Builds The evolution of Expolander's 95 FZJ80 overlander build (1 Viewer)

[Expolander]

I figured that I would finally get around to starting an actual "build thread" whereby I could share some of the experiences I've had while being a Land Cruiser owner and some of the things I've done with regards to building up my Land Cruiser to what it is today....

I have owned 35+ cars so far, some friends call it an illness, yet others have had more than that...for the most part I have owned and driven a Toyota. I've had Tacoma's, 4Runners, Celica and a 97 80 prior to the 95 I've currently own since 2008 and drive about 8000 miles a year primarily for mountain and overlanding trips. The primary DD is our 2001 Toy Sequoia Limited.


The first couple pictures shows how it looked when I bought it for $9500 in 2008. It had a 4" Man-a-Free kit and OME Springs/Shocks. No lockers, but that didn't matter to me...the way it sat I had to have it.

These three pictures are from 2015.

 

[GW Nugget]

Oh, I have a feeling this is going to be good.

 

[Expolander]

One of the first mods I had done was tint the windows, add trail gear sliders, I tried various OME springs, IPOR rear bumper, built a cargo box inside, had the inside lined with spray on bed liner, stereo, HAM, CB, speakers, modified the front non ARB bumper to be ARB, put Nitro 4.88's in, ARB F/R lockers, front chromoly inner and birfs...

If you're wondering about the rear cargo box, this year I have pulled it out, welded in the hole and have installed the more expensive option Outback slider drawers. I just couldn't afford them at the time.

 

[Expolander]

cargo box and the inside lined.

 

[Expolander]

Worked on the ARB's and Cruiser Outfitters installed the 4.88's.

 

[Expolander]

Used the Blue Sea dual battery setup.

 

[Expolander]

Had bedliner sprayed on the modified non-ARB bumper to be a winch bumper as well as the ARB roof rack and rear slee bumper.

 

[Expolander]

Bumper shots and the ARB roof rack

 

[Expolander]

Add Slee 6", springs and control arms and Ironman's panhard bars F/R

 

[Expolander]

Had to get new doors on the driver side. A little accident where a truck was being backed up and hit the rock slider and lifted the rear bumper of the truck into my driver and driverside passenger door. sad sad day, but I made sure I found some newer than 95 doors. Found a pair of 97 Lexus doors, but it still irritates me that I don't have the originals with their matching VIN.

 

[Expolander]

Some from CruiserFest 2011, 2012, and 2014

 

[Expolander]

City of Rocks to CruiserFest Tooele, UT 2014

 

[Expolander]

CruiseMoab2014

 

[Expolander]

How it sat in 2010 and some more current pictures.

 

[Expolander]

some more current pictures.

 

[Expolander]

so we've had a lot of adventures in this 80 since 2008 and look forward to many more. I recently picked up tent trailer with a tepui kukenam ruggedized XL tent attached so we are pretty excited to get more use out of this in the coming years and I have made some minor modifications to the trailer and will most likely be making more over the coming years. The first thing I did was extend the receiver and add the articulating hitch. And our 2001 Toyota Sequoia DD. Need that to haul our great dane around.

 

[Expolander]

I'll post some up later of my outback drawers, but this is what the console currently looks like too. Some to do's...add LED light bar in place of the PIAA's..one is cracked now... New leather for the seats or just leave them covered as is? The drivers seat is surprisingly in better shape than the passenger. Paint exterior the same color or leave as is?

 

[Expolander]

Added a new K9 RR, Swift Awning and LED lights. Lights aren't pictured yet. See under "what did you do with your 80 this weekend."