ROTF: Lane's 91 FJ80

[Lka1988]

My name is Lane, and here's the story behind my 80...

This Land Cruiser has been in my family for several years. It has served as a kid hauler, tow rig, family trip vehicle, you name it. It's the vehicle I learned to drive in, and I pretty much grew up with it, so there's quite a bond between us.

My dad bought it on August 27, 1994 for $21,827 from Larry H. Miller Toyota in Murray, UT. That was all said and done, after the trade-in credit ($1600), taxes, licensing and everything. I still have the bill of sale
I have vague images of that day....I was 6 years old....taking my stuff out of the old 1980's Dodge minivan, waving goodbye to it, then walking over to this HUGE, awesome, red wagon that the grownups called a "Land Cruiser". It was like a tank. It was also a cloudy day. That little insignificant detail always sneaks its way into my head...a sign, maybe?


Fast forward 11-1/2 years to early 2006...


Just a few months before I graduated, my dad had bought a Ford F150 SuperCrew to tow a large camper trailer with. It also replaced the 80 as the new family vehicle. The poor 80 sat in the driveway for a few months, rarely driven. I liked it, but being a speed-hungry teen, I thought it was too slow for me. In 2005, we got a 1963 VW Bug as a project vehicle. My brother and I had been driving it through high school. May 2006, we began restoring the VW, so I couldn't drive it anymore. My brother had already taken hold of the Mazda-powered '97 Kia, so that left me with the 80. It grew on me, and within a few months, I had gotten my first speeding ticket! Haha!

First thing I noticed was the sound system sucked, even for being the Premium 9-speaker system. I put in a new Sony headunit which REALLY helped, but mainly because the old CD player didn't work anymore. The Sony was upgraded to a Kenwood unit, then to my current Alpine CDA9883, to run my iPod. I put in a real subwoofer, a single Polk 12", which was eventually upgraded to twin 10" MTX 5500's. The door speakers were replaced; Infinity in front, Pioneer in the rear; while everything else; front tweeters, 3rd row speakers, "subwoofer", and factory amp; was removed. The weak amps I was using to power the subs were replaced by a single 960W 2-channel Kenwood amp. The speakers eventually got a burly 1600W Boss Audio amp. After tweaking the system every few weeks for a while, the sound system was perfect. I'm still running the same setup today. I will say with 100% confidence that it blows many other systems completely out of the water.

This is when I found 'Mud. I was asking for Cruiser-specific info at TundraSolutions.com (they have a Cruiser sub-forum), so the guys referred me here. My addiction just got worse from there...


DETAILS

Vehicle- 1991 FJ80; 3FE, A440F, SF rear axle

Suspension-

• Front: OME 850J's
• Rear: OME 860's
• 1" spacers all around
• Total: 4-4.5"
• No castor correction (yet)

Wheels and Tires-

• '96 Tacoma 15" forged aluminum, painted black, 33x12.50R15 BFG AT's
• Spare: 33x12.50R15 Goodyear MT/R mounted on the roof

Drivetrain Modifications-

• Psrt-time 4X4 w/Aisin hubs
• Rear Aussie

Plans (slow but steadily moving towards my goals)-

• 383 stroker
• NV4500
• NP205/203 doubler
• [STRIKE]Chromoly birfs and shafts[/STRIKE]
• Slee 6"
• 38"+ tires
• E-code headlamps OR sealed beams from OZ
• HAM radio
• Full interior roll cage w/integrated cupholders
• Custom rear bumper w/hitch receiver
• Chopped roof just behind C-pillar
• Soft top to cover lack of roof
• Custom spare tire carrier & toolbox mounts in the newfound "bed"
• Step sliders (I'm not quite 6')
  

This might be my daily driver, after I find out its approximate GPM....er, MPG. I want something similar to PKP80's rig. I absolutely love his rig.


Build-up threads

• https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/370834-lanes-official-axle-build-up-thread.html

 

[Lka1988]

Onto the Fun Stuff...

Here it is in stock form, but you guys don't want to see that. ;p

I took it out a few times with the old, bald Michelin LTX street tires. Did pretty good. My buddy, Russ, and I also built a light bar on which I mounted two KC Daylighters. A roof rack eventually came out of the bar, which Russ had helped design.

Gotta have the first flex shot.

