That 80 is starting to look more and more like an off road rig 
FZJ80 Break/Build/Repair Thread
- Thread starter k4azy
- Start date
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Looking good !!
- Thread starter
- #43
Epic
Wow... yesterday was epic. Granville county schools announced an early release so my plan to go down to Raeford with only the wife went out the window. We kept the kids out of school and headed down as early as possible in hopes of beating the storm.
We got down to Darin's at 10:00, picked up the truck and hit Fayetteville for a quick lunch. We were back on the freeway by about 12:30. As soon as we hit highway 40 traffic slowed to a crawl. The roads were completely iced over and the shoulders were littered with accidents... it was like Godzilla had waded through and just started kicking vehicles everywhere. Three and a half hours later we finally drove into Creedmoor. Here's a pic of the truck in the parking lot at the grocery store:
When we finally got to our driveway I saw that the entire length was a single sheet of ice. Our driveway is 1/5 of a mile of asphalt up a very steep grade. Here's a pic taken a few months ago:
I knew there was no way my wife's Odyssey was going to make it up that hill. We switched vehicles and I had her take the kids up to the house in the Land Cruiser. It walked right up without a problem. I made a valiant but brief effort to get the van up but it was just spinning its wheels. I parked it at the bottom of the hill and left it.
Long story... still long, all the doubts my wife has had since I got the Land Cruiser were put to rest. She realized yesterday that without this vehicle we'd be stranded on top of our hill, way out in the country without any transportation. Overall, the cost of fixing the truck up (plus upgrades) is nothing compared to the cost of a newer 4x4 big enough to haul the whole family. Now I have a badass truck that my wife is enthusiastic about. Priceless.
Wow... yesterday was epic. Granville county schools announced an early release so my plan to go down to Raeford with only the wife went out the window. We kept the kids out of school and headed down as early as possible in hopes of beating the storm.
We got down to Darin's at 10:00, picked up the truck and hit Fayetteville for a quick lunch. We were back on the freeway by about 12:30. As soon as we hit highway 40 traffic slowed to a crawl. The roads were completely iced over and the shoulders were littered with accidents... it was like Godzilla had waded through and just started kicking vehicles everywhere. Three and a half hours later we finally drove into Creedmoor. Here's a pic of the truck in the parking lot at the grocery store:
When we finally got to our driveway I saw that the entire length was a single sheet of ice. Our driveway is 1/5 of a mile of asphalt up a very steep grade. Here's a pic taken a few months ago:
I knew there was no way my wife's Odyssey was going to make it up that hill. We switched vehicles and I had her take the kids up to the house in the Land Cruiser. It walked right up without a problem. I made a valiant but brief effort to get the van up but it was just spinning its wheels. I parked it at the bottom of the hill and left it.
Long story... still long, all the doubts my wife has had since I got the Land Cruiser were put to rest. She realized yesterday that without this vehicle we'd be stranded on top of our hill, way out in the country without any transportation. Overall, the cost of fixing the truck up (plus upgrades) is nothing compared to the cost of a newer 4x4 big enough to haul the whole family. Now I have a badass truck that my wife is enthusiastic about. Priceless.
Awesome driveway and good news. now that it's back in working order you should have years of fun with it.
- Thread starter
- #46
fourtrax said:
Thanks fourtrax
krzyabncanuck said:
Darin, the truck rides great. Suspension is firm but comfortable. I've spent at least ten hours driving since yesterday morning and the whole ride is confidence-inspiring if that makes sense.
Thanks again!
- Thread starter
- #47
I put in a group 35 Die Hard Platinum battery (no starting problems seen so far) and I installed some Bosch wipers over the weekend. Yesterday I got my new tires installed. I'm loving my truck! I had to drive into my woods looking for a little mud. Here are some pics including obligatory poser flex. 
- Thread starter
- #48
Some more pics... I had to get a 12" drop hitch to tow my trailer!! A word to the wise; don't go to Tractor Supply for a ball mount. They wanted $50 for a 8" drop. 4WheelParts had the 12" for $25. I dunno what the difference was but none that I could tell.
