Builds My 1997 FZJ80 Build

[bowtiestang]

Spent this afternoon pulling off the twisted steering gear, should have time this weekend to install the new one

One of my guys at work threw this in the waste metal dumpster. I am thinking it could be the start of a drawer set up for the rear...only draw back is it is steel and is heavy!!! I can move it alone but not easily.. Needs lots of sanding and paint but we will see So what do you guys think?

 

[SoCal FZJ80]

Building the FZJ80

Nice start, and exceptional score on price! A great canvas to work with... If you want to get started on that lift- hit me up!
Extreme Landcruiser - Offroad and Custom Landcruiser Shop in Southern California

 

[bowtiestang]

Nice start, and exceptional score on price! A great canvas to work with... If you want to get started on that lift- hit me up!
Extreme Landcruiser - Offroad and Custom Landcruiser Shop in Southern California

Lift is coming SOON! Damn steering gear and paint and body is this pay check

 

[LittleRock80]

I like the start to your "drawer" system. I've thought many times about starting with part of a file cabinet or tool box drawer and building off it. Weight is a valid consideration though.

Good find on the truck. Keep the pics coming as you progress.

Jwp

 

[bowtiestang]

Got the new steering gear in this weekend...I can now make full turns left and right

 

[bowtiestang]

Started back on the body over the weekend so I can get it to paint...found a rust spot that I need to cut out and weld in some patch...sure wish I found a damn used fender that wasnt $200 just to ship Oh well out with the welder

 

[RockJock82]

Looking good!

 

[bowtiestang]

Took the Cruiser out on a little shake down run... We did a little over 80 miles on the dirt with no real issues. I learned that the under mounted spare tire drags on everything. I also drug the lower part of the brush guard on I few spots, so I guess that needs to come back off... Too bad since RockJock82 was kind enough to give it to me. We didnt take many pics, I am bad about that But here are a few.

While climbing this I got a flat a nail from the boards laying on the left side of the road I guess??

Lucky for me I had my plug kit and compressor

I also picked up some steel for the rear bumper so look for a build on that very soon.

 

[bowtiestang]

And here is Roxy trying to bury the Cruiser...Why? I have no idea

Land Cruiser :: SANY0088.mp4 video by badsport400 - Photobucket

 

[arndog123]

Nice job. Cruiser looks great and looking fwd to the bumper build.

 

[bowtiestang]

I decided to go ahead and try to fix my body damage on the fender myself. One of the body shops I deal with offered to fix it and paint it for $200.00 but hell I can use that money for my lift or winch or bumper ect.... so hell with it....its getting a primer job for now Its a off road truck not a show truck. Hows that go..paint and chrome dont get you home.

This is what I started with.

Pulled all this crap off for the 10th time..

Good news no damage or rust here..

BTW.. I am not going to run the brush guard so its free:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/sale-parts/555941-tucson-az-free-brush-guard.html#post7317546


15 min with the hammer got me this..

Cut out the rust on the lower part of the fender..

So now I need to cut a patch out and weld it in and hit the top of the fender with some body filler and primer.

More to come

 

[driver5155]

looking good!

 

[goatroper]

I dealt with AJIK also and they were great........Josh was a really big help .......glad they are a part of our resources to turn too.....check with them for that steering part......you cant go wrong

 

[bowtiestang]

Patch welded in no more rust in this fender

Fender test fitted and looking ok for a non body man

The paint I had Napa mix wasnt even close...so I will take it back and just let my body man from work paint it

Now maybe I can start working on the fun stuff!!!

 

[scrt80]

@bowtiestang: unrelated to the build. The compressor you were using in your pics looks similar to one I have. Have you ever had an issue with a fuse blowing when it's plugged into your cig lighter port?

 

[bowtiestang]

@bowtiestang: unrelated to the build. The compressor you were using in your pics looks similar to one I have. Have you ever had an issue with a fuse blowing when it's plugged into your cig lighter port?

It is a cheapo HF compressor.. If I plug it into the cig lighter it doesn't blow the fuse but the plug gets damn hot... I just hook it to the battery. I may just hard wire it under the hood and put some extended air line on it. Funny thing is I just got back from HF picking another one up for the Tundra. They are on sale for $20 or so plus with the 20% coupon they are like $17. Mine seems to work fine for how I use it.

 

[jamisobe]

Coming along nicely...

Check these guys out for your exhaust. The Y off the manifolds doesn't pinch and the mandrel pipe is tucked tight and OVER the frame. Better flow and ground clearance.

 

[bowtiestang]

Got the fender and valance on..paint isn't a great match but this isn't a show truck

Haven't put the flair on because I am waiting for the trim tape from the dealer.

Got around to replacing the broken stud on the knuckle...came out with no issue....lucky for me

Now let the lift and bumpers begin

 

[mstocks]

Use the vertical parts, and maybe the hinge/door and replace the floor and the top of the box with wood. At least you will have gotten the framework and internals for free and losing some of the steel would make for a decent weight savings.

 

[bowtiestang]

Tore out the spare tire winch and mount along with the rear bumper "stuff"
I need to fix this custom hitch install from U haul

I will post the rest of the bumper issues in the bumper build thread.

Bumper Build:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/563915-time-build-rear-bumper.html#post7381114