What Did You Do with Your 80 This Weekend? (42 Viewers)

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Unless you have a white 80 you understand that the clearcoat on the other colors is something that really shows the age of these cruisers. My 80 is no different. When I bought it almost 10 years ago it had failing clearcoat on the hood, roof, cowl and flares. I painted the flares, repainted the hood but the cowl and roof have always been bad. Over the past year the clearcoat has gotten worse and the tops of the fenders are failing now too. I decided to do something about it but I am waiting to do a full respray when I rebuild or replace the motor. So I decided to try wrapping the truck. I love the factory Moonglow color and didn't want to get rid of the moonglow but there isn't a vinyl color that matches it so I decided to treat it more like graphics, I designed the wrap to strategically cover the worst areas of failing clearcoat as well as the rocker panels that have their share of chips in the paint. I was able to keep a good amount of the moonglow on the doors but used a metallic black on the rear and a metallic white on the front and roof. I'm super happy with how it came out and also glad to have something different than all the other graphics we see so often like the Ivan Stewart colors or reproductions of factory style stripes in a variety of colors. It's my second attempt and wrapping a vehicle. I also wrapped my son's minitruck and it turned out ok for a first attempt. Quality it a bit better with this one but still wouldn't call myself a pro.

Still need to put the roofrack back on the truck but I'm taking some time to clean it up and give it a refresh.
_MG_1431 by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

_MG_1425 by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

_MG_1421 by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

_MG_1428 by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

_MG_1434 by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

_MG_1435 by Adam Tolman, on Flickr
Looks incredible!!
 
Unless you have a white 80 you understand that the clearcoat on the other colors is something that really shows the age of these cruisers. My 80 is no different. When I bought it almost 10 years ago it had failing clearcoat on the hood, roof, cowl and flares. I painted the flares, repainted the hood but the cowl and roof have always been bad. Over the past year the clearcoat has gotten worse and the tops of the fenders are failing now too. I decided to do something about it but I am waiting to do a full respray when I rebuild or replace the motor. So I decided to try wrapping the truck. I love the factory Moonglow color and didn't want to get rid of the moonglow but there isn't a vinyl color that matches it so I decided to treat it more like graphics, I designed the wrap to strategically cover the worst areas of failing clearcoat as well as the rocker panels that have their share of chips in the paint. I was able to keep a good amount of the moonglow on the doors but used a metallic black on the rear and a metallic white on the front and roof. I'm super happy with how it came out and also glad to have something different than all the other graphics we see so often like the Ivan Stewart colors or reproductions of factory style stripes in a variety of colors. It's my second attempt and wrapping a vehicle. I also wrapped my son's minitruck and it turned out ok for a first attempt. Quality it a bit better with this one but still wouldn't call myself a pro.

Still need to put the roofrack back on the truck but I'm taking some time to clean it up and give it a refresh.
_MG_1431 by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

_MG_1425 by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

_MG_1421 by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

_MG_1428 by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

_MG_1434 by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

_MG_1435 by Adam Tolman, on Flickr
Looks really good.
 
Two 80 Series colors that are single-stage. White and black. The 202 black paint code was first used on 1977 Celica GT Liftbacks.

Thanks @cruiserdan for confirming this fact... I had a ton of people argue with me about whether or not my '97 have been painted. The proof was the peeling clear coat on one side of the rig but many just couldn't get their head around the fact that Toyota used single stage for black and white. Sure wish I had gone back with single stage but I did base / clear on my repaint.
 
Changed the fluids in the axles and an oil change after driving through this last week
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It’s a property I manage which just happens to be about 8’ asl and was where hurricane Debby made landfall last week…
There were instances where I was hood deep in water and I’m all alone out here…not fun…don’t recommend…
So I had to change all fluids and purge any water intrusion from driveshafts etc…
All good…truck performed perfect…but it’s a lonley part of the state…
 
Used it to go get new tires
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Finished up the low range gearing and part time 4wd kit. For me, clearancing the case was the most nerve wracking part of this install. After the grinder work, I used a red paint marker and did a dry fit, then checked for any issues.
Only had to pull this apart 3 times
1st time forgot the shims
2nd time dropped the detent ball and spring into the case where the gear goes (dumb I know) after it was glued together
3rd time was the Goldilocks for me.
We do it right because we do it over and over and over again 😬
After having to take apart one of the hubs due to clutch spring misalignment (it wasn’t turning after install) it went back together and worked fine. The combination of the A440 transmission, 3.1 low range in the t-case with stock 4.11 diff gears is lower than my Tacoma with 5.29’s in the diffs (stock tcase) which is great.

