40th Anniversary salvage rebuild

[HDavis]

Sometimes you have to go a few steps back to get a few more ahead. Its finally time to get this thing painted all the same color. So, I pulled the parts in preparation for body work and paint. It was pretty painless taking everything apart with the exception of one broken flare nut. Does anyone have a part # for those? Also, what does one recommend I do about my inoperable antenna while I'm here?

 

[SteveH]

Also, what does one recommend I do about my inoperable antenna while I'm here?

I have an inop electric antenna on my daughter's 2000 4Runner. I'm very tempted to yank it and replace with a solid mast antenna from a 2002 Tacoma. $65 (dealer price) for the base assembly and $40 (or junkyard) for the mast. I assume a Taco antenna would fit an FZJ80 pretty well.

 

[simps80]

I put in a new motor from Toyota it was probably 8 years ago but the motor from the dealer wasn’t too expensive

 

[HDavis]

I put in a new motor from Toyota it was probably 8 years ago but the motor from the dealer wasn’t too expensive

I think that might be what's wrong with mine. The antenna itself is in good condition, but it doesn't respond to the switch or when the radio powers off.

 

[Stuckinthe80s]

Another option is the manual antenna that Cruiser Outfitters offers:

 

[Lastresort576]

I think that might be what's wrong with mine. The antenna itself is in good condition, but it doesn't respond to the switch or when the radio powers off.

factory or aftermarket radio? if aftermarket, check the harness first. it may have been modified/lengthened to remove the external amp. the power for the antenna needs to be picked up seperate from where most harnesses label it.

 

[HDavis]

factory or aftermarket radio? if aftermarket, check the harness first. it may have been modified/lengthened to remove the external amp. the power for the antenna needs to be picked up seperate from where most harnesses label it.

It's all factory and I don't think anyone has messed with it since it was new.

 

[Lastresort576]

thats good then. definitely helps eliminate wiring variables.

 

[HDavis]

It's been a little over a year since I purchased the 80 and I've reached a new milestone in the project, new paint. I found an extra hood and pulled my fender, valance, and cowl so they could be patched and prepped for paint before I brought the truck in for blending. A big thanks to @Boulder Cruiser for doing the work, I am very pleased with how it turned out.

 

[nuclearlemon]

new paint and a shot in front of a cool john prine mural ....sweet!

 

[rover67]

Killer!!!!

 

[shellb]

That looks awesome...so glad you saved this one!

Just to confirm...Boulder Cruiser did the paint work?

I was going to ask for a paint guy recommendation!

 

[HDavis]

That looks awesome...so glad you saved this one!

Just to confirm...Boulder Cruiser did the paint work?

I was going to ask for a paint guy recommendation!

He did indeed.

 

[Crash]

Truck is looking magnificient. Location of the mural?

 

[DaveInDenver]

Truck is looking magnificient. Location of the mural?

https://goo.gl/maps/vnBV377iHvoZUXtL7

John Prine Tribute Mural — Lindz and Lamb

Oh Boy Records commissions tribute mural of John Prine in Denver, Colorado Artist Collaboration - Lindz and Lamb + Just Created It

www.lindzandlamb.com

 

[HDavis]

Build Update! The 80 has been performing as expected with only minor issues. The windshield wiper motor somehow came unbolted in the middle of a snowstorm; but I was fortunate to be able to get it bolted back up on the side of the road. There are a couple of maintenance items that need addressed, the power steering pump seals and valve cover gasket. Aside from that all is well and Ill get the parts ordered here shortly.
We have also been using it for what we bought it for camping and wheeling, which we admittedly have not had enough of. Regardless, here are some photos from the last few months.

 

[HDavis]

It doesn't feel like it's been more than 6 months since I last posted, but it has. I've been tinkering with the 80 here and there so I should give an update. I've made a few changes cosmetically which started off with trading bumpers with @shellb who had what appears to be a TJM that came on a rig he recently picked up. I also treated myself for passing my last Architects Registration Exam with a set of quad headlights. I sourced these from Japan and they came very quickly to my surprise. I had to create some pigtail harness to do the swap, but it was an enjoyable day swapping them out.

My son is finally getting old enough to help out, which makes working on this thing even more fun and the TJM makes a great platform for him to stand on, which he is thrilled about. I also removed the RTT and roof rack in preparation for the new Go-Fast Camper RTT that I picked up, I couldn't be more excited! However, I couldn't bring myself to spend $500 on the 80 series mounts so I built my own using Send Cut Send to cut and bend them and my backyard mastery to weld and paint them. They turned out great and were less than 1/5 of what GFC charges. I will install the RTT once it starts to warm up a bit more and we are ready to get out camping again, until then I'm running it slick top.

On the mechanical side of things, I ordered the parts to swap the valve cover gasket and rebuild the power steering pump. I still haven't gotten to that yet, but I did order and install a new fan shroud and changed the oil. On that note, the 80 has also reached a milestone, its been 10k miles since I purchased it wrecked at the insurance auction. It sure has turned out to be a great one.

 

[shellb]

Man that looks fantastic!

Not sure why, but that bumper looks so much better on your rig!

Awesome work.

 

[Telly]

Those quad headlights look soooo cool. Mind sharing some details where you purchased them?

 

[MonPetiteShoe]

I would also like to know where you ordered those headlights. They're slick.