FZJ80 Break/Build/Repair Thread

[NCFJ]

BEARING BUDDIES!!!!!!!!!!!

You can not go wrong. I had two boats when I lived in the Keys and put bearing buddies on both trailers. Kept them full od synthetic "Green Grease" and never once had bearing issue in a ten year period. I agree, Northern tool will have anything you need for a basic trailer.

Mike I will PM you about the latch.

 

[lt1fire]

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.

Ha!!! that's a great idea also

 

[k4azy]

Stereo Install

I finally finished my stereo install. I tried to put in one of the new Jensen Heavy Duty 1630B "mechless" units in but it just wouldn't fit in the dash compartment on the 80. I decided to stop trying to be clever and just go to Crutchfield. Fortunately, heavydutyradios.com gave me no hassles when it came to returning the Jensen.

I picked the Clarion FZ502 which is more featureful and less expensive and doesn't look too gaudy. In fact, with just a single, large knob it looks a bit retro. I also got the optional HD tuner. Together, for both the head unit and the HD tuner, it was the same price as the Jensen shipped.

The installation was fairly simple. The only problem I ran into was the free single-din pocket that Crutchfield supplied didn't "just fit". Fortunately, I had already bought another pocket from Best Buy for my previous attempt and that worked like a charm.

Recently my antenna broke and won't go up more than 3" or so. I'm pretty sure it's the common problem with the internal cable snapping. I've got to order the necessary parts from cdan to finish the repair but thought about just replacing it with a rubberized whip and being done with it. I've already had the whole antenna assembly out and put it back so I'm confident it'll be an easy, one kind of thing.

 

[JohnVee]

So how do you like the new head unit? Is the one giant knob easy to use (it seems like there's a lot to remember based on the specs)? I really like old school radios with large buttons and rotary volume knobs for their ease of use but this thing looks interesting and inexpensive. I totally forgot to ask if I could try it at the M&G. I wonder if I'd miss being able to hit the preset buttons...

--john

 

[k4azy]

I like it a lot. The knob is basically a 4-way directional pad. When radio input is selected you push right and left to seek through stations and up and down to scroll through your presets. Some things are more convenient to do with the remote (like EQ settings or setup) but the knob is pretty intuitive. Stuff you do on-the-fly while driving is easy. Other stuff demands more attention but probably not stuff you'd want to do while driving anyway.

My only complaint is how the radio handles playback from my iphone. It seems that if I can't reach the cloud to call up the next song then instead of going to the next song in the playlist that's already downloaded to the phone, it'll just start playing the very first song in my music library and abandon the playlist altogether. It might be the phone but I've never noticed it before... I think it's how the HU deals with a network timeout. A-11 by Buck Owens was never a favorite of mine but now I can't stand it.

 

[k4azy]

Good news and bad news... The good news is that my antenna isn't broken. The bad news is that I've apparently smoked way too many funny things in my life and my brain is damaged.

I was parked at the bus stop waiting for the kids yesterday and wishing I could tune in all those HD channels with my new radio when I realized that my gaze was fixed on the antenna up/down buttons. I slowly reached out, pushed the up button and watched with amazement as the antenna rose to its full glory.

I knew those buttons existed but I've looked for them in earnest and was convinced that somehow my truck wasn't equipped with them. I've searched the forums trying to understand why the 40th Anniversary didn't have them and (for obvious reasons) could find no explanation. Not only are they there, they're the most prominent damn buttons in the cluster. I even had to unplug/plug them in both times I had the dash apart and never noticed.

Oh well... puff, puff, pass...

 

[JohnVee]

Have you found the ignition switch yet? Hot wiring has got to be getting old... Maybe just wire in a Clapper!

--john

 

[k4azy]

Have you found the ignition switch yet? Hot wiring has got to be getting old... Maybe just wire in a Clapper!

--john

LOL!! I deserve that but anyway.

 

[lt1fire]

Good news and bad news... The good news is that my antenna isn't broken. The bad news is that I've apparently smoked way too many funny things in my life and my brain is damaged.

I was parked at the bus stop waiting for the kids yesterday and wishing I could tune in all those HD channels with my new radio when I realized that my gaze was fixed on the antenna up/down buttons. I slowly reached out, pushed the up button and watched with amazement as the antenna rose to its full glory.

