Just bought a 1994 triple locked 80 series

[mearsjudah]

Hey, just bought an 80 series and kind of overwhelmed with the stuff I need to get done.
I have a trip coming up like mid June and really want this thing ready to take.
I have already done an oil change and checked all the fluids, I have a new battery in it (all the basics)
I want to lift it and put new tires on it at least
When it comes to the lift what all do I need? Is it just coils and shocks or do i need to drop some stuff and extend brake lines etc...
For the tires I'm curious what size I can fit without regearing and also where everyone stores the spare once you go over 33'

Last thing: What's the best way to navigate the forum, I'm sure all the questions I'm asking are out there but I'm having a hard time finding the right answers.
Stoked to be an 80 series owner and looking forward to learning more (I know next to nothing for now)

 

[ppc]

@mearsjudah
I suggest you read the FAQ as it has a wealth of information, should provide info related to your questions.

FAQ Thread '80-series FAQ for General Info, Modification and Repairs'

Mar 20, 2006

The Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for the 80/LX450 series tech section continues to be a work in progress. The goal is to have links in the below to other threads and tech articles. By having these linked, instead of pasting the text, the threads will remain live. The live threads can continue to be updated and/or modified for things such as part numbers, adding on additional insight or after a period of time, some follow up information.
These FAQs have been put together by FORUM members. They have put extensive...

• Romer
• Replies: 11
• Forum: 80-Series Tech

• 
• 

The important topic you need to cover is the "baselining" and a ton of other things.

The other must have is the FSM downloaded from Resources link at the top of this page.

80-series

FJ80, FZJ80 and related models

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[jonheld]

You just purchased a 32 year old vehicle.
Lift kits and tires should be the LAST things on your list.

 

[jpoole]

You can use google to search this (and any other) website:

search template:

[search query] site:forum.ih8mud.com

example (you put the following directly into google):

80 trip baseline site:forum.ih8mud.com

or:

80 lift requirements site:forum.ih8mud.com

You can use quotes around words or phrases to find exact matches for or to require them in results.

I recommend starting a thoughtfully organized notes file or spreadsheet because you are embarking on a broad array of work here. You have tasks to plan and organize along with parts to source and order. You'll want a high level list of tasks and you'll also need a list of parts to buy for each task with exact part numbers and likely prices/sources for each (order in batches to save on shipping and simplify things). I typically spend as much time planning and sourcing parts for tasks on my 80 as I do implementing the work on the 80. It's more efficient to do the planning work in advance so that you have all parts on hand and are executing the work in a smart sequence rather than jumping in and hitting no-parts snags or having to repeat work because you did work out of order.

There's a ton of information on the topics you are interested in so start collecting what's relevant to you (and save the thread links) from day one of your searches so that you don't have to go back and find that post with the great photos and parts lists...

Have fun

 

[67cruiser]

Hey, just bought an 80 series and kind of overwhelmed with the stuff I need to get done.
I have a trip coming up like mid June and really want this thing ready to take.
I have already done an oil change and checked all the fluids, I have a new battery in it (all the basics)
I want to lift it and put new tires on it at least
When it comes to the lift what all do I need? Is it just coils and shocks or do i need to drop some stuff and extend brake lines etc...
For the tires I'm curious what size I can fit without regearing and also where everyone stores the spare once you go over 33'

Last thing: What's the best way to navigate the forum, I'm sure all the questions I'm asking are out there but I'm having a hard time finding the right answers.
Stoked to be an 80 series owner and looking forward to learning more (I know next to nothing for now)

I've found that for most of my off-roading that pizza cutter 33" tires serve me well - I'm not doing crazy stuff, but decent stuff. I have a Ironman 2 inch moderate lift. Working on putting in a Dakota SG100BT in to recalibrate my speedo to be correct with the tire change but it isn't required - no need to change the diff gearing, no need to change brake lines etc. Even though the tire will fit under, I added a rear tire swing out and put the tire there instead.

Do all your PM - the gentleman above is right in that you have an old truck..... Cross your T's and dot your I's before getting too fancy. It sucks to look good and be able to go places but then break down in the middle of a trip and getting hauled out because the PM isn't up to par (just my opinion and it happened to me - Pesky heater hose fail).

Welcome to the fam!

 

[mearsjudah]

You just purchased a 32 year old vehicle.
Lift kits and tires should be the LAST things on your list.

I need to replace suspension anyways and tires are 9 years old. Figured I might as well do the upgrades instead of buying the parts and wanting to upgrade in a year or whatever. No other upgrades are happening until its baselined.

 

[mearsjudah]

You can use google to search this (and any other) website:

search template:

[search query] site:forum.ih8mud.com

example (you put the following directly into google):

80 trip baseline site:forum.ih8mud.com

or:

80 lift requirements site:forum.ih8mud.com

You can use quotes around words or phrases to find exact matches for or to require them in results.

