Builds Wyoming 1994 FZJ80 Build

[residualboulders]

I've always been into LCs. My oldest bro is into Rovers. He grew up around cruisers too, but since living in Scotland for a couple of years he's caught the Rover bug.

One day he calls to invite me on a road trip with him up to Seattle to get a new chassis he's imported for a D90. I'd been looking for a clean 80 for a few years, patiently waiting for the right one - 93-97 with cloth seats, low miles and no fake wood. Triple locked if possible. My dad had one like that new back when I was a teenager.

As a joke, I told him "If you can find me an 80 that fits my criteria in that part of the country I'll go with you." 15 minutes later he sends me an ad for this 1994, 99k mile poverty pack fzj80 in Portland. It wasn't triple locked but that can be added easier than the other items on my criteria list.

We were on the road the next day. I've modified it a bit since then, so this is the beginning of my build thread.

 

[residualboulders]

It was a fun drive home, and the power of the 1fz was a delight - I was primarily driving my fj55 and fj60 at the time so it felt great in comparison.

Unfortunately, the odo flipped over to 100k on the drive home.

 

[residualboulders]

Original owner was an older guy and clearly didn't put a ton of miles on it. It was quite clean.

 

[residualboulders]

I was surprised to find that it did not have a center dif lock switch. I thought they all came standard with the center dif. The wiring was there so the first mod was adding the factory switch:

Part# 84725-60010

 

[simple]

yeah the 91 and 92 had that switch. I've got nearly a twin to this truck. Looks like you picked it up 3 years ago. Probably a $15k to $20k truck back then. How much did you score it for?

 

[residualboulders]

Up next: Dobinson's 2.5 Lift VT springs with MRR Adjustable Shocks. Stock suspension was worn out. This Dobinson's kit actually lifted it 4"

 

[Saito]

Beautiful dude. Score. Where you at in WY ? We’ve got a local club that gets together once a month. Usually in Sheridan.

 

[residualboulders]

Beautiful dude. Score. Where you at in WY ? We’ve got a local club that gets together once a month. Usually in Sheridan.

I’m over in Star Valley. I’ve heard about your club. I haven’t been up to Sheridan area. I hear it’s pretty great.

 

[residualboulders]

yeah the 91 and 92 had that switch. I've got nearly a twin to this truck. Looks like you picked it up 3 years ago. Probably a $15k to $20k truck back then.

Center dif switch must have been an option in ‘94. When I pulled the dash apart the connector looked like it was taped up at the factory. I’m trying not to think about how much I’m into this one, I’ve modded it quite a bit. But yeah was in that range.

 

[OffRoadScott]

Great looking truck. The interior of my 94 is the same as yours, exterior color is different though. Mine is sun kissed thanks to the AZ sun but the best part rust free frame.

 

[residualboulders]

Great looking truck. The interior of my 94 is the same as yours, exterior color is different though. Mine is sun kissed thanks to the AZ sun but the best part rust free frame.

Awesome, I’m sure the fake burlwood was dope when new in the 90s but it sure didn’t age well. I like the simplicity of the cloth and no wood. Rust free is the most important part. Mine is too, other than the steps I just removed prepping for sliders.

 

[CrabCake]

Beautiful rig...I love my '94! Any current pics on lift how it sits now? Any other lift mods so far?

I picked up my white '94 coming up on 3 years ago now from AZ...zero frame or body rust and original paint...same interior as yours, love the cloth seats!

 

[residualboulders]

@CrabCake, yes more pics to come.

My Suspension mods included:
Dobinson's 2.5 VT Springs Front: C97-146VT Rear: C97-147VT
Dobinsons's MRA Adjustable Shocks
Dobinson's Steering Damper, Brake Bias Adjuster, Rear Sway Bar Extension
Delta VS Panhard Drop Bracket
Delta VS Front Swaybar Drops
OEM Brake Lines (replacement longer lines)
Ironman Control Arm Drop Bracket

I installed everything myself. Caster for sure needed to be corrected. The Iron man drop bracket improved it significantly, but I don't love how far it hangs down. I may switch to some @Delta VS control arms in the future.

 

[residualboulders]

May have noted in the last pic I also installed an ARB front bumper, Warn EVO10-S winch, ARB Solis Lights.

With my son's help we installed a safari snorkel. I needed his skinny arms and lanky body to reach back inside to tighten those bolts on the inside of the fender cavity. The snorkel didn't really add any wind noise I could detect. Probably not a necessary mod, but I'm building this one out and the kids thought the snorkel was cool so why not.

I then mounted up some 35x12.6 Maxxis Razr MTs. I chose them because they were about 10 lbs lighter than Toyo Mts, or KM3s I was considering. I was concerned about weight since I'm on stock gearing. It for sure needs a re-gear in my opinion after adding 35s, but still a joy to drive anyway.

 

[residualboulders]

I wasn't sure what to expect from the lift. I have a friend that is running an OME lift, J springs I think. It rides pretty firm so I was really hoping it would not be like that. The Dobinsons lift is so nice. The ride is nearly as posh as my 200 and I didn't expect that. I've loved it. It was not the most affordable option, but it really is good.

 

[residualboulders]

The 80 has been great fun exploring local roads.

 

[residualboulders]

Started building out a drawer/fridge unit in the back with some subs to improve the audio. Subs at the request of my teenage boy, but I can't say I dislike having them. May plan is to build a pocket on the top where you can pull out a sleep platform that slides forward over the seats. Holes in the top of the unit shown in the pics will be covered. I just added them to reduce the overall weight of the unit. Bottom piece of this unit has holes in it as well.

 

[residualboulders]

Overnight camping test run for the drawer box. Seems to work as intended. I need to finish it up, but I moved on to other mods for now.

 

[hoch]

Nice build! Love the area as well. My folks are just north of Afton and we visit often. So when you’re ready to let this go…….

 

[residualboulders]

Nice build! Love the area as well. My folks are just north of Afton and we visit often. So when you’re ready to let this go…….

lol, not likely any time soon.