New toy... looking for an ARB bull bar

[vfrer]

Hey all... I recently expanded the collection and bought an 80, actually thanks to Jim who posted it here...

https://forum.ih8mud.com/ma-nh-yankee-toys/192248-ebay-80-ma.html

The addiction is real! I wasn't really looking but couldn't pass it up, too good of a deal.

She's in pretty good shape other than some cosmetics and it is just a great rig. Not sure when it is going to be done but lift, tires and ARB/winch are on the list. Right now an ARB bull bar seems to be the best start and besides the shipping I would like to deal with someone local if possible. Does anyone know of an ARB vendor in New England?

I'll work on getting some pics up.

Eric

 

[rblank]

the guys at Cruiser Solutions in Hampstead.

 

[vfrer]

Thanks Roger... don't know why I didn't think of them. I thought 40 parts were expensive but the 80 mods put a new meaning on money pit. Good thing the 40 is mostly done for now...

 

[Wrench]

Nice pick up! 80's rule!
ARB's are great bumpers for frontal protection but have poor clearance in the rocks. Not sure how hard you are going to wheel it.
The 80 is cheap to lift compared to other rigs. But it gets really expensive after that.

 

[vfrer]

80's do rule!

The ARB looks like it has pretty good clearance, similar to others that I saw (Slee for example). I saw a couple of tube bumpers that gave more but I think they were customs. Do you have some suggestions of others? Definitely don't want to spend that kind of money on a rock magnet.

80's are cheap to lift? Everything I see puts a full lift at at least $900 for 2" and more like $2k for something that will fit 35's. That is quite a bit more than the same amount of lift for a 40. Being that it is a 4-link, coil-spring suspension, I can understand the difference though.

My plan for the 80 is mostly recreational and I plan on having it for some time so I'm in no real rush to mod it, but I am forging my plan. I do want to run 35's and am thinking of going with the FOR kit. Besides that a front bumper and winch and I should be good to go for a little while.

I've been reading mud daily but any info/suggestions from this group is much appreciated.

 

[landtank]

I rode in a FOR sprung 80 and I prefer my Slee 4" setup. I live about 15 minutes from Ted's and if you would like free shipping I could run the ARB out to you during my work schedule. I do field service and drive my 80 during the winter months.

 

[vfrer]

Hey Rick... thanks alot. You are definitely on my list of people to talk to before I decide which lift to use...

PM sent.

 

[Wrench]

80's do rule!

The ARB looks like it has pretty good clearance, similar to others that I saw (Slee for example). I saw a couple of tube bumpers that gave more but I think they were customs. Do you have some suggestions of others? Definitely don't want to spend that kind of money on a rock magnet.

80's are cheap to lift? Everything I see puts a full lift at at least $900 for 2" and more like $2k for something that will fit 35's. That is quite a bit more than the same amount of lift for a 40. Being that it is a 4-link, coil-spring suspension, I can understand the difference though.

My plan for the 80 is mostly recreational and I plan on having it for some time so I'm in no real rush to mod it, but I am forging my plan. I do want to run 35's and am thinking of going with the FOR kit. Besides that a front bumper and winch and I should be good to go for a little while.

I've been reading mud daily but any info/suggestions from this group is much appreciated.

I'm not saying the ARB bumper is bad. It's just not a rock crawling bumper. I have one and wheel my 80 hard. But I like the protection it offers. Here in New England you really need it.

Yes 80's are cheap to lift compared to other rigs. You can get a 2.5 inch lift for $800. That's pretty good. I was running 35's with a 3 inch lift with no rubbing. Now I'm on 37's and rub a bit. You can fit 35's on a stock 80. People have done it. It just gets expensive if you start going higher in lift. It just all depends on what you plan on doing with your rig. How high you want to go.

 

[nat88toy]

cool man you got your self an 80
arb's are great bumpers like wrench said they are not all that great for rock crawling but with some extra bracing they can be i have a nice dent on the drivers side but i hit a rock at 15 or 20 mph driving threw some tall grass up at my place in Maine but thats nothing a sledge cant fix

i am getting a locked 80 this spring from a buddy of mine and i plan on getting an arb for it as well. Rick i too may have some questions about lifting an 80 for you

Eric if i get my 80 in time maybe we can have a wrenching party on them

 

[landtank]

lifting an 80 properly for 35" tires takes some work. I helped peepers do his and he had the brake lines already on and it was still a 10 hour day. There are ways to plan ahead and get a better outcome while saving money by using DIY bits from Slee. If everyone gets serious about this we can get together so you can drive my truck and see how I set mine up.

 

[vfrer]

Nice Nat... I'd definitely be up for some wrenching, don't forget step #6! I've been DDing the 80 lately so I can know exactly what I got and so far only a couple things have come up...

1. need to do a knuckle job - one side is a little dryer than I would like and no idea when it was done last
2. got the 80 'clunk', haven't checked drive shafts yet - hoping a grease job will do it
3. small whine of power steering pump when first started in really cold weather - not worried
4. all lockers do work as does everything else

I have done a couple of minor mods... Scangague II and new front speakers, both well worth it.

Rick, I would really like to check out your truck at some point.... I'll be in touch.

Couple of pics of the mall cruiser...

 

[Cruiser_Nerd]

Eric, when I bought a two year old '95 for my wife (which got me back into this sickness), I bought it because it was a luxo-truck.....................
the only time I wheeled it I got it stuck in the backyard in the snow.............the lockers just made it slide downhill......

 

[vfrer]

are you trying to discourage me Jim?? I already blame you for telling us about this truck and making me buy it. If this thing can't make it up a snow covered hill I'll be coming for you!!

 

[Cruiser_Nerd]

Lose the Michelilns and it will go anywhere.