This thread is to chronicle the build up of my, new to me, 1996 FJ80 land cruiser. The decision to go with an 80 series was influenced by other 4x4 build ups I had done in the past and, primarily, by some of the excellent 80s within Rising Sun. From beautiful stockers to baja proven trucks to hard core trail rigs, the solid axles and coil suspension make for an excellent base to start with.
My intentions are for a mostly hard usage trail truck. Minimal lift, 35-37" tires, lockers and low gears in axles and tcase. I want to keep center of gravity as low as possible and have lots of low gearing.
In an attempt to keep this fairly low budget, I was searching for a late model 80 (for the full float rear axle and obd2). In early January, with help from @DanielChase , I acquired a 1996. Sadly, the truck didn't come sporting lockers, blower or much anything other than 260k miles and some chrome crap but for the money, it still fit the plan. According to carfax, i am 3rd owner of a Stevinson sold truck that lead a quiet life in Colorado for most of it's life until ending up in a few different auction yards to spend 2 years in the sun and slowly dry rotting. We found it sitting in a dirt lot, with a dead battery, tires cracked and half deflated, wasted brakes and clicking birfields. But, it ran ok and tcase was functional so we limped it home.
first night: installed a new battery and ordered some hood struts
The next day
in waiting for my brake and axle rebuild parts to arrive, i spent some time doing simple stuff while the weather was nice: