TheGrrrrr's 1994 80 Series Build Thread - "The Notorious B.G.E."

[TheGrrrrr]

388,600 Mile Update, 11,000 miles on the Engine

The unnecessary improvements continue...

• ALL aftermarket wiring pulled and replaced with better designed fusing and higher quality materials and connectors.
• Entire interior pulled, cleaned, new dyno-mat applied and a layer of closed-cell foam over top.
• Dash removed, cleaned and replaced all components that could be sourced new from Toyota including all dash trim, instrument gauge cluster housing, buttons, switches and vents.
• OEM locker dial switch wired into OEM harness and bulbs added to instrument cluster.
• ARB twin refreshed and wired to both a rocker switch and can be triggered by the locker dial.
• All new braided stainless air lines for locker and all new air lines for quick-connect on front bumper.
• QPM rewired, rerouted and mounting improved (not done properly at some point in the past)
• Replaced Tuffy center console and OEM shift console with Delta Shift Console and Delta Center Console. (I love this setup)
• Replaced both shift boots for the transfer case shifter and replaced parking brake boot
• Added Water Temp, Trans Temp and Oil Pressure gauges to the shift console.
• Wired dual zone fuse block with ignition relay into center console.
• Rewired and mounted Yaesu FTM400 onto the QPM, added Delta clock location ram mount for the Yaesu head unit and installed a port in the side of the center console to plug in the mic.

Engine temps top out around 195f but mostly stay in the 183f - 189f range. During dead of summer I saw it get up to 209f at a stop light coming off the highway.

Trans Temps I've only been able to monitor for a few days, but seems like they never get over like 150f around town and mostly stay in the 120f to 140f range, which was surprisingly low to me.

Oil pressure surprised me a bit particularly at hot idle. On cold start its up towards 50 psi, but once up to temp will idle at 9-12 psi, run in the 30-45psi around town and max out around 61psi under the heaviest of load. This is with Mobil1 Full Synthetic 5w-30.

Some photos:

Big thanks to @DesmoPilot for the assists where needed and as always to @Cruiserhiggs for the advice and support. This rig is about as dialed as I can imagine it being. No interior squeaks, rattles, vibrations or shaking. Suspension has a minor occasional squeak that will get sorted soon. Runs 80+mph without issue and loves climbing mountain highways with O/D off pulling like a champ at 4000rpm. I take back every eyeroll I ever gave when people would go on and on about the 80 series. Its a beast and so much fun to drive.

Back to the trails...

 

[baldilocks]

That delta console is bitch’n!

 

[linuxgod]

Oil pressure should be 4.3psi or more at idle, and somewhere between 36-71psi at 3000 RPMs according to the FSM. So your numbers are fine according to Toyota. (BTW the 200-series is 10.1psi or more at idle and 32psi or more at 2500 rpms). It's always possible depending on where you installed the gauge that the pressure is slightly different than what the rings and bearings are seeing, too.

 

[Somebodyelse5]

View attachment 3811924

Who slapped miss matched clamps on that? it hurts my soul.

 

[TheGrrrrr]

Who slapped miss matched clamps on that? it hurts my soul.

I feel you. That was me because I couldn't find my new package of spring clamps. This will be corrected asap.

 

[TheGrrrrr]

Cruise Moab 2025 was a great success and the 80 was amazing.

 

[TheGrrrrr]

391,931 mile update (14,000 miles on the engine)

Due for an update...

Added TEQ Customs headlights and a new OEM grill. Absurd light output, easy installation and CRISP horizontal light cutoff lines that allow for really precise adjustments, Truck continue to run, ride and handle like new. Other than the raptor liner on the hood not holding up well to having no heat insulation for the few years before I bought it and the Arizona sun... this truck is now better than new. Sure some of the original interior trim panels are showing their age, but other than that, I can't think of anything that isn't better than I expected.

Considering a respray with raptor liner including a UV protectant add-in if I can find one. Maybe the early formulations weren't as UV stable as later ones. Weird that its only the hood that has issues, but as I said before, when I bought the truck there was no insulation pad installed, so engine heat was probably a factor as well.

No immediate plans for the truck at this point aside from possibly swapping out the rear bumper. Have considered an extreme clearance design and moving the spare inside. Might also do one from @Cruiserhiggs with stronger swingouts that hold the 37's better. This one is doing fine, but there is more stress on the swingout than I would like.

 

[linuxgod]

NFW I’d put the spare in my trunk. I’d want space for camping gear and that thing is huge!

You could always put it on the roof if you don’t mind lifting close to 100#

 

[TheGrrrrr]

The time has come to sell the 'Notorious BGE' as I get more focused on spending my free time on the track and eventually competing in some club racing with my Cayman. Honestly I would rather keep the 80 and sell my 200, but the 200 is just so much better for towing the Cayman, that if I'm only keeping one, then the 200 is the right choice.

I'm in no real hurry to sell, and over the years a few people have expressed interest, so consider this your notice that I'm starting the conversation. I'll be taking it to Cruise Moab next month if anyone is inclined to want to check it out there. I doubt I will sell it before then unless the right offer comes along.

Included in the sale are a ton of new OEM parts including new in package door seals, belt moulding/trim pieces, AC Compressor with clutch, NIB O2 sensors, a spare OEM VAF etc. I'll work over the next week or so to build a full spares list along with the current build status.

The net-net on this truck is that it's got 392,000 on the odometer, but only 14,000 on the new 1FZ-FE installed by Higgy's. Aside from the chassis and some of the interior trim, there isn't much of this truck that actually has 392,000 miles on it. I have well over $60k in receipts since 2019 and this build thread is complete in terms of the work I have done during my ownership these past few years, making this this rig the tightest, most comfortable, compliant yet supremely capable and usable example of an 80 series I have encountered. I have seen cleaner, nicer, prettier, more capable and more extreme, but I have not seen a better balance of utility, drivability, reliability, capability and rugged handsomeness. Virtually all work during my ownership has been done by Higgy's and @Cruiserhiggs can vouch for both the engine he installed and has maintained, the focus and attention to doing things right that I bring to my rigs and my 'Use but never abuse' approach to my vehicles out in the bush or on the track.

 

[sjpitts]

First -- a warning -- I have heard many people say over the years "I should have kept my 80" but I have NEVER EVER EVER heard anyone say "I wish I sold my 80 sooner"

Think about that for a while.

Second -- "dibs" if you don't change your mind

Jared

 

[linuxgod]

I’ve seen you wheel it. It’s a beautiful rig, but no way at this time I can afford what it’s worth.

Booty shot for the masses

 

[TeamJake]

@TheGrrrrr I have a good friend looking for a well built ‘94/‘95, I think your rig checks many of his boxes. Would you mind sharing how much you’re hoping to get for it (you can DM me if you prefer)? I’ll be at Cruise Moab as well so if there’s still interest I’ll definitely be looking it over.