Builds Wilson's FJ80 (1 Viewer)

[fj4068]

Beautiful. I can almost smell the fresh, supple weather stripping from here.

Makes me nostalgic for our first white 80 (and also our first Cruiser) and buying parts from a fast-talking, Santa Claus-bearded parts slinger in ABQ. We sold it to a fellow club member with a mere 284,000 and the 3FE still running strong. Though I think with the 440F it would have greatly benefited from steeper gearing, even with the stock 31" tyres. I remember trying to buck a headwind on I-40 toward Taos, desperately drafting semis to keep it humming in the "power band" at 80mph/3,000 rpm. If the axle swap isn't imminent, we found the lunchbox locker both easy to install on that semi-float and inobtrusive in daily operation.

 

[OGBeno]

Beautiful. I can almost smell the fresh, supple weather stripping from here.

Makes me nostalgic for our first white 80 (and also our first Cruiser) and buying parts from a fast-talking, Santa Claus-bearded parts slinger in ABQ. We sold it to a fellow club member with a mere 284,000 and the 3FE still running strong. Though I think with the 440F it would have greatly benefited from steeper gearing, even with the stock 31" tyres. I remember trying to buck a headwind on I-40 toward Taos, desperately drafting semis to keep it humming in the "power band" at 80mph/3,000 rpm. If the axle swap isn't imminent, we found the lunchbox locker both easy to install on that semi-float and inobtrusive in daily operation.

Thanks! Good memories of the old geezer as well as my time in NM.

I will be doing an OEM FF rear axle housing swap later this year or early next. Front brake upgrade is more imminent currently.

And I believe my wife really wants a paint job first.

 

[fj4068]

The brakes were definitely lackluster at best. Staying with Toyota White? It really is second only to Antique Pearl Sage...

 

[Catskills]

White. It'll get painted this summer if I can stand to be without it that long.

Also removed the cheap MTs this week and put on the Toyo ATs that the 100 wears in the winter.

Those will stay on until the suspension changes, which should be soon.

 

[cahill]

This is moving along very nicely. If you are planning to paint it this summer, why did you replace seals/windshield etc now instead of having that stuff all removed for paint and replacing with new afterwards? Just curious.

 

[Catskills]

This is moving along very nicely. If you are planning to paint it this summer, why did you replace seals/windshield etc now instead of having that stuff all removed for paint and replacing with new afterwards? Just curious.

Windshield was cracked so we didn't have a choice. I also wasn't planning to do much more than baseline it this soon, but some great financial news changed that. So the 80 will get love sooner than later.

 

[cahill]

Can't complain about that . It isn't like it is that hard to remove and re-install for paint - especially with new supple rubber and an unexpected improvement in timeline for getting it fixed up is always a plus. Glad you are keeping it white.

 

[cruiserdan]

Can't complain about that . It isn't like it is that hard to remove and re-install for paint - especially with new supple rubber and an unexpected improvement in timeline for getting it fixed up is always a plus. Glad you are keeping it white.

If the windshield was properly installed (you can bet it was in this case) the gasket is a single-use throwaway.

 

[scottryana]

Love stories like this! The adventure of picking it up and driving across country stopping to see friends along the way. And the inevitable parts flurry after getting it home. Lol

 

[cahill]

If the windshield was properly installed (you can bet it was in this case) the gasket is a single-use throwaway.

Very true. I should have been a little more clear in my response about the new rubber being able to be re-installed. Good clarification.

 

[Catskills]

Got a quote for repainting but he thinks it'll take him a month as he's a one-man operation. So paint will wait until this winter so I can enjoy it this summer. I don't plan on driving it during the winter.

Meanwhile, little things while school wrapped up and Onur is on the Rubicon. New plate and Bluetooth to replace the Traveling Wilburys CD that came with the truck, new instrument panel, and new steering column cover.

Onur also replaced this trim piece as the truck's was cracked.

 

[Aloha Jen]

Got a quote for repainting but he thinks it'll take him a month as he's a one-man operation. So paint will wait until this winter so I can enjoy it this summer. I don't plan on driving it during the winter.

Meanwhile, little things while school wrapped up and Onur is on the Rubicon. New plate and Bluetooth to replace the Traveling Wilburys CD that came with the truck, new instrument panel, and new steering column cover.

View attachment 2714427View attachment 2714431

Onur also replaced this trim piece as the truck's was cracked.

View attachment 2714438

Looking good! Are your cloth seats manual or electric up front?

 

[cruiserdan]

Looking good! Are your cloth seats manual or electric up front?

That's an FJ80 so it's manual cloth seats.

 

[Catskills]

Looking good! Are your cloth seats manual or electric up front?

Hey Jen--they are manual and the driver is in rough shape. That is the next project: I want it reupholstered with fabric from the third row.

The guy who is going to do the repaint also has an upholstery guy, so waiting to hear back when he can get it done. Everything here is slower than molasses in January...

Lots of things can happen in the meantime tho and I liked your headliner project! That'll be a good one for next month.

 

[MoJ]

My first cruiser, a ‘91 FJ80, had that same blue-grey tweed upholstery. It wears wonderfully, breathes well, and beats the s*** out of leather.

 

[OGBeno]

More parts procurement and some progress...

Getting ready for rite-of-passage with the front axle rebuild. We are upgrading to later FZJ80 rotors, pads, backing plates and calipers. Only way to fly.

We just ordered a 3" suspension, so we are going to need some extended brake lines....

Lots of other goodies in the mail.... Tires, bumpers, more brake and axle parts.... Gonna be a front axle party soon...

 

[Indestructible 47]

Damn man, that's gunna be nice. What wheels you going to be running?

 

[OGBeno]

Damn man, that's gunna be nice. What wheels you going to be running?

I was hoping for OEM non-US steelies (16x8).

But @CatskillsRunner likes the later factory aluminum rims, so we are sticking with those and Toyo MTs 315/75/16 (34.9”).

 

[Indestructible 47]

I was hoping for OEM non-US steelies (16x8).

But @CatskillsRunner likes the later factory aluminum rims, so we are sticking with those and Toyo MTs 315/75/16 (34.9”).

Those OEM steelies we got look the go with 35s. But either way, glad your running that tire size, the old 3fe mightn't like you so much but

 

[OGBeno]

Truth. But Wilson seems quite happy in the slow lane with her 80. She DGAF…