Builds New Here. Freshly aquired low mileage FZJ81 + Build thread

[synapse]

How do you like the Feldon tent? I see lots of them around, and they do lots of fancy videos, but it seems really hard to find detailed info on them.

They're pretty top notch to be honest. I had another RTT from another brand previously and by far the quality can't be faulted for anything, while I had issues with the previous one. They recently had an open house sale with previously demo's and trade in tents, so keep an eye out maybe next year if you're in no rush as they never do sales and always sell through stock. So highly recommended, wish I went with then originally.

 

[synapse]

Really enjoying the outstanding photography.

Thanks!

 

[nickolai]

They're pretty top notch to be honest. I had another RTT from another brand previously and by far the quality can't be faulted for anything, while I had issues with the previous one. They recently had an open house sale with previously demo's and trade in tents, so keep an eye out maybe next year if you're in no rush as they never do sales and always sell through stock. So highly recommended, wish I went with then originally.

Yeah they're literally up the road from me but couldn't make it saturday. Thanks for the comments!

 

[CaptClose]

Sweet build! Following...

 

[synapse]

Been a while since the last update but today the wagon has officially been imported into Canada! Fortunately our container was cleared without having to pay any customs tax or duty. Still sitting in the port of Halifax so next steps are waiting for delivery, then getting Quebec registration and plates. Next step is of concern as the province generally frowns upon rhd vehicles and has extra stipulations in place compared to the rest of Canada. So keeping fingers crossed...

 

[Jroc561]

Found you on instagram before here, love the ride man. Great touch with the bronze, did you get the car registered in Montreal yet? I heard how they have been anti RHD lately

 

[synapse]

Found you on instagram before here, love the ride man. Great touch with the bronze, did you get the car registered in Montreal yet? I heard how they have been anti RHD lately

Thanks! As for RHD in Quebec anything over 25 years is ok. Granted you have to pass a typical inspection(every vehicle first registering in Quebec goes through this) and in my case also go through "modified vehicle" clearance. One thing for the regulatory inspection is I did have to get amber reflectors as JDM ones are clear. It was lots of back and forth with the dmv here because nobody seems to really know the process of registering a modified RHD vehicle.

I've obtained Quebec plates already, but going through the modified vehicle process. I may have to lower the cruiser an inch, but we'll see what they say... Finding insurance was a pain, but luckily I found a company that does comprehensive. Also another route is if you've been turned down by 5 insurance agencies, the entity that regulates insurance in Quebec can force one to give you insurance, but only basic coverage.

 

[Jroc561]

This may be the wrong forum for this, but with the popularity of importing cars I wish there was a thread somewhere of people who have pioneered and lit the path, for example if I was importing a car I would love to go through a DMW person who has gone through the process before. Kind of thing may be more popular on sites like zilvia though

 

[synapse]

Haven't been active on any social media outlets lately but been updating few things on the rig slowly.

Swapped my 4" Tough Dog springs to 2" Dobinsons Tapered, these things are tall! Will definitely be going with longer shocks to take advantage of the long travel coils in the coming months.

For winter "steelies" setup picked up some 17" fifteen52 Analog HD wheels and wrapped them in Falken Wildpeak AT3W in 285/75R17(34") These are 3PMSF rated which are required here for Quebec winters.

Springs haven't settled so will sit a little lower with some miles.

Our 3 month old Bernese mountain dog watching as we swap the springs out.

 

[fjbj40]

Now that you live in the rusty world are you getting the truck undercoated?

 

[Pippylongsausage]

I'm printing a few of these photos to keep on my desk to remind me of my life goals. What a fantastic album and build and I love the bronze and green combo!

 

[synapse]

Now that you live in the rusty world are you getting the truck undercoated?

Have been considering all options, NZ is just as bad with the salt, being an island and all.

 

[fjbj40]

Have been considering all options, NZ is just as bad with the salt, being an island and all.

I my experience, and that's many years of dealing with the rust issue, Krown is the better choice. That being said it also depends on the quality of the application, if they don't do a good job then it really does not serve its purpose. But Krown is the best I have found here on the east coast.

By the way, I really like your front bumper, I may contact you some day for some measurements if you don't mind?

