New owner of a 95 FZJ80!

[edgextreme]

I found my new 95 FZJ80 Landcruiser yesterday and I'm excited about the future possibilities of this TLC. It has been WELL taken care of and short of the dome light behind the sunroof absolutely everything works and is supurb condition. The belts emit a subtle squel but I understand this is normal. It is without the optional elockers but I wasn't about to undertake the arduous task of finding an acceptable rig that did, besides, arb air lockers are always an option, right?

My first modifications will be to gain enough clearance to make it a capable trail rig while maintaining it's street handling. I'm hoping that I can draw from the experience of this forum to help me with this. I don't want to get to crazy with the lift as I already own an FJ60 that's outfitted with oldman emu 2" lift springs over the axle and 38" SuperSwampers, it's road handling is AWFUL but offroad nothing stands in it's way (Except that river I sunk it in, but that's a whole nother story) So what I'm looking for out of the newest addition to my TLC family is to make it solid crosscountry expidition vehichle. Just to get the gears turning, what's everyone's opinion on a reasonable amount of lift for the FZJ80's and what sort of issues can I expect to encounter with raising one of these rigs?

 

[cc93cruiser]

Congrats on the cruiser, dont worry about it not having lockers, like you mentioned the ARB's or always on option.. Off the topic ? - You mentioned that your 60 handles like crap after the SOA conversion, did you cut and turn the front axle properly?

 

[sundaypunch]

My first modifications will be to gain enough clearance to make it a capable trail rig while maintaining it's street handling.

You want the OME 2.5". Heavy springs if you go with better bumpers (Slee, ARB, etc.).

It is the perfect lift. Trail capable, great handling, and it doesn't look like you have a jacked-up monster truck. I'm not a fan of anything higher unless you are doing some extreme trails and absolutely need it.

 

[ranma21]

You want the OME 2.5". Heavy springs if you go with better bumpers (Slee, ARB, etc.).

It is the perfect lift. Trail capable, great handling, and it doesn't look like you have a jacked-up monster truck. I'm not a fan of anything higher unless you are doing some extreme trails and absolutely need it.

x2 that. Especially when you load up the truck with weight, this set up is very good without major suspension geometry mod.

 

[sailor]

I manage to make a fool out of myself repeatedly WITH lockers! (lol) Nice truck. I also sank my BJ60 a few times, it didn't seem to mind.

 

[Thermodyn]

Congrats on your new purchase!

Personally, I like to maintain factory specs when it comes to suspension. My trucks are driven by my wife often with the kids in tow, so I like to not have to worry so much about roll-over risk, which is already increased in an SUV. I recommend the OME factory ride-height kit. It increases your load carrying capacity without increasing your height too much. I think it yields a half inch or so of lift, but when loaded up with the additional weight of heavy bumpers and armor, sits pretty close to factory. This way you don't have to tool around with castor correction or increased wear in the driveline.

JMHO YMMV

 

[edgextreme]

Off the topic ? - You mentioned that your 60 handles like **** after the SOA conversion, did you cut and turn the front axle properly?

The original owner did a springover on top of 2" blocks with OEM springs, I knocked out the blocks and replaced all the leafs with OME springs to match the height of the first setup. I'm not certian if the front axle was setup properly by the original owner. I'll have to take a look when I return to Alaska where the 60 is located, I plan on adressing alot of issues on that paticular rig over the course of this summer.

I've been looking at lifts for the 80 all morning and OME lifts seem to be the way to go. When funds allow I'll be adding an ARB winch bumper with winch and it looks like the heavy 2.5" will handle the extra weight of these. The kit includes;

2 x OME 850 Front Coil Springs
2 x OME 863 Rear Coil Springs
2 x N73 Nitrocharger Shocks
2 x N74E Nitrocharger Shocks
1 x SD24 Steering Damper
1 x CA77B Caster Kit
1 x Caster Bushing Press Piece

It seems like this is a straight forward lift. Slee's website cautions running the heavy springs without any additional weight on the front, so maybe I should wait until I have the bumper and winch before installing this lift. What's a good tire size to run with this setup to get the most out of it?

 

[Beowulf]

The belts emit a subtle squel but I understand this is normal.

