Builds Introducing FZJ 80 "Dingo" (2 Viewers)

[shermantank55]

Skinny Tires

NGUDE- Thanks for the comments.
I have now put approx 3000 road miles on the KM2s. I only had the stock size tires on for a short period before them and they were crappy General Ameritrac that were hard and rough riding. So not sure how to compare.
I run the KM2s at about 40 psi and they handle well. I have towed our tent trailer for approx 800 of the miles with no issues. I have driven in the rain with good traction and had to hard brake a couple times with no problems. As they are taller and I have OME suspension, I noticed more lean in the turns, but have since replaced my worn out shocks and there are no more issues. I do have a bit less power with the larger diameter, but not racing anywhere soon.

Cheers,
Greg

 

[Fireguy]

I used the semi-smooth 3/8" rollers from home depot (3" wide). Plutonius advised only mixing a quart at a time which worked out well, since it starts to cure after 20 minutes or so. I applied two coats within a couple hours of each other. The tan is a stock Al's Liner color and they say you can tint for other colors. My biggest lesson learned is once it starts to get a little thick, abandon the batch and mix a new one. I have a few spots that are thicker than others because I kept going when I should have stopped. I also used the flattener material from Al's to keep the finish smoother and not as shiny.

I bought mine from 4 wheel parts, but Al's also has an ebay store and Hefty Fabworks sells it too.

Would you recommend using the roller brush or the spray gun? Getting ready to do the same project on my 80, basically copying yours

 

[mickeyt]

I am going to do the same thing as well. Recently got the 4 gallons of tan, 2 quarts flattener, spray gun. any advice is appreciated. i am having a shop do it as i have no garage.

 

[shermantank55]

Al's

Would you recommend using the roller brush or the spray gun? Getting ready to do the same project on my 80, basically copying yours

I am going to do the same thing as well. Recently got the 4 gallons of tan, 2 quarts flattener, spray gun. any advice is appreciated. i am having a shop do it as i have no garage.

I used the rollers because I thought it provided a flatter, less textured finish. Others have used the spray gun with good results. If I was going to do it again, I would still use the rollers, but be more careful to change batches when the material started kicking off. (This resulted in some thick spots in the finish.) Since I rolled the finish, I did the work in my garage with only a drop cloth. I also used the flattener which took the gloss out of the finish, which is what I wanted as well.

Also, I wore a full face mask with vapor filters. Still got a headache, but only after several hours. Keep the doors and windows open in your shop!

Good luck.
Greg

 

[Fireguy]

I used the rollers because I thought it provided a flatter, less textured finish. Others have used the spray gun with good results. If I was going to do it again, I would still use the rollers, but be more careful to change batches when the material started kicking off. (This resulted in some thick spots in the finish.) Since I rolled the finish, I did the work in my garage with only a drop cloth. I also used the flattener which took the gloss out of the finish, which is what I wanted as well.

Also, I wore a full face mask with vapor filters. Still got a headache, but only after several hours. Keep the doors and windows open in your shop!

Good luck.
Greg

How much of the flattener did you use??

 

[shermantank55]

How much of the flattener did you use??

If I recall correctly, I used approximately two cups of flattener per gallon of Al's. It is supposed to make the finish more matte and harder. It definitely took the gloss away. Not sure about hardness because I have nothing to compare it to.
web: Al's Liner | DIY Bed Liners | Truck Bed Coating | Additives

 

[vance520]

As most everyone has allready said...... AWESOME BUILD!!!

And thanks for your service!!


Cheers,
Vance

 

[shermantank55]

Dingo Update

Got to go to Hollister over Christmas holiday with Alex. Thought I'd share a couple pix.

After having some overheating issues you can note I have lowered the license plate (removeable for winching) and flattened the winch control box mount, to allow more airflow.
I have also replaced my fan clutch which had leaked out and had no resistance.

Cheers,
Greg

 

[shermantank55]

Dingo Dual Battery

For Christmas we got an Edgestar 63 qt. refrigerator, so what is a good 80 owner supposed to do? Install a second battery of course. Just finished moving all the auxiliary electrics to the new battery. We copied some great tips we found here on mud:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/442538-budget-dual-battery-system.html
https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/104630-faq-addition-dual-battery-set-ups.html

Total material cost was about $160.

I got a couple circuit breakers for free so we are using them as junction for all accessories (except the winch which is directly to battery).
A few pix:

 

[shermantank55]

Water Can Holder

Trying to keep the center of gravity lower, so I built a small rack for the cargo area to hold 2 water cans and move them off the roof. I secured it to the 3rd row seat and seat belt mounting holes and onto the top of the drawer box.

I will use cargo straps to secure the full cans, just used the bungee to hold the empties in temporarily...

Cheers.

 

[C5Drvr]

Looking nice. Like the paint.

How much space is there between your ARB rack and the roof of the truck? I am getting an 80 and have a rack from my FJC, but I am not sure if I will have to remove the OEM rack before putting on the touring rack. A picture would be great.

 

[shermantank55]

ARB Touring rack

I have approx 1 1/2 " between cross rails and roof and 1 1/4" from bracket to roof where factory rack sits.
The brackets are adjustable for height and look like you could raise at least an inch or 1 1/2" higher.

 

[shermantank55]

Lighting project ideas

I ordered some Hella Module 70 halogen work lamps after seeing them at the 4wheel parts show. I wanted some good light for a backup light and utility lighting and LEDs are still too expensive for me. These were $30 each.
Hella Part 996176491 - 70mm Halogen Work Lamp
I mounted the backup lamp underneath the can carrier on the ARB rear bumper (despite pic, it is protected by edge of carrier). For a utility light I used a painter's pole and replaced the fiberglass outer pole with steel, epoxied the lock mechanism to the new pole and fabbed a bracket to attach to rear of spare tire carrier. I cut the roller threads off and threaded the light bracket onto the top. Switch is inside the cargo area.
I remembered something similar on Mud but could not relocate the photos, so thanks to whoever originally came up with this idea.
Cheers,
Greg

 

[shermantank55]

Couple more pix of utility light

Thanks for all the inspiration here on Mud.
Greg

 

[C5Drvr]

I have approx 1 1/2 " between cross rails and roof and 1 1/4" from bracket to roof where factory rack sits.
The brackets are adjustable for height and look like you could raise at least an inch or 1 1/2" higher.

Thanks for the pics!!

 

[Schwaz80]

Thanks for all the inspiration here on Mud.
Greg

That turned out nicely.

 

[mickeyt]

Wow, he strikes again. That looks great and deserves a separate write up under lighting choices for a reasonable price!

 

[DBWood]

I wish I had half Greg's skill and ambition!!!

Another very useful mod.

Doug

 

[rain76king]

Nice work Greg.

 

[jdeitch]

Subscribed! AWESOME build. I plan on doing something very similar to my 1994 Land Cruiser project. I'm Army/Federal Technician and I work with Army equip. all/every day. I've got plans...