Cheers

 

[synapse]

I my experience, and that's many years of dealing with the rust issue, Krown is the better choice. That being said it also depends on the quality of the application, if they don't do a good job then it really does not serve its purpose. But Krown is the best I have found here on the east coast.

By the way, I really like your front bumper, I may contact you some day for some measurements if you don't mind?

Cheers

Krown is one we're considering. There's two shops nearby, one seems pretty reputable.

As for the measurements, yeah sure any time!

 

[cruiserindo]

Wheel is Deerfield , made by Enkei ...

 

[synapse]

Well, haven't updated this in ages, since we left NZ for Montreal. I've since made the move back to BC, along with my SO who I met in NZ.

Truth be told, I haven't updated this in a while since it took me a year to have the import legally registered in Quebec with all their laws against modified vehicles. Importing a RHD was a breeze, it was mostly delays in getting responses from SAAQ(their DMV), requesting I do changes, then more delays, and the cycle continued. To tell you the truth I wouldn't wish this experience even to the worst of my enemies.

So now back in BC as of last year and feel like I'm playing catchup on the 80 I've wanted to build for so long. Lot's of minor things added here and there. But most significant as of late is the front 14" 2pc rotors and Wilwood Aero calipers that some of you may have seen on my IG for the past year, occasionally working on it on my spare time. Knowing that keeping optimal brake bias is far more important than throwing calipers with larger total piston area on your front brakes, I've sourced the highest friction pads I could find at .52 mu(stock is usually around .35-.38 mu) and some high carbon DBA T3 slotted rotors. High carbon is far more durable, has a higher heat capacity, and dissipates heat much better than a normal iron rotor. The EBC Blue Stuff pads while being high friction through a high heat range still provide extremely good cold bite, which is why I chose these. Most track pads that are efficient at high heat ranges typically don't do well when cold, but few pads developed lately like these and the HP+ do well in all temperatures.

I will do a full technical write up on the front and rear brake upgrades this weekend.

Also now on 38x13.5" Toyo Open Country MT on 18" WedsSport TC105X WRV, Apex Rapid Precision Valves, and put my old 4" Tough Dog springs back on.

 

[synapse]

photo dump...

I'll get to questions once I do a write-up this weekend.

all arp hardware, rotor bolts are drilled for optional safety wire.

 

[synapse]

Full technical write-up on the Front big brake kit and rear "lite" upgrade, with lots more photos.

Stopping a 6k lb 80 on 38's better than our bone stock LX450 with refreshed brakes. F+R "motorsport grade" brake upgrade.

Some of you may follow me on IG and know I’ve been working on this in my spare time for the better part of the past year. Idea came way before when I still lived in NZ and having experience with some of the steeper trails there, but even being back here in BC you can be driving through mountain...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[AoiCruiser]

Full technical write-up on the Front big brake kit and rear "lite" upgrade, with lots more photos.

Stopping a 6k lb 80 on 38's better than our bone stock LX450 with refreshed brakes. F+R "motorsport grade" brake upgrade.

Some of you may follow me on IG and know I’ve been working on this in my spare time for the better part of the past year. Idea came way before when I still lived in NZ and having experience with some of the steeper trails there, but even being back here in BC you can be driving through mountain...

forum.ih8mud.com

I’m digging seeing you update this thread again. I found it really informative. I’ve been a lurker here for a while admiring other builds and finally got my 80, a 93 JDM with roughly low miles. Roughly 80,000 miles when you do the conversion math.

What’s your IG? I’d love to follow along there for updates on the rig too

 

[synapse]

I’m digging seeing you update this thread again. I found it really informative. I’ve been a lurker here for a while admiring other builds and finally got my 80, a 93 JDM with roughly low miles. Roughly 80,000 miles when you do the conversion math.

What’s your IG? I’d love to follow along there for updates on the rig too

Thanks! Honestly if it weren't for Quebec, I wouldn't be 2 years behind on this build. Really made it difficult for me to even want to do anything to the 80.

Congrats on the low mileage JDM 80! I really do think they're much better buys than domestic market 80's in North America most of the time.

I'm just about to hit 95,000 miles on mine.