Builds The White Trash - Chopped 80 tube bed AKA Proper Cupholders for Starbucks

[Arya Ebrahimi]

Just found this thread. Loving it!

Happy to have played a small part in this eventual transformation

 

[2fpower]

Looks awesome. Time to get on the trails and use that departure angle!

 

[CandyPants]

Have a look here...my brother's build. Maybe it can provide some inspiration if you haven't seen it. DanKunz ROTW

 

[BlueCruiser84]

Have a look here...my brother's build. Maybe it can provide some inspiration if you haven't seen it. DanKunz ROTW

I've read that thread ten times! I Love the avocado. I'll likely go through it again when it's time to start bending tube.

 

[BlueCruiser84]

No fun updates. I've been patching holes and doing boring stuff here and there trying to get it looking respectable (not sure if this is possible) for an inspection.

I've put about 50 miles on the setup and the rear end is reaaaalllllyy stiff. It's on stock coils which I think are the lightest option available so really the only thing I can mess with is shocks.

It has L shocks on it now which are way too stiff. I'll be transferring them to my full bodied 80 which has some budget shocks on it.

Anyone have any input on valving? I've been reading on some Tacoma forums and a lot of those guys are happy with 170/60 or 180/75. I'm thinking this thing is comparable to a Tacoma in the rear end. I need to have it weighed to give me a better idea, but I'm sure there is someone out there that knows more about shock valving than me (I know nothing).

 

[richardlillard1]

No fun updates. I've been patching holes and doing boring stuff here and there trying to get it looking respectable (not sure if this is possible) for an inspection.

I've put about 50 miles on the setup and the rear end is reaaaalllllyy stiff. It's on stock coils which I think are the lightest option available so really the only thing I can mess with is shocks.

It has L shocks on it now which are way too stiff. I'll be transferring them to my full bodied 80 which has some budget shocks on it.

Anyone have any input on valving? I've been reading on some Tacoma forums and a lot of those guys are happy with 170/60 or 180/75. I'm thinking this thing is comparable to a Tacoma in the rear end. I need to have it weighed to give me a better idea, but I'm sure there is someone out there that knows more about shock valving than me (I know nothing).

You care or try Lexus rear springs, I believe they're softer.

 

[scottryana]

I will probably have some LX springs available soon. If I can find a place to swap my new springs in, they are yours if you want them.

 

[Heckraiser]

I know this is an apples/oranges comparison, but I used to run the OEM tokico 80-series rear shocks on my 4runner and they were really stiff. Swapped over to some cheapo off-the-shelf bilstein 5100's (just measured collapsed/extended length, no thought of weight) and they were about 50% softer by the butt-o-meter and rode great. The 4-runner being a much lighter vehicle than an 80, might be semi-comparable to your chop. Just a thought.

 

[BlueCruiser84]

I know this is an apples/oranges comparison, but I used to run the OEM tokico 80-series rear shocks on my 4runner and they were really stiff. Swapped over to some cheapo off-the-shelf bilstein 5100's (just measured collapsed/extended length, no thought of weight) and they were about 50% softer by the butt-o-meter and rode great. The 4-runner being a much lighter vehicle than an 80, might be semi-comparable to your chop. Just a thought.

I've been eyballing the Bilstein 5100s. They make some specifically for the rear of a lifted 80 but I'm thinking anything made for a full bodied 80 is going to be valved too heavily for what I have. Maybe I'll try the LX springs from Scottryana and then look into shocks.

 

[Heckraiser]

I believe mine were intended for a mini truck or 1st gen 4runner (eye/eye) I just made a bracket to mount the top eye to where the pin would normally go.

 

[richardlillard1]

I believe mine were intended for a mini truck or 1st gen 4runner (eye/eye) I just made a bracket to mount the top eye to where the pin would normally go.

Most guys that run Bilsteins on an 80 find them way too light, so yes, it would likely be a great option.

 

[BlueCruiser84]

Added a front bumper today.

Started with this thing that's been laying around for years:

Got creative and ended up with a sweet stubby bumper. It's just tacked on now. I'll mess around with it more after I get an inspection. I think I might add a hoop or a small stinger and probably make it bolt-on.

 

[BlueCruiser84]

Welp, I got her inspected and I've put about 100 miles on her and she drives friggin' sweet!!! anyone who wants to come drive the thing is welcome. I'm so impressed with how well the 80 suspension handles the road once you lose a little weight up top.

It is pretty much straight piped (gutted cat and a burned out magnaflow) so it sounds like you are hauling ass. I floored it with my dad riding shotgun who is used to corvettes and british sportscars and he said "holy shi*t slow this thing down!!" then looked at the speedometer and we were only doing 50....

It's way more fun to make soomething slow go fast than something fast go slow.

With all the weight out of the top and back end I'm running no swaybars and she corners like a mutha'. It's a blast on gravel roads with the AWD and light ass.

Took her down the highway and was doing ~85 and with the back open and the half doors you get a nice breeze right across your face and upper body. No buffeting (sp?) like you do with the windows down.

I've been reading a bunch of DIY canvas tent websites and I have a dropcloth from lowes I've been working with to fashion into a crued (very crued) soft top until I figure out the cage and decide to pay someone to make me a legit top.

I thought OME J-springs were suposed to be flexy. The front still doesn't flex for s***. The rear has great articulation with the stock springs but rides pretty rough with L shocks.

Looking Tough.

He's not impressed.

 

[BlueCruiser84]

Oh yeah. Her, or maybe his, name is going to be White Trash. Thinking about using some classy font to stencil the name across the rear quarters.

 

[BlueCruiser84]

Next step is cage so I can wheel this thing next month. I will be attempting to build this cage over the front cab and tying it into the body. I will add a rear cage at a later date (but maybe never because I'm lazy like that). Images stolen off Pirate:

 

[2fpower]

Looking awesome. Can't wait to put the plasma cutter to the next project

In regard to your soft top.... I was amazed at how much less wind there was when I put the bikini on.

 

[BlueCruiser84]

Looking awesome. Can't wait to put the plasma cutter to the next project

In regard to your soft top.... I was amazed at how much less wind there was when I put the bikini on.

What's the next project????

Im gonna try the $15 drop cloth first. I have been unable to track down a used bikini top for reasonable money. Depending on how things pan out I'll probably have something made to cover the whole back end. I'd like to have some snap on/off windows made for the half doors too.

 

[2fpower]

I found that a fj40 bikini top fit really nice. within an inch or so of each side drip trim. Perfect for what I did.

There is a coupon code that should work on ebay, which will get price under $100 for both pieces you need. See details below.



Bestop 51209-01 Windshield Channels Fits CJ5 CJ7 Land Cruiser Wrangler (YJ)

Bestop 52540-01 Bikini Top - Traditional Style Fits 67-84 Land Cruiser

eBay.com offers $20 off Orders $100 or more on Auto Parts & Accessories and Automotive Tools & Supplies when you enter promo code CMOTORS616 at checkout and use PayPal as payment. Shipping varies depending on items chosen. Thanks garageguy

Note, coupon is one-time use.

Deal Editor's Notes & Price Research:

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[2fpower]

Got two in the hopper.... FJZ45, made like @bugsnbikes did his little piggy.

For my son, we are going to make an extended cab truck out of an 80. Both will have frame stretches.

Like the one below, but extended cab, and we are going to make a detached separate truck bed.

 

[BlueCruiser84]

Hell yea. Why can't we just be happy with 80s as they are?????