my mind is made up.

[Baran]

I have heard many people mention that they started out at 2.5" only to end up going higher later. I have been drooling over the Slee 6" lift (bolt on)for $3200. It appears that this is one hell of a well designed and all inclusive kit.I am totally in love with the CNC'd control arms! I believe in saving up and getting something top notch rather than trying to do things quickly on the cheap. In the long run I believe the 80 will end up at 4" or 6" anyway so I'm just going for it out of the gate. It helps that Slee has such a great kit.

Can someone recommend a good shop in Tucson to install it?

I want my truck to be able to handle anything I throw at it. I will mostly be exploring the west coast of the US and possibly Mexico and Canada. This wont be used as a rock crawler but an expedition modded 80 just with a 6" lift, running 35" shoes. I know my MPG will suffer but that is what sub tanks and extra cans are for.

I have spent the last 2 months or more on MUD trying to figure out what I want out of this Land cruiser and how to go about it. I think now I have a good handle on it.

I'm going to go big and high quality right off the bat. I plan on being able to purchase the lift and new tires with in 3 months if I scrimp and save. I'm going to set up another bank account just for saving for this project.

I'm very tired of going back and forth, maybe this maybe that. I need a longterm high aim goal, and I this is it.

I will keep everyone posted with plenty of pics and write ups as things come together. This is the path I have chosen. I'm sticking to it!

I hope to go wheeling with some of you with in the next year or so.

Peace ,

Evan

 

[MaddBaggins]

Don't forget, going to 35's, you'll probably want to regear. Thats a few more $$$ for the parts and labor.
If you're really serious about expedition, the 80 would be better served if you keep it simple. OME heavy kit and 33's, less parts to jiggle wiggle vibrate or break. Less stuff to go wrong on an expedition and leave you stranded. PM a guy who goes by hltoppr on this board. He had a great 80 expedition rig. I started with that and it was a good wheeler at that setup. I realized that my tendencies leaned more toward wheeling with only the occasional short expedition and I was gettin more aggresive in my wheeling so my rig has evolved and is still evolving.

My friends have a good shop and they have helped me tremendously with my junk. If I don't do it myself, it goes to them.

Calypso Automotive 326-5358 (I don't get anything out of referals)

 

[MoGas]

Andy (Hltoppr) had a great 80.

Here is a great thread for you to check out.



Dave

 

[clarkrw3]

Just go 6...you will love it. My rig rides every bit as good if not better than my dad's with the 2.5 med OME. I am so glad I went with the 6 in the beginning!! Put the lift on yourself, I did mine in 2 afternoons after work by my self in about 7hrs total...also I am sure you could find some CSC guys to lend a hand.

The 6 also handles better on road then the OME lifts, I do however highly suggest Wheel spacers 1" wide to give you a little more stability and allow better flex in the rear. With the 6" lift 1" wheel spacers and 315's you will not rub anything anywhere.

 

[Baran]

just got done reading through the expedition thread and it is very helpful, BUT I love the Slee 6" kit. The CNC'd control arms, all the adjustable stuff makes it really cool and very hard for me to resist. My only concern is that I'm kind of getting the impression that people think you can't make an expedition 80 with a 6" lift. Is this true? I was hoping that the Slee stuff would be even more reliable than other factory as the quality is so much better. I mean there are now more parts involved but these are not small little parts these are big heavy overbuilt parts meant for dragging over boulders. I don't think I should have to worry to much about anything coming lose if everything is install well and brought up to proper torque.

I may have to address the re-gear issue though. I will see how much power loss I have running 35" tires.

Thanks for all the advice! I'm going to go for an expedition modded 80 with exception of the lift and tires.

Now I just have to tell my .....

 

[clarkrw3]

You can make a expedition rig with 6" just go heavy springs in the back. The slee stuff is great. You have to understand that a few years ago people all said 35's are way too big no way should those be on an 80. Now lots of people run 36-37 and the norm is 35's.

 

[-Spike-]

Good choice on the lift. You won't regret it.

I doubt you will need to regear for expedition stuff with 35's. I run true 35's for rock crawling, and while I'd appreciate the lower gears, I haven't had any issues. Regearing might save you a few MPG's, but I doubt it's gonna be a determining factor on whether or not you can go somewhere. Like you said, run the stock gears for awhile and see how you feel about it.

