Builds GCRad1's 1992 ADV80 LAND CRUISER

[GCRad1]

TJM 19" Bow Shackles Recovery Equipment Available at YOTAMASTERS

[edited post: Not 19" - 19mm instead!]
I picked up these TJM 19" Bow Shackles at Yotamasters recently for $8.02 each!!! Great price for off-road recovery equipment from a reputable brand and available at Southern California's number one Toyota service shop!

TJM bow shackles are forged steel, galvanized, and then powder coated bright high visibility yellow for very clear visibility in all situations. TJM bow shackles are an important link in joining equipment in recovery situations, so say's the Yotamasters page...

BOTH 16mm & 19mm AVAILABLE AT:
https://www.yotamasters.com/shop/tjm-bow-shackles/

 

[Alexbv]

Wow 19" shackles? Those are huge !

 

[GCRad1]

OOOPS! And thank you for bringing that to my attention! They are 19mm not 19-inches! hehehe

Wow 19" shackles? Those are huge !

 

[GCRad1]

sPOD Switch Panel installation

sPOD: The ORIGINAL over the windshield switch console (made of aluminum, NOT plastic). The innovator and the FIRST power distribution system engineered/designed for offroad vehicles. Per the websites "About Us"

All-in-all, I have come to know the owners of sPOD over the past couple of years as they are at all the events and shows and they are really great people! While they are Jeep enthusiast, they do have Toyota applications on their site. I had seen several installations and it is simply-simple!!! Even a guy like me who is afraid of electricity am not afraid to tackle this system! While most will view this system as expensive, if you have to take your rig into a shop to wire up all your electronics, its going to cost you beyond the system cost in labor. For you do-it-yourselfers, you may simply want the simple clean look and the ease of being able to change things out often.

OK, lets get with it as I have King of the Hammers fast approaching!

So the first thing is to sort out where to put it. I want it close enough to the battery and I like it on the passenger side away from the exhaust manifold on the other side. Not sure why Toyota decided to put fuses and electronics and such on the driver side...

Going to make use of one factory bolt location and will make a new hole on the pinch mold lip. I know I will most likely move it all together later as I will relocate the washer bottle when I go dual battery, but this should work for now.

The sPOD security frame is mounted and while it will cover the flash-code-plug below its only four small screws away when the sPOD box is mounted. That kinda' worked out!

Quick layup of the sPOD connection board onto the mounting frame. This system is quite simple once the mounting frame is in place.

I place the sPOD cover in place and latch it down to check backside clearance. Check-check!

That's all for tonight. More info for you late night researchers:
http://www.4x4spod.com/category_s/52.htm

 

[WarWagon]

What hooks up to this?

 

[tpizza01]

Great thread GCRad!

Just went through the whole thing sn I am impressed. LOoks like a solid running 80

Question though, and forgive me if I missed this, but did you only get one locker set up or did you get both? Mine is not locked either and am wondering what my options are. Not sure I even need to get lockers but I will be regearing to 4.88s with 315's installed and probably a similar lift.

 

[DHwreckage]

sPOD: The ORIGINAL over the windshield switch console (made of aluminum, NOT plastic). The innovator and the FIRST power distribution system engineered/designed for offroad vehicles. Per the websites "About Us"

All-in-all, I have come to know the owners of sPOD over the past couple of years as they are at all the events and shows and they are really great people! While they are Jeep enthusiast, they do have Toyota applications on their site. I had seen several installations and it is simply-simple!!! Even a guy like me who is afraid of electricity am not afraid to tackle this system! While most will view this system as expensive, if you have to take your rig into a shop to wire up all your electronics, its going to cost you beyond the system cost in labor. For you do-it-yourselfers, you may simply want the simple clean look and the ease of being able to change things out often.

OK, lets get with it as I have King of the Hammers fast approaching!

So the first thing is to sort out where to put it. I want it close enough to the battery and I like it on the passenger side away from the exhaust manifold on the other side. Not sure why Toyota decided to put fuses and electronics and such on the driver side...

Going to make use of one factory bolt location and will make a new hole on the pinch mold lip. I know I will most likely move it all together later as I will relocate the washer bottle when I go dual battery, but this should work for now.

The sPOD security frame is mounted and while it will cover the flash-code-plug below its only four small screws away when the sPOD box is mounted. That kinda' worked out!

Quick layup of the sPOD connection board onto the mounting frame. This system is quite simple once the mounting frame is in place.

I place the sPOD cover in place and latch it down to check backside clearance. Check-check!

That's all for tonight. More info for you late night researchers:
http://www.4x4spod.com/category_s/52.htm

just looked over you thread nice 80, but i had a question about the S-POD. which one did you get to fit in the engine bay of your 80? there are quite a few options. anyways it looks like a nice alternative to a blue sea fuse box with everything set up for you already and the additions of relays.

