I have prepared it for our next trip
What Did You Do with Your 80 This Weekend? (136 Viewers)
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
My long weekend was busy... worked on my rig for two days installing my J lift and my 4x4 labs dual swingout rear....
I can only work on it on weekends and have to drive 80miles to my uncle's house (for help) so after 6 Saturdays getting schooled on welding 101 from the old man, my 4x4 labs rear dual swingout is finally done... He tacked all of them and for the most part, I did the full weld, with his supervision of course, on (although i've practiced on junk parts laying around) it's my first welding job! and I will never weld again!!! My eyes hurt! It is not very clean, well, not clean at all, but it'll suffice... Nothing a grinder can clean up and cover up with thick rattle can coats... Lol...
Finally got the bumper bolted, thank goodness I didn't have to grind more... It fit perfect!
Still need to work on the license plate mount...
Took the old medium out and got the new J's in...
Also installed Slee drop brackets and bump stop extensions, extended brakelines...
We have also installed OME bushings (PITA), and Slee's 3degree caster bearing... I also have the caster correction plates but I opted for the OME bushings since I am going with the caster bearing.
I had her on medium lift for while and didn't have on road mannerisms even without bushings... Since the J install, I have not driven her for long distance yet so I have no idea how it's gonna behave on road... Just driven her at my uncle's ranch so far... I will get an alignment job this Saturday and see...
It was a long 3 months of work on her, we started with the 4.88's and front ARB locker, then rebuilding the front end, then the J lift and then bumper build which I would say it took us the longest because I had to be schooled on welding...
The hard work is finally over... The mechanical part is also over except for oil change and brake pads... That I can do without my uncle's help!
She's almost Rubithon ready!!!
I can only work on it on weekends and have to drive 80miles to my uncle's house (for help) so after 6 Saturdays getting schooled on welding 101 from the old man, my 4x4 labs rear dual swingout is finally done... He tacked all of them and for the most part, I did the full weld, with his supervision of course, on (although i've practiced on junk parts laying around) it's my first welding job! and I will never weld again!!! My eyes hurt! It is not very clean, well, not clean at all, but it'll suffice... Nothing a grinder can clean up and cover up with thick rattle can coats... Lol...
Finally got the bumper bolted, thank goodness I didn't have to grind more... It fit perfect!
Still need to work on the license plate mount...
Took the old medium out and got the new J's in...
Also installed Slee drop brackets and bump stop extensions, extended brakelines...
We have also installed OME bushings (PITA), and Slee's 3degree caster bearing... I also have the caster correction plates but I opted for the OME bushings since I am going with the caster bearing.
I had her on medium lift for while and didn't have on road mannerisms even without bushings... Since the J install, I have not driven her for long distance yet so I have no idea how it's gonna behave on road... Just driven her at my uncle's ranch so far... I will get an alignment job this Saturday and see...
It was a long 3 months of work on her, we started with the 4.88's and front ARB locker, then rebuilding the front end, then the J lift and then bumper build which I would say it took us the longest because I had to be schooled on welding...
The hard work is finally over... The mechanical part is also over except for oil change and brake pads... That I can do without my uncle's help!
She's almost Rubithon ready!!!
Last edited:
LS1FJ40
SILVER Star
When we were there last October, there was just the one spot we had trouble with. Yesterday there seemed to be more, and longer, challenging sections.
6" Slee kit, 37s and the part time kit. I'm still in need of the t-case bearing 90366 60008 to get it done right. Mine has some markings on it, and I plan on t-case gears in 6 months or so, but I'd rather do the bearing now. Oh well, back to the gear oil stink 
Woke up yesterday morning to a spreading pool of oil on the ground. Coming from the aft underside of the engine. Looked closely with a mirror and light and it looked like the pan arch, so ordered the necessary parts and started pulling the pans.
I unbolted #2 and it fell off the car. WTF? Looked at the join and it had some gray material squeezed in there, with evidence of old gasket material, like they didn't even clean it off before reinstalling. Houston, I think we've found the problem!
I unbolted #2 and it fell off the car. WTF? Looked at the join and it had some gray material squeezed in there, with evidence of old gasket material, like they didn't even clean it off before reinstalling. Houston, I think we've found the problem!
westafari
Sand Cruiser
Loaded it with family, boats and camping gear and spent 3 days in the woods of WVa. Truck was running pretty warm after sustained mountain driving, might be time to freshen up the cooling system. Otherwise, stellar trip.
Took the first long trip after tons of maintenance this winter. Spent the weekend w/ family in Palisades, Idaho (Swan Valley). It ran great!
Box Rocket
SILVER Star
The grey stuff might be FIPG. I used "The Right Stuff" FIPG when I resealed the pan on my FJ40. It's really good stuff. But it won't work well if you haven't cleaned the surface.
Got the drawer sheet metal welded in and the welds ground off for a nice smooth finish, made the top hatches for the drawer frames. Got ahead of myself and made both doors swing the same direction instead of opposite directions. I've decided to make another set using different construction and a few new ideas I had while building these. Probably going to give these to my brother when the others are done.
What did I do with my 80? I left my son and his '98 Cherokee in my dust. He, and his friend in a '11 JKU, were following me yesterday to go trail riding. They were a few car-lengths behind me on the highway, until we hit a two to four mile stretch of steady incline. I had my windows up, the A/C running, and the cruise control set on 65 mph. I watched my son, running with his A/C off and his windows down, fall further and further behind. I don't know if his friend was just sticking with him, or if his JKU was struggling too. I love my 80!
Ocho77
SILVER Star
Installed two new Odyssey batteries
Also got the RTT installed for the summer
Also got the RTT installed for the summer
Last edited:
LS1FJ40
SILVER Star
Finished my EGR and Smog Delete. Painted the Valve Cover while it was off. Put the battery back in and she fired right up. Idled a little high for about 5 minutes then settled right down. Seat of pants feel is that she has more torque and is more responsive. More importantly it's amazing how much room is in the engine bay now. My garage is littered with cast away parts.
Now I need to start planning the second battery install.
Now I need to start planning the second battery install.
LS1FJ40
SILVER Star
So much room for activities!! Time to start the second battery mod and York air compressor??? Or maybe a bigger alternator?
And yes, I know. I'm missing the plug for the exhaust manifold. I had a temp one in but well, rubber expandable plugs last about 8 minutes in an 80 series exhaust manifold. Haha. New plug going in tomorrow.
And yes, I know. I'm missing the plug for the exhaust manifold. I had a temp one in but well, rubber expandable plugs last about 8 minutes in an 80 series exhaust manifold. Haha. New plug going in tomorrow.
Nobody said nothing about Browns Camp!