No, this is not normal. Proper Toyota belts will not make any unusual noises. If yours squeal then you have the wrong belts or your belts need to be properly tensioned or you need to replace the alternator idler or the A/C tensioner.

-B-

 

[retrofive]

The original owner did a springover on top of 2" blocks with OEM springs, I knocked out the blocks and replaced all the leafs with OME springs to match the height of the first setup. I'm not certian if the front axle was setup properly by the original owner. I'll have to take a look when I return to Alaska where the 60 is located, I plan on adressing alot of issues on that paticular rig over the course of this summer.

I've been looking at lifts for the 80 all morning and OME lifts seem to be the way to go. When funds allow I'll be adding an ARB winch bumper with winch and it looks like the heavy 2.5" will handle the extra weight of these. The kit includes;

2 x OME 850 Front Coil Springs
2 x OME 863 Rear Coil Springs
2 x N73 Nitrocharger Shocks
2 x N74E Nitrocharger Shocks
1 x SD24 Steering Damper
1 x CA77B Caster Kit
1 x Caster Bushing Press Piece

It seems like this is a straight forward lift. Slee's website cautions running the heavy springs without any additional weight on the front, so maybe I should wait until I have the bumper and winch before installing this lift. What's a good tire size to run with this setup to get the most out of it?

You should be just fine with that setup. I have same but Med. "kit", but dont have any armor. Looks great with either a ~33 or ~35 IMO.

Installation is straight forward. Little easier with 2 people, but not needed.

 

[edgextreme]

Ok so I think I have a good game plan together. I'm going to go ahead and purchase an ARB winch bumper which I found at 4wheelparts for $767 and there's dealer here in WA where I can pick it up to save on shipping. Hopefully this alone will provide the necessary weight to justify the Heavy Duty 2.5" OME lift, the winch I'll have to wait a little while for. Tommorow I plan getting ahold of Slee to have a kit shipped my way, then all that is left for now is to find some decent 33" rubber for the stock wheels. I'm looking for a good mud tire that won't wear out to quickly from highway usage and I'm unsure as to how wide I can go with the stock wheels?

 

[retrofive]

Ok so I think I have a good game plan together. I'm going to go ahead and purchase an ARB winch bumper which I found at 4wheelparts for $767 and there's dealer here in WA where I can pick it up to save on shipping. Hopefully this alone will provide the necessary weight to justify the Heavy Duty 2.5" OME lift, the winch I'll have to wait a little while for. Tommorow I plan getting ahold of Slee to have a kit shipped my way, then all that is left for now is to find some decent 33" rubber for the stock wheels. I'm looking for a good mud tire that won't wear out to quickly from highway usage and I'm unsure as to how wide I can go with the stock wheels?

Another option, great deal on a ARB fr bump. Im interested in it myself, but funds are short and prolly won't happen. In other words, take it if you want

https://forum.ih8mud.com/sale-parts/278575-80-series-arb-front-bumper.html

For rubber tons of threads on 33's. I like the Cooper STT's. I personally think most of the stock rims look and work great on the 80. Ive had zero desire to change mine

 

[retrofive]

Funky angle but here is mine....

 

[edgextreme]

BTW... I was just in Haiti and couldn't resist getting a snap in front of this wonderful U.N. issue TLC... so sad they wouldn't let me hold one of there rifles to pose for the photo

 

[jvazquez53]

Bienvenido!!! = Welcome!!! to the addiction! Nice truck. Do whatever you feel like doing to the truck, make it your own. I'm in the process of transform mine.

 

[jfz80]

For what you describe i think youll be pleased and find just what your after with most any of the OME kits. I prefer a level stance on my truck so really like the heavy(front) and medium(rear) combo or the OME J(front) and Heavy(rear) combo w/ L shocks. For you i would suggest heavy/medium just to ensure you stay out of vibration and castor issues. At that height the bushings will be adequate (i'd recommend slee's blues) Youll still be driver friendly and be able to run 33's or 35's. Everyone's opinions are different but I really think the trxus is quite a streetable MT. IF thats too much i'd look for a compromise like the cooper stt's or the like.

Enjoy the ride....