I've been lurking on here for a few months, and finally found a rig. I grabbed a 1997 40th Anniversary (no lockers) from some Pakistani wholesalers for less than $5k and now I'm ready to spend more than the purchase price (x2, probably) on modifications. I've tried to read as much as possible on the series 80 tech pages, but after a hundred pages (only 900 more to go) I seem to be no closer to a consensus. I'm hoping the resident experts will take a look at what I want to do and tell me the best ways to do so. (Local experts around Sacramento may be forced to accept alcohol or cigars as a sign of my appreciation.)
I'm hoping to modify this rig to run local trails with camping gear for four people, but don't know what I'll need. I'm from Alaska and no rock crawler...but now I live near the Rubicon, Fordyce, etc. so I need to adapt. I'm used to bigger and wider tires for floatation on deep snow or mud (and sand when I was in Florida) and hunting in rice fields around here I will still be facing deep mud at times.
My local buddies say articulation is everything for rocks, not necessarily just larger rubber. I believe them, so is there a tried-and-true setup for this rig that matches my needs? I don't want anything smaller than a 35" inch tire, and 37 or 38 would be cooler...but probably unnecessary. I don't want to hack up a 40th model too much, call it a "tasteful build."
Now that I'm almost 40, I'm more cautious when wheeling, especially with my kids, so I'd rather pay more for a lift that is proven and keeps the steering safe. Slee keeps coming up in conversations, but I'm not sure which kit. I am still open to other manufacturers...but "new and exciting" is not what I'm looking for. I weld, but I don't trust my welds on anything in a suspension. Bumpers, roll cages, yes, but not panhard bars or shock mounts, etc. So lift kits should be bolt-on, if possible.
Reliability is my other requirement...after being broken down on a deserted beach for 3 days on one occasion and almost freezing to death in Alaska on another have made me more conservative. I'd love a dual battery/solar setup and have read a few articles on Blue Sea.
The honest use of this rig will be 60% pavement, 20% hunting and 20% camping/running trails. I know it is never going to be a great rock crawler, and I don't mind winching or using bypasses if needed...I just want to get my kids out there to enjoy the outdoors!
I have an old Warn XD9000i but I don't know if that is enough for a rig this heavy (planning bumpers/swingouts and sliders)? Perhaps put that in the rear and a new 12k Warn up front?
Since this rig didn't have e-lockers (at that price, I didn't care) I knew that ARB's were on the list...I hear they are stronger, anyway. It seems that 4.88 is appropriate while I'm in the differentials?
Finally, I'm going to need some techno-nerd help on electronics. They didn't have LED lighting and iPod adapters when I was wheeling. So, if there is a nice big radio replacement that fits in an 80 that will play blu-ray to monitors in the back for my kids...please let me know.
I THINK I've covered everything...sorry it is so long. I'm planning on traction first (lift kit, arb lockers, ring and pinions to 4.88 and new tires), followed by armor (sliders, front/rear bumpers, swing-outs) and then supplies/recovery (winches front/rear and jerry cans/rotopax for fuel) and whatever I've not thought of as I go along.
Your help in this is greatly appreciated, I just don't want to repeat any work if possible, i.e. do the ring and pinion/arb's when axles are off for the lift, etc. I'm happy to post pictures as this progresses, I'm hoping it will be an entertaining build to follow. Here are the original photos as I bought her. The front damage multiplier was removed on day one and is available in the Sacramento area for whatever they go for.
Sincerely,
Chad Jones
I'm hoping to modify this rig to run local trails with camping gear for four people, but don't know what I'll need. I'm from Alaska and no rock crawler...but now I live near the Rubicon, Fordyce, etc. so I need to adapt. I'm used to bigger and wider tires for floatation on deep snow or mud (and sand when I was in Florida) and hunting in rice fields around here I will still be facing deep mud at times.
My local buddies say articulation is everything for rocks, not necessarily just larger rubber. I believe them, so is there a tried-and-true setup for this rig that matches my needs? I don't want anything smaller than a 35" inch tire, and 37 or 38 would be cooler...but probably unnecessary. I don't want to hack up a 40th model too much, call it a "tasteful build."
Now that I'm almost 40, I'm more cautious when wheeling, especially with my kids, so I'd rather pay more for a lift that is proven and keeps the steering safe. Slee keeps coming up in conversations, but I'm not sure which kit. I am still open to other manufacturers...but "new and exciting" is not what I'm looking for. I weld, but I don't trust my welds on anything in a suspension. Bumpers, roll cages, yes, but not panhard bars or shock mounts, etc. So lift kits should be bolt-on, if possible.
Reliability is my other requirement...after being broken down on a deserted beach for 3 days on one occasion and almost freezing to death in Alaska on another have made me more conservative. I'd love a dual battery/solar setup and have read a few articles on Blue Sea.
The honest use of this rig will be 60% pavement, 20% hunting and 20% camping/running trails. I know it is never going to be a great rock crawler, and I don't mind winching or using bypasses if needed...I just want to get my kids out there to enjoy the outdoors!
I have an old Warn XD9000i but I don't know if that is enough for a rig this heavy (planning bumpers/swingouts and sliders)? Perhaps put that in the rear and a new 12k Warn up front?
Since this rig didn't have e-lockers (at that price, I didn't care) I knew that ARB's were on the list...I hear they are stronger, anyway. It seems that 4.88 is appropriate while I'm in the differentials?
Finally, I'm going to need some techno-nerd help on electronics. They didn't have LED lighting and iPod adapters when I was wheeling. So, if there is a nice big radio replacement that fits in an 80 that will play blu-ray to monitors in the back for my kids...please let me know.
I THINK I've covered everything...sorry it is so long. I'm planning on traction first (lift kit, arb lockers, ring and pinions to 4.88 and new tires), followed by armor (sliders, front/rear bumpers, swing-outs) and then supplies/recovery (winches front/rear and jerry cans/rotopax for fuel) and whatever I've not thought of as I go along.
Your help in this is greatly appreciated, I just don't want to repeat any work if possible, i.e. do the ring and pinion/arb's when axles are off for the lift, etc. I'm happy to post pictures as this progresses, I'm hoping it will be an entertaining build to follow. Here are the original photos as I bought her. The front damage multiplier was removed on day one and is available in the Sacramento area for whatever they go for.
Sincerely,
Chad Jones