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Listed it for sale on IH8MUD.........
 
Listed it for sale on IH8MUD.........
No sad faces necessary.....I think the vacuum will be filled by 1 or more "new" Cruisers.....:)
 
Finished up the low range gearing and part time 4wd kit. For me, clearancing the case was the most nerve wracking part of this install. After the grinder work, I used a red paint marker and did a dry fit, then checked for any issues.
Only had to pull this apart 3 times
1st time forgot the shims
2nd time dropped the detent ball and spring into the case where the gear goes (dumb I know) after it was glued together
3rd time was the Goldilocks for me.
We do it right because we do it over and over and over again 😬
After having to take apart one of the hubs due to clutch spring misalignment (it wasn’t turning after install) it went back together and worked fine. The combination of the A440 transmission, 3.1 low range in the t-case with stock 4.11 diff gears is lower than my Tacoma with 5.29’s in the diffs (stock tcase) which is great.

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Nice! I'm about to tackle my part time conversion, along with RCV axles and a full knuckle rebuild. The manual hubs look awesome.
 
Nice! I'm about to tackle my part time conversion, along with RCV axles and a full knuckle rebuild. The manual hubs look awesome.
I just put in rcv a few months ago and did the knuckle rebuild. When I put these hubs on I noticed some gear oil in my bells, so I’m pulling em apart again… all this to say, be very very careful with those axle seals, it’s the most irritating thing to have to replace
 
Installed the Ironclad Engineering rear quarter panel bracket for the 80 Series LC and got started on installing my auxillary battery and accessory power distribution.

Ordering from Brad at Ironclad was a great experience. Pricing is in AUD. He was quick to contact me with the production/shipping timelines and was right on the money. I received the bracket (shipped Australia to New Mexico) in just over 3 weeks.

Bracket1.jpg


I prepped by pulling the rear quarter panel trim and could not believe how much dirt was in the quarter panel. There was easily an inch or two of dirt down in the bottom. I wasn't intending to install quite yet, but the bracket slipped right it so I decided to go ahead and bolt everything down.

Bracket4.jpg

I had the bracket installed in less than 5 minutes. Later in the weekend I started all of my electrical install. That's still a work in progress.

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I was also really happy with the Scanstrut roof entry I used for the PV leads. The roof entry is IP68 waterproof. The material feels high quality and fits together very well. The kit also comes with a drill template. I used a fish tape to run the leads down through the hole and into the C pillar down to where my charger contoller sits in the rear quarter panel.

Scanstrut.jpg
 
Installed the Ironclad Engineering rear quarter panel bracket for the 80 Series LC and got started on installing my auxillary battery and accessory power distribution.

Ordering from Brad at Ironclad was a great experience. Pricing is in AUD. He was quick to contact me with the production/shipping timelines and was right on the money. I received the bracket (shipped Australia to New Mexico) in just over 3 weeks.

View attachment 3705843

I prepped by pulling the rear quarter panel trim and could not believe how much dirt was in the quarter panel. There was easily an inch or two of dirt down in the bottom. I wasn't intending to install quite yet, but the bracket slipped right it so I decided to go ahead and bolt everything down.

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I had the bracket installed in less than 5 minutes. Later in the weekend I started all of my electrical install. That's still a work in progress.

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I was also really happy with the Scanstrut roof entry I used for the PV leads. The roof entry is IP68 waterproof. The material feels high quality and fits together very well. The kit also comes with a drill template. I used a fish tape to run the leads down through the hole and into the C pillar down to where my charger contoller sits in the rear quarter panel.

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What screws did you use for the scanstrut? I know it comes with wood screws as it's intended design is for boats. Did you pull the headliner back to access the bolt screw combo?
 
What screws did you use for the scanstrut? I know it comes with wood screws as it's intended design is for boats. Did you pull the headliner back to access the bolt screw combo?
I used some self tapping metal screws. I think they were #6. No nut/bolt. I'll keep an eye on it, but the screws seem to hold pretty well. They do recommend a bolt/nut for metal surfaces, but getting that headliner pulled back there is a pain.
 

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