New to forum - 97 FZJ80 in MN

[fahrvergnugen]

Recently bought my first 80 series. I'm no mechanic and appreciate the depth of wisdom available on the forum. Managed to tackle some simple tasks to date, and delegated some more complicated PM to a trusted local mechanic. Looking forward to continue to put in the time and enjoy the rig. Will post some more pics when I get a free moment.

1. 1997 locked FZJ80
2. Nick
3. TBD on name
4. 156k
5. Nope, mostly stock
6. Not quite a DD, aspirational purchase for future mountain living

Haven't really seen anyone posting from up here in MN. Drop a post if any resources Up North to be aware of. I saw an expert mechanic tagged in a few older posts but not sure if still working.

 

[cbmontgo]

Good looking rig. You are definitely in the right place for 80 Series wisdom.

 

[Rusty Marlin]

Welcome to the chaos!
I wouldn't be too worried about doing your own service. They are quite rugged and relatively simple as vehicles go.
How does the under carriage look? You might need a blue tipped wrench for some of the nuts if its anything like what I learned to wrench on in the rust belt.

 

[vsatking]

Low miles and a locked 97. Good find. I am a rust belt LC owner. Hope your rust is minimal.

Enjoy the new rig!!

 

[nothovi]

Welcome fellow Minnesotan. I'm new to the area and also cruiser ownership so I'm much less of a resource to you than the rest of the fine folks here on the forum.

Still chasing down mechanics that are familiar with cruisers, but the one I'm sure you've seen is Steve at LCR4WD which is in the Twin Cities area. I've chatted with him briefly and he still does work on them but isn't taking any new work for some time it sounds like. Hopefully that will change here at some point. Until then, I've got the cruiser at a shop down my way that works on 4x4s and larger trucks. So if that goes well I'd be happy to pass them along.

 

[fahrvergnugen]

Welcome fellow Minnesotan. I'm new to the area and also cruiser ownership so I'm much less of a resource to you than the rest of the fine folks here on the forum.

Still chasing down mechanics that are familiar with cruisers, but the one I'm sure you've seen is Steve at LCR4WD which is in the Twin Cities area. I've chatted with him briefly and he still does work on them but isn't taking any new work for some time it sounds like. Hopefully that will change here at some point. Until then, I've got the cruiser at a shop down my way that works on 4x4s and larger trucks. So if that goes well I'd be happy to pass them along.

Welcome to the chaos!
I wouldn't be too worried about doing your own service. They are quite rugged and relatively simple as vehicles go.
How does the under carriage look? You might need a blue tipped wrench for some of the nuts if its anything like what I learned to wrench on in the rust belt.

Here are a few shots of the under carriage. The interior is in excellent condition. Starts and runs without issue so far. Certainly open to advice.

 

[bhsdriller]

looks pretty rough to me but we don't have rust out here...
good luck

 

[vegasfj40]

For a desert rat like me that looks pretty rusty but for up there I guess it isnt too bad. You could wirewheel a lot of that and put some POR 15 or something. Congrats on your purchase and welcome to the madness!

 

[Rusty Marlin]

Ooh that's a crusty critter... Yup, going to need a torch for some of those nuts.

 

[TYM4FUN]

Here are a few shots of the under carriage. The interior is in excellent condition. Starts and runs without issue so far. Certainly open to advice.

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Bummer on the rust. You have a lot of cuss words ahead of you.

 

[Tedward]

The rear shocks and exhaust pipes are shiny! So you got that going for ya
You could add a little grease to the knuckles. 1/2 to 3/4 full is what ya want.
Before salt season you should spray fluid film/wool wax on the underside.
You have a Land Cruiser!

 

[fahrvergnugen]

The rear shocks and exhaust pipes are shiny! So you got that going for ya
You could add a little grease to the knuckles. 1/2 to 3/4 full is what ya want.
Before salt season you should spray fluid film/wool wax on the underside.
You have a Land Cruiser!

@Tedward appreciate the positive approach and the advice to make the best of the best vehicle ever made. Will certainly take your advice on the knuckles and the fluid film.

 

[TYM4FUN]

I would scrape then use rust converter 1st at a minimum before any other rust prevention. Covering up the rust won't stop the cancer if you plan to keep it safe for the long run.

Welcome

 

[UsedLuxury]

Here are a few shots of the under carriage. The interior is in excellent condition. Starts and runs without issue so far. Certainly open to advice.

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Look man, that thing is a total loss. I know it's hard to hear. For you though, Ill make you a deal. Drop it off at my house and ill make sure it's sent out to pasture with dignity and respect. Ill even feed you and pay for a first class ticket home.

Congrats on the rig. The rust is what it is, get to scraping. Plenty of people here to help you along getting that thing sorted out. Above all else, you now hate jeeps and s*** on 4runners. Welcome to the club.

 

[Rusty Marlin]

I like to park next to Heeps and giggle at their inadequacy.

 

[Howard705]

Here are a few shots of the under carriage. The interior is in excellent condition. Starts and runs without issue so far. Certainly open to advice.

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There is a several year old thread on here with a recent update by a guy out east- paid to have a industrial sandblasting company just go over the entire under carriage/frame/axles/suspension- EVERYTHING -and spray it with some kind of industrial paint. His update was showing how it held up since done. He said guys doing it just crawled under and were somewhat careful what parts it aimed directly onto. This frame etc appears to be a candidate for this type if treatment.

 

[fahrvergnugen]

There is a several year old thread on here with a recent update by a guy out east- paid to have a industrial sandblasting company just go over the entire under carriage/frame/axles/suspension- EVERYTHING -and spray it with some kind of industrial paint. His update was showing how it held up since done. He said guys doing it just crawled under and were somewhat careful what parts it aimed directly onto. This frame etc appears to be a candidate for this type if treatment.

Seriously. I tried a search but couldn't find the thread. Post it if you can find know it. I'll start with spending the time in my garage scraping, but willing to entertain alternatives.

 

[FullyLitLED]

Nice ride, any triple lock these days is a score

 

[LN106]

Clean it really well and spray woolwax then fluid film. Just repeat before winter each year. I try to do mine twice a year. It will adhere excellent to the surface rust. Woolwax looks better, lasts longer, and sticks better but fluid film will expand and creep more into the hidden places.

If you can get it 99% gone and paint that is best but that is a huge commitment and not worth it unless you'll never have it in salt again.