Hey guys! I just picked up an 80 series (1995) from my best friend from high school. His brother had it before him and my buddy just purchased a new LX 570 so he needed to make space. I was looking for a daily driver as my Raptor is about to go under the knife again for more work. The agreement with the wife was "not mods to the Land Cruiser" but uh...I've never owned a vehicle I haven't modified in some way .
The 80 Series I picked up isn't fancy. I'm 99% sure it does not have factory lockers and it doesn't have leather. But it has had regular maintenance done to it - the head gasket was replaced by a dealer in Washington in May 2020. Crankshaft seals and most seals in the engine bay have been replaced within the last 18 months so I'm fairly confident it's a mechanically sound vehicle that will be great for a daily driver.
The problem with it? It drives way too nice. So I pretty much am obligated to make it worse by modifying it . I'm used to driving vehicles that make funny noises driving around. My Raptor has a full bed cage with 4.0 external bypass shocks that click over expansion joints and it's going under the knife later this year to get a mid-travel suspension upgrade for the front to match the rear (16-17" up front, 18" out back). All that to say, I enjoy a vehicle with "character". I drive rental cars every week when I travel for work so I don't mind some minor quirks.
I have some ideas for mods but on suspension, I'm a little lost and looking to see if you guys can provide some direction for me. Here is what my future mod list is looking like:
And here are some pics, because it wouldn't be an intro post without some pictures!
The 80 Series I picked up isn't fancy. I'm 99% sure it does not have factory lockers and it doesn't have leather. But it has had regular maintenance done to it - the head gasket was replaced by a dealer in Washington in May 2020. Crankshaft seals and most seals in the engine bay have been replaced within the last 18 months so I'm fairly confident it's a mechanically sound vehicle that will be great for a daily driver.
The problem with it? It drives way too nice. So I pretty much am obligated to make it worse by modifying it . I'm used to driving vehicles that make funny noises driving around. My Raptor has a full bed cage with 4.0 external bypass shocks that click over expansion joints and it's going under the knife later this year to get a mid-travel suspension upgrade for the front to match the rear (16-17" up front, 18" out back). All that to say, I enjoy a vehicle with "character". I drive rental cars every week when I travel for work so I don't mind some minor quirks.
I have some ideas for mods but on suspension, I'm a little lost and looking to see if you guys can provide some direction for me. Here is what my future mod list is looking like:
- ARB Winch Front Bumper
- 4x4 Labs rear bumps. DIY kit and I'll have Brave Motorsports here in Houston weld it up for me. That 16 week lead time is nuts but the supply chain right now nuts so I get it.
- I'm thinking single swing arm. I'm not sure why people go with a dual swing arm since they both have to be swung out to open the rear hatch. If there is a reason for dual swings let me know I just haven't found a reason why yet.
- HID Retrofits in Clear Housings - I have retrofits in my truck and I'm addicted to how good it is. Lighting all around will be upgraded.
- Suspension Lift - Here is where I need direction. My goal - Run the same tires I have on my Raptor - 37" Toyo Open Country R/T. That way if I have a tire issue I can run to Discount and have it swapped. If 37's aren't feasible, 35" General Grabber X3, Toyo Open Country R/T, or BFG KM3 would be the goal.
- Dobinsons MRR Kit
- Which kit is the right one? I see so many different ones with different options just for the MRR Kits. One for $4600+ with shocks, springs, front panhard bar, castor kits, sway bay extension brackets. Or one for ~$3000 with shocks, springs, rear sway bar extension bracket?
- Icon - this is a name I'm familiar with in the Raptor world. Great name recognition for me
- Their CDCV shocks are great on the Raptors - but their stuff is pricey. $3700+ for shocks, springs, brake lines, castor correction, sway bar relocation bracket.
- I assume I will need extended brake lines for any suspension lift?
- Dobinsons MRR Kit
- Leather seats and leather for the doors
- Upgrade the head-unit so I can listen to something other than the 50 cassettes my high school buddy left me
And here are some pics, because it wouldn't be an intro post without some pictures!