I may need to post this in the trailer forum but figured one of you guys can probably tell me... the cap came off of my trailer axle and the bearing is exposed. Other than getting a new cap should I pack this with grease? I have some moly, would that do the trick?
I may need to post this in the trailer forum but figured one of you guys can probably tell me... the cap came off of my trailer axle and the bearing is exposed. Other than getting a new cap should I pack this with grease? I have some moly, would that do the trick?
Have the bearings been exposed to the elements ? If so i would say repack. For that you would need a new axle bearing seal that sits on the backside of the bearings. I would do it anyway truthfully.
- Thread starter
- #50
Thanks Darin. The trailer stays covered and I haven't towed in the rain. The cap hasn't been off for too long. I've got to tow this up to VA this weekend so I'll put a cap on it and then service it when I get back. I guess I'll just start taking it apart and seeing if my local Auto Zone can help figure out what parts I need. 
If it even has been open for dirt to get into it from under the cover i would at least take it apart to slap some new grease into it prior to your trip. You would leave the rear bearings in it but just do a minor bearing repack to make sure you had enough good grease in it. Then of course put a cap on it before the trip.
- Thread starter
- #52
Ok, cool. Thanks for the advice! And I just need to use moly grease, right?
I would use wheel bearing grease. Moly grease is for slow moving parts like your birfs. Moly grease has a fortifier in it that sticks better to metal leaving a film. Wheel bearing grease is for fast moving parts like bearings.
- Thread starter
- #54
Got it
- Thread starter
- #55
Some initial thoughts on my HFS bumper... first, it looks great and it looks better every time I look at it. I read somewhere on mud that "a tube bumper on an 80 is like a string bikini on a fat chick". I disagree. It's very clean and gives a streamlined appearance. Also, it's like a mobile jungle gym for the kids.
Since I got the truck back, however, I've been noticing a very audible whining between 2200 and 3000 RPMs. I think the reason is because Stan had to cut the resonator off of the exhaust. The problem is described here. Looks like the only fix is to get the exhaust re-worked or get a louder stereo system.
** EDIT: Just want to clarify that Stan let me know every step of the way what was going on and asked before he chopped anything off. If I had known what the resonator did and the effect it would have when he called I still would have told him to go ahead and cut it.
Finally, the only complaint I have with the bumper is the latching system for the swingout. It does the job but the post has to be threaded into the bumper and it's not captive. To open the bumper the post has to be unscrewed and then the pin on the spindle needs to be pulled up and held while pulling the swingarm out. Depending on the angle the truck is parked at it can be difficult to do. However, I did find a way to repurpose my trouble-making bumper magnet. When turning the threaded post to secure the swingarm I kept dinging my tailgate. That's not a problem now.
One idea I had to make opening easier is to have a nub welded to the spindle so that when you pull the pin you can twist the handle and rest it on the nub so the pin stays up. Also, I might replace the top of the threaded post with a knob or T-handle.
Since I got the truck back, however, I've been noticing a very audible whining between 2200 and 3000 RPMs. I think the reason is because Stan had to cut the resonator off of the exhaust. The problem is described here. Looks like the only fix is to get the exhaust re-worked or get a louder stereo system.
** EDIT: Just want to clarify that Stan let me know every step of the way what was going on and asked before he chopped anything off. If I had known what the resonator did and the effect it would have when he called I still would have told him to go ahead and cut it.
Finally, the only complaint I have with the bumper is the latching system for the swingout. It does the job but the post has to be threaded into the bumper and it's not captive. To open the bumper the post has to be unscrewed and then the pin on the spindle needs to be pulled up and held while pulling the swingarm out. Depending on the angle the truck is parked at it can be difficult to do. However, I did find a way to repurpose my trouble-making bumper magnet. When turning the threaded post to secure the swingarm I kept dinging my tailgate. That's not a problem now.
One idea I had to make opening easier is to have a nub welded to the spindle so that when you pull the pin you can twist the handle and rest it on the nub so the pin stays up. Also, I might replace the top of the threaded post with a knob or T-handle.