I knew those buttons existed but I've looked for them in earnest and was convinced that somehow my truck wasn't equipped with them. I've searched the forums trying to understand why the 40th Anniversary didn't have them and (for obvious reasons) could find no explanation. Not only are they there, they're the most prominent damn buttons in the cluster. I even had to unplug/plug them in both times I had the dash apart and never noticed.

Oh well... puff, puff, pass...

Just a heads up, these aren't rain activated wipers either.

 

[k4azy]

Finally got my com gear installed.

Cobra 75 WX ST
Firestik 4' NGP antenna kit

Yaesu FT-8900R Quad band transceiver
Diamond K9000TM Motorized Antenna Mount
SBB-5 Comet Dual Band 2m/440 MHz Antenna
RadioShack External Speaker

There was ample room for both radios up in the DS footwell. The CB just slid into some existing zip ties around one of the computers and the HAM radio went nicely next to it. The bracket zip-tied to some of the metal back there. The only piece I'm missing after a year of floating around my bedroom closet is the faceplate bracket. Once I find it or get a RAM mount I'll have the face mounted where the ashtray used to be.

Here you can see the footrest for reference:

The CB transceiver is the small box above and to the left of the Yaesu:

The most satisfying part is the power delivery system for the radios and any other devices I'll ever need. From my DieHard Platinum I've got 10ga cables with inline 80A fuses and powerpole connectors to two powerpole power strips in the cab. All the radios, the Diamond mount motor and a 12v outlet panel plug into these with additional ports left over for LED light strips, air compressor, inverter or anything else I can stick a powerpole connecter on.

From the battery:

Through the firewall and terminating in a powerstrip in the DS footwell:

Another powerstrip daisy-chained to the first and routed to the PS footwell:

My plan is to wire the OEM antenna switch to raise and lower the Diamond mount motor. That'll be freakin' sweet! If anyone has done this please let me know!

Here's the console as it is now:

Antenna "array":

 

[k4azy]

Oh... here's the CB on the left side of the driver's seat resting in the gamiviti mic holder:

It looks like it would get in the way but really doesn't.

 

[fourtrax]

looking nice.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Looks great man! I'll have my ham set up for Logans Run, so we'll have to compare notes

 

[custyota]

Looks good

Meatball

 

[lumbee1]

Hey Mike, I've seen your 80 out in the parking lot at work. I have a blue 80 and my cubicle is right beside Eric (fourtrax). Your cruiser looks great and that rear tube bumper is awesome. Can't wait to officially meet you at Logan's run.

 

[k4azy]

looking nice.

Looks great man! I'll have my ham set up for Logans Run, so we'll have to compare notes

Looks good

Meatball

Thanks guys! Johnny, let me know what frequencies you're running. I'm going to try and hit a 2m or 70cm repeater in the RTP area. Maybe we can make a contact and test out our rigs.

Hey Mike, I've seen your 80 out in the parking lot at work. I have a blue 80 and my cubicle is right beside Eric (fourtrax). Your cruiser looks great and that rear tube bumper is awesome. Can't wait to officially meet you at Logan's run.

Jonathan, I'll look forward to meeting you too! I'll also have to keep my eyes peeled for another cruiser at work.

Mike

 

[k4azy]

I shook something loose at Logan's Run and finally got under the truck to have a look last month. It turned out to be the exhaust hangers that Darin told me were on the last leg... So the muffler was rubbing against the drive shaft. I took the truck to Henry's muffler shop and for a 100 bucks they rehung the muffler and extended the exhaust. (Stan had chopped the resonator to make room for my bumper.)

Now the truck makes a nice throaty moan instead of a high-pitched whine. Great experience with those guys.

 

[k4azy]

Wow... it's been a while since I updated this thread... For those who don't know, Johnny is in the process of swapping the stock A343F transmission in my 80 with a H151 manual. He's also fabbing a skid plate to protect the transmission and transfer case that will replace the existing crossmember. It's going to be badass!

These pics were taken by Johnny. I've contributed nothing to the build (besides money and enthusiasm).

Before resurfacing.

After resurfacing.

The skid plate.

Pedals.

In the three years I've owned the truck I never came up with a name since there wasn't much to distinguish her from all the other 80s. Given the nature of the work, I've narrowed it down a bit, though. What do you guys think? Caitlyn or Bruce?

 

[GLTHFJ60]

I've narrowed it down a bit, though. What do you guys think? Caitlyn or Bruce?

That's good.

Bruce!

 

[NCFJ]

You could give yourself some latitude and go with Brucie