 

[GCRad1]

Hello tpizza01,

Thanks for looking through my thread!

I did get both ends locked with the TJM Air Lockers from Just Differentials along with the 4.88 Nitro gearing from them - all pre-installed at the same time. I waited and waited and waited to do it all at the same time.

BUT, if you only get to do one I think most people go with a rear locker. Although while on our Rubicon Trek a couple of years ago in another rig, we would sometimes only use the front locker when climbing up some of the obstacles. We joked around about it and called it the "fangs" like a snake. But I come from a Front-2WD rally background and my car diff was welded solid, so I could see where I like a front locker over a rear locker if I had to choose between the two...

My ADV80 has been a solid running rig even though it has its issues BUT IT HAS NEVER LEFT ME STRANDED!!! KNOCK ON WOOD!!!

Before you do anything, go out and drive as much as you can, get stuck, get un-stuck and appreciate what it will do stock so you have a clear perspective of what your upgrades actually do for you. If I had it to do all over again, I would buy sliders before anything... OK, I would buy a Wyeth-Scott 3-35-A-SLT Hand Winch and with the sliders... OK, I would buy a Pull-Pal along with the Wyeth-Scott Hand Winch and the Sliders! And a nice recovery kit too!

I hope you have as much fun with your 80-Series as I have with mine! Happy trails to you!!!

Great thread GCRad!

Just went through the whole thing sn I am impressed. LOoks like a solid running 80

Question though, and forgive me if I missed this, but did you only get one locker set up or did you get both? Mine is not locked either and am wondering what my options are. Not sure I even need to get lockers but I will be regearing to 4.88s with 315's installed and probably a similar lift.

 

[tpizza01]

Awesome, thanks!

Sent you a PM by the way. Nothign in my sent folder though so I am not sure it went through. If you don't see anything then please let me know and I will try again (which will suck because it was a bit, lol)

 

[GCRad1]

Hey tpizza01 - Got it and returned with replies.

Awesome, thanks!

Sent you a PM by the way. Nothign in my sent folder though so I am not sure it went through. If you don't see anything then please let me know and I will try again (which will suck because it was a bit, lol)

 

[GCRad1]

sPOD ADV80 Install Part: 2

The sPOD is now in place so I need to run the main switch cable from the box into the driver compartment. This rubber grommet looks like a great way to get the cable inside, but first I need to see what is on the other side to assure I can go this way.

After checking the inside compartment to see if the sPOD switch cable will clear, I cut an X-pattern incision into the rubber grommet as I need to push the connector head through.

The plug head gets pushed through and I am careful to not break the side clips and carefully push the cable through instead of pulling it from the other side as that could pull the wires out of the plug. Maybe not, but not going to take any chances. Its a tight fit, but it will go with patience and finesse.

With the switch cord ran through the firewall into the cabin, I pull the sPOD mother board off the mounting frame so I can connect the switch cord into the plug that is located on the firewall side of the sPOD.

Once the switch cord is plugged in and secured I mount the mother board to the mounting frame via the four screws, one at each corner. These are the four screws I was talking about earlier if ever I need to get to my flash-code-reader-relay.

Here you can see the switch cord plugged in and note the red power wire is also mounted in the back and out of the way. This is a nice feature that you will notice when you start plugging in all the hot wires in front.

Back inside, I pull the switch cord in and start tucking it into the out of sight areas.

Switch cord running through the firewall - Note to self, come back and apply some type of sealant to prevent water leakage.

Time to connect the sPOD to power source.

Ground and power cords are now "LIVE" to the sPOD. Houston, do we have signal?

BEFORE YOU HOOK UP ANYTHING or after, but BEFORE YOU TURN ANYTHING ON - PLEASE FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS.

Common sense says, hook it and flip the switch! But I did say "mother board" for a reason! Your sPOD is not yours until you sPOD becomes one with your vehicle. In order to do this, make sure all switches are in the off position and start your engine and let it run for at least 15-seconds so that the sPOD can merge with your vehicle. Now you will have harmony. First thing I want to hook up is some under hood light - SO I CAN SEE! I wired up this Yotamasters LED Light String as it can plug directly into 12V!!!

Then you can flip the switch!!!!

These Yotamasters Light Strings are $15ea and I wanted to get some much needed light into the engine compartment!

Who left all this mess!

Check out the Yotamasters LED Light String mounted and in action! WOW! Now I can see up in here!

 

[GCRad1]

Got these mounted into the sPOD as well!

Next on the sPOD firing order - got the front lights wired in and on blast! Houston, we have a visual. Come in Houston.