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- Thread starter
- #56
I broke into the trailer axle yesterday. There wasn't much grease left in there and one of the outer wheel bearing rollers is abraded pretty badly. I don't have the time before tomorrow to do a complete rebuild so I'll repack this one and put everything back together. When I get back I'll rebuild both sides.
One problem I'm having is the bearing identification number has completely rubbed off. Hopefully I'll be able to get it off the other side. Is there a way to identify what type of axle I have? The trailer was a homebuilt deal that I bought off of CL.
If I hadn't seen Johnny and Al doing this with cruiser axles at the July HAMOM and if Darin hadn't walked me through what I needed to do then I would never have been comfortable tackling this. This club really is
awesome!
One problem I'm having is the bearing identification number has completely rubbed off. Hopefully I'll be able to get it off the other side. Is there a way to identify what type of axle I have? The trailer was a homebuilt deal that I bought off of CL.
If I hadn't seen Johnny and Al doing this with cruiser axles at the July HAMOM and if Darin hadn't walked me through what I needed to do then I would never have been comfortable tackling this. This club really is
awesome!
.
Finally, the only complaint I have with the bumper is the latching system for the swingout. It does the job but the post has to be threaded into the bumper and it's not captive. To open the bumper the post has to be unscrewed and then the pin on the spindle needs to be pulled up and held while pulling the swingarm out. Depending on the angle the truck is parked at it can be difficult to do. However, I did find a way to repurpose my trouble-making bumper magnet. When turning the threaded post to secure the swingarm I kept dinging my tailgate. That's not a problem now.
One idea I had to make opening easier is to have a nub welded to the spindle so that when you pull the pin you can twist the handle and rest it on the nub so the pin stays up. Also, I might replace the top of the threaded post with a knob or T-handle.
Brett's troopy has the same design from Stan, awesome bumper but can be very hard for one person to open if on the slightest incline or off camber parking. My temp fix for it while I've been working on it so much is to just pull up the pin and slide a coin over the slot and then do the t-handle screw. In the long run he may just weld up the hole since the t-handle will secure the swing out when closed and just let the pin be there to secure it in the open position.
It is still one of the best made tube bumpers i've ever been around and stout as hell.
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- Thread starter
- #58
Ha! That's exactly what I was thinking but I've improved on the idea... I'm going to use a bottle opener and secure it to bumper with a light chain and a magnet. That's kill two birds with one stone.
A trip to Northern Tool would probably fix you up. I have basically the same trailer and they have everything you need.
When I was looking for bearings I went to Northern and it was easier than I thought. Take a couple of measurements of the axle where the bearings and seal ride and take a bearing with you. They have a display with posts to size your old bearing. After spending a few minutes looking at the kits there seem to be only a few standard sizes.
I also added one of the spring loaded Bearing Buddy caps to mine even though it's probably overkill for a utility trailer. It keeps pressurized grease on the bearings with a grease zerk for service and it's peace of mind when I want to tow it long distances.
-Sean
When I was looking for bearings I went to Northern and it was easier than I thought. Take a couple of measurements of the axle where the bearings and seal ride and take a bearing with you. They have a display with posts to size your old bearing. After spending a few minutes looking at the kits there seem to be only a few standard sizes.
I also added one of the spring loaded Bearing Buddy caps to mine even though it's probably overkill for a utility trailer. It keeps pressurized grease on the bearings with a grease zerk for service and it's peace of mind when I want to tow it long distances.
-Sean
I broke into the trailer axle yesterday. There wasn't much grease left in there and one of the outer wheel bearing rollers is abraded pretty badly. I don't have the time before tomorrow to do a complete rebuild so I'll repack this one and put everything back together. When I get back I'll rebuild both sides.
One problem I'm having is the bearing identification number has completely rubbed off. Hopefully I'll be able to get it off the other side. Is there a way to identify what type of axle I have? The trailer was a homebuilt deal that I bought off of CL.
If I hadn't seen Johnny and Al doing this with cruiser axles at the July HAMOM and if Darin hadn't walked me through what I needed to do then I would never have been comfortable tackling this. This club really is
- Thread starter
- #60
Awesome! Thanks for the lowdown on Northern Tool.. that's exactly what I needed.