So, I found an built a 1972 FJ-40 rig a few years back and now that I am getting a bit closer to retirement I am back to begin the build of an FZJ-80 that my wife and I will use to travel across the country and explore. The first step was finding the right rig. Well, I am happy to say that as of today, I am the proud new owner of a 1997 Collectors Edition FZJ-80 Triple Locked Rig. It also appears that this rig was a mall driver and has really not seen any off road use to speak of. (I am super psyched to have found this in such short order, only about 5 months to locate one.
So far I am super impressed with the rig. Everything seems to work really well and for its age, and considering it has been in Maine for all this time, the rust is pretty manageable. The first order of business will be to go over it thoroughly and get a plan for what to attack first. At this point I think the PS steering pump will be the first order of business as its leaking. Question, am I better off buying (assuming I can find one) a new pump or rebuilding the old? Looking forward to a lengthy thread on the build. I know that Mud was extremely valuable when I built my FJ-40 a few years ago. Thanks for everyone's input.
My first build
So far I am super impressed with the rig. Everything seems to work really well and for its age, and considering it has been in Maine for all this time, the rust is pretty manageable. The first order of business will be to go over it thoroughly and get a plan for what to attack first. At this point I think the PS steering pump will be the first order of business as its leaking. Question, am I better off buying (assuming I can find one) a new pump or rebuilding the old? Looking forward to a lengthy thread on the build. I know that Mud was extremely valuable when I built my FJ-40 a few years ago. Thanks for everyone's input.
My first build