Oppinions from the Masses

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jon@svwbarchitects.c

jon@svwbarchitects.c

Joined
Feb 12, 2007
Threads
15
Messages
115
Location
Reno, Nevada
Many of you know that I am selling my 80 and moving on to the next project. So here is the question, I have 3 people that I have talked to about trading the 80 and thought I would get some oppinions:

1. FJ60 with tpi 350, nv4500, duel tcases, 35's, arb's,... The problem is it is a 82 and not sure about smog and registration problems, if they would exist.

2. Stock FJ 60, FJ 40 with rust,cage,lift, winch, 35's, and FJ55 2 small patches of rust, power steering, spring over, winch, 36" swampers.

3. 73 Bronco, 302, 4 spd. Atlas 4.3, 44's front and rear w/ arb's, 36" swampers.

So the problem is I have had several Bronco's and really like them, but thought I would ask some of your oppinions, they all have things that I like.
 
John,
Why are you selling the 80, just out of curiosity? Just not working for you? What are you looking to achieve with a rig? Ive only wheeled with you once, so I donno much about what you want from your rig.
Me personally...Id get something that is MOSTLY built the way that you want it. As you know, builds from scratch are expensive and youll ultimately lose in the end.
As I said, Chris' 60 is nice, and the quality work is outstanding. He a CA resident, so Id ASSUME that the smog requirements are more stringent than here. Just my .02. Dont know for sure.
I just went through this dilema, to sell or not to sell, a month ago (its a perpetual state for me too)...Jack is a GREAT person to discuss this with. He'll give an unbiased opinion, and his knowledge is staggering.
However, your 80 is BITCHIN and Im a little confused as to what the hell youre doing, though I think I have an idea as to where youre at.
I feel like Im always chasing the "brass ring". Yet...Im BORED unless I have a project FOR the rig if I cant wheel.:D Im soooo screwed up.

K
 
I want something that can do fordyce, rubicon, hammers and while the 80 could do them I would constantly worry about flopping it. I also have a tendancy to speed a little and the 80 will not do that on the freeway. I was going to call Jack tonight and talk with him as well (he seams to have limited bias to brands).
 
The down side to the Bronco is the same as the down side to the FJ40, limited capacity. They are okay for one or two guys that don't mind roughing it but as a family rig they suck. If you just want a rig for yourself or you and your son go for the Bronco.

A stock FJ60, FJ40 or FJ55 will have the same power issues as the 80. If you don't mind investing the time and money you could sell the 60 and 40 then build the 55, do an engine swap etc. But would you be less worried about flopping a clean 55 than the 80? Or sell the55 and 40 and build the 60, engine swap etc. But do you want to invest the time and $$$ when you can get one already finished?

If you want a family rig that leaves option #1 IMHO.

With the information you gave I don't think brand bias comes into play that much.
 
jon@svwbarchitects.c said:
Many of you know that I am selling my 80 and moving on to the next project. So here is the question, I have 3 people that I have talked to about trading the 80 and thought I would get some oppinions:

1. FJ60 with tpi 350, nv4500, duel tcases, 35's, arb's,... The problem is it is a 82 and not sure about smog and registration problems, if they would exist.

2. Stock FJ 60, FJ 40 with rust,cage,lift, winch, 35's, and FJ55 2 small patches of rust, power steering, spring over, winch, 36" swampers.

3. 73 Bronco, 302, 4 spd. Atlas 4.3, 44's front and rear w/ arb's, 36" swampers.

So the problem is I have had several Bronco's and really like them, but thought I would ask some of your oppinions, they all have things that I like.
Click to expand...

Without pictures and details of each one, I have to agree with Dan and go for Option # 1, the reason is that most of the hard work is done and with the SBC, nv 4500 and dual cases, I don't think gearing or speeding will be an issue. The biggest issue with wagons is the big ass, if you can deal with that, they are very capable.

Option # 2: Seems like too much stuff to get where you want to be. Now you are left with having to finish, part, decide and then sell what ever you don't want/need.

Option # 3: I really like EB's, the problem is the one that Dan mentioned, room and wheelbase. Once you hit the hammers or moab with something over 100" wb and watch or wheel a SWB rig, you won't want anything else. There is nothing I can tell about a EB that you don't already know.

I will mention that you should trade for the rig that makes you smile, as you know from having several, if it doesn't make you smile or if you don't catch yourself looking in plate glass windows as you drive by, then you will find that "thing" that makes you sell it.

Give me a call and we talk more.

Jack
 
If it were me, Id go with #1 if you HAD to get rid of your rig. The V8 and doubler is HUGE, not to mention the SOA.
However, Im thinking that youll still be in the same boat with the "side hill" issue. Chris's rig has 2.5 in lift springs on top of the SOA...
John, have you wheeled your rig much since you built it? Not trying to insult you...Just a question, cuz it took me a while to get use to the COG change. The Rubicon trip last year cured me of that REAL FAST!
Maybe we should do another BBCNN Rubicon run again, but this time as a "Charity run" for John!

Call Jack...Hell steer you right!

Keith
 
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How much would you be SELLING your rig for?

Just out of curiosity

K
 
I have had it on part of Rubicon and it worked good it just felt a little fat and to drive it up there from home would be a little long at 60 mph max.
 
I'll tell you what you may not want to hear.

The 80 is probably one of the most capable platforms you can find. Tough, just the right size and infinitely moddable. I think you've done enough work on this one that you will kick yourself for selling it. While short wheelbases are cool for the technical stuff, when is the last time you had one up past 80 mph? TWITCHY is the best I can say about them. I've owned an EB, it was cool, but not a daily driver unless you like working on them all the time. Leaky windows, weak heaters, overheating in the summer, poor MPG, twitchy, not a lot of room.

The FJ40 is a good platform, but suffers the same problems as the EB and they RUST badly most times. The 60 is a very decent rig, but you already have all the best it will ever give and then some in your 80.

My 2 cents. You have too much money invested now to give up. If you like the rig, but are worried about flopping it, then exo it and armor the crap out of it. Sure, it'll be ugly, but if you do the job right, you can take the exo off when you don't want it. Probably be a PITA, but what the heck. As for the no HP thing.... That's waaayyy easier to fix than buying a new rig. FORCED INDUCTION. Lean on that thing till you find a weak spot, then fix it or swap it out for something else.

I honestly don't think you will be happy with any of the items you have for choices. You will probably find that they all have shortcomings that will make them less desirable as time goes on.

Of course, you could always hack the body off your 80 and make a full tube body rock buggy out of it. The whole street legal thing would be gone, but it would do away with body damage. Then you could swap any engine in you wanted since you wouldn't have to smog it. Then you'd have to buy a tow rig, so there's another 10 grand down the toilet, or double that if you want something nice.

Talk it over, think deeply. I'll let you take my Ramcharger for a ride if you want to see what a big fat oversized whale wheels like.
 
I would personally keep the 80, one of the best platforms out there, and most importantly ...you already know what you r getting..no "surprises", as for speeding..none will go over 65 mph in a "safe & comf." way.
wheel base of the 80 is not that larger than the FJ and with your hight and components there is nothing you cant really go for out there.....just a bit slower....but...hack, if it wasnt for the fact i "needed" a rig i can also go to business meetings with and could have taken an older car.....the Nissan Patrol 1st, the LC 73 2nd and LC 80 3rd(as the first 2 are :ban: not imported to the US:bang: ) it brings the LC 80 to first place:cheers:... as my choice of platform.

hope i was of help.

sharon
 
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