I just bought a salvaged 1997 FJZ with light front end damage, 273,000 miles, and no factory lockers. It runs, but there is some white smoke, so I am having the engine rebuilt and a custom front bumper made. My goal is to have a dependable rig for the family for baja surf trips, Sierra camping trips, and so forth. Are there any essential mods that you would recommend? I was thinking about a roof rack, and a rear locker.
Ideas on mods for a newbie.
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Hornd
SILVER Star
Get a Aussie Locker for the Rear
Get some Specter Fuel Cans and Super Siphon
Get some cup Holders
Make sure the Engine Shop Rebuilt the Oil Pump Seal, Crank Seal, Distributor Seal, Replaced Valve cover Gasket and PCV Grommet and replaced belts and all 3 radiator hoses and PHH and it has fresh Antifreeze of correct variety.
Rip off Roof Rack and Runner Boards
Get some Cabelas Trail Gear Front Seat Covers.
Replace the speakers with the Pioneers and get a replacement stereo.
Replace Gear Oil in all 3 Diffs
Purchase a gas station.
Get some Specter Fuel Cans and Super Siphon
Get some cup Holders
Make sure the Engine Shop Rebuilt the Oil Pump Seal, Crank Seal, Distributor Seal, Replaced Valve cover Gasket and PCV Grommet and replaced belts and all 3 radiator hoses and PHH and it has fresh Antifreeze of correct variety.
Rip off Roof Rack and Runner Boards
Get some Cabelas Trail Gear Front Seat Covers.
Replace the speakers with the Pioneers and get a replacement stereo.
Replace Gear Oil in all 3 Diffs
Purchase a gas station.
jfz80
Cruisin’
Congrats on the purchase
Everyone's needs will be slightly different. If you have lots of gear or kids a rack might be essential. I went ten years without.
Best way to tell is go use it some; figure out what you need and build accordingly. Some of these builds are borderline comical for someone that has never really gotten out and used it
Essential is best put on Maintenance to make it dependable. Sounds like motor is addressed. !CAUTION! Make sure the shop doesn't hot tank the block. There is a brass oil pump bushing that does not respond well to this treatment. It is not avail from Toyota but luckily a pioneering mud member he made it avail through ajaik overland if you do need one.
Next axles, brake sys, cooling system
I'd vote sliders early if you plan to get into more than logging roads and remote beaches.
Age old debate of winch or lockers but since bumper is on the list build it around a winch you want that is appropriate for the size of an 80. IMHO a 9000 can be outmatched by the heft of an 80 in a good stuck scenario even with a snatch block. Btdt
Aussie is a great option for the rear if your use warrants it.
2.5" lift and 33/35s is awful nice. Not essential but at this age fresh shocks and springs are a comfort and safety factor. Makes it more proportionate as well as getting the rear bumper corners out of harms way
Everyone's needs will be slightly different. If you have lots of gear or kids a rack might be essential. I went ten years without.
Best way to tell is go use it some; figure out what you need and build accordingly. Some of these builds are borderline comical for someone that has never really gotten out and used it
Essential is best put on Maintenance to make it dependable. Sounds like motor is addressed. !CAUTION! Make sure the shop doesn't hot tank the block. There is a brass oil pump bushing that does not respond well to this treatment. It is not avail from Toyota but luckily a pioneering mud member he made it avail through ajaik overland if you do need one.
Next axles, brake sys, cooling system
I'd vote sliders early if you plan to get into more than logging roads and remote beaches.
Age old debate of winch or lockers but since bumper is on the list build it around a winch you want that is appropriate for the size of an 80. IMHO a 9000 can be outmatched by the heft of an 80 in a good stuck scenario even with a snatch block. Btdt
Aussie is a great option for the rear if your use warrants it.
2.5" lift and 33/35s is awful nice. Not essential but at this age fresh shocks and springs are a comfort and safety factor. Makes it more proportionate as well as getting the rear bumper corners out of harms way
rear locker and just drive it for a while to make sure it's sorted.
Everyone's first instinct is to throw on a lift and big tires, but usually it's not really necessary. For the usage you describe, a mostly stock cruiser is just about perfect. You'd be shocked to see some of the lines I have driven on 265 tires
Everyone's first instinct is to throw on a lift and big tires, but usually it's not really necessary. For the usage you describe, a mostly stock cruiser is just about perfect. You'd be shocked to see some of the lines I have driven on 265 tires
OhmStyles
Needs to win the lottery!
Sliders!
Congrats and welcome
Congrats and welcome
^^THIS^^
If you will wheel it at all, get sliders before anything. Was one of my later additions, and my rockers have suffered greatly...would have done it differently if I had it to do over again.
Like has been said, spend your first $1000 to $2000 bringing the maintenance current. Spend your next $1000 to $2000 on a moderate lift and tires. Depending on how fast you make disposable income, do some more maintenance. By then you will have figured out how you use it and what's most important. I'm getting the roof rack I've wanted for 10 years this weekend and I couldn't be happier. I also got the locked 80 I've wanted. Next for me is sliders. There are plenty of trails I haven't taken because I didn't have lockers or a winch, but there are plenty I have taken because I had an 80. Welcome and let it settle a bit before you go crazy. The insanity will come all on it's own in short time.
inkpot
SILVER Star
When you get the engine done, then go drive it. It will tell you what you want/need. If it sphinx a rear tire occasionally, then drop an Aussie Locker into the rear axle. If you rub the bumpers on the ground, get a lift and bigger tires. If you don't have any of these problems, then keep driving it. I don't know WHERE you go or HOW you drive, so it's kinda hard to build YOUR rig for you. They are pretty very capable in stock configuration, so go enjoy it. If you were going wheeling with me I would recommend 4+ inches of lift an at least 35 or 37 inch tires, with at least an Aussie in the rear.
Everyone builds a front bumper first but I wish I had spent my time/ money on a rear bumper instead. I'd be able to get the spare out from underneath (or inside) and have a safe place to mount a Hi-Lift. Not to mention a place to hang a Trasharoo full of firewood and racks for fuel or a cooler. Rear mounted camp lights. There's just more that can be done with a good rear bumper, especially if a winch isn't in the cards yet.
NLXTACY
Wits' End
I've had my LX for 19 years now. My lift went on three years ago. My larger tires went on five years ago. My first piece of armor, rear bumper went on eight years ago. I've got 350k miles on her and I managed to go everywhere I've ever wanted without all sorts of crazy stuff. Sure there were difficulties along the way but I learned a whole lot from each one.
X2 on purchasing a gas station @Hornd
X2 on purchasing a gas station @Hornd
Blasphemy!
Hey, congrats on your best purchase ever and welcome to Mud. My favorite mod is free and takes only a second or two in some instances. I recommend going out and installing a significant dent somewhere on the body that's highly visible. First, chicks dig body damage. Second, it's super fun and third, now you can look like one of the cool kids. Don't forget a bump'n stereo and plenty of cup holders but all things in due time. 
Road Apple
SILVER Star
Agree with throwing some cash toward maintainence. If you're wheeling in remote areas, a dual battery setup could save the day and allow you to power auxiliary systems later.
LED interior light kit, LED backup bulbs, center diff lock switch, YotaTeq antenna mounts to mount antenna, flag, or lights.
Have fun with the new rig
LED interior light kit, LED backup bulbs, center diff lock switch, YotaTeq antenna mounts to mount antenna, flag, or lights.
Have fun with the new rig
