What Did You Do with Your 80 This Weekend? (58 Viewers)

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It's not secret that poly bushings don't flex all that well. The Metal Tech arms or the Trail Tailor arms that utilize a Johnny Joint in one end are better because the joint allows for the flex. I've heard a lot of the same issues with the Metal Tech arms and the joints wearing out quickly. But I had no such issues with the TrailTailor arms when I had them for a solid year of hard wheeling. My only complaint about that style arms (and it's even more severe with Heims) is that the ride is a bit more rough and vibrations are transferred through the arms more because of the solid type ends. The joints or heims can also be a bit noisy, and the poly ends wear out fast if you flex the suspension regularly. I've really liked the Blackhawk arms that used OEM rubber bushings. The flex is as good as I was getting with the Trail Tailor arms but the ride feels smoother because the rubber absorbs the vibrations that can be felt with the other ones. The Rubber bushings also last much longer than poly bushings and typically longer than a Johnny Joint will as well, although the Johnny Joint can be rebuilt, where a failed rubber bushing will need to be replaced.
I don’t wheel as hard as most guys, its a dirt road rig i use for hunting, but it will get a second jj when the bushings fail. I may not get crazy, or deep into the rocks, but many of us have been down a road that drastically changes.
 
I don’t wheel as hard as most guys, its a dirt road rig i use for hunting, but it will get a second jj when the bushings fail. I may not get crazy, or deep into the rocks, but many of us have been down a road that drastically changes.
Gotcha. my preference for the rubber bushings has less to do with any difficult wheeling (although it’s nice that they flex well). It’s more the way it feels on dirt roads. It can be minor, but definitely noticeable that less vibration from the road surface is felt by the driver. At least that’s what I noticed between the different types of arms I’ve had.
 
Rear spoiler delete, rear spoiler caught top of transport carrier when off loading. Found rust under bracket so I decided to take care of it. I liked the spoiler but I think it looks better than I expected. The LX needed a post Christmas purchase winch. Unfortunately the winch install will have to wait until after my surgery this week.

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Nice work. I never liked the rear wind deflector. The only thing they are good at is breeding rust.
 
Gotcha. my preference for the rubber bushings has less to do with any difficult wheeling (although it’s nice that they flex well). It’s more the way it feels on dirt roads. It can be minor, but definitely noticeable that less vibration from the road surface is felt by the driver. At least that’s what I noticed between the different types of arms I’ve had.
Yes, the washboard will be more noticeable i think, but i have some vibration dampners i plan on bolting to the arms(maybe useless). Gonna give it a go. It already rattles, makes noise and sucks on washboard, before i did anything to it. I just need to upgrade my stereo and find a good song.
 
Resolved all the brake issues, a lot of bleeding the lines, installed new OEM brake lines up front (axle to rotor). Had the better half pumping the brakes for a while, young man was under the rig with me making sure we tourqed all the bolts to spec! Even adjusted the E brake. Took a lot of black nasty brake fluid out of the prop valve. All new and clean! Stops as well as an 91 FJ80 can stop! LOL!!! Also gave her a bath! Now it’s time to start the planning for 5.29 gears and new birfs! But maybe a snow run and enjoy her for a bit first!!!
 
Snorkel to work in Death Valley. Came in at Trona, came out near Pahrump, three days later. Made it down into Mojave for the night, now Heading to Calico, CA for the last night out. Thus far we have over 250 miles of dirt roads and technical trails. Very fun stuff. I need lockers!

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FINALLY drug my lazy arse off the couch, and installed my solar panel, charge controller, and maintainer. Does good, maintainer is Wally World, but it’s doing the trick for now.
While I was at it I put in my shore power, and re located my fill spout for the water system.
 
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Put my snow meter on the rig, so far about 1’ from 10am to 4pm today. Just under the Mogollon Rim below an area called Promontory Butte (7,800’). We are at approx., 6,000’. The wild turkey Stopped in to say buenos dias.

Oh, for those of you wondering, the valve job and new head are providing (gracias to @inkpot & @Tools R Us and everyone who stopped by the spa for social ) More power, better gas mileage, smooth idle and low driving temps.

Happy New Years folks (even the 100 and 200 series owners),

Zona
 
View attachment 1867110 View attachment 1867111 View attachment 1867109 View attachment 1867108 View attachment 1867108 FINALLY drug my lazy arse off the couch, and installed my solar panel, charge controller, and maintainer. Does good, maintainer is Wally World, but it’s doing the trick for now.
While I was at it I put in my shore power, and re located my fill spout for the water system.
That’s amazing brother! Nice work! I can’t wait to get into real mods, I am still neck deep in baselining this poor old thing... every time I look at her I hear Shara McLaughlin sing that super depressing song from the humane society commercials... seriously there should be a shelter for abused land cruisers!!
 
Nice work. I never liked the rear wind deflector. The only thing they are good at is breeding rust.
Got rid of mine also, I notice a little more dust on rear window, other then that I think looks better without too
 
AZ - Back Road to Crown King; Jim S. in his LX on 37s, Claudia in our LX on small-ish 315s, and myself trying to learn how to drive a '93, on the same small-ish 315s (Maxxis Bighorns). Haven't been up there in many years, and we happened to pick the perfect day in terms of weather - gorgeous - and in terms of traffic - negligible. Just one inconsiderate side-by-side, cutting off my way to make room for them and then stare at me... That was the moment I missed not having brought the K5 Blazer - the side-by-side folks usually take one look, and decide not to tangle with its bumper. I guess the Slee shortbus on the '80 just doesn't convey the same impression, despite being just as stout. Anyways:

Only 1 pic off the phone, didn't bring the DSLR; this is from the final climb, looking back on the valley below:

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What I was after in this shot was this:

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Looking south in that area, we always find it amazing how those mountain ranges stack up in the distance...
 
Blower now has high
disabled the stock alarm which was going off, PO did a hack and splice stereo job this also fixed my parasitic drain. Alarm is tied into the dome light circuit
Now have a working horn
Adjusted hand brake
pulled out the dent in my fender
Ran a new ground from alternator to fender
 
I cleaned the gutters and got rid of a bunch of moss on the roof of my house. Both activities gave me a nice view of the roof of the 80:bang:
 

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