Builds The Trail Snail Build | Above Average Overlandish

[LandCruiserPhil]

I had an interior cage in a previous 80 series and the head contact was always a thought in the event of a roll over. With that said the entire cage was cover with thick hi density padding. It is also difficult to build a super strong cage without compromising space for passengers and driver making cage contact more of an issue.

 

[SmokingRocks]

Yea I have started visualizing the run paths and I have thought of doing a center rib design but I don't know if that would be best. Still trying to work it out in my head though.

Its one of those things that would be good to have and not need rather than need and not have.

You don't see many rock crawlers without a cage.

 

[95ToyCruiser]

You don't see many rock crawlers without a cage.

You also don't see many 80's that are rock crawlers, especially full bodied on just 35's...just sayin

 

[SmokingRocks]

true, I keep refining what I'd call this build... Maybe an Extreme Expedition Build or a mild crawler... its all semantics

 

[SmokingRocks]

OK so I've been pretty industrious this week. I chopped my old tundras sliders down and have started sizing them for the 80, they are pretty close to being ready, just need to get them lined up and angled then tack the legs to them for a full weld. After that they are going to get stripped and powdercoated. I am planning on welding them to the frame.

I also decided to not be lazy and finally get my front locker in. In addition to that my most recent e-bay purchase showed up, pontiac GTP hood vents ($41 shipped), not sure if I want to keep them the silver they came in (lighter than my silver) or if I should dip them. Opinions anyone?

To compliment this I need to research my fan clutch options, can anyone point me in the right direction?

Pictures:
The old girl getting some face time with the 200 before going into the shop

Sliders chopped and mocked up

End Pieces going on the sliders

In for front diff locker and hood vents

Air compressor installed

 

[SmokingRocks]

No one has any thoughts?

 

[SmokingRocks]

35" Toyo Open Country MT's mounted on new rims.

 

[half k cruiser]

@SmokingRocks your first picture on the first page, where was that taken ?

 

[SmokingRocks]

Jaws 1 on the Mount Blanca Trail near Alamosa CO

Info here: http://www.traildamage.com/trails/index.php?id=112

 

[SmokingRocks]

Spent 10 bucks at fastenal and 7 bucks on a masterlock and made my Highlift Mount.

 

[half k cruiser]

Hmm, you just gave me a good idea what to do with those top two brackets on my ARB. Think I'm gonna add that to my long list. Also, how do you like that 50'' curved lightbar ? I was looking at those today, I believe they were eyourlife brand. Price was extremely reasonable but the reviews were all over the place. The straight bars had a lot more reviews but I don't think they are as visually appealing as the curved ones.

 

[SmokingRocks]

Yea the mount took me about 15 minutes to fab up. Drilled a couple holes, put some tack welds on the carriage bolts, then put the rubber spacer on bolted the hi lift down and grinded the bolts down.

Then drilled a couple more holes for the masterlock. Pretty happy with the install.

The 50" curved is awesome. I don't know what brand it is, I got it on a group buy on tundratalk. Paid 230 for the front curved and a 42" straight for the rear. They said they were 5 watt CREE's and I don't doubt that, its ridiculous how bright it is. So happy I went with the curved, it looks way more BA than a straight bar up there. It also give more light to the left and right of the truck than a straight does.

 

[westafari]

Your rig is looking good man! I wish I'd had an 80 back when I lived in CO!

 

[etx]

Hey rocks what kind of front shocks are you thinking about getting? I've got heavy fronts too and ha e wondered the same.

 

[SmokingRocks]

Idk yet. I've always liked my OME stuff and usually they have more travel than anything else. So I'm not sure, anyone else have suggestions?

 

[bajaphile]

How do the Toyo's feel? I'm going back and forth between them and the MTR's.

 

[Townsend]

Any photos with the front and rear Cree's on? Great rig man...

 

[SmokingRocks]

How do the Toyo's feel? I'm going back and forth between them and the MTR's.

The toyos are great! Not overly loud (they still talk though). They are heavy but all the reviews said they are good and I haven't been let down. I was going to try and get BFG Mud terrains but after sitting on a waiting list for 4 weeks I decided to look elsewhere.

 

[SmokingRocks]

OK so I got 4 new OME L shocks for my cruiser because I thought the PO's shock choice sucked. I couldn't have been more right.

Old vs New

This is what it was like, balanced on 2 wheels;

This is with the new shocks... major difference

 

[SmokingRocks]

The UPS Santa showed up!