Build OLD MAN FZJ79 FROM SAUDI - BARRY WHITE (BARAK ABYAD)

Member Build Threads

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

Terrain Tamer makes a slick set of stainless brake lines. I added them.

Put the tie rods back on and greased.

Added the steering stabilizer.

Filled everything up with fresh 90 weight.

No birfs yet.

Add those tomorrow and bleed the brakes then take it for tires.

Dogs have been lending a hand.

IMG_6471.webp
 
The proper birfields arrived from Terrain Tamer. They come prepacked with Moly grease then a extra tube to mound it up after install
IMG_6479.webp
IMG_6482.webp


Hubs are on and working properly
IMG_6481.webp


As are the beautiful stainless brake hoses.

About to bleed ....

IMG_6480.webp
 
Alright. Drum roll.

The Parabolics lifted the front almost 3" and the rear 1.5" giving it the perfect stance.

255/85-16s are a natural killer on these trucks.

The ride is MUCH improved.

IMG_6497.webp


IMG_6498.webp


IMG_6500.webp
 
Ward flies in this weekend so I used the 79 to get to the airport. Red was pissed her chauffeur was not available for the 4:45 am departure from Tilda Bogue.

Documenting the KMs before this thing heads west
IMG_6577.webp


Ward. Top of the parking garage and straight back. Can't miss it.

Fun project. 2 more are on deck for Tilda Bogue so it was nice to have a Guinea pig to set the standard.

IMG_6578.webp


IMG_6579.webp
 
wngrog said:
Alright. Drum roll.

The Parabolics lifted the front almost 3" and the rear 1.5" giving it the perfect stance.

255/85-16s are a natural killer on these trucks.

The ride is MUCH improved.

View attachment 4132882

View attachment 4132883

View attachment 4132884
Click to expand...
Looks great with the parabolics. A couple questions:
1. What is the effective spring rate for these springs, F and R?
2. Did you try putting a load in the rear to see how it impacted the rake? I know for my truck when I added the drawer system it did two things. 1. Settled the rear down and provided much needed traction and 2. the springs kept up with the load and I didn't get Bro rake.

My drawer system is ~300lbs unloaded and I would say I could still add another 200lbs and retain a good stance.
 
DrRock said:
Looks great with the parabolics. A couple questions:
1. What is the effective spring rate for these springs, F and R?
2. Did you try putting a load in the rear to see how it impacted the rake? I know for my truck when I added the drawer system it did two things. 1. Settled the rear down and provided much needed traction and 2. the springs kept up with the load and I didn't get Bro rake.

My drawer system is ~300lbs unloaded and I would say I could still add another 200lbs and retain a good stance.
Click to expand...
I did not load this one, no. I have them on my 45 pickup and a pallet of 500# will put it on the overload springs.

As for the F and R, that's a @orangefj45 question
 
DrRock said:
Looks great with the parabolics. A couple questions:
1. What is the effective spring rate for these springs, F and R?
2. Did you try putting a load in the rear to see how it impacted the rake? I know for my truck when I added the drawer system it did two things. 1. Settled the rear down and provided much needed traction and 2. the springs kept up with the load and I didn't get Bro rake.

My drawer system is ~300lbs unloaded and I would say I could still add another 200lbs and retain a good stance.
Click to expand...
My 2 cents:
I am still 8 states away, but here is what I know, what I think, and what we are going to do:
Terrain Tamer kit as installed is below. Not sure about rates, but the coils are progressive rate Smart Cails and the rears are medium duty parabolics. The shocks are upgraded commercial grade Fortified models (Black Edition).
From the photos (same you are seeing) the empty rake is just right to my eyes. Nolen did not add weight but my first stop after leaving the airport is Home Depot for some supplies, including 600 lbs of bagged play sand for my grandson. With the springs rated up to 880 lbs, I will have 68% of the max on board for my 2,000 mile journey to Austin, Flagstaff and home to Boise.
I will shoot before/after photos at HD and take measurements to post in this thread. My sand will exceed your 500 lb target so hopefully the photos/measurements will help in your planning. Will also provide commentary on ride, handling, braking during the ride.
Will also provide this and other content via YouTube channel as time and skills allow. You can view/subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/@YotaMotors