I recommend starting a thoughtfully organized notes file or spreadsheet because you are embarking on a broad array of work here. You have tasks to plan and organize along with parts to source and order. You'll want a high level list of tasks and you'll also need a list of parts to buy for each task with exact part numbers and likely prices/sources for each (order in batches to save on shipping and simplify things). I typically spend as much time planning and sourcing parts for tasks on my 80 as I do implementing the work on the 80. It's more efficient to do the planning work in advance so that you have all parts on hand and are executing the work in a smart sequence rather than jumping in and hitting no-parts snags or having to repeat work because you did work out of order.

There's a ton of information on the topics you are interested in so start collecting what's relevant to you (and save the thread links) from day one of your searches so that you don't have to go back and find that post with the great photos and parts lists...

Have f

You can use google to search this (and any other) website:

search template:

[search query] site:forum.ih8mud.com

example (you put the following directly into google):

80 trip baseline site:forum.ih8mud.com

or:

80 lift requirements site:forum.ih8mud.com

You can use quotes around words or phrases to find exact matches for or to require them in results.

I recommend starting a thoughtfully organized notes file or spreadsheet because you are embarking on a broad array of work here. You have tasks to plan and organize along with parts to source and order. You'll want a high level list of tasks and you'll also need a list of parts to buy for each task with exact part numbers and likely prices/sources for each (order in batches to save on shipping and simplify things). I typically spend as much time planning and sourcing parts for tasks on my 80 as I do implementing the work on the 80. It's more efficient to do the planning work in advance so that you have all parts on hand and are executing the work in a smart sequence rather than jumping in and hitting no-parts snags or having to repeat work because you did work out of order.

There's a ton of information on the topics you are interested in so start collecting what's relevant to you (and save the thread links) from day one of your searches so that you don't have to go back and find that post with the great photos and parts lists...

Have fun

Thank you this was super helpful for finding stuff. Started my list with multiple phases.

 

[mearsjudah]

I've found that for most of my off-roading that pizza cutter 33" tires serve me well - I'm not doing crazy stuff, but decent stuff. I have a Ironman 2 inch moderate lift. Working on putting in a Dakota SG100BT in to recalibrate my speedo to be correct with the tire change but it isn't required - no need to change the diff gearing, no need to change brake lines etc. Even though the tire will fit under, I added a rear tire swing out and put the tire there instead.

Do all your PM - the gentleman above is right in that you have an old truck..... Cross your T's and dot your I's before getting too fancy. It sucks to look good and be able to go places but then break down in the middle of a trip and getting hauled out because the PM isn't up to par (just my opinion and it happened to me - Pesky heater hose fail).

Welcome to the fam!

I like the 33s but grew u with an 80 series on 35s and it looks so good. I think I will keep the spare in the back (strapped down) but my only concern is regearing.

Would you go ion and replace all the hoses?

 

[67cruiser]

I'm not really a mechanic, but I would replace if they were hard and not pliable.

 

[Rifleman]

Just my 2 cent's, but I'd do a thorough Baseline on the truck FIRST, before spending any money on mods.

 

[Old Nick]

I like the 33s but grew u with an 80 series on 35s and it looks so good. I think I will keep the spare in the back (strapped down) but my only concern is regearing.

Would you go ion and replace all the hoses?

I'll second the advice to baseline your 80 first. Doing that is the best way to get to know your truck. And, it's a blast.

Then, when you do your lift, be careful with how high you plan to lift it. Anything over 2.5" (and certainly over 3"), and you'll need to upgrade a LOT of other components to make your truck drive-able (meaning that it will wander all over the road - and your driveline will vibrate - if those components aren't changed out or modified).

As others suggested above, do the Mud search for problems that develop after a lift and you'll get a LOT of hits... lol.

When I put new coils (OME heavies) on my wife's rig, the lift was supposed to be, max, 2.5". It ended up lifting the truck over 3". Man oh man did it take a lot of time and money to get the truck to feel safe at highway speeds.

 

[fjbj40]

You bought a 32 year old truck.
1. Safety
2. Cooling system refresh
3. Driveline, inspect and repair as necessary
4. Now get a second job to pay for that plus the rest if your planning a big trip in 1.5 months!

 

[fjbj40]

This was my baseline process

Build Thread '1993 80, BUILD, another "it has begun" for fjbj40!'

Dec 31, 2019

Finally started the baseline process. Winter is here and all the ice and salt requires she not go outside! She has 285,000 miles on her and I bought her last March in Stockton Cali.

Yesterday I stripped down the front axle. I have the knuckle kit but it turns out both birds require replacement. The passenger side splines for the drive plate are pretty much toast, I am sure it would fail if I asked for hard action. The drivers side has quite a bit of wear where the balls ride so I might as well replace both. Also the short side axle has pretty good groves in it so that will be replaced...

• fjbj40
• Replies: 191
• Forum: 80-Series Tech

•