Eventually, I got some BFG AT 31's, Line-X, a small spacer lift, and a bunch of stickers. Also tore off the flares. I ran without the lightbar for a few months....too worried about gas mileage. Not so much now.

 

[Lka1988]

Bumpers

About a year ago, my friend Lee found a custom front bumper on KSL.com. It was up in Sandy, which is maybe 30 minutes away. The bumper was built for an 80, and the guy (fellow 'Mud member; thanks Scott!) only wanted $75! I jumped on it.

Just a few hours, a couple drinks for Lee (cause he found it), and $75 later, it became mine. We mounted it the next day. Notching the frame rails was required, and after an hour or so with the sawzall, we were done.

Link to thread: https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/240349-new-me-damage-inducer.html

 

[Lka1988]

Electrical

More lift, a Cobra in-dash CB, and more lights came about. I built a custom switch box for all the lights, plus a few other things like the auxiliary A/C fan and ACC switch (no key required for the stereo), using a project box from Radioshack. Labeled them all as I saw fit.

Now for those of you wondering, total output from all the lights (including headlights) is a staggering 1,345 watts
1,010 watts from the front, and 335 from the rear. And another tidbit of info...About 700 watts equals 1 horsepower. It lights up the night.


A dual battery system was installed to handle the large electrical loads. I started with a single-tray setup, kinda like 450 DUDE's. Mine differed, though; the larger battery was used for AUX loads, while the smaller, Honda Civic-sized battery was used for starting and other stock loads. I didn't have many problems with it, but it was a pain to work with and pretty unprofessional-looking.

Using Trailbus' idea, I built a much better-looking dual battery setup using a factory tray from a 94. Details here...
https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/276351-3fe-dual-battery-setup-using-fzj-tray.html


A few more little things... Raventai/Landtank's auto-up window mod was done about a year ago, and an LED unit from George in the middle row light. Also retrofitted a 3rd brake light from a 96 and disco-modded the rear marker lights.

 

[Lka1988]

On-board Air

At the moment, I'm using two Masterflow MF1050's plumbed to a 5 gallon tank mounted underneath.

To mount the air tank, I had to flip the spare tire X-member upside down and remove the little winch thing. Broke a bolt in the process, but it drilled out easily. Gotta love salty winter roads...

I'll be switching to a York compressor soon. I still have to build a bracket (thanks to Jon Held for pics of his) and I'm waiting on some new 1/2" NPT flanges from Kilby Enterprises. Soon...

 

[Lka1988]

Making progress

Somewhere along the road, I painted all the chrome flat black, started on a roof rack and moved the CB antenna up top (MUCH better up there). Got some larger, meatier tires (32" MTR's) and added some cool retro 60-series Land Cruiser badges.

 

[Lka1988]

Looks and sounds very nice

Just a few months ago, I finished the lift (haha yeah right) and put on a glasspack to rid the exhaust of a gnarly whistle. Also gave it a nice rumble

Then:
7 months later:
It sounds much better in person, I promise


Tires and stuff

About a month and a half ago, I found some used, but better tires at a local Big-O. 33x12.50x15 BFG ATs with 50% tread left. Cost about $204, mounted and balanced. I think I got a pretty good deal.

On a recent wheeling trip with the new tires, my poor fiberglass CB antenna (which I had mounted on the roof) just couldn't take anymore abuse. Like many times before, a tree decided to take a whack at it while cruising down the trail. This time, though, the antenna just snapped at the base. I still had a bit of reception, but I could only go out about 50 feet. A new whip antenna came courtesy of the local Radioshack. I bought the last one, haha. I can bend it in half without worry and it gets better reception.

And just last week, I paid a visit to Cruiser Outfitters. Kurt had a set of rattle-canned black 15" aluminum Tacoma rims for $80. I did want one of the 1HZ's he had, but I think he wanted more than the $80 in my wallet... I will say, though, that it's nice having Cruiser Outfitters just 30 minutes away
Link to thread: https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/290207-looking-new-wheels.html

I also tossed in a rear Aussie locker to the tune of ~$310 and a few hours labor. No pics, though. Sorry guys.

 

[Lka1988]

Drawers and Navigation

I tried my hand at building one of those cool drawer systems that everyone seems to have... Mine turned out not to be a drawer, but more like a shelf. I can have a bunch of stuff on top of it, like a bed, and still be able to access my tools, compressors, and whatever other junk I feel like throwing under there.

