nucee
Builds New Here. Freshly aquired low mileage FZJ81 + Build thread
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- #22
Couple more shots from this mornings work at the shop. Center top hoop done and added some plate covers for the top of the side tube wings with a little dimple die love. Now for them to just add mounting tabs for my fog lights and aerials, finish off the welds and finally get sent off to the powdercoaters!
Looks awesome, love to know where you can rent a fully equipped FJ80 in NZ
Absolutely great 80. I love the VX Ltd.
I have never seen a Ltd without a spare wheel carrier. But then again no two 80s are the same.
I have never seen a Ltd without a spare wheel carrier. But then again no two 80s are the same.
Wow looking great!!
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- #26
I seem to be having trouble finding the equipped fj80's. I'll have to search some more, but there is Rooftop Tent & Self Contained 4WD Rental Vehicles | Off Track Rentals, NZ that do Prado rentals and Home that do Land Rover rentals.
Don't quote me on this but based off what I've seen the Petrol VX LTD's didn't have subtank so tire carrier is underneath.
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- #27
Bumper is off to the powdercoaters. Not going your traditional black, and keeping a bit quiet about the color 
. I know it's a bit of a risk, but looking forward to how it turns out! Pics with all lights mounted before it was off to get all the final welds in.
. I know it's a bit of a risk, but looking forward to how it turns out! Pics with all lights mounted before it was off to get all the final welds in.
bwesty
SILVER Star
Bumper is off to the powdercoaters. Not going your traditional black, and keeping a bit quiet about the color
View attachment 1771717 View attachment 1771726
Bumper turned out great. Low profile and functional. Well done!!
Awesome, thank you!! The Mrs is from there, and we love going back, done the van rental, but never thought of doing a 4x4 rental down there.
2fpower
SILVER Star
I am not a fan of tube bumpers typiically; however, that has to be the best looking one that I have seen.
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- #31
Nice I actually grew up in the LA area. Just moved to NZ early 2017 after 6 years in Canada. Intent is to move back to North America and take the Cruiser with me
Personally I'm not a fan of strict tube bumpers, but hyrid bumpers with a center plate section and tube wings just do it for me. Love them on trucks, they give it a nice prerunner or trophy truck vibe. Wasn't sure how this design would come out on a large SUV like the FJ80, but honestly couldn't be happier with the results.
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- #32
Finally got the bumper back from getting powdercoated, and as mentioned I wasn't going with your traditional black.
Green and bronze has become one of my favorite color combinations, and will definitely continue on with this theme.
Green and bronze has become one of my favorite color combinations, and will definitely continue on with this theme.
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I love that our little forum is international. No talk of tariffs and politics. If they’d leave things up to us I bet we could figure it out.
Those little mirrors on the fender, do they help with anything? I’m jealous of the fridge console. Does it work?
Those little mirrors on the fender, do they help with anything? I’m jealous of the fridge console. Does it work?
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- #34
The fender mirrors help for placing curb relative to the wagon, so helps quite a bit with parallel parking on a large vehicle.
Cooler works(need to check Ice setting), though I actually haven't used it yet for anything, it's winter here so will hopefully get to make use of it during the summer months.
LINUS
Waiting for the Great Pumpkin
That bronze idea makes green far more palatable (it gets the “ungh” next to burgundy) - And my old 450 was green, so I know, it’s just not a color that compliments the body (IMO).
But yeah - you take that bronze & tie in/powdercoat the wheels & do a rear bumper & sliders, it’s got some class.
There’s also very few, but it was factory 2-tone green/silver where they did a silver below the trim beltline between the wheelwells & it tied to the bumpers both being painted silver, you might look at those - if a green 80 on the cheap ever came up, I’d copy that paint scheme.
But yeah - you take that bronze & tie in/powdercoat the wheels & do a rear bumper & sliders, it’s got some class.
There’s also very few, but it was factory 2-tone green/silver where they did a silver below the trim beltline between the wheelwells & it tied to the bumpers both being painted silver, you might look at those - if a green 80 on the cheap ever came up, I’d copy that paint scheme.
