it's my 80 that's Baja Bound..

[80BajaBound]

Next you start cutting ( I went through a metal jigsaw blade in the process) Follow your line and you will have no problems.

After I finished the cut I wanted to clean everything out to sound deaden.

I even insulated the top of the tailgate to ensure a nice tight fit.

 

[80BajaBound]

Place the lid in the newly cut hole and tighten down the nuts.

I ordered the locking handles.

the finishing touch - the WagonGear sticker!

 

[julstirn]

its awesome aint it, tailgates heavy now with all my junk in there!

 

[80BajaBound]

its awesome aint it, tailgates heavy now with all my junk in there!

It's heavy empty. The piece of sheet metal you cut out is nothing compared to the lid.
With all this added weight - its got me thinking I need heavy springs. I haven't put my drawers back in - they weigh at least 200#s

 

[94SRUNNER]

Mike...your 80 it taking shape very nicely.

I love the Wagon Gear tailgate solution!

 

[VCCruzr]

It's heavy empty. The piece of sheet metal you cut out is nothing compared to the lid.
With all this added weight - its got me thinking I need heavy springs. I haven't put my drawers back in - they weigh at least 200#s

Mike,
With all this added weight, heavies are a good idea, but I noticed in your muffler pictures you still have your OEM spare tire carrier mounted under there. You need to sh!tcan that thing as that whole assembly is a good 20lbs+.

After a couple of days, do you still think the 50 series is too loud. At first mine seemed loud compared to stock, but then after a few drives it seemed fine.

Your build continues to amaze me, when's it gonna stop

Derrick

 

[80BajaBound]

Thanks Pete - I'm lovin the tailgate as well.

Mike...your 80 it taking shape very nicely.

I love the Wagon Gear tailgate solution!

I will say the tone is growning on me, bit is really loud when I get on it. I had to learn how to keep it quiet- probably helps save me some gas mileage.

Mike,
With all this added weight, heavies are a good idea, but I noticed in your muffler pictures you still have your OEM spare tire carrier mounted under there. You need to sh!tcan that thing as that whole assembly is a good 20lbs+.

After a couple of days, do you still think the 50 series is too loud. At first mine seemed loud compared to stock, but then after a few drives it seemed fine.

Your build continues to amaze me, when's it gonna stop

Derrick

 

[80BajaBound]

Just a quick update...

A few additions to add to the build thread. I didn't realize how far behind I was in updating this thing...
1st - I added a set of 5 315 Toyo Open Country MTs to the mix and put the 345's in the garage for off road use only. I love the Toyos. The day I got them I drove up to Mammoth mountain (just shy 1k miles round trip) w 3 other friends and tons of gear. They handled perfectly and I got 300 miles out of one tank!
2nd- I had to improve my backup vision as my windows are tinted, I ordered the LED's from the reverse light thread. What a difference they make and was an easy mod.
3rd - I ordered my BajaRack at the beginning of the month and it came in at the end. With the help of John (co owner?) we installed it at their shop. I'm very pleased with it so far as it makes no noise.
4th - I had a glasspack put on to take the droan out of the exhaust at 3k rpm.
5th I had a remote start / alarm put on as my rs3000 bit the dust...
6th I installed a snorkel - good thing I have long skinny arms! Funny thing this morning - the last thread I read before I headed out was about snorkels and other purposes other than for river crossings. On the way out to a friends house it was 75*F and I ran temps per my scan gauge in the 195-205*F. My truck always runs hot so I wasn't concerned at all. Funny thing on the way home... I never topped 193*.

and now some cruiser porn....

 

[80BajaBound]

a few more pics....

 

[VCCruzr]

Mike,
I am diggin' te new rack. I love the low profile.

 

[sdnative]

Looking great!

 

[car-car]

Mike, you are getting after it, looks awesome! How did the snorkel install go?

 

[Expolander]

Rear bumper

I'm liking the mods! I'm adding ARB lockers f/r, regearing to 4.88's, rubberizing the interior, adding 37's, front Metal Tech spring spacers, and a rear bumper. Albeit, if by any chance I can get hooked up with Sean on getting me one of those rear bumpers made for my 80?

https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/404280-just-built-rear-bumper-swing-out-tire-carrier.html

PM me back if you would.
Thanks.

 

[80BajaBound]

Mike,
I am diggin' te new rack. I love the low profile.

Thanks Derrick! I think they make a great rack and they are a local company... winning!

Looking great!

Thanks Eric! Did you get your bumper coated and installed?

Mike, you are getting after it, looks awesome! How did the snorkel install go?

Adam... thanks... I've got some big plans in the works!
The snorkel install was pretty easy. The hardest part was cutting a giant whole in the fender. The 2nd hardest part was getting the nuts on the 2 hard to reach bolts. 3rd hardest was dealing with a supercharger and dual battery set up eating up all the free space to work in. I saved that template, give me a call when you want to pick it up.

 

[80BajaBound]

I'm liking the mods! I'm adding ARB lockers f/r, regearing to 4.88's, rubberizing the interior, adding 37's, front Metal Tech spring spacers, and a rear bumper. Albeit, if by any chance I can get hooked up with Sean on getting me one of those rear bumpers made for my 80?

https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/404280-just-built-rear-bumper-swing-out-tire-carrier.html

PM me back if you would.
Thanks.

Pm'd ya. Looks like you are heading in the same direction as I.

 

[landcruising]

Looking good

Really like the rack without high sides. I also always wondered why spend $ on a snorkel, especially living in San Diego. Not too many rivers to cross. I had not heard about temp advantages but have about dust. Makes sense with the exhaust near the intake. I would think insulating the intake tube would also be an advantage especially after seeing the effects of heat on the plastic tube. As far as dust the factory toyota filter and box does a good job of separating the dust out into the tuna can and the cleaner is serviceable.

 

[80BajaBound]

How would you go about doing that?

I would think insulating the intake tube would also be an advantage especially after seeing the effects of heat on the plastic tube. As far as dust the factory toyota filter and box does a good job of separating the dust out into the tuna can and the cleaner is serviceable.

 

[Korasher]

a few more pics....

This may be a dumb question, but what manufacturer of snorkels did you go with? I can't tell the branding in the pictures and it doesn't look like the ARB Safari snorkel, much less angular.

Thanks

 

[80BajaBound]

It is the safari snorkel. I purchased it from Slee offroad.

 

[Korasher]

It is the safari snorkel. I purchased it from Slee offroad.

Thanks Mike. I guess ARB and Slee don't update the pictures from the old style. Saw one like yours from Cruiserheads of same style right before I saw your response. Thanks again.

Was the snorkel install sweat inducing? The thought of cutting my own sheet metal is slightly terrifying to me (even with the template) as you can't erase that sort of mistake...