What hard parts would you like to see available for 80s?

[jclarke450]

So I have been thinking over the last few weeks as I am currently in between jobs. Granted, I am searching for my next position, but I have more time than I have in several years. What hard parts can you not find or would you like to see made for 80s? As an engineer, I am debating on what I would do with my time. I have always complained I didn't have time to sit down and work on Cruiser parts. So I may spend some time on Solidworks. I have access to CNC machines and a Water jet and pretty much any equipment I might want or need. Curious what other people would like to see or have found missing. There is always the standard bumpers, racks, and sliders. I am thinking in terms of things that you just don't see. Anyone got any ideas?

 

[bobbynelson0730]

I'll get flack from the hardcore guys, but some of those A-pillar LED bar mounts would be sweet. Like you see on the Bro-trucks. I don't want a roof rack, but have a 50" bar waiting for me at home.

 

[SammyT96LX450]

I'll get flack from the hardcore guys, but some of those A-pillar LED bar mounts would be sweet. Like you see on the Bro-trucks. I don't want a roof rack, but have a 50" bar waiting for me at home.

I did mine this way....

 

[musthave]

I know that we don't need any more cup holders

I'd like to see an enclosure for an LED fixture that could withstand driving through brush. I've got pellas on my ARB, they get beat to hell, fall off, etc. when I do light wheeling in North Georgia. If there was a SOLID mount that could use an existing LED assembly, I'd buy one.

 

[SammyT96LX450]

I would love a set of tube doors.

 

[GW Nugget]

I'm watching this one.

 

[FZJ80 in KC]

ahem......supercharger..........unobtanium.....

 

[Golgo13]

Bracket to mount a York compressor on a 3FE.
Bracket for upgrading to a modern, higher output alternator for 3FE.
A more permanent fix for the shaky/floppy mirrors. Zip ties work great for the shakes, but repairing the hinge is a pain.
Various block-off plates for things like ABS sensors, EGR, etc.
Hinges with dampers(like Tundra) for the tailgate.
Push-rod cover, for 3FE
Knuckle balls for the front axle
Bolt-on portals for the axles...

How about random stuff not for Cruisers?
Could you do print work?

 

[mechanist]

A friend of a friend resto-modded a '67 Lincoln Conti w/suicide doors (no I don't want suicide doors ) and what was really awesome was his dash and instrument cluster. It had been re-envisioned/re-engineered for ease of access, disassembly, and reassembly. He had smaller sections of clusters dedicated to related components mounted to a framework that kept the shape of the original dash and console. Everything was billet and powder coated, mounted with allen head/torx head screws. Looked awesome. It was several years ago so, sorry, no pics .

I have a '93 FZJ80. I believe my dash and instrument cluster is shared by 91-94 model year trucks. As parts fail we are faced with complicated structures and parts that break easily. It would be awesome if someone with your skillset redeveloped the console and instrument panels/clusters to be more easily accessible and have a bad-a$$ custom look.

And while you're at it - retractable cup holders in ashtray slot and popping out of the rear of the center console like in the corollas .

 

[1973Guppie]

Hinges w dampers for tailgate would be slick

 

[Golgo13]

@mechanist I'm investigating how to do this myself. But I spend too much time at work to actually with with the parts and make a plan.
I really like the idea of making a custom gauge cluster, possibly with a jeweled finish like this:

 

[FZJ80 in KC]

Bracket to mount a York compressor on a 3FE.
Bracket for upgrading to a modern, higher output alternator for 3FE.
A more permanent fix for the shaky/floppy mirrors. Zip ties work great for the shakes, but repairing the hinge is a pain.
Various block-off plates for things like ABS sensors, EGR, etc.
Hinges with dampers(like Tundra) for the tailgate.
Push-rod cover, for 3FE
Knuckle balls for the front axle
Bolt-on portals for the axles...

How about random stuff not for Cruisers?
Could you do print work?

x2 on York brackets...for 1FZFE too!

 

[mechanist]

X3 on York brackets.

Yes @Golgo13 that's sweet.

His was powdered coated matte black and, while it did look custom, it also looked as though his way was the way it should have been all along. The finish piece to which I refer is where climate control and radio sit, where the aux fuel tank selector switch and rear heater switch sit, and where the CDL, ECT, and Def buttons mount.

And where the ashtray (now retractable cup holders ) slides in and out.

But it would be so sweet to have an icon-type gauge cluster. Oh yeah!

 

[Golgo13]

For anyone who is a nut for details and craftsmanship... I assume there are a few reading this thread...
Do a search on Youtube for "guilloche" the best videos are from Vacheron Constantin and RGM Watches. Watch the RGM video first to understand the "Rose Engine"(which is where "Engine Turning" gets its name. The finish in the picture I posted above is properly called "jeweling" but is typically called engine turning.

I would LOVE to make a set of gauge faces with guilloche patterns on them. I know it is just bling, but it is a gorgeous result and the level of detail is second to none.

to @jclarke450 i'm sorry to hijack with this, but I REALLY wanted to share it.

 

[bmac1996acc]

Metal A-Pillar oh $hit handles. They have some that would bolt up available for an FJ Cruiser but they are not offset like the 80 handles.

Like these except less bling somehow.

 

[jclarke450]

For anyone who is a nut for details and craftsmanship... I assume there are a few reading this thread...
Do a search on Youtube for "guilloche" the best videos are from Vacheron Constantin and RGM Watches. Watch the RGM video first to understand the "Rose Engine"(which is where "Engine Turning" gets its name. The finish in the picture I posted above is properly called "jeweling" but is typically called engine turning.

I would LOVE to make a set of gauge faces with guilloche patterns on them. I know it is just bling, but it is a gorgeous result and the level of detail is second to none.

to @jclarke450 i'm sorry to hijack with this, but I REALLY wanted to share it.

No worries at all. Just out of curiosity. What kind of print work would you have in mind?

Would anyone be interested in a custom rear hatch emblem done out of aluminum? Could be anodized/powdercoated customized to say whatever you'd like instead of Toyota Land Cruiser? Could be as custom or stock as you wanted, but to fit in the same space?

I do like some of the ideas posted so far. Going to keep digging into this a little.

 

[NLXTACY]

Metal A-Pillar oh $hit handles. They have some that would bolt up available for an FJ Cruiser but they are not offset like the 80 handles.

Like these except less bling somehow.

Serious?

 

[bmac1996acc]

Serious?

Well yes seriously want a metal handle. Seriously don't want bling. I broke my stock one. Ordered two more used from classifieds which both have stress cracks at the base so they will probably break too. I would probably paint the metal to match the interior like I did with the JDM window guards for the third row windows.

 

[bmac1996acc]

Maybe this is a better example

 

[NLXTACY]

Well yes seriously want a metal handle. Seriously don't want bling. I broke my stock one. Ordered two more used from classifieds which both have stress cracks at the base so they will probably break too. I would probably paint the metal to match the interior like I did with the JDM window guards for the third row windows.

Hmm, had no idea this was even an issue. Interesting.