My "non-build", build thread (1 Viewer)

[xd9sc1]

So, the 80-series gods blessed me with being able to obtain a 3x locked 80 (ok...Lexus) from a great fellow mudder @BRob2756. In the several months that I've owned "Georgia" I've done some small things to her. This isn't really a build thread as much as it is a way to document what I will do with Georgia over time. It will be a slow process, because....well, I don't have unlimited funds or time!

Anyway, I was lucky enough to meet Rob right here on Mud. After many emails, phone calls and a FaceTime, we arrived at an agreement to purchase the 80. So, I flew to Georgia and drove her home to Maryland. Talk about putting your trust in a vehicle! I will forever remember that trip, and needless to say, I fell in love immediately.

In the short time I've had Georgia, I've done a few small things to her.....radio/speaker/sub upgrade, center locking diff switch, window tint. replacing/fixing a few small parts on the interior....Coming up next month will be a complete interior (seats, carpet, headliner). After that I'll be focusing on the refreshing the suspension with new OME springs and shocks, as the current setup is sagging a bit.

Anyway, I finally just wanted to document what I'm doing. I know what I'm doing is small potatoes compared to what others are fortunate enough to be able to to with their rigs, but for all of the "average Joe's" out there....this "non-build", build thread is for you!

I wish I had the time, tools and know-how to do all of this myself, but I need to remain realistic. So, I intend on taking on some projects myself and hiring pros to do stuff as well.

Here is how she looked on the day I picked her up in late February in Georgia.

 

[xd9sc1]

First thing I did was get the center locking diff switch installed.

 

[xd9sc1]

Then, I moved on to repairing the broken arm rest. It was my first time plastic welding. I think it turned out ok.

 

[Road Apple]

Nice looking truck. Great to buy it from a member too. That way you have maintenance records on a baselined truck. Sweet !!

Another good mod is LED replacement bulbs for the interior and reverse lights. Made a big difference being able to see things. Love the backup lights especially.

Here is a good thread to start your research. Ebay has a bunch of choices too.

Definitive led thread for 80s

I may have gone a little overboard with the LEDs but some like their 80 to look like a 7-11 in Reno. :grinpimp:

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[xd9sc1]

Nice looking truck. Great to buy it from a member too. That way you have maintenance records on a baselined truck. Sweet !!

Another good mod is LED replacement bulbs for the interior and reverse lights. Made a big difference being able to see things. Love the backup lights especially.

Here is a good thread to start your research. Ebay has a bunch of choices too.

Definitive led thread for 80s

I may have gone a little overboard with the LEDs but some like their 80 to look like a 7-11 in Reno. :grinpimp:

forum.ih8mud.com

Thanks! I have the LED light upgrade on my list of things to get to!

 

[xd9sc1]

Of course, needed to replace the gears in both front seats. Thanks to Mud and YouTube, this was pretty easy to do.

 

[xd9sc1]

Had to replace a door panel since it was torn up pretty bad. I had found a panel from a LandCruiser and then transplanted the wood trim piece onto the LC panel. The LC panel isn't perfect, but it was in better shape than the original one. I had to dremel off the locking rings that held the trim onto the panel. I found aftermarket rings that I tried to get to fit, but never really got them to fasten well enough, so I ended up breaking out the ol' Liquid Nails. It's been holding up just fine over the past couple of months. We'll have to see how it works out longer term.

 

[xd9sc1]

Then, I moved onto the audio. All of the speakers were shot. I wanted to also upgrade the "subwoofer" in the center console, so I searched for something that would fit and found the JBL BassPro Nano. I am very happy with the bass output. The front passengers can feel the bass in their seats with no problem. I also replaced all of the speakers with Rockford Fosgate....even the ones in the dash that are front-firing. I am very impressed with the speakers. It was my firs time using Rockford and I'm really happy with them. For the radio, I wanted one with an old-fashioned volume knob since I don't have audio controls on the steering wheel or anything. I finally settled on a Sony unit that looks almost period correct. I tried to use a Kenwood with a touchscreen, but the display was washed out to the point of being non-usable in daylight driving. At least I can see the display on the Sony better than the Kenwood I tried. Maybe someday I'll swap out to something with a touchscreen.

Mounting the speakers was an exercise in patience. The darn mounting depth in the doors is so shallow, as most everyone here knows. I tried fabricating my own mounts, but in the end I just purchased mounts and painted them for use in the rear doors. The front doors were also a challenge, but I managed to get everything mounted. At the start I was determined to use the factory speaker covers. In the end, I had to use the aftermarket ones. I tried to use other speakers in the rear from Polk Audio, but I wasn't happy with the sound. I know those speakers would have worked with the factory covers though. There are several posts on the forum about audio options, so there is no lack of ideas and choices.

 

[xd9sc1]

Here's a few more of the audio. The small speakers in the dash are 3.5". The front doors are 5.25" and the rear doors are 4". The phone mount is a Frankenstein of two different mounts. One is a Panavise mount made for the Jeep Wrangler and attached to it is a Wizgear magnetic mount. The phone has a thin magnet on it that attaches to the Wizgear mount. It works well. I had to bend the Panavise mount to get it bolted to the dash, but it fits pretty well.

 

[xd9sc1]

Getting the interior redone. So, here's Georgia "stripped down"....Full disclosure....I'm not doing the interior work myself. I know my limits. I did put in the audio equipment, including the JBL Bass Pro Nano sub, which fits perfectly in the factory center console if you remove the CD changer and the existing factory "subwoofer".

 

[cvenom96]

Hey where in Maryland are you? Truck is coming along nicely!

 

[xd9sc1]

Hey where in Maryland are you? Truck is coming along nicely!

Thanks! I'm up in Bel Air. Will be slowly restoring her back over time. She's already a super-solid rig with no rust. She's my 'forever truck'....either she's gonna die, or I'm gonna die....and smart money is on me dying first.

 

[xd9sc1]

Finally got Georgia back from the upholstery shop. Really happy with how things turned out. The wife is even happy, and that's not an easy sell! Seats, carpet, headliner all done. Treated myself to heated seats and think they placed the switch in a pretty good location on the lower trim of the seat. Also had the front seatbelts re-webbed. Next on the list is tackling the steering wheel and also finishing the sun visors, which I started before she went into the shop.