Exo on FJ80
- Thread starter actionjackson
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
- Thread starter
- #22
Thanks for the suggestions on exo designs.
I'm making progress on my Exo project. Working on a new rear bumper that the exo can tie into first. I decided to ditch my TJM rear bumper and build a strong hitch/carrier type bumper instead to hold my 40" tire and I'm sick of the tire being in the back all the time
The TJM just wasn't designed to hold a huge tire so I'm gonna try to get creative with a new deisgn. I'm going to mount the carrier to the exo bars that will clamp to the bumper. Here's a pic of how the exo will tie into my rear bumper. I'm thinking about using 2 lateral bars with hinge type mounts to the exo bar.
I'm gonna try to get this project done within a few weeks so stay tuned.
More pics are posted here:
http://actionjackson.com/cruiser/mods/20060328.asp
I'm making progress on my Exo project. Working on a new rear bumper that the exo can tie into first. I decided to ditch my TJM rear bumper and build a strong hitch/carrier type bumper instead to hold my 40" tire and I'm sick of the tire being in the back all the time
The TJM just wasn't designed to hold a huge tire so I'm gonna try to get creative with a new deisgn. I'm going to mount the carrier to the exo bars that will clamp to the bumper. Here's a pic of how the exo will tie into my rear bumper. I'm thinking about using 2 lateral bars with hinge type mounts to the exo bar.
I'm gonna try to get this project done within a few weeks so stay tuned.
More pics are posted here:
http://actionjackson.com/cruiser/mods/20060328.asp
actionjackson said:Thanks for the suggestions on exo designs.
I'm making progress on my Exo project. Working on a new rear bumper that the exo can tie into first. I decided to ditch my TJM rear bumper and build a strong hitch/carrier type bumper instead to hold my 40" tire and I'm sick of the tire being in the back all the time
I'm gonna try to get this project done within a few weeks so stay tuned.
More pics are posted here:
http://actionjackson.com/cruiser/mods/20060328.asp
Real Nice Shawn. I've been watching this thread and I like your work ethic--you are right at another project immediately!!
Your bumper is almost flush with the body--I assume you just chopped off the final rear cross-member?
[EDIT]: you've already answered that....So what is up with your TJM? Are you selling it??
I could find a buyer for you....
Later.
-onur
Akron, OH
Shawn - I vote you make it wider than the body - the rear bumper that is. That way the exo tubes are the widest part of the truck and hopefully act as your sliders, etc. Someone already mentioned this somewhere but most folks are tucking the rear bumper in too tight on the sides and then it really doesn't do too much for leans into crap on the side. The rear departure isn't affected by making it wider either and you've already got yours tucked in super tight. Looks great.
number of rigs = 1
when it gets to the point a rock buggy leaves my 80 I get out and hike. I'm faster, quieter, see a lot more and usually break less sh!t
seriously though, the thought behind a partially removable, component based exo is that this one truck has to do it all. I don't want an exo or 37+ inch tires on it everyday but on trails I want to be able to add a bit of help where I can get it. bottom line - to each his/her own.
when it gets to the point a rock buggy leaves my 80 I get out and hike. I'm faster, quieter, see a lot more and usually break less sh!t
seriously though, the thought behind a partially removable, component based exo is that this one truck has to do it all. I don't want an exo or 37+ inch tires on it everyday but on trails I want to be able to add a bit of help where I can get it. bottom line - to each his/her own.
Mike Knorr said:
Two different thoughts here: Buggies vs full body vehicles. With all do respect to buggies of course... they can do some crazy stuff.
The reason I have this 80 is because I was blown away by what is capable of with in my opinion very little modifications. It is a one of a kind probably never to be repeated again 4x4 marvel! (unless toyo puts a 80 axle in front of the FJ, this would be close)
I also think that it is a rush to take something the size of an 80 and tackle challenges that others would not do with a full bodied SUV. It is also satisfying to hear peoples reaction who have not seen an 80 in action Sure it takes stupidity, I could do it much easier if I did not have the bulk of a full body, but this is not the point. I see similarity in the paris to dakar rally to what we are debating here. The motorcycle and cars are the fastest method, but to me if one asked me what vehicle I want to race I would pick the semi truck class in a heartbeat.
So the exo to me is a necessity because I choose to push the truck to go places it just might not be best suited to go. If I have temporary inconviences to do so then so be it. I like and dont want to give up a/c and powerseats with leather and back seats and license plates and windshield wipers with auto washers and cruise control!
Mike- I agree 100% on the comments you made on the rear bumper width and tie in. I am perplexed trimming off the back of the frame and where the spare tire will permanently be, what to do here?
Regards
Kirk
The reason I have this 80 is because I was blown away by what is capable of with in my opinion very little modifications. It is a one of a kind probably never to be repeated again 4x4 marvel! (unless toyo puts a 80 axle in front of the FJ, this would be close)
I also think that it is a rush to take something the size of an 80 and tackle challenges that others would not do with a full bodied SUV. It is also satisfying to hear peoples reaction who have not seen an 80 in action Sure it takes stupidity, I could do it much easier if I did not have the bulk of a full body, but this is not the point. I see similarity in the paris to dakar rally to what we are debating here. The motorcycle and cars are the fastest method, but to me if one asked me what vehicle I want to race I would pick the semi truck class in a heartbeat.