Two GPS units garnish the dash of my truck. One is a Garmin nuvi 205, loaded with City Navigator NT 2010, and used for roads. And they still haven't gotten the new road to the freeway exit/entrance yet NOR the new add-on to my neighborhood, even though both have been there for at least two years...
The other is a classic Garmin GPS V, loaded with a full set of topo maps and an auto-routing version of Metroguide 2009. I use it for topography (duh), extra details that my nuvi doesn't display (elevation, coordinates, etc), and it doubles as a sturdy handheld unit.

The nuvi can get a lock on most satellites within seconds, while the GPS V, even with its external roof-mounted antenna, takes a minute or two to get a usable signal. I guess it's just due to the older technology. It still works.

 

[Lka1988]

Final touches...

Here's a few "action" shots...

^^^Not my tires, only borrowed ^^^

Yours truly...

And I think that's all....If anyone notices something missing, let me know...


Thanks for looking!
-Lane

 

[80t0ylc]

Pretty sweet, Lane. You've put a lot of work into your rig with some nice results! I didn't realize until this ROTF posting that you were so young. I've got twin sons your age, one's (Andy) in the Air Force and the other's (Jake) getting his BS in Exercise Science at a local CC. The three of us took a little expedition cruise in my'94 down to Canyonlands several years back and had some fun. I lived in Kearns from 1977 - 1981 and did some exploring around Utah, myself. You live in a great place to wheel! Good job on your thread, here and 80s for ever, baby!

 

[cody c]

Nice looking cruiser Lane! In the last picture it looks like your rolling on MTZ's. Have you upgraded tires again recently? Also what is the other thing stuck near your rear view mirror?

 

[Lka1988]

Pretty sweet, Lane. You've put a lot of work into your rig with some nice results! I didn't realize until this ROTF posting that you were so young. I've got twin sons your age, one's (Andy) in the Air Force and the other's (Jake) getting his BS in Exercise Science at a local CC. The three of us took a little expedition cruise in my'94 down to Canyonlands several years back and had some fun. I lived in Kearns from 1977 - 1981 and did some exploring around Utah, myself. You live in a great place to wheel! Good job on your thread, here and 80s for ever, baby!

Thanks! Yeah, I turned 21 in April. I don't really look it, mostly cause I don't shave a whole lot...

 

[Lka1988]

Nice looking cruiser Lane! In the last picture it looks like your rolling on MTZ's. Have you upgraded tires again recently? Also what is the other thing stuck near your rear view mirror?

Ah, the MTZs... I guess I should clarify, those aren't mine. My buddy was using my tires cause his stick out too far...

Love them, though. My truck rides quite nice on the freeway in 3rd with those things.

The thing in the windshield is a camera

 

[nicholas]

Nice setup Lane. Those wheels really turned out well on your truck. That must be neat having a truck that has been in your family since you were 6 years old. Now I understand why you show so much love for the 3FE.

 

[Lka1988]

Thanks Nick. Growing up with it is one of the reasons I love it so much. That, and the fact it's taken over 30,000 miles of my abuse.

 

[LandCrusher'70]

Nice, and a great story behind it. I can only hope my kids (still) love my rig when they get older.

BTW: My first ride was a '63 Squareback. I still have a 'thing' for VW's.

 

[AKcruiserfreak]

Very nice! Looks like you have spent some quality time on the ol' girl.


TK

 

[CreeperSleeper]

VWs and Cruisers... How can you go wrong?!? However, I will take my 80 with a 1FZ and my VW water-cooled.

Seriously, tho. Looks like you are doing a great job with your 80.

 

[Flank]

BTW: My first ride was a '63 Squareback. I still have a 'thing' for VW's.

VWs and Cruisers... How can you go wrong?!?

x3...
My pop always had air cooled VWs, then I fell in love with his '83 FJ60, which he would not give or sell me... That is how the cruiser bug got me. My first car was a '69 bug that I restored, second was a '74 Porsche 914 (with a VW Type 4 Engine - 2.0L).

Great write up!

 

[coax]

Yep definitely a nice rig! Amazing how long they last too, especially compared to my old explorer of the same year which went through two head gaskets and one head by the time the mileage was half of what you have on your 80!