Builds Just another 79 build..... (3 Viewers)

[c2dfj45]

Maybe I should update this thread while it's been brought back up....

Truck has been great....kind of bummed that I didn't get to use it more....and kind of bummed that the topper is on it. I miss having the utility of the pickup bed.

Starting where we left off....we did a trip over to Sebring for the 12 hour way back in March. Super fun. Truck drew in the crowds...and what's cool is that people knew what it was. Car people get it and there are some die-hard car people at Sebring.

 

[c2dfj45]

Some where over the summer I installed a Quick Pitch shower/changing room deal...pretty nice piece of kit. Really cool because I can access the inside of the canopy thru the zip out they provide.

Swapped out one Sony for another one. This one is much nicer. AX5000 I believe. No volume knob but I'm getting used to the buttons.....old ways are tough to change.

Added a really simple solar setup too....one panel on the already existing roof rails of tents top. It feeds into the C-tek where all the magic happens.

 

[c2dfj45]

Apparently the pot of gold is under the rainbow.

 

[c2dfj45]

Broke the truck out for the 70 series annual event at Windrock in TN in Sept......2nd trip up there for the truck....first time with who knows how many pounds on the back of her. Lots.

 

[c2dfj45]

Uneventful trip up to TN...this truck really is very good at covering long distances. Stable, smooth....seems to like 68mph or so. Some kind of harmonic around 70-72. 75 isn't bad. Fuel mileage is miserable at 10-ish....stopping every 250 miles to be on the safe side.

Windrock was really quiet the weekend we were there...plenty of good spots to choose from. I think the first night a skunk sprayed the truck. Lol. I woke up to a horrible smell. The whole area smelled awful in the AM. I must have left some food out or something.

The skunk spot, night 1

I had a small battery powered fan for the tent which was the best possible thing I could have brought....it was HOT....high 90s I think and not very cool at night.

Big turnout this year which was great....always fun to meet new people and see familiar faces and of course to see all the cool trucks.

Can't remember what day this was....fun stuff. Hood was up because for the first time the truck started running really hot. Low speeds, SUPER hot temps and a cooling system that isn't super happy in those conditions.

@jmlockwood in some of the only water I remember seeing.

 

[c2dfj45]

No skunk on night 2. Way better spot too....had to park on a stump to sit level.

This kitchen setup makes it WAY too easy.

There are some good places to walk around and check out at Windrock....this was our daily walk area. Dog is not impressed.

 

[c2dfj45]

I can't remember which day this was....probably Saturday....really cool spot on the overlook above Windrock. So dusty this year. Insane amount of dust.

Some damn good looking rigs.

 

[c2dfj45]

After the overlook a group of us went a really cool abandoned tunnel. I thought that was the highlight of the trip for some reason....

 

[c2dfj45]

And that was that.....packed up and headed out early Sunday AM to get home.

 

[coldtaco]

is the radiator you are using the same size or smaller than what is found in the 80?

 

[c2dfj45]

is the radiator you are using the same size or smaller than what is found in the 80?

I am using the 79 radiator....not sure how that relates to the the 80 series but since the 1FZ was in this chassis, I would expect the size to be ok. Seems the 70 series radiator is quite deep compared to the wider radiator of the 80.

 

[coldtaco]

hmmm, wonder if a HD-J78/70 rad would fit? I have a custom built rad that I had lengthened 2" at the bottom.

 

[c2dfj45]

hmmm, wonder if a HD-J78/70 rad would fit? I have a custom built rad that I had lengthened 2" at the bottom.

Physically it would fit and I'm sure it would work.

Does that hang out below the frame rails or is it even with them?

 

[coldtaco]

on mine it does not drop below the frame rail but it does drop a little bit below the front cross member.

 

[c2dfj45]

on mine it does not drop below the frame rail but it does drop a little bit below the front cross member.

Gotcha. We run the 80 series front cross member which is really deep...radiator is tucked behind that. As I recall, the bottom tank just hangs below that cross member. We didn't have access to a 70 series when we built this truck...now of course we do so we made some changes on #2. Learned a little(a lot).

 

[Gun Runner 5]

After the overlook....a group of us went a really cool abandoned tunnel....I thought that was the highlight of the trip for some reason....

View attachment 2164390View attachment 2164392View attachment 2164391

That tunnel was kinda cool.

 

[c2dfj45]

That tunnel was kinda cool.

I would go see that tunnel every time I go there I think. Super cool. That whole area was neat....I bet there were some good trails around that tunnel area.

The snow cones at the town get-together was really cool too. Great end to the day.

 

[Gun Runner 5]

I would go see that tunnel every time I go there I think. Super cool. That whole area was neat....I bet there were some good trails around that tunnel area.

The snow cones at the town get-together was really cool too. Great end to the day.

There are probably a number of interesting things in that area that we have yet to discover. As for the snow cones, having our group pull in there, was no doubt their largest sell of the day.

 

[FouadHafeez]

Nope...no 4 door builds on here yet for me but who knows what's in store

Glad you enjoyed the build.....haven't kept up with this one for a while. Been playing with other things.

Good luck, mate. I've just started a four door conversion of a 2003 FZJ-79. Was hoping against hope to find some pictures/ideas. Seems like we're going to have to wing it, without a guide map, or parachute!

 

[c2dfj45]

It's time to revive this thread.....some changes are happening with the camper truck and documenting them might be good.

Covered some pretty cool events with the truck after the 70 Series Annual Event in TN last Sept....went up to NC for the 2019 Overland Expo....took off from there and ran around in VA for a little bit. A lot of our 2020 plans were changed obviously with Covid.....no Sebring this year which really isn't what the truck is built for but it's fun to go to and hang around a lot of cool car people. Hopefully November for Sebring.

Got to spend some time in GA and TN earlier this summer....an absolutely great trip to some gorgeous areas. We ran around Telico and those forests. Can't remember most of the places....I was following and enjoying not having to make any decisions. No phone, no decisions, beautiful weather and my dog. Pretty much perfect.

We ran some shakedown runs in Ocala prior to leaving for TN.....this truck has been plagued with running warm-ish....too warm for my liking. We came up with an electric fan setup that was looking really good with temps but had never been run off road...so we took it out on a hot day and gave it some runs.

This road was really cool....when we came upon it, it was like a huge white path in the middle of the woods. So white that it hurt your eyes to look at it. Very very dry when we were there.

I love this truck.