Jeep idiot here with a '97 FZJ80

[n00g7]

Finally have her home with the new drag link. Pitman end was bent to hell, used an air hammer to get it out. Alignment & paint calipers tomorrow. Install calipers Sunday. Oil pressure gauge and new corner marker to replace shattered one on the way... and then I'm set to go on some adventures to get to know her before doing body work!

 

[n00g7]

I have some WTFs for everyone.

1) This was wrapped around the prong of the dome fuse...

Terminated at this thing.

*Shrug* No idea.

2) A delicious find under the center console.

It gets better. Pile of drugs?

3) Exquisite footwell lighting.

One on the passenger side too... only thing forming the connection is bent wire and a healthy wrapping of electrical tape. Haven't pulled apart enough to figure out where the power lead is coming from. Notice the two different type of wire, excellent.

Center console after cleaning, was FILTHY.

New brake hardware, also moved to stainless hardware on one front side, the compression fitting stripped out on the other side (oh joy), nothing I could do, correct wrench and everything. Back to the shop to get that fixed -- and probably redo the other side as I forgot a washer (oops).

 

[n00g7]

More idiocy.

Hack job start button and footwell lighting pulled out...

 

[Heckraiser]

Wow, and I thought the PO's auxiliary lighting wiring I pulled out this week was bad.

I need that license plate.

 

[n00g7]

Wow, and I thought the PO's auxiliary lighting wiring I pulled out this week was bad.

I need that license plate.

80's plate.

 

[warezdog]

For a jeep idiot you're doing the 80 proud!

 

[n00g7]

For a jeep idiot you're doing the 80 proud!

It's going. Haven't been working on finishing my Wrangler to get the 80 100% again.

Shampoo'd and vacuumed the carpets, dash left apart to clean up wiring & remote start/keyless entry tomorrow.

Broke down and paid $20 to get the oil changed... place that did the last oil change had that fkr on there way too tight -- combined with the terrible access location wasn't worth my time and just did work emails in the lobby today.

OEM filter and 5W30 M1 synthetic, need to clean up the Engine and find leaks that should be addressed (if possible), the synthetic should help with finding them.

 

[wagonteeth]

Your 80 is gonna rust without grease and oil everywhere. I noticed mine is rust free in all the leaky spots.

 

[n00g7]

Your 80 is gonna rust without grease and oil everywhere. I noticed mine is rust free in all the leaky spots.

I nuke the underside with Amsoil MPHD.

 

[TexasDoug]

Nice work, and what an epic story so far. I'm almost positive I went and looked at this car when it was for sale in Austin. Did you buy it off an Army Blackhawk pilot? I ended up opting for a super cheap stock '97 300K+ miler instead, which I'm only just now getting around to sorting out.

 

[n00g7]

Nice work, and what an epic story so far. I'm almost positive I went and looked at this car when it was for sale in Austin. Did you buy it off an Army Blackhawk pilot? I ended up opting for a super cheap stock '97 300K+ miler instead, which I'm only just now getting around to sorting out.

That's the guy, my sister flies Blackhawks as well. He didn't fk up the truck though, but I did let him know I was surprised it didn't catch fire on him given that he's driven it like this for 5 years. There was a cherry LX with a redone interior that I tried to get first, but settled for this one... mainly for the bumpers (which I ended up needing instantly).

 

[n00g7]

Remote start/Keyless in with everything cleaned up.

315/75R16 Duratracs going on today.

Only thing left is getting the brake line on one side fixed and new calipers installed on the rear. Almost done!

Edit: Still need new oil pressure sender...

 

[n00g7]

Remote start/Keyless in with everything cleaned up.

315/75R16 Duratracs going on today.

Only thing left is getting the brake line on one side fixed and new calipers installed on the rear. Almost done!

Edit: Still need new oil pressure sender...

Before:

After:

 

[ExpoGeorgia]

I like what you've done to the 80 brotha! So this is with 2.5 OME? Could you give a basic review on how the truck handles/drives with the 315's compared to 285's (I know braking and acceleration will be slightly effected)?

 

[n00g7]

I like what you've done to the 80 brotha! So this is with 2.5 OME? Could you give a basic review on how the truck handles/drives with the 315's compared to 285's (I know braking and acceleration will be slightly effected)?

Pretty much the same.
Acceleration: It doesn't feel any slower, but then again it was never fast. It will get regeared at some point.
Braking: I have all new hardware (pads, rotors, calipers, lines, etc.) so take it with a grain of salt. I can lock it up on anything but really grippy pavement (the tires will squeal -- it's ALMOST to lockup). So that's not an issue.
Handling: Not much different, went from D's to E's. Still working on the right pressure to run them at though. I think I'm a bit under-inflated right now.

Looks a helluva lot better though, that's for sure.

 

[n00g7]

Well, it's raining... and my roof leaks.

I'm thinking this little piece is the culprit because the drains appear to be functioning fine, and I can't see any obvious signs of intrusion.
Passenger side.

Drivers

 

[n00g7]

Called local Toyota dealer, ordered:
Passenger side cable routing guide for sunroof. $12
Passenger side axle brake hardline w/ fittings (so I can finally get my SS line on that side). $5
6x spark plugs (now that I ran a couple tanks of premium with BG44K through her). $15
Fusible links. $18

Only $50... cheapest order yet! But... 7-10 business days on everything but the spark plugs.

Also going to pick up passenger Q panel and hood from CruiserYard when I get back from vacation.

 

[n00g7]

Any comments on the (best) cheapest oil pressure sender? Asked and it was, uh, not a palatable price from Toyota and there are a wayyy too many aftermarket options to make sense of.

 

[dubyahard]

Seriously considering Duratracs in the 285 flavor. I'm stock height with worn our BFG KO. No plans to lift.
How do you like the tires? Discount Tire has a sweet deal on them right now.
I'm comparing to KO2s & Open Country AT2.

 

[n00g7]

Seriously considering Duratracs in the 285 flavor. I'm stock height with worn our BFG KO. No plans to lift.
How do you like the tires? Discount Tire has a sweet deal on them right now.
I'm comparing to KO2s & Open Country AT2.

Duratracs are a great tire. I've had them on my XJ for a few winters in the 33x12.5x15 variety. If you get a good price on them, I say go for it, only thing to worry about is sidewall punctures (sharp rocks mainly, but I could see a sharp stump getting you at the right angle) but that can be mitigated somewhat with the E rated ones.