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

[TheGrrrrr]

Thinking about selling my Avid Cruisers rear bumper and ARB front bumper. Probably going to freshen it up with the Higgy’s bumpers if I can get these ones sold. PM me if interested. I’d like to get $2500 for the pair.

Picked this up from the store a couple weeks ago and liked the look. Higgy’s front bumper is kinda similar so I’m digging it. I do really like the classic look of a patina’d ARB on an 80 though and hope I won’t miss it.

 

[TheGrrrrr]

385,000 Mile Update; 7500 miles on the Engine

The rebuilt VAF (by Bavarian Restoration) is installed and the truck is running very smooth. The EGR has also been "Temp sensor test kit" fitted with the offering from HuddExpo (1993-1994 FJ80 EGR Temp Sensor Test Plug Kit - https://huddexpo.com/1993-1994-fj80-egr-temp-sensor-test-plug-kit/). All battery and ground cables, fusible links and whatnot have been replaced with new. Some combination of these things seem to have solved the Code 25/26 issue.

A minor sunroof leak was solved by @Cruiserhiggs and team without dropping the headliner, which was a massive relief. I hadn't realized how much worse the '94 headliner was to remove and install than the later years. Anyway, it seems like its solved.

Replaced pads and rotors with Power Stop Z36 and rebuilt parking brake mechanism. No more shudder under high speed braking. Brake pedal does seem a bit soft and standing on it from 15 mph produces a controlled stop not exactly an abrupt on-a-dime stop that I was expecting. Maybe some more break-in is needed. They were bedded on install and feel great around town.

Overall the truck feels more dialed-in than any 30 year old vehicle has any right to be. Its a delight on and off-road. Only real area of additional focus is possibly moving to 1" spacers to help clear the chunky Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T tread on full flex.

Going to try some HercUliner restorer to see if I can bring out the color of the Raptor Liner where it has faded somewhat on the hood. This is what I'm trying, but open to suggestions. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BX1VDR7P?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details


Leaving for Cruise Moab on Wednesday morning and pretty excited to get this rig out in the rocks.

 

[Somebodyelse5]

New oem, not upgraded ground cables?

Upgrading those grounds makes a pretty big difference.

 

[TheGrrrrr]

New oem, not upgraded ground cables?

Upgrading those grounds makes a pretty big difference.

Upgrade with the HuddExpo kit.

 

[TheGrrrrr]

Some photos from Cruise Moab 2024. The Notorious Big Green Egg did great and also ended up with a new nickname: "Beefknuckle" which I can't begin to explain.


Photo credits to some combination of: @linuxgod @mcgaskins @JohnJB @Gregtoy144 and Richard.

 

[linuxgod]

Big Green Egg roll

 

[baldilocks]

37” Mickey’s on, what, a 3” lift? What springs are you on? Up travel inches? The fenders appear to be uncut as well. Nice looking rig.

 

[TheGrrrrr]

387,000 Mile Update; 9500 miles on the Engine

This truck has run flawlessly, with no CEL/Codes since the old wiring repair failure in Moab way back in April. It does 75 to 80 mph on the highway like a champ, tracks straight and is comfortable, if a bit noisy on the 37s. Had no issue driving 12 hours straight from Provo to Scottsdale.

A few updates:

• Had all the tint removed and replaced with high-end ceramic UV/IR blocking tint all the way around, including the windshield. Heat blocking is exceptional.
• Pulled windshield for a better tint application and reinstalled with a new OEM gasket. No leaks now.
• Rear glass was pitted all to hell so I replaced that with a new OEM window from the dealer when it was getting tinted.
• Replaced battery terminal connectors with Amazon Specials that act as a distribution block. Really like them a lot.
• AC Compressor started making some noise that tracks with engine speed... Air Cooling effectiveness diminishing. Just happened yesterday so haven't decided what I'll do yet.
• Got the Raptor Liner gun and leftover materials from the PO, which will allow me to spray/match a couple spots that aren't quite right
• Picked up a set of two-tone cloth 2nd and 3rd row seats from a 1992 maybe? Was going to use the 2nd row immediately but it turns out they smell really bad like cigarettes, so the plan is to have them completely refurbished with new foam and uphostered to match the Corbeau front seats.
• Passed AZ Emissions yesterday.....

 

[TheGrrrrr]

387,470 Mile Update... nearly 10,000 miles on the Engine

This thing is a fuh-cking beast.

Need to replace AC Compressor, drier and maybe the expansion valve... but if mother nature would just get her sh1t together and drop the highs below 100f, it would be just fine until next summer.

Additional projects underway or upcoming...

1. Still haven't taken the 2nd row seats to be reupholstered. No luck finding new foam. Guess I'll have to hope the old foam can be de-cigarette smokeified.
2. I have the parts necessary to wire the factory locker dial into the rear elocker and front arb locker, the wiring needed for the ECU harness as well as the sockets and bulbs to add the dash lights. Troubleshoot rear locker wiring. This is actually the top priority.
3. Respray the hood with raptor liner. Its faded and lame looking.
4. I may make some adjustments to the Land Shark drawer system to accommodate a mount for my Badlands Off-road Jack. Its really nice to have along on trail runs.
5. Rewire the HAM antenna to the liftgate where the CB antenna was previously. Delete CB/Wiring completely.
6. Replace lower dash trim with new OEM, replace switches with new OEM. Freshen things up.
7. Sourcing parts to return the front end to 1994 factory look. New OEM grill sourced. Looking at headlight/trim options. Valance looks available too.
8. Replace all the rubber around windows and doors and mouldings.

 

[ChaseTruck]

I’d make sure I could lock the front without having to lock the rear. Just saying….

 

[Somebodyelse5]

I’d make sure I could lock the front without having to lock the rear. Just saying….

A lot of people want this and a lot of people can’t produce very realistic reasons for why.


A lot of upholstery places can cut up foam for you

 

[TheGrrrrr]

I’d make sure I could lock the front without having to lock the rear. Just saying….

Never needed a front locker in a situation where I would have benefited from having the rear unlocked. Not sure what that situation would look like. That said, it’s not a factor in my decision making. I’m tidying up the interior and the factory dial switch is part of that process. Whatever I lose in terms of options, I’m comfortable with that loss.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

I’d make sure I could lock the front without having to lock the rear. Just saying….

Not a problem with aftermarket lockers but not so easy with factory lockers but possible

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Never needed a front locker in a situation where I would have benefited from having the rear unlocked. Not sure what that situation would look like. That said, it’s not a factor in my decision making. I’m tidying up the interior and the factory dial switch is part of that process. Whatever I lose in terms of options, I’m comfortable with that loss.

One example - You would find the need for front locker only and rear locker only in a low traction situation where you need to go off camber to get around something like a tree. Unlock front when dropping down offcamber when you hit the apex of the turn unlock rear and lock front. When locked, off camber, and low traction you will corkscrew down the slope more with a locked axle then not. HTH

 

[TheGrrrrr]

One example - You would find the need for front locker only and rear locker only in a low traction situation where you need to go off camber to get around something like a tree. Unlock front when dropping down offcamber when you hit the apex of the turn unlock rear and lock front. When locked, off camber, and low traction you will corkscrew down the slope more with a locked axle then not. HTH

Thats an interesting scenario, very well described. I can visualize the benefit. I'm willing to compromise in that situation, as the independence seems to me an advantage and not a necessity, at least for my use. Thanks for articulating a realistic scenario, though. This is a topic that has been extremely poorly argued repeatedly in the past.

 

[ChaseTruck]

A lot of people want this and a lot of people can’t produce very realistic reasons for why.

I have that setup and really like it in situations where there’s uneven traction and I want the front to pull me around a corner but don’t want the rear to push me off line.

 

[Somebodyelse5]

I have that setup and really like it in situations where there’s uneven traction and I want the front to pull me around a corner but don’t want the rear to push me off line.

i don’t encounter much of that at the mall

 

[TheGrrrrr]

Pulled the smelly 2nd row seats out and it’s the first time I’ve given them a close look. I have the 3rd row as well, but have no plans to use them. I believe they are all out of a ‘91 or ‘92 maybe? Actually in much better condition than I thought. I may end up seeing if I can get the smell out and just throwing a set of Escape Gear covers on all 4 seats. Although my front seats are Corbeau, so they may not fit. Anyway, tackling the seats this week one way or another. Open to suggestions.

 

[Somebodyelse5]

Pulled the smelly 2nd row seats out and it’s the first time I’ve given them a close look. I have the 3rd row as well, but have no plans to use them. I believe they are all out of a ‘91 or ‘92 maybe? Actually in much better condition than I thought. I may end up seeing if I can get the smell out and just throwing a set of Escape Gear covers on all 4 seats. Although my front seats are Corbeau, so they may not fit. Anyway, tackling the seats this week one way or another. Open to suggestions.

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Go talk to an upholstery shop. Theres a bunch in mesa. Itll be cheaper than you expect

If you keep them, you should get a wet dry vac and shampoo them. I know people love cloth for some reason, but they catch and hold a lot of farts and butt sweat

 

[linuxgod]

Febreeze the sh*t out of them. Seriously. I had a gas can fall over in the back of my 4Runner and it dumped probably a quart or more of gas all over before I could stop and right it. I mopped it up, steam cleaned, shampooed, took it to a detailed, ran an ozone machine for 2 days, and in the end it still smelled so bad with the windows up I’d feel sick. As a last resort before dumping it in a lake someone suggested Febreeze. I used half a bottle over two of three days and the smell was completely gone. Kept the truck probably 4 or 5 more years.