1777989727930.webp
 
Last edited:
wardharris said:
My 2 cents:
I am still 8 states away, but here is what I know, what I think, and what we are going to do:
Terrain Tamer kit as installed is below. Not sure about rates, but the coils are progressive rate Smart Cails and the rears are medium duty parabolics. The shocks are upgraded commercial grade Fortified models (Black Edition).
From the photos (same you are seeing) the empty rake is just right to my eyes. Nolen did not add weight but my first stop after leaving the airport is Home Depot for some supplies, including 600 lbs of bagged play sand for my grandson. With the springs rated up to 880 lbs, I will have 68% of the max on board for my 2,000 mile journey to Austin, Flagstaff and home to Boise.
I will shoot before/after photos at HD and take measurements to post in this thread. My sand will exceed your 500 lb target so hopefully the photos/measurements will help in your planning. Will also provide commentary on ride, handling, braking during the ride.
Will also provide this and other content via YouTube channel as time and skills allow. You can view/subscribe here: Yota Motors - https://www.youtube.com/@YotaMotors

View attachment 4135164
Click to expand...
Great info, thank you. Safe travels! I'll be driving my 75 to Austin, Flagstaff and on to SAS this summer and back home. Can't wait for a road trip in this truck.

Cheers, James
 
TRUCK DELIVERY
Flew Boise to Jackson Sat 5/9 to collect the truck. Collected from airport parking.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_2711.webp
    IMG_2711.webp
    614.2 KB · Views: 16
Flew Sat 5/9 from Boise to Jackson.
4am departed house via Uber
1778425009162.webp


2pm found the Old Man 79 per @wngrog directions - all in good order - many white trucks, but hard to miss
1778425136915.webp


Inspection results more than satisfactory
1778425267813.webp


1778425299801.webp


1778425315382.webp


1778425366901.webp


Exit to highway and off to Monroe, LA. Several gas/food stops which produced significant local interest. One fella (looked like he had means).
Him: "What would something like that cost?"
Me: "In this condition, between $50k and $60K, landed in US, local title."
Him: "I want one."
Me: "No but I know a guy."

Younger fella in a 2nd gen Tacoma trails off my left rear on the freeway for a bit. Figured he was a fan and sure enough, he pulled up slowly while filming with his phone. Dropped it on seat, waved and gave a thumbs up. I waved back and had a great view of a very wide smile on his face. He drove off, no doubt to tell his wife he needs a new truck.
 
GOOD BAD & UGLY

GOOD - This truck is just about perfect.

BAD - Rides like a truck - but a truck with manners and an awesome suspension that is compliant, comfortable and with a little weight and significantly better than any other leaf sprung Toyota I have driven. So, actually GOOD.

UGLY - Seats could be better. I brought a supplemental lumbar pad, so will give it a try. The $30 solution vs. the $5,000 solution (Scheel-Mann Vario Fs). We shall see. So TBD until Ihave a few full days on the road. So either way, also GOOD.

NOT UGLY - The Cruiser Brothers shop truck was a FJ75 - converted JDM fire truck - that I loved dearly as our pallet-hauler in the early days. Cab was too small and I hate RHD but otherwise was a perfect vehicle for our use. When Lois and I moved from Whidbey Island and the business was expanding, it was clear that the 75 needed to go to Stockton and Georg offered to give it a home. Sad to no longer own/drive it, but very happy to have it in the family, in semi retirement.

Island living plus scenes from Ontario and Japan in early days.

1778427360099.webp
.

Here it is at Terrain Tamer warehouse. Probably hauls more Hondas than pallets these days. Rumor has it that Garrett has designs on it - adding to his expanding fleet of Land Cruisers. Makes me happy and next month the 75 and 79 that replaced it can hang out in Stockton.

1778427813557.webp
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom