Builds Wyoming 1994 FZJ80 Build

[residualboulders]

You might have to drive into the metropolis of Rock Springs/Green River and get the alignment accomplished (I am joking). Not sure where you are at but I know there are many small towns in Wyoming that have basic services only and know your pain of not having choices.

Nice rig and I whole heartedly hope your young one chooses the 80 to drive. I taught my daughter on mine and actually wished she would drive it but with parking spot in my area getting smaller she only drove it for a couple month before she admitted she was afraid of damaging it or another vehicle while parking. The parking at her high school has obnoxiously small spaces, they are made for a compact car essentially. I respected her for having the courage to admit and also concern for the 80.

Ha ha, that is awesome she had concern for the 80 and other vehicles around her. My daughter may drive the 80, but we have also kicked around finding a decent 100 series. I haven't owned that model yet, but the prices are getting rediculous on those now too. Her big sis drove my FJ60 through HS. Trying to raise these kids right.

I'm in a town of 200, nearest town where services are is 1600. 2 hrs to a bigger town that would have lots of services. I think the local shop just puts their most knowledgeable guys on the hard stuff and high turn over newbies on the more simple things that can also be messed up easily. Bummer, I hate to leave the valley to get stuff done but it is what it is I guess.

 

[Brindleboxer]

2 hour drive in Wyoming isn't unheard of. My wife grew up in Casper and I was out of Cheyanne for a bit.

 

[residualboulders]

2 hour drive in Wyoming isn't unheard of. My wife grew up in Casper and I was out of Cheyanne for a bit.

oh yeah, if you live in Wyoming you can get used to driving distance ha ha. I'm driving 6 hrs today for a state competition my daughter is in.

 

[Broski]

2 hour drive in Wyoming isn't unheard of. My wife grew up in Casper and I was out of Cheyanne for a bit.

I spent a winter in Casper working outside in hell's half acre.

 

[Saito]

I spent a winter in Casper working outside in hell's half acre.

Wasn’t for the filming of Starship Troopers, was it ? One of my friends was an extra on the set out there in the summer of ‘96. Bout the only reason I can think of to be at Hell’s Half Acre for work . . .

 

[Broski]

Wasn’t for the filming of Starship Troopers, was it ? One of my friends was an extra on the set out there in the summer of ‘96. Bout the only reason I can think of to be at Hell’s Half Acre for work . . .

you’re absolutely correct. I was there from January 1 building the sets all the way through the filming and then removing the sets afterwards about nine months + total.
I remember that the local used to say if you don’t like the weather wait 10 minutes or drive 10 miles

 

[Brindleboxer]

I was there during that timeframe, they reached out to the base and solicited military members to be extras for the filming in the Badlands. Needless to say, I guess I was not even pretty enough to be in the background.

 

[Broski]

I was there during that timeframe, they reached out to the base and solicited military members as extras. Needless to say, I guess I was not even pretty enough to be in the background.

It’s more of a friends & family who you know business

 

[residualboulders]

I spent a winter in Casper working outside in hell's half acre.

Ha ha, that’s where I ended up this weekend. It was -30 at home over by the Tetons, 29 degrees here in Casper. But with the wind it feels more miserable here in Casper . Good thing the high school competition was indoors.

 

[residualboulders]

Followed @CrabCake ’s counsel and added a grab bar on the passenger side. @landcruiserjunky happened to have a couple left so that was nice.

 

[residualboulders]

The finish on Warn fairleads has been pretty lousy not lasting more than a year on several of my vehicles. Decided to upgrade the 80 to some Factor 55 goodies.

 

[residualboulders]

The 80 sprung a pretty good leak out of the back of the valve cover. Had that replaced yesterday, along with the throttle body gasket and some other hard to reach hoses under there. Spent the morning trying to clean up the underside of the rig with degreaser so I can see if it’s leaking from somewhere else. Nothing seems to work great. Anyone have a product that works really well underneath?

I bought a base rack for the 200 but it was just way too noisy. I like the quiet ride of the 200. It’s been hanging on the wall in the shop for 2 years, so I decided to mount it up to the 80 and see if it drives me nuts on there. Using low profile brackets so I removed the factory rack and plugged the holes with WitsEnd roof plugs. I bought the kit a while ago before everything went down hill. I always had great luck with WitsEnd, it’s a bummer it’s no more. I’ll have to get out the buffer and see if I can make that paint look better.

 

[residualboulders]

I've had this set of icon wheels in my shop for several months while I worked on some other mods. Finally pulled the trigger on some 37x12.5R17 Yokohamas. I had the center blocks siped to help out on winter roads. These tires are significantly better than the Maxxis Razrs on the long snow packed road up to my home. No rubbing at full lock either direction, though I am sure it'll rub on articulation. Likely some trimming to come.

As it currently sits:
Dobinson's 3.5 VT springs with MRA Shocks
Yokohama Geolander G003 MT 37x12.5R17
Icon Rebound Pro 17x8.5 Wheel with 0mm Offset / Titanium
Slee's Spidertrax 1.5 Spacer kit.

These measure about 36.5 mounted at 32 psi. The tire shop had a set of 37" KM3 a guy had ordered in for his raptor. They said they were 1.5" smaller in diameter than these. Raptor Bro was bummed. The rebound pro inner lock style wheels were a bit time consuming to mount tires to, but they didn't charge me any extra to do it. Apex Standard length valves.

 

[Broski]

I've had this set of icon wheels in my shop for several months while I worked on some other mods. Finally pulled the trigger on some 37x12.5R17 Yokohamas. I had the center blocks siped to help out on winter roads. These tires are significantly better than the Maxxis Razrs on the long snow packed road up to my home. No rubbing at full lock either direction, though I am sure it'll rub on articulation. Liekly some trimming to come.

As it currently sits:
Dobinsons 3.5 VT springs with MRA Shocks
Yokohama Geolander MT 37x12.5R17
Icon Rebound Pro 17x8.5 Wheel with 0mm Offset / Titanium
Slee's Spidertrax 1.5 Spacer kit.

View attachment 3833056

These measure about 36.5 mounted at 32 psi. The tire shop had a set of 37" KM3 a guy had ordered in for his raptor. They said they were 1.5" smaller in diameter than these. Raptor Bro was bummed. The rebound pro inner lock style wheel was a bit time consuming for them to get tires mounted to, but they didn't charge me any extra to do it. Apex Standard length valves.

View attachment 3833064

BFGs run criminally small

 

[ikarus]

I once parked my 80 with Toyo 35s next to a friend with a raptor on BFG “37s” and everyone was telling him his 35s looked alright but he should upgrade to 37s.. he was pissed haha

Your 80 looks awesome. Love the scenery too, my family lives up in E Idaho and I miss hanging out in Wyoming and Montana

 

[residualboulders]

I once parked my 80 with Toyo 35s next to a friend with a raptor on BFG “37s” and everyone was telling him his 35s looked alright but he should upgrade to 37s.. he was pissed haha

Your 80 looks awesome. Love the scenery too, my family lives up in E Idaho and I miss hanging out in Wyoming and Montana

Sounds about right. I almost went with the KM3 this time. I'm glad I didn't.

Stop in next time you're up this way and we'll take the cruisers out. I agree the scenery is nice - not terrible in UT though. I was just down in Orem yesterday helping my daughter move home. Les Schwab mount these tires up for me while I was there. I grew up in Eden. Mrs and I almost bought a place there years ago but it's so different than it was when I was a kid we decided against it and moved up here instead. Wasatch mountains are awesome though. I have tons of memories wheeling in cruisers, skiing and mt biking down there. Too bad so many people, feels totally different than it did 20 yrs ago - but it does here too.

 

[residualboulders]

Installed the baserack from my 200 on the 80. Wired up some arb floods on each corner and the arb light bar up front. Ran out of time to get them tapped in to the switchpro but will do so soon. Still don’t love the arb fairing.

I used Gamiviti 30/60 foot packs to keep it tight against the roof; removing the factory rack. This left about 3/4” between the rack and rails. Would be cool if the nuts, bolts and washers were all stainless or all black but the quality is top notch. Nbd

These foot packs worked great with some adjustment for the slight curve at the back of the rain gutter. I would have preferred the front and rear foot about 6” further forward, I just think it would look better. This is a limitation of the rack not the foot packs. Thinking about how I can get that done with some different plates ARB has available. For now it’s working.

It’s nice we’ve got companies like Gamiviti making cool stuff for our old cruisers. Thanks @nakman.

 

[residualboulders]

Installed a Tom Woods double cardan front drive shaft and a @sleeoffroad belly skid over the weekend.

 

[residualboulders]

Installed a @Delta VS center console tonight. Super easy install. Color match, quality of construction and fitment is on point. Well done Delta. I didn’t really need the front section of Delta’s console for switches and gauges but I’m sure that would look great too. Will likely add some mini usb charging ports in the front knock outs and maybe the rear.

I’m considering building an open pocket on the driver side where the factory cup holder was. I’d have it lower than the lid for elbow safety. Probably would need a rounded edge rim or something. It couldn’t come too far forward or it’d get in the way of the E brake, but behind there is wasted space and I think it could have a decent sized pocket. I thought it might be nice for open easy access to a hat and gloves in the winter, pressure gauge, snacks etc in the summer. Have you considered making an add on like that @Delta VS? This is a pretty sweet and customizable console.

 

[residualboulders]

Also wondering how I can mount some kind of bracket for a magnetic radio handheld mount so I don’t have to drill into my dash to mount something. Can’t decide if this would be a really convenient location or just annoying. Wouldn’t want it getting in my way reaching for a cold Dewski now that I actually have a cup holder. Never thought about it back then, but I guess we never drank anything on road trips back in the 90s.