My New 1999 Venezuelan 80

[redstang410]

Now for the carnage…
Sway bar links may not remain attached if trail is nasty enough..


removal may be required.


FF Axle studs may shear under the load of a over weight locked up chained up 80 on 38's.
Luckily we didn't find out until we reached the asphalt and proceeded to remove the chains, Almost tripped over the axle that was sticking out.
We surmise that they broke in the last mud pit.




The Front air locker may fail under similar loads that sheared the rear axle bolts. Most likely while trying to back out of a mud hole.
The good, It blew up and turned itself into a spool. so fully locked all the way. The bad, Driving up 30KM of rain soaked 45 degree steep super curvy mountain asphalt road . Its so steep you need low range to stay in the power band and not stall. A front spool simply tries to push you off a cliff. go 2wd, you may slide off the mountain in reverse…










The suppliers were super cool about it and warrantied it, given that it was the second time it was used.

 

[redstang410]

Note to self. Do not race your rig if you go trail riding in it… Even when invited.
I never listen to myself. A few weeks after fixing the carnage, I went to a local race.








btw, 80s jump good, they don't land good.






Got 2nd in 6cil class. Cost me a bent front axle housing and 2 days work.

 

[redstang410]

Time to upgrade…
Ruff stuff 9.5" front housing vs stock 8"


3" Ballistic joints for links


3link? better 5 link



checking bump




Droop







recycled some MAF drop brackets




Slee 6" coils, Ruff stuff chevy the cross over steering, jap spec steering arm.




on its weight


Modded Adjustable panhard. That was a PITA...

 

[redstang410]

Now Flex.










vs patrol


front fox shock


everythings fits, nothing hits. bump stops work perfect

 

[redstang410]

Trail testing new setup.
Everything is dry here, so its pretty much a ride and handling test.




To Do list…
Front Sway bar.
Rear Cargo box.
Shock upgrade of some kind for the rear. Don't know what yet.
Fuel pressure regulator and gauge.
Assorted interior upgrades.

btw, my new mascots




Hope you guys enjoyed it.

 

[hamishpotter]

great thread!

 

[redstang410]

Thanks,

A couple more pics i found,
Relocated the rear pan hard mount.


Hoping to raise the roll center.
Drives a whole lot nicer. Doesn't want to flop over every time you turn.

 

[redstang410]

What a cool rig! What size lift and tires?

On the first hardcore trip it hat ome j with 1 inch spacers up front, and 5 inch tjms rear. Ome L shocks all around. Tires are superswamper Tsl's 38"x13".
To be honest, the suspension was way too soft , and kept bottoming out and rubbing holes into the fenders. It felt like it would flop over on a rutted trail. Then again i was way too heavy. 4 passengers and supplies for 3 days.

It currently has slee 6" coils hd all around. Fox 2.0 x 12" shocks up front and ome L rear. The rear shocks could be longer, the front springs could be stiffer. But i'm anal like that. The ride is super plush, but i can feel the shocks fade after awhile on trails. So far no bottoming from the rear. The front bumpmstops touch once in a while.

I,ll edit and post a video shortly.

 

[thelal]

You running chains on top of your your TSL?
I've 34" Simex JJ's (similiar layout to TSLS) and running chains didn't make any difference (at least with snow) - maybe works better with snow?

 

[MrMoMo]

Mi gusta amigo, Ofi. Y, es de la batacuava, y por eso conozco es bueno! :cD

 

[redstang410]

Chains work great in mud. The local transport guys that run these trails use bald 37" military surplus tires with chains. The less tread on the tire, the better the chains hook up.
They work sorta like fingernails when clawing up slippery slopes. And because they move on the tire, they rarely pack up with mud.

Saludos MrMoMo, me alegra que conzca la Baticueva!

 

[redstang410]

A short video of the trip.

 

[redstang410]

Its been a while since my last update, and got time to adress some pet peeves i had. First of all i got to mod the side bars to fit wider 38.5 x 16 x 16.5 tsls.

I got way more flotation in mud as well as stability for side hills on my heavy tank.

 

[redstang410]

New shocks and bumpstops

 

[Dave 2000]

interesting they got rid of the sliding rear windows? wonder if you can buy just the windows down there and pop them in our 80s?

I am thinking of getting rid of my rear sliding windows, I never open them so a bit pointless having them TBH. Just need to find someone to swap with.

regards

Dave

 

[Dave 2000]

Its been a while since my last update, and got time to adress some pet peeves i had. First of all i got to mod the side bars to fit wider 38.5 x 16 x 16.5 tsls.

I got way more flotation in mud as well as stability for side hills on my heavy tank.

I so love that truck!

regards

Dave

 

[alia176]

Dude,

You're my hero! Not only you bash your junk but you also know how to work on them. I'm thinking a vacation trip to Panama is in order......

 

[GW Nugget]

This has to be the best 80 I have ever seen!
5 speed LHD rough stuff 4 link... & the paint is the best with aircraft rivets & all!
THE BOMB!

 

[thelal]

luv the paint job Maybe we'll see you in a few wks as we head down. Cross into Mexico tomorrow - see TheLongWayHome.us

I got way more flotation in mud as well as stability for side hills on my heavy tank.[/QUOTE]

 

[Tapage]

Dude,You're my hero! Not only you bash your junk but you also know how to work on them.

well he knows how to " work " on it ..

hey feedback on the shocks .?