-Spike

 

[Tools R Us]

Don't forget, going to 35's, you'll probably want to regear. Thats a few more $$$ for the parts and labor.
If you're really serious about expedition, the 80 would be better served if you keep it simple. OME heavy kit and 33's, less parts to jiggle wiggle vibrate or break. Less stuff to go wrong on an expedition and leave you stranded. PM a guy who goes by hltoppr on this board. He had a great 80 expedition rig. I started with that and it was a good wheeler at that setup. I realized that my tendencies leaned more toward wheeling with only the occasional short expedition and I was gettin more aggresive in my wheeling so my rig has evolved and is still evolving.

My friends have a good shop and they have helped me tremendously with my junk. If I don't do it myself, it goes to them.

Calypso Automotive 326-5358 (I don't get anything out of referals)

First you need to evaluate your use for the rig, it's easy to say that it's an "expedition rig", so 33"s and 2.5" lift and that's great if that the style you want or your passion, primary use of the rig is long term Mexico touring like Andy. But most use their rigs as more of a swiss army knife all around recreation truck, want to tour AZ back roads, camp, club runs, Moab, etc.

Mr Baggins I think you would agree that, for a well rounded AZ wheeler a little more lift and tire are a big help? How many of us have done it, 2.5" lift and 285/295's, then spacers, then taller springs, then 315's, etc. Why go through the steps, set it up to work well in the first place. I give zero support to recommending 2.5" lift and 285's for a rig that will be wheeled in AZ.

The Slee setup is a good bolt on way to go if you have the budget and don't have the time and/or skills to tweak other setups. My minimum AZ wheeler set up is heavy rear springs and J's in the front with L shocks and 315's. This setup is basically the same as the heavy/spacer setup that many have/do run, sets close to level, flexes, rides and wheels well. Kurt from www.cruiseroutfitters.com will get this setup for what less than $800, allowing more budget for bumpers, sliders, etc. And with this setup if you want to move up in the future, you don't need to buy tires.

 

[RHINO]

My only concern is that I'm kind of getting the impression that people think you can't make an expedition 80 with a 6" lift. Is this true?

nawww theyre all just jealous

seriously, think about the adjustability, the heavier sturdier beefier parts. that alone should say expedition. i know my POS piggy is no mach for the mighty 80 series, but i ended up with about 7" of lift and run 37" tires. i can take that thing anywhere i want and though its not as comfy as a newer rig, it gets me there reliably so far. i have seen many tall rigs out there done well and performing nearly every task better, go for it.

 

[MaddBaggins]

First you need to evaluate your use for the rig, it's easy to say that it's an "expedition rig", so 33"s and 2.5" lift and that's great if that the style you want or your passion, primary use of the rig is long term Mexico touring like Andy. But most use their rigs as more of a swiss army knife all around recreation truck, want to tour AZ back roads, camp, club runs, Moab, etc.

Mr Baggins I think you would agree that, for a well rounded AZ wheeler a little more lift and tire are a big help? How many of us have done it, 2.5" lift and 285/295's, then spacers, then taller springs, then 315's, etc. Why go through the steps, set it up to work well in the first place. I give zero support to recommending 2.5" lift and 285's for a rig that will be wheeled in AZ.

I would agree that a well rounded wheeler would benefit from more tire and lift. If I wanted an "expedition rig" I would keep it much closer to stock with OME heavies and some armor/winch.
There's nothing wrong with evolving your rig either. When all is said and done I will end up at about a 4.5 to 5 lift on 315's and still I will have spent less $$ than buying a Slee 4" or 6" kit. I think starting out easy and learning how to do it yourself is a better way to go. Then you can step back and evaluate what you really want/need. And if you know how to DIY, you'll be much better off when something goes wrong way out in the boonies.
Or buy the 6" kit and pay someone else to install it. Then the opportunity to learn is lost.

my .02

 

[Baran]

I would love to be able to install the lift my self. I agree I would learn so much more, and think this would be a happy medium between going through all the steps (2.5"/spaces, 285/295/4"/spaces, etc) and just paying someplace to install it Having access to info about all the steps just makes me want to avoid having to going through them all. I would be more than willing to do all the work of installing the lift if someone would be willing to oversee me doing it and lend me use of there work area for the job(I would bring tools), as i live in an apartment. I'm guessing it would take 2 days or so. Again i wont have the kit for about 2 month as i don't have enough for the tires yet.