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- #36
Definitely intend to keep going with the bronze and tie'ing in the wheels, rear bumper, sliders. I know what you mean about the two tone, but personally never been a fan. Actually this green was never my first option, and tbh wasn't even in the market for an 80 series when I was shopping, but found this gem with low mileage and being nearly immaculate, and at the price I got it, I couldn't pass it up.
There's a powdercoat color called Raw Steel that I may tie into the theme of things a bit but using it more as a minor accent more than anything. Think beadlock rings(if I ever opt for beadlocks), fill panels for sliders/rear-bumper, etc.
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- #37
Made up my own wiring loom for my Baja Designs lights using Switch-Pros as my switch/relay unit and using some Blue Seas terminal blocks. All wires done in braided sleeves.
Made a panel to mount my Switch Pros switch-panel in the side cubby on the center console cooler.(note only switch 1,2,5,6 are actually in use currently, but this is what I intend to go with for my lighting setup... couldn't stand blank switches). I may revisit this with a 3d printed panel that sits inside the cubby in a future revision.
View of where the Switch Pros power module and Blue Seas terminal blocks are mounted
Also took the rig out for a short trip just outside Wellington to Red Rocks...
Made a panel to mount my Switch Pros switch-panel in the side cubby on the center console cooler.(note only switch 1,2,5,6 are actually in use currently, but this is what I intend to go with for my lighting setup... couldn't stand blank switches). I may revisit this with a 3d printed panel that sits inside the cubby in a future revision.
View of where the Switch Pros power module and Blue Seas terminal blocks are mounted
Also took the rig out for a short trip just outside Wellington to Red Rocks...
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- #38
Posted these pics in the What did you do to your 80 thread, but my build thread needs more photos. 
Went for a bit of a day cruise with the lady and a couple friends. Brunch out in Martinborough then down for a little offroading at Ocean Beach, exploring up and down some river beds. Was nice having my drone, gave such a different perspective from what we saw from the truck.
Went for a bit of a day cruise with the lady and a couple friends. Brunch out in Martinborough then down for a little offroading at Ocean Beach, exploring up and down some river beds. Was nice having my drone, gave such a different perspective from what we saw from the truck.
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- #39
Also designing some sliders that will be built next week. Something definitely different and inspired by some prerunner/trophy truck builds I see on IG. These will have sealed off wraparound gussets that have tube welded through the center rather than just using a dimple die. Kinda tossed between which to go with. Which do you prefer? Left or right?
Also as once the sliders are done I'll start focusing on the powertrain/drivetrain build. Custom rear bumper will be throwin in somewhere during the engine build. I'll be swapping out the transmission in favor of two GM options. 4L80E or 6L80E(or 6L90E). As I'm going custom turbo I don't think the a442 will hold up even beefed up. What I'm trying to decide is if the 6 speed is worth the extra trouble as the TCM is built into the valvebody and would need to also get a PCS TCM-2650 to get it working with the 1FZFE and standalone. One of the ECU's I'm considering has official support for 4L80E, so makes it a whole lot easier. This ECU is popular with some 2JZ + 4L80E builds. But some advantages to the 6L80E such as 4.06 ratio 1st gear and having extra gears, specifically 2 overdrive. So to 6 speed or not?
Also as once the sliders are done I'll start focusing on the powertrain/drivetrain build. Custom rear bumper will be throwin in somewhere during the engine build. I'll be swapping out the transmission in favor of two GM options. 4L80E or 6L80E(or 6L90E). As I'm going custom turbo I don't think the a442 will hold up even beefed up. What I'm trying to decide is if the 6 speed is worth the extra trouble as the TCM is built into the valvebody and would need to also get a PCS TCM-2650 to get it working with the 1FZFE and standalone. One of the ECU's I'm considering has official support for 4L80E, so makes it a whole lot easier. This ECU is popular with some 2JZ + 4L80E builds. But some advantages to the 6L80E such as 4.06 ratio 1st gear and having extra gears, specifically 2 overdrive. So to 6 speed or not?
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Delta VS
Supporting Vendor
Very nice rig!!
