Builds Full Circle Reintroduction/Build - '92 FJ80 3FE

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I meant diameter, but measure side-to-side rather than pavement-to-top so truck weight doesn't factor in... if that makes sense. Please and thank you!
Measurements for 295/75-16 General Grabber AT2s mounted on 16x7 wheels:

Diameter: 33-3/8"
Tread Width: 9-1/2"
Overall Width: 11-3/4"
 
Finally got a good phone mount installed. ProClipUSA. I have one of these in my pickup and it is fantastic. I was happy to see that they offered a mount for the early 80s. About a 2 minute install...very simple.

My helper was not very helpful but quite entertaining...

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A very simple mod but it's a creature comfort I've been wanting since day 1 of owning the '92. Center armrest! I purchased an upper console lid from a 95-97 80. The leather was junk but rather than spending $80 on new leather I spent $2 on some fabric and $5 on some spray adhesive from the local fabric store. I have cloth seats and the fabric is a decent match, so I'm happy with it. I think new leather would have looked out of place...

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I started to get brake pad squeal so I bought new pads. It turns out the driver's side caliper inner pistons were seized. I picked up some new calipers from Napa and replaced them and installed the new pads. I was able to verify that the PO did in fact install the bigger '93-97 brakes on my '92.

I bled the front brakes but the pedal still feels soft (it felt soft before the new calipers/pads, as well) and the rear brakes would lock up before the fronts when doing the break-in procedure. The PO also installed a new master cylinder when he did the brake upgrade. I'm guessing the MC needs bled... I'll go ahead and bleed the rear brakes and LSPV, as well...

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It looks like I missed the July group buy for the 4x4Labs bumper and my call to them to order a bumper was never returned, so I contacted Bump It Offroad (@MikeSmith) and just got in the queue for his high clearance rear bumper with tire swing out. It sounds like I'll have to wait a few weeks to get it but I'm excited as hell!
 
I had the infamous issue with the driver's door handle not working due to the tiny little spring in the latch mechanism breaking. About an hour and $0.80 later we were back in business... It sucked having to climb in and out through the passenger side!

I was able to roll the window down and reach down to the latch with a long metal rod to depress the latch mechanism and open the door. From there, it was just a matter of disassembling the door panel and innards until I could remove the latch mechanism.

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No turning back now! High clearance bumper with tire carrier swingout from Bump It Offroad (BIOR).

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I have been eyeing this bumper for some time, especially as an alternative to the 4x4labs, but no go on kit form. I want to weld up my own and they won't do a kit. Please make sure to give us some good side and under pics. I am very curious on how it fits up.
 
:flipoff2: I'm back in an 80 series! Quick summary... I bought an LX450 to use as a daily driver in 2011 that was rough around the edges. I put a lot of effort into maintenance/improvements but ended up selling it in 2013 to a Mud member because I wanted a newer pickup.

This was the last I saw of her as the shipper took her away... I believe the LX450 has now made it's way up into Canada somewhere...

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A couple other shots of her...

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Man was your LX perfection! I love it, going to have to clone it! Seriously! lol
 
I have been eyeing this bumper for some time, especially as an alternative to the 4x4labs, but no go on kit form. I want to weld up my own and they won't do a kit. Please make sure to give us some good side and under pics. I am very curious on how it fits up.
I contemplated the 4x4Labs, too. Seems like it would be hard to go wrong with them. Actually, I called them once or twice and left voicemails but never heard back. One of those times I called 4x4Labs I had my CC in my hand ready to place an order!

I also had left Mike Smith (BIOR Owner) a message and he got back to me right away. Once Mike and I started communicating I was sold. Mike’s lead time was about 11 weeks... That was a bummer but not the end of the world. He was out of town this last weekend when I was available to pick it up so he made arrangements for someone else to meet me at his shop. Very accommodating.

My first impression of everything is that it appears to be very high quality and a very complete kit with all the accessories, latches, hardware, etc. Hopefully that first impression lasts through installation!

I am planning on painting with the John Deere Blitz Black paint as I’m not a huge fan of powder coating.
 
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Progress! All cutting and grinding is done! I tested fitment and it was perfect...And I surprisingly didn’t lose a toe. It was a little sketchy maneuvering this thing around by myself.

I have primer laid down and tomorrow morning I’ll get 3 coats of JD Blitz Black on it.

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Speed holes... Or just drain holes as recommended by @DudeAbides ...
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More pics...

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Also, I found this Rustoleum spray paint. It appears to be a really good match to 4K1. I’m not using it anywhere on the exposed body, but I touched up some of the seams under the truck. I was looking at it in harsh afternoon light, though. I’ll be interested to see how close the color match is in better lighting.

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You have a great rig! Keep the 3FE's alive!!
 
More progress...

Everything is all mounted up, I just have some of the small details to work out. Need to get shank style lug nuts instead of the acorn ones that came with the bumper, install/wire license plate light, PlastiDip spare wheel/tire, etc.

I’ve run across a couple little hiccups but nothing major. I’m missing a dust cap and bearing seal for one of the spindles. I found a dust cap at the parts store but Mike is sending me another seal. Also, the tailgate makes contact with the strut which just barely prevents it from going all the way to the lowered position. Mike said he’s ran across this before and just uses washers/spacers between the frame and bumper to lower the bumper and get it to clear.

Just realized I didn’t take an overall photo with the swing arm and tire mounted... I’ll get one tomorrow!

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Finally got a good phone mount installed. ProClipUSA. I have one of these in my pickup and it is fantastic. I was happy to see that they offered a mount for the early 80s. About a 2 minute install...very simple.

My helper was not very helpful but quite entertaining...

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Nice! I didn't know proclip had a mount for the FJ80's. Thanks for posting this, I just ordered one. I am going to mount a ram ball on it and use a ram ball x-grip that I have.

Nice helper and FJ80 BTW!
 
I still forgot to get final photos of the bumper. It’s all complete now except for getting a Hi-Lift. I'm pretty darn happy with it...

On another note, I replaced the fuel filler neck to tank hose today. My old one was leaking when I would refuel and would leave a puddle about 6” diameter under the truck.

The old hose was as hard as a rock and I had to make slits to get it off. I’m sure it was original, but the clamps had definitely been replaced at some point. I used new Breeze shielded clamps...

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Well...this happened yesterday....

I brought home a '96 LX450. High miles, a blown head gasket with possible bottom end issues, and some body rust. Undercarriage isn't terribly corroded, though. It has lockers, OME 2.5" lift, and a brand new set of 35" tires. I'm going to check out the engine a bit but it's looking like this will end up as a part out...

The Titan averaged about 9.2mpg at 65mph over the 525 mile trip home... Not too bad!

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