• Jack-it Night: April 2024 RS Meeting Hey Guest: Wed. April 3rd is the next Rising Sun meeting, and you won't want to miss it. We're doing our annual offroad recovery equipment demonstration and trail skills training aka "Jack It Night." Meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. (early) Click here for all the details.

DomOfTheDead's 1996 FZJ80 build

DomOfTheDead

Event Coordinator
Cruise Moab Committee
Joined
Jun 2, 2019
Messages
879
Location
lakewood
Fabbed up a replacement steering stabilizer frame mounting bracket.
20210523_164402.jpg
The OE bracket bent under the stiff valving of the Fox racing stabilizer just driving around my neighborhood.
20210502_141150.jpg
20210521_212449.jpg
I cut some steel plate and welded two mirror sections together.
20210516_153604.jpg
20210521_211311.jpg
grinded out my fugly welds and drilled the same bolt pattern for a nicer finish. Then paint it black. Sxs New vs old comparison
20210521_212225.jpg
hopefully beefy holds up better and maybe will support a hydraulic assist ram someday
 

allen.wrench

Rising Sun Member
Joined
Dec 7, 2018
Messages
365
Location
Syracuse, UT
hopefully beefy holds up better and maybe will support a hydraulic assist ram someday
Very likely beefy enough!! :D

By doubling (x2) the section thickness you increase the bending stiffness in that direction by a factor of 2^3 (x8). I nerd out on moment of inertia (1/12*b*h^3) problems, haha lol

Or at a minimum, the bracket just looks cooler & better cuz it's so much thiccer ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Allen
 
Last edited:

Inukshuk

Rising Sun Member
Joined
Aug 24, 2005
Messages
7,271
Location
Denver, CO

DomOfTheDead

Event Coordinator
Cruise Moab Committee
Joined
Jun 2, 2019
Messages
879
Location
lakewood
I need this too. How much?
Hmmmm.
Replacement bracket from Stevenson is $32.04. I will offer a nicer finish version of pictured for $45 including hardware.
20210601_170146.jpg
20210601_171341.jpg
 

DomOfTheDead

Event Coordinator
Cruise Moab Committee
Joined
Jun 2, 2019
Messages
879
Location
lakewood
I will also trade for help turning wrenches on this truck. I got a lot of parts waiting to be installed😄😉
 

DomOfTheDead

Event Coordinator
Cruise Moab Committee
Joined
Jun 2, 2019
Messages
879
Location
lakewood
More brackets...
Mounted an 10" pusher fan in front of the transmission cooler.
20210605_162444.jpg
i made brackets that sister up to the factory cooler mounts on left and right sides.
20210605_162451.jpg
the plastic grill had to be clearance a little bit but not too noticeable
16234604073903820129826767639428.jpg
i will wire up to a dash switch but i haven't got there yet.
Next up is the battery hold-down. I didn't like the design of the one the truck came with, so I made a modified design to better suit the red top. I wanted to add a underhood fuse block but space is limited on the driver side engine compartment. Safely suspended above the battery seemed like a good choice.
20210606_122151.jpg
20210610_181001.jpg
20210611_190154.jpg
got the compressor mounted. I used a nice Slee bracket that installed easy and squeezed that ARB in a perfect spot. It too isn't wired yet
1623461467591624698052923900104.jpg
but soon...
And loading up for some suspension fun tomorrow😄
16234616226333568617036739641533.jpg
 

allen.wrench

Rising Sun Member
Joined
Dec 7, 2018
Messages
365
Location
Syracuse, UT
I can't wait to comeback/visit CO, climb a 14er or two, get some beer at Breckenridge brewery, and hangout plus see your 80 progress in person! Keep up the awesome work Dom!!

Allen
 

DomOfTheDead

Event Coordinator
Cruise Moab Committee
Joined
Jun 2, 2019
Messages
879
Location
lakewood
Dobinson 2 inch front / ome 2863 rear
Fox performance series shocks
20210612_194345.jpg
huge thanks to @On the RX @Stuckinthe80s @J1000 @MonPetiteShoe and the two post lift for help out
20210612_124815.jpg
2" vs 3" lift both on 33s. 80 sits 2.5" higher than the taco
20210615_200348.jpg
also, finished wiring and dash switches for compressor and 10" fan. New spark plugs, wires, dist cap and rotor got done as well.
 

DomOfTheDead

Event Coordinator
Cruise Moab Committee
Joined
Jun 2, 2019
Messages
879
Location
lakewood
Replaced alternator brushes and fuel filter
20210619_143156.jpg
brushes went in easy, fuel filter put up a fight until I figured out that using every 3/8 socket extension I had was the key to reaching the FF mounting bolts from below.
20210620_084011.jpg
Also replaced the 3 v belts but.... broke off this small piece of the radiator while I was wrestling with the belts😡😵😡
20210619_202008.jpg
totally bogus! Looks like new radiator time
 

DomOfTheDead

Event Coordinator
Cruise Moab Committee
Joined
Jun 2, 2019
Messages
879
Location
lakewood
Took the truck in for an alignment. I was off in my measurements when I swapped tie rods and Slee links in so driving was all over the road after the lift. I have been using Lakewood alignment and brake for a few years now, they have been easy to deal with, easy to schedule and cheaper than RSG or 4 wheel jokes ($90 vs $150). Not much to adjust compared to IFS but helps give me a baseline for other corrections needed.
20210619_202329~2.jpg
20210619_202557.jpg
so.... Seems like I will need an adjustable panhard bar for the front and some caster correction. Also might have to pull the pitman arm and reenter it on the steering box.

Can I get some thoughts and opinions on this subject? I am thinking about the OME adjustable panhard and Slee caster plates. I had already purchased a OME caster bushing set but was told by trusted sources in the club that they are not a wise choice due to usage plans and that the stock caster plates are prone to cracking
 

Inukshuk

Rising Sun Member
Joined
Aug 24, 2005
Messages
7,271
Location
Denver, CO
I have ome 2" and no caster correction, and then again I'm also one of the ones (or the one) who talked you out of the OME caster bushings :)
 

DomOfTheDead

Event Coordinator
Cruise Moab Committee
Joined
Jun 2, 2019
Messages
879
Location
lakewood
New radiator went in. Along with new main hoses #1 & 3, a few other small hoses and thermostat. Refilled the system and went to get groceries with it. Good to go for BOWAGW 😀🐢😀🚜😀🛁
20210628_161411.jpg
 

DomOfTheDead

Event Coordinator
Cruise Moab Committee
Joined
Jun 2, 2019
Messages
879
Location
lakewood
The truck has been doing great. We've taken it on some hard trails and it has performed well.

Made some front and rear diff breather extensions.
20210718_134344.jpg
20210808_111357.jpg
swapped rear coils out, removed the ome 2863s for 2860s. The rear end is too light for the 2863s and the lighter spring rate helped even the truck's stance out.
20210808_111351.jpg

Pulled the rear 3rd member, removed the open diff spider gears and installed a lock right locker.
20210822_124049.jpg
20210822_125245.jpg
20210822_134214.jpg
removed the fox racing steering stabilizer, installed OME unit. The fox shock didn't have enough travel to match the pitman arm radius, so that was an irritating discovery. I will contact fox and see if they will help.
16296691445474013217966599709475.jpg
 
Top