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that sounds like an awesome trip!
Midlife Crisis Expedition Cruiser - The Re-birth of My 97 FZJ80
- Thread starter jarrell2020
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that sounds like an awesome trip!
- Thread starter
- #22
Once we get this thing built our plan is to eventually make a cross-continent journey - will probably start with some trips here in the US (locally her in NM, then Anza borrego, then maybe death valley or Utah). At some point the truck will also need a new tranny, might replace it proactively in the next year or so. Would like to make a trip to Alaska and the arctic circle if the kids are up to it and the vehicle is running well. Argentina would be the ultimate goal...time and money permitting! Of course this would require getting even more fun gear!!
Bernard, sounds like I have similar plan as yours! I am in the process of building up my 100 series and am eventually going to head down to South America. Put up a trip report here in the forum so that we can track with you!
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- #24
Got the LC back this week. It runs great and feels new. Break-in period for the engine will be about 500-1,000 miles.
The supercharger was the best decision I made. I can put it this way - with the SC on this engine, you may not notice how fast it goes, but you will not longer notice how SLOW it goes. This is now an "appropriately" powered vehicle. Feels great right off the line and should do fine with larger tires and heavy equipment installed. Gas mileage is a little lower than before but that should improve with the break-in.
Will post more pictures soon. The exterior of the vehicle still looks the same. My next step, after I save a little more $$, will be the lift, tires, and paint...maybe the bumpers, too. Will be putting the Slee rear bumper (which are back-ordered for a few months anyway) and ARB front.
Hey, I ALREADY feel a few years younger...and that is the whole point of this...
The supercharger was the best decision I made. I can put it this way - with the SC on this engine, you may not notice how fast it goes, but you will not longer notice how SLOW it goes. This is now an "appropriately" powered vehicle. Feels great right off the line and should do fine with larger tires and heavy equipment installed. Gas mileage is a little lower than before but that should improve with the break-in.
Will post more pictures soon. The exterior of the vehicle still looks the same. My next step, after I save a little more $$, will be the lift, tires, and paint...maybe the bumpers, too. Will be putting the Slee rear bumper (which are back-ordered for a few months anyway) and ARB front.
Hey, I ALREADY feel a few years younger...and that is the whole point of this...
NorCalBorn
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it's a shame to hear about a 4.5 giving out at such a young age...
it's a shame to hear about a 4.5 giving out at such a young age...
Man, this really makes me want to gear up and GTFO of town! I will have to live vicariously through some of you though. I would love to drive down to South America.
Just save up and do it! Looks like you already have a built rig...that is almost half of the funds right there. Save up another 10-20k and you are set for anywhere from 6 months to a year, depending on how you spend.
Right now I am in the middle of the upgrades on my 100...sliders, skids, lockers, drawer system...all early next year. Money is all saved up for the rig upgrade costs, and I have about 5k towards the trip itself. Another couple years of saving and then I can go.
One of the best pieces of advice I got was to turn the trip from a dream into a goal. Dreams are nice and stuff, but once it becomes a goal and a person can be disciplined towards that goal, it will come in a matter of time.
Right now I am in the middle of the upgrades on my 100...sliders, skids, lockers, drawer system...all early next year. Money is all saved up for the rig upgrade costs, and I have about 5k towards the trip itself. Another couple years of saving and then I can go.
One of the best pieces of advice I got was to turn the trip from a dream into a goal. Dreams are nice and stuff, but once it becomes a goal and a person can be disciplined towards that goal, it will come in a matter of time.
My 80 is only mildly built. It's more of the wife/kids/house/job/etc. thing that puts the binders on the whole idea. Regretfully the 80 may be going away to fund a 4runner purchase for the wife so we can slim down our fleet and kill a car payment.
Yeah, I hear you on the circumstances. I am unmarried and working my tail off at two jobs to make this happen. Got a house payment too, which is a pain.
The more I get into the logistics of this trip, the more I realize how successful a close to stock 80 or 100 could do it. All you really need is some protection (skids), good tires, and maybe a winch. And of course have it baselined and with no mechanical or electrical issues. With that setup, a person might be limited in some places they could go (especially the jungle), but would be able to get to most of the sights in CA and SA.
Sometimes I feel like forgoing all the mods on the rig and using it for travel money. But then I remember that I want to go for a couple years or more, so reliability and protection are even that much more of a priority. Plus I have to live out of it.
The more I get into the logistics of this trip, the more I realize how successful a close to stock 80 or 100 could do it. All you really need is some protection (skids), good tires, and maybe a winch. And of course have it baselined and with no mechanical or electrical issues. With that setup, a person might be limited in some places they could go (especially the jungle), but would be able to get to most of the sights in CA and SA.
Sometimes I feel like forgoing all the mods on the rig and using it for travel money. But then I remember that I want to go for a couple years or more, so reliability and protection are even that much more of a priority. Plus I have to live out of it.
It's not a Toyota long block. Toyota does not offer a new OEM 1FZ. Only a short block and bare head and then would have to be built.
The one in this rig is a 1FZ remanufactured from an aftermarket company. I do not know who or what the warranty is.
The one in this rig is a 1FZ remanufactured from an aftermarket company. I do not know who or what the warranty is.
Very Cool Project!!!
Congrats Jarrell on turning 40 and owning a nice 40th. I have the same exact vehicle with the same color so let's meet up and I'll brain wash you appropriately. Our '97 has helped us create lots of great memories in the past.
.My two vehicles are built for different purposes so you may pick up some more ideas. Pop on over on the High Desert Cruiser section of the forum and say hello if you haven't done so already. New Years day play in the snow run today.
.My two vehicles are built for different purposes so you may pick up some more ideas. Pop on over on the High Desert Cruiser section of the forum and say hello if you haven't done so already. New Years day play in the snow run today.
- Thread starter
- #38
Thanks! Lots of great resources on the HDC forum, appreciate it. Would love to get together with you all sometime as this thing comes together. Will keep posting as I add the gear...
Monthly meeting this weekend, stop by if you can.
Food for thought for those with out the resources. Sometimes stock = less = more.
Sweet rig --- You will enjoy it for a long time to come.