So the exo to me is a necessity because I choose to push the truck to go places it just might not be best suited to go. If I have temporary inconviences to do so then so be it. I like and dont want to give up a/c and powerseats with leather and back seats and license plates and windshield wipers with auto washers and cruise control!
Mike- I agree 100% on the comments you made on the rear bumper width and tie in. I am perplexed trimming off the back of the frame and where the spare tire will permanently be, what to do here?
Regards
Kirk
You could mount the spare high and far left to not hurt departure, or build a box and keep it inside.
EDIT: Hey Shawn, how come you never did a writeup about the 14" Bilies?
EDIT: Hey Shawn, how come you never did a writeup about the 14" Bilies?
nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo........................... don't do that to the pretty 80!
FirstToy said:Here it is a bit more cleaned up Matt
Thanks James!!!!!!
my friend john is about to do an exo on his 80. he rolled it once and then fixed it pretty much. i guess he figured it was time to save the cruiser. he goes to moab probably 4 times a year
- Thread starter
- #32
FirstToy said:Here it is a bit more cleaned up Matt
Man start chopping! I am digging the truck look
Has someone actually done this to an 80? Too bad Toyota doesn't make a SUT 80. 
To answer some questions...
The reason I want to keep the rear close to the width of the truck is because I have those side panels that are meant to take abuse. Also talking with Ben at Slee Offroad he recommended to me that exo's tend to hang you up more when up against a wall. Mine will be 1/2" out from my side panels at the widest point near the tail lights. I will be coming away from the body up on top though and other places.
My 14" shocks for the rear I did so long ago. Not much written about those but here is what I have:
http://www.actionjackson.com/cruiser/mods/20041012.asp
Oh yeah I got the hitch sleeve welded into my bumper. It's coming along
Last edited:
FirstToy said:ActionJackson,
Hanna has been working on the U80 (in progress)
I love it, one of the most non handicap trucks and it's parked in the blue lines. If you get those privileges, I'll chop the top right off living in LA.
For those who didn't make Surf and Turf this year, the Hanna guys (don't know if it was Ken himself) jumped that truck like it was their business. Bent a rim upon landing and will probably remember to leave more air in the tires next time around.
Awesome rig, quality work, would have liked to see 80 axles instead of the Hummer ones though.
- Thread starter
- #35
beno said:So what is up with your TJM? Are you selling it??
Later.
-onur
Akron, OH
Yes I'm selling it for $200. It's so banged up that I'm not sure you want it
But it's worth that much in steel costs and clamp hardware alone. Send me a private msg if you are interested. I already have a few ppl who want it. More info here:http://www.actionjackson.com/cruiser/forsale/
Hanna's rig looks very sweet. Very nice fab work. I should have this new rear bumper mounted tonight. Then it's time for EXO!
if you do that, it goes from utility do anything, lock your crap up, sleep inside the dry truck, to an open, have your crap stolen, rained on no sleeping buggy.
concretejungle said:
Depends on how you set it up... My thoughts are to close the cab in; I do not run the back seats when I run trails so inside there is still tons of room for gear. I also do not have factory seats, so the fronts can lay flat if you did need to sleep in the cab. Out back would be all utility, but nothing that can get taken too easy. I think something people are forgetting when looking at this approach is the top weight you will be cutting out. Once you get a rig like mine up in the height that top weight starts to play a bunch with off camber situations. This idea is a full build, no half way stuff, exo, shock mounts… On my last run, I had a bunch of body damage done to the back quarters just under the window... Basically back tires fall off object one at a time thus slaming quarters in to large rocks... These are not the kinda trails most people are running on this board. So to each there own, build to spec, and use of its owner.
-Ammo
gotcha. Build it for your needs.
For the type of east-coast wheelin' i do, we get a lot of rain and mud, along with folks with sticky fingers. I like being able to lock my valuables inside and keep all my gear inside. That's just me. But if i were going to be doing some serious rock crawling i'm sure i would be thinking like you are now.
For the type of east-coast wheelin' i do, we get a lot of rain and mud, along with folks with sticky fingers. I like being able to lock my valuables inside and keep all my gear inside. That's just me. But if i were going to be doing some serious rock crawling i'm sure i would be thinking like you are now.
concretejungle,
The U80 is not finished yet. It will not be fully exposed cabin at all- the interior design is going to be incredible as well!
Drexx is the owner and it is intended for some jungle race in Malaysia from what I understand...
The U80 is not finished yet. It will not be fully exposed cabin at all- the interior design is going to be incredible as well!
Drexx is the owner and it is intended for some jungle race in Malaysia from what I understand...
FirstToy said:
I thought it was finished since i heard and saw pictures of ken jumping it at surf-n-turf, also there was a video on drexx's page showing them playing around on some rocks with it.
