Builds The Oddball 80 - Middle East GX Renovation (3 Viewers)

[80t0ylc]

Tembo Tusk is a good tool to have in the dinner toolbox....

 

[wngrog]

When we left off last month, I had sustained a bit of trail damage from our Ozark adventure. A quick trip to Partsouq got me a new front bumper cap to repair the front and I went looking for a rear bumper that would not take away from the classic OddBall 80 rear Amby doors.

I really wanted a Kaymar but after talking to them it looks like it was going to be at least 5 months before they had any in the US.

I ended up getting @Ozark cruiser at Ozark Overland Outfitters to get me a Dobinsons bumper. I like it because I can use my pintle hitch and also because it if the simple lines.

This bumper comes with 2 swingouts. Can’t get it without so I just packed them away for if I ever go on a real remote trip and need the dual Jerry can holder. In the mean time she’s going on slick.

I’m not sure if there could be any worse directions than the diagram they send with this. If there are they would be from Long Range Automotive. Aussies must do their instructions as a side joke.

Evwrything came off nicely. No damage from the bent bumper wing. Cleaned it up good.

Then I realized my model has welded on brackets. Fun.

A bit of plasma and grinder got this thing off. Not fun.

 

[wngrog]

The two frame extensions had a L and R on them.

Even though it’s Australia, Left and Right should be the same as United States Left and Right so I trusted the stickers and found I had clearance issues with the body mount.

Figuring this was just part of owning an oddball I took the grinder to the plates.

A BIG grinder.

Once I got the plates to clear I installed them onto the frame and damn. Nothing lined up. Drilling all this was going to suck.

I put the bumper up to mark my holes for drilling and realized something was amiss

Whoever put these stickers on wrong owes me 2 hours of my life back.

 

[wngrog]

Once I realized my parts were mislabeled it was game on. The bumper slid in place and Bolted right up.

Pro tip from Jason. Because the bumper has big square alignment holes, if you take a hit on the bumper it can slide up and hit the body. If you take some large washers you can weld the washers to the bumper once you make final adjustments and keep that movement from happening.

Washers welded but it will still easily unbolt

I had to make some brackets to shore up my mudflaps but other than that if you don’t have your brackets backwards it’s an easy install.

Bumper comes with caps for the spindles
I had to remove the bottom step and am getting longer bolts to reinstall the pintle tomorrow.

 

[wngrog]

Got the pintle installed. This one is good to go. I purchased some OME 866 to offset the extra weight of the solid bumper but it turns out it’s only about 30# heavier than all the stock stuff I removed. Anyone need any springs?

When I got in from the last trip I pressure washed the mud off the truck and did not dry it. Mistake. The tap water stained the hell out of my paint

I decided to try just Griots wax and a red pad on it and luckily that’s all it needed. The 30 year old paint is back to pop

Also I deep cleaned the oLe 3FE. This motor is truly amazing in front of the H150 with all the spaghetti gone and the 9:1 Mosley head

 

[REKCUT]

Good move on the welded washers. I guarantee it gonna take a big hit somewhere in the future.

 

[wngrog]

Not the stoutest bumper offering but well better than the OEM and keeps with the lighter is better theme

Good move on the welded washers. I guarantee it gonna take a big hit somewhere in the future.

 

[77CJ5]

Any plans to powder coat the shiny top part of the bumper black?

 

[wngrog]

Any plans to powder coat the shiny top part of the bumper black?

If I had time before I put it on there I for sure thought it would look better black but now that it’s on I don’t think I can get to all the backing nuts so it stays bling

 

[80t0ylc]

I have a Kaymar on my '94, but sometimes a name is just a name. I like that one, too - just as it is

 

[wngrog]

I have a Kaymar on my '94, but sometimes a name is just a name. I like that one, too - just as it is

This is a clean little bumper but if Kaymar still makes them like the one on my FJ60, the Dobinsons is no where near as heavy duty. Works great for me as I’m determined to keep this truck as light as possible but I don’t expect it could take what I’ve done to my Kaymar.

 

[80t0ylc]

This is a clean little bumper but if Kaymar still makes them like the one on my FJ60, the Dobinsons is no where near as heavy duty. Works great for me as I’m determined to keep this truck as light as possible but I don’t expect it could take what I’ve done to my Kaymar.

Well as you've already said, the lighter duty helps your weight intentions. I do like the spindle caps - wish Kaymar would've provided them. I'm only using the RH for my spare swingout. Put a plastic cap on the unused spindle threads several years ago and surprised it's lasted this long. Sure appreciate the sturdiness of my Kaymar. It's probably one of the best bumpers for my use. I tow a "square drop" overland trailer. But also in the wheeling that I've done it's payed for itself in the protection it's provided for a 7K+ lbs toad like my 80. And I had no issues when I installed my aux 24 gallon LRA about a year ago.

 

[wngrog]

3 days early from an official birthday post but this was a cool odometer spot

That works out to just under 4000 Miles a year

 

[wngrog]

Raptor lifts are heavy.

 

[wngrog]

Well I had no idea control arm bushings wouid laugh at my 12 ton press …..

 

[Broski]

Well I had no idea control arm bushings wouid laugh at my 12 ton press …..

View attachment 2739950

Most people say it's a struggle with a 20K

 

[wngrog]

Most people say it's a struggle with a 20K

Headed to use a 30T. We shall see.

 

[NorCalFJ100]

Make sure to slide your bolt through the press tool and bushing to keep everything inline and safe.

 

[Grandlooser]

Ive had them pop at 30 ton a few times. Anything rusty or dusty within 3 feet will be clean from the bang.

 

[wngrog]

That was interesting. I guess the last batch of the bushing press tools is too big because the tool press for right into the arm and was a bitch to press back out.

We ended up having to stack races after we used the tool to make the initial break.

Fun times.

The guy with the press is a machinist/Tig god so he had the right stuff.