I purchased my first LC FJ80 about three years ago. I'd been searching Maine Craigslist for about a year for a clean (no rust) 80. I wasn't planning on traveling out of state or having one delivered so I was trying to be patient. Apparently I'm not very patient, I finally found one that the seller had shipped from California about a year prior. It was clean! No rust with the original factory paint still on the frame. However, it was an early model 80 , '91 FJ, unlocked with the much maligned 3FE. Not to mention the interior was completely destroyed from the California UV rays.....yeah it is also the un-tinted version! Sooo it was a mess and I paid more than I should have but the amount of time and blood I would have expended on a rusted out vehicle made it all worth it.
This image pretty much sums up the original interior:
'94 Interior swap:
I bought a '94 FZJ80 about a year after that. This thing was completely rusted out but the interior was pristine! So began the interior swap. And while the interior is out I may as well, do a layer of KnoKnoise, insulation and mass loaded vinyl. I crammed butyl rope into all of the nooks and crannies. Windows got all new OEM gaskets in the front, quarter, and rear glass. Steering shaft seals, shifter seals and many, many other worn out parts were replaced. So with 100% of the interior switched and with the sound deadening efforts my '91 had more of modern feel to it.
Around that same time a local guy had a 50k mile 5.3 liter L33. The all aluminum vortec with the upgraded internals. L33's came with the 5300HO optioned truck from 2005-2007. He also had a brand new Mark's adapter, Transmission, T-case, pedal and a few other odds and ends. I secured that package and I've been sitting on it for 22 months now. In that time, and since I purchased my 80, I've met quite a few local Cruiser enthusiast's and have made some great acquaintances. One being, @Notch , the chief creator and metallurgist behind Back Bay Customs in Portland, Maine.
Back Bay Customs Tailgate Lid
I actually came to like the 3FE after many hours and monies spent on OEM engine parts and a complete EGR/Smog delete. It still leaked oil and it was powerless on the road...terrible on gas. I get the purest view but if I am going to make this a daily driver and overland machine, I needed more power, better fuel economy, and confidence to be able to take it long distances. The smiles per gallon would be high! It was time for the crew at Back Bay Customs (BBC) to work their magic, to create a thoughtfully built, LS powered, daily driver and adventure vehicle.
So, welcome to my build thread. I decided to add to the V8 swap threads for future reference, to document my 80's transition and for the Ih8mud community. Of course the purist might object .... I'll try to get plenty of pics of BBC's fab work and hopefully some cool video too!
This image pretty much sums up the original interior:
'94 Interior swap:
I bought a '94 FZJ80 about a year after that. This thing was completely rusted out but the interior was pristine! So began the interior swap. And while the interior is out I may as well, do a layer of KnoKnoise, insulation and mass loaded vinyl. I crammed butyl rope into all of the nooks and crannies. Windows got all new OEM gaskets in the front, quarter, and rear glass. Steering shaft seals, shifter seals and many, many other worn out parts were replaced. So with 100% of the interior switched and with the sound deadening efforts my '91 had more of modern feel to it.
Around that same time a local guy had a 50k mile 5.3 liter L33. The all aluminum vortec with the upgraded internals. L33's came with the 5300HO optioned truck from 2005-2007. He also had a brand new Mark's adapter, Transmission, T-case, pedal and a few other odds and ends. I secured that package and I've been sitting on it for 22 months now. In that time, and since I purchased my 80, I've met quite a few local Cruiser enthusiast's and have made some great acquaintances. One being, @Notch , the chief creator and metallurgist behind Back Bay Customs in Portland, Maine.
Back Bay Customs Tailgate Lid
I actually came to like the 3FE after many hours and monies spent on OEM engine parts and a complete EGR/Smog delete. It still leaked oil and it was powerless on the road...terrible on gas. I get the purest view but if I am going to make this a daily driver and overland machine, I needed more power, better fuel economy, and confidence to be able to take it long distances. The smiles per gallon would be high! It was time for the crew at Back Bay Customs (BBC) to work their magic, to create a thoughtfully built, LS powered, daily driver and adventure vehicle.
So, welcome to my build thread. I decided to add to the V8 swap threads for future reference, to document my 80's transition and for the Ih8mud community. Of course the purist might object .... I'll try to get plenty of pics of BBC's fab work and hopefully some cool video too!
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