though. I realize this will make the truck heavier and wider which is why I wanted to shed some weight. The 80 is all about making compromises. I want to wheel it hard, but I also don't want to bash the body panels until it looks like a crumpled soda can. Even if I don't go with a full cage, I will have some sort of protection over the fenders.

God this thing is looking sweet, hurry up and 3-link it though jesus!

I'm still waiting on 4WU. He's got nothing ready to sell yet! And thanks

 

[retrofive]

Good eye!


These are old pics, after I finished the paint job on the rifle. But I really don't shoot as much as I used to. Lately I've just been hoarding ammo. I miss the days where I could walk into any Walmart and get boxes of 5.56 for $5. Prices have skyrocketed and all the stores are wiped clean.



Thanks man! Made a little more progress this weekend. Really wish I had more time to spend welding and working on the truck - I have a needy wife Got the lights mounted up. Made a mini-stinger of sorts for the light bar. I really love this bumper. Looks nothing like a Land Cruiser anymore. I think it's gonna be tough to beat Luke's design. I know it's not for everyone, but I think this is the best looking bumper for the 80

Looks awesome!!!!

Mine arrived, but been buried in work and haven't even had a chance to open the box

 

[DHwreckage]

Yeah I'm not committing to chopping anything just yet. I still need to get new shocks/springs for the rear, 3-link the front and go tube doors. Once I see how that setup works I'll decide what the next steps are, if any. I do want some form of external body protection though. I realize this will make the truck heavier and wider which is why I wanted to shed some weight. The 80 is all about making compromises. I want to wheel it hard, but I also don't want to bash the body panels until it looks like a crumpled soda can. Even if I don't go with a full cage, I will have some sort of protection over the fenders.

have you looked into something like the Bink cruiser had? i thought the armor setup they had was pretty sweet!

 

[jcardona1]

Looks awesome!!!!

Mine arrived, but been buried in work and haven't even had a chance to open the box

You got the DIY kit right? Hope you're ready, it's a lot of work! Now I know why bumpers cost so much. Never realized how much work goes into a bumper. And if your welds aren't porn-status (mine aren't) you'll need to add several more hours of miserable grinding to get it looking pretty.

have you looked into something like the Bink cruiser had? i thought the armor setup they had was pretty sweet!

Yeah I remember that one. Really like it. The plan was to do something similar to start off with then slowly add to it as the need arises. I really need to get me a tube bender! I just can't decide if I should get a die for DOM/HREW or schedule 40 pipe. I'm leaning towards steel pipe to save some money. I really like what Action Jackson did on his 80 (sch 40 pipe). Nice and simple, about what I'd want for my needs

 

[retrofive]

You got the DIY kit right? Hope you're ready, it's a lot of work! Now I know why bumpers cost so much. Never realized how much work goes into a bumper. And if your welds aren't porn-status (mine aren't) you'll need to add several more hours of miserable grinding to get it looking pretty.

Yup, DIY kit. I can weld a little, but thank goodness that I some friends that are much better and are excited to help build it.

 

[jcardona1]

LED turn signals

 

[Adventure Ready]

Been following your build thread since day 1. Impressed at every turn. Love to check it out in person some day.