Anyway I'm really glad to be a part of this community and look forward to wheeling , camping , biking , fishing and just plain out dooring with you ! My library job is giving me a fat ass!

Cya soon,

Evan

 

[inkpot]

nawww theyre all just jealous

seriously, think about the adjustability, the heavier sturdier beefier parts. that alone should say expedition. i know my POS piggy is no mach for the mighty 80 series, but i ended up with about 7" of lift and run 37" tires. i can take that thing anywhere i want and though its not as comfy as a newer rig, it gets me there reliably so far. i have seen many tall rigs out there done well and performing nearly every task better, go for it.

Yea, what he said. Like Rhino, I drive an earlier model wagon, but the concept's the same. I have hauled over 500# on the roof rack, and well over 1/2 ton on the inside, and I can still cruise down the freeway or the trail. The 80 series would be my next choice for a wagon to build up for trail and travel. They are every bit as stout as any other Landcruiser. 35's are becoming common on them, and some are running 37's just fine. Both the U.N. and the Red Cross use a lot of them overseas. They beat the snot out of them, and they just keep ticking!! John

 

[MaddBaggins]

I would love to be able to install the lift my self. I agree I would learn so much more, and think this would be a happy medium between going through all the steps (2.5"/spaces, 285/295/4"/spaces, etc) and just paying someplace to install it Having access to info about all the steps just makes me want to avoid having to going through them all. I would be more than willing to do all the work of installing the lift if someone would be willing to oversee me doing it and lend me use of there work area for the job(I would bring tools), as i live in an apartment. I'm guessing it would take 2 days or so. Again i wont have the kit for about 2 month as i don't have enough for the tires yet.

Anyway I'm really glad to be a part of this community and look forward to wheeling , camping , biking , fishing and just plain out dooring with you ! My library job is giving me a fat ass!

Cya soon,

Evan

Well, you're welcome to use my garage for the install. I have a lot of tools, air compressor, welder, drill press, 20 ton press...

And I'd be happy to help with the install, after June.

 

[yotanut]

There are some springs for sale here:https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=151124

 

[Baran]

Wow Maddbaggins that is really cool of you to offer you space and help! a friend of mine Steve has been a HVAC tech for the last 15 -20 years or so and he and I have been pouring over the install instructions. If I could also bring him along to assist that would be awesome ! we are both really laid back easy going people.

I'll PM you when it gets closer to end of June beginning of July, Thanks again man!

P.s. love your avatar.

 

[MaddBaggins]

 

[BwardeAZ]

I'll show up If you need someone to supervise, tell jokes, and drink some of your cold ones and in a pinch I could even hand you a few tools.

 

[Baran]

Up to Maddbaggins of course but sounds great to me.

 

[MaddBaggins]

Well, somebody needs to stooper-vize. Might as well be Brian.

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

I am in Tucson, and my personal mechanic is the only guy I'd let touch my Cruisers, especially my 100. PM if you want to call him. He's also VERY REASONABLE!

Unless you plan on building your truck for extreme 4-wheeling I'd not opt for the 6" lift (which I now have, though not by choice).

Upsides to the Slee 6":
*Better approach and departure angles
*More running ground clearance
*Stiffer spring rate available which aids in handling when expo-loaded (though the same rate is available at 4")

Downsides:
*EVERYTHING ELSE
*Expensive
*More lift than YOU need
*Swapping out more factory parts
*Top-heavy..spacing out wheels recommended
*Tippy..especially with a roof rack
*Etc, Etc.

As for wheeling...a 6" will get you few places a 3 or 4" cannot go. VERY FEW. In fact, on my first trip out I was disapointed at the 6" mark due to the reduction of down-travel. The rig was tippier and like never before. So, what did I need to do? A mod. A mod that's NOT PART OF ANY SLEE KIT. I had to lower my rear shock mounts by 1.5" to help restore the down vs up travel issue. I'll road test soon.

My recommendation is to keep it as LOW as you can in order to run the size tires you want to run. I know the thing looks cool up 6". Hell, Spike's and my 80's are probably 7+ because they're unloaded. You'll be plenty capable, safer, spend less money, and did I say SAFER?

Oh, and yes, those new front arms are pretty...I have the new ones...but so what. They're the first thing that scrapes and stops you on the trail.