 

[GCRad1]

SOOOOOOOooooo.... Days before King of the Hammers and on my commute I get this familiar warning light. YES, we just changed the CDL Selinoid out after servicing the factory one. I purchased a second one from 'MUD-Member Superstan26 parting out an '92 80-Series in Kansas City, KS. This make round three of the issue coming back.

With no time to waist, or no real solution as this has been a head scratcher, the following day I drop the front drive shaft. Unplugging the Transmission computer is not unlocking the CDL Selinoid. Thus the input shaft is out.

Next on the to replace list. The transmission computer that sits inside the driver kick panel will get replaced after King of the Hammers. I've already ordered it from Supersan26 as he still had it from his 80-Series that is getting parted out. I also purchased another item... more on that later! Chasing parts and lots of theory! We think it be due in part to when I drove the rig for 9-months with the stripped output flange... Not for sure, but just theorizing all the way back to what potentially could be the issue...

So, my thought is for now, I'm going to keep driving the rig. The ADV80 is CHAMP! Once I get to KOH next week, when I get on the dirt I will put the front prop shaft back in. Its sandy enough all around Johnson Valley / King of the Hammers. My luck It will unlock on me - at least I hope luck goes like that...

SO, on with the show!!!

I have a crew to feed while attending King of the Hammers!!!

My ADV80 doing work in 2WD mode! Picking up firewood at Woodhill Firewod in Irvine. CA! This is the best place in all of Orange County to buy firewood - BEST PRICE!!!

If you are attending King of the Hammers, I will be hanging around the Axial rig for the week.

I might get another little post in this weekend before I go, but if not, see you guys here in "MUDville in a couple of weeks.

Safe travels to you all!

 

[In process]

Have some service that is going to need be performed so doing my local shop research in / around Orange County:

Costa Mesa - South Coast Toyota

Long Beach - Cabe Toyota with TLCA "good guy" price.

San Juan Capistrano Toyota of San Juan Capistrano

Laguna Hills - Laguna Viejo Auto Service

Corona - Yota Masters

Gardena - Jim Dickey Land Cruiser Specialist

Check out japanese car specilties or something along those lines. In mission viejo kinda close to el toro. Amazing shop. Quality work and he is honest and won't tell you to fix things you don't need fixed. Been going to him for as long as I can remember.

I love holy Jim canyon. I lived up there for 3 years when I was even younger than I am now.

 

[GCRad1]

While in route to King of the Hammers and I had to pull over and snap these shots as the iced field caught my attention:

Once at the event, the ADV80 is doing work... transporting media to outbound locations.

To check out our KOH coverage:

https://www.facebook.com/axialinc

http://instagram.com/axialracing

http://instagram.com/gcrad1

 

[WarWagon]

My '91 wants to be like yours when it grows up!

 

[WarWagon]

Putting some 32x11.5x15 AT Falken Wild Peaks today based on your experiences......they look great, can't wait to see how they perform!

 

[GCRad1]

Thank you Jeeperatt1 for the kind comments! Glad I could be of any influence at all! Again, thank you! Come back and lets us know what you think of your Falken Wild Peaks! After last week at King of the Hammers, Falken Wild Peaks were taming the king rocks in the Every Man Challenge as well as the big race! Yep, I'm a FAN!!!

Putting some 32x11.5x15 AT Falken Wild Peaks today based on your experiences......they look great, can't wait to see how they perform!

 

[flow]

updates and pics from the event? I know you wont let us down

 

[GCRad1]

My little King of the Hammers Report

While you have seen a couple of the images of my rig at KOH, first and foremost if you want see the majority of my KOH photos please visit https://www.facebook.com/axialinc

I can try to share some that have yet to make it over there and stay true to my 80-Series passion here.

But first, lets get the front driveshaft back in since I am on dirt for the week! Hopefully you've read about my whole Center Diff Warning light - CDL Solenoid issue...

Then it was time for us to get to work building the scale trail course for the booth. About 120-man hours over the course of two days between nine of us. All in the name of good fun for the enthusiast.

I just had to pop over to Chocolate Thunder to see the Moto's start on Sunday as well. I shot mostly video so I only took a quick snap of the bikes all lined up for the land rush start...

After the work was finished we headed over to Backdoor to see if anything was going on Sunday Night and of course there were a few there practicing for Monday Nights Backdoor Shootout.

Next day I spy my buddies rig at the Falken Booth.

And I see this 80-Series out on the lakebed:

This puppy has to be a hoot to wheel!

I wish I would have made it my mission to shoot more 80-Series this year...
Must add to my shoot list for next year!

I will keep digging through the images as I edit, but again, best slide over to our company page to view more photos: https://www.facebook.com/axialinc

If I run across anything spectacular and or of interest and will pop it in here...

And yea, our R/C course came out way cool this year!

Complete with suspension bridge and

scale trail signs!