huddleston
GOLD Star
I have been terrible at updating this thread over the last two years but as the build wraps up and I start to actually use the 80 I think it makes sense to keep this thread up to date with the most recent photos of the cruiser in action and to summarize the very long process of completely restoring and modifying this cruiser to what is the ideal 80 Series for my purposes. For the most up to date content on this build and some other cruiser content feel free to give me a follow on IG @expressrallyscott.
I bought this cruiser for $1,000 in 2017. It was a two owner FJ80 with 170k on the clock. It had been involved in an accident and the owner did not want to repair it, so I happily took it off of his hands. From 2017 to 2019 some basic maintenance was completed to get the cruiser drivable, but the 80 was on the back burner due to some Porsche projects. In 2019 my business, Express Rally, began to further develop some of our events and there was an opportunity to build out the cruiser to be a promotional vehicle for our Overland events as well for my personal use with friends and family. I got connected with Jason Harris of Ozark Overland Outfitters in 2019 and dropped off the 80 Series in early 2020 to get some baseline maintenance completed. After surviving our inaugural Express Rally Overland event in May of 2020 I made the decision to take the project to an entirely new level and build my dream land cruiser. We addressed the struggling 3F with a 1HDT swap and I decided to do a complete color change to make the cruiser exactly like I wanted and ultimately decided to invest a significant amount of time and resources in making this a rig that would represent my business well and be something that I could create memories in with my friends and my family for years to come.
I will keep this post up to date with the most recent photos of the 80 and the posts beyond this will show the progress of the build as far back as I have photos. Unfortunately I did not do a great job documenting all of the process but I will do my best with what I have and you should still be able to see the transformation. Jason Harris did all of the mechanical work so I apologize in advance for not being able to answer some of the questions that may come up. Thanks everyone!
Powertrain:
Wheels & Tires:
Brakes & Suspension:
Exterior & Armor:
Interior Upgrades & Modifications:
I bought this cruiser for $1,000 in 2017. It was a two owner FJ80 with 170k on the clock. It had been involved in an accident and the owner did not want to repair it, so I happily took it off of his hands. From 2017 to 2019 some basic maintenance was completed to get the cruiser drivable, but the 80 was on the back burner due to some Porsche projects. In 2019 my business, Express Rally, began to further develop some of our events and there was an opportunity to build out the cruiser to be a promotional vehicle for our Overland events as well for my personal use with friends and family. I got connected with Jason Harris of Ozark Overland Outfitters in 2019 and dropped off the 80 Series in early 2020 to get some baseline maintenance completed. After surviving our inaugural Express Rally Overland event in May of 2020 I made the decision to take the project to an entirely new level and build my dream land cruiser. We addressed the struggling 3F with a 1HDT swap and I decided to do a complete color change to make the cruiser exactly like I wanted and ultimately decided to invest a significant amount of time and resources in making this a rig that would represent my business well and be something that I could create memories in with my friends and my family for years to come.
I will keep this post up to date with the most recent photos of the 80 and the posts beyond this will show the progress of the build as far back as I have photos. Unfortunately I did not do a great job documenting all of the process but I will do my best with what I have and you should still be able to see the transformation. Jason Harris did all of the mechanical work so I apologize in advance for not being able to answer some of the questions that may come up. Thanks everyone!
Powertrain:
- 1HDT engine swap completed by Jason Harris @ Ozark Overland Outfitters
- A440 transmission
- Beaudesert 3" stainless steel exhaust
- Full floating rear end swapped from FZJ80
- Yukon 4.88 gears
- ARB Safari snorkel
- Sy-Klone air precleaner
- 42 gallon Long Range America auxillary fuel tank
- Front & rear ARB air lockers
- Dual battery setup w/ Redarc management system
Wheels & Tires:
- Braid Winrace T 17x7.5" wheels w/ beadlock B system
- Toyo Open Country M/T 37x13.50x17r
Brakes & Suspension:
- Land Cruiser Heaven Tarox big brake kit
- Tarox F2000 front & rear rotors
- Dobinsons MRA 3.5 suspension w/ heavy springs
- Dobinsons adjustable steering stabilizer
- Dobinsons adjustable front & rear panhard rods
- SLEE Offroad high steer arms
- SLEE Offroad steering drag links
- Redhead heavy duty steering gears
- Icon Vehicle Dynamics billet aluminum lower rear arms
- Icon Vehicle Dynamics hydraulic bumpstops
- Delta Vehicle Systems caster correcting front radius arms
- Delta Vehicle Systems panhard lift bracket
- Delta Vehicle Systems hydraulic bumpstop holders with integrated spring spacer
- Delta Vehicle Systems rear bumpstop drop kit
- Delta Vehicle Systems rear spring retainer kit
- Delta Vehicle Systems swaybar drop kit
Exterior & Armor:
- Full repaint in Nightshadow Pearl by Jason Harris @ Ozark Overland Outfitters
- Delta Vehicle Systems front bumper w/ grill guard
- Delta Vehicle Systems sliders
- Delta Vehicle Systems rear bumper
- Delta Vehicle Systems spare tire carrier
- Delta Vehicle Systems ladder
- Delta Vehicle Systems tension lock mount
- Delta Vehicle Systems rear stash pocket (2)
- Delta Vehicle Systems water can holders
- Frontrunner Plastic water cans (2)
- Warn VR10 winch w/synthetic rope
- Factor 55 fairlead
- Factor 55 prolink
- Baja Designs Squadron Pro fog lights (2)
- Baja Designs LP9 driving lights (2)
- Baja Designs Squadron Sport ditch lights (2)
- Baja Designs LP6 Pro driving lights mounted on front of GFC RTT (6)
- Baja Designs Squadron Sport rear facing amber combo light
- Baja Designs rock guards
- YodaTeq ditch light brackets
- YodaTeq Gullwing Hatch System
- Slee skid plates
- Go Fast Campers V2 RTT
- Overland Solar 160W fixed solar panel
- WeBoost Drive Reach
- Alamosa 36" GMRS Antenna
- 15% ceramic window tint
- Darche Eclipse 270 degree awning
Interior Upgrades & Modifications:
- Land Cruiser Heaven leather seat covers
- Land Cruiser Heaven steering wheel
- New carpet
- Delta Vehicle Systems center console
- Delta Vehicle System shifter console
- AEM boost & oil temp gauge on A-pillar gauge pod
- EGR gauge on Delta Vehicle Systems center console
- Switchpros 9100 controller
- Delta Switchpros mount
- Midland MXT575 GMRS radio w/hidden speaker
- Delta Vehicle Systems rear modular storage system
- Dobinsons rear drawer system
- Big Country rear tailgate storage
- Snomaster 66qt low profile fridge
- MSA fridge slide
- Magnum 1000W pure sine wave inverter
- Dual battery setup w/ Redarc management system
- PFRAN complete LED kit
- Onboard ARB twin air compressor
- Weathertech floormats
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