Builds FZJ 80 “Elsie” build thread. (1 Viewer)

[Seekadventure]

Been looking for one of these iconic vehicles and finally found one locally. 1997 Fzj80 with 216k miles. I figured I’d make a build thread so I can keep track of what I did to the vehicle. So here she is the day I got her feb

Really like the color white on vehicles and was very happy this land cruiser is white. Here’s my 4runner.

 

[Seekadventure]

When i bought the vehicle the center lock wasn’t working so i did some reading and diagnosing. Found out the actuator and 4lo connections wasn‘t put on properly. Cleaned her up and took her for a spin.

 

[Seekadventure]

With the ”stay at home“ order I figured I’d make use of my time. Did some maintenance fluid change on the differentials and transfer case. The fluid that came out was thick and black! It definitely needed the maintenance.

 

[Seekadventure]

Ordered and installed Dobinson 3” lift. Soaked the bolts for a days with the wrong chemical lol “picked up the wrong bottle” I found out after one of the bolts gave me a hard time, I picked up the same bottle to see it had expiration date and turns out it was a goo remover lol. Anyways I used the correct spray and everything else went smoothly.

 

[Seekadventure]

Ordered some summit off road wheels 16x8 0 offset and wrapped it with bfg km3 315/75/16.

 

[Seekadventure]

Took the front end apart, wanting to paint the chrome to black and my lower valance was pretty beat up. I was able to source a used lower valance from a yard but it turns out the 94 valance is different and wont fit my 97 grill. So I have two options, find a 97 valance or but a 94 grill. Also found I have some type of leak on the transmission cooler area. Clean it up to find the source of the leak.

 

[Seekadventure]

4/7/2020
no more bungee ties on the battery. Went to auto parts store and bought some J hooks and an angled aluminum bar at Home Depot and made a battery tie down.

 

[Seekadventure]

I replaced the lower valance which was pretty beat up and as it turned out the valance i bought didn’t fit the 97 grill. So I had to buy a 94 grill (which i think looks more retro) to fit the new valance. Installed the ARB bumper and took it out for a shot. Parts are on the way for a knuckle rebuild and brakes. Also a new symptom came out. My A/C started cutting off as the engine got hot. Temp gauge isn’t indicating overheating. I’ll be looking for the culprit in the next few days. But i figured with 216k miles I should replace the water pump and thermostat along with the PHH which i’ve still yet to locate to see if the PO replaced it.

 

[Orange Hat]

I replaced the lower valance which was pretty beat up and as it turned out the valance i bought didn’t fit the 97 grill. So I had to buy a 94 grill (which i think looks more retro) to fit the new valance. Installed the ARB bumper and took it out for a shot. Parts are on the way for a knuckle rebuild and brakes. Also a new symptom came out. My A/C started cutting off as the engine got hot. Temp gauge isn’t indicating overheating. I’ll be looking for the culprit in the next few days. But i figured with 216k miles I should replace the water pump and thermostat along with the PHH which i’ve still yet to locate to see if the PO replaced it.

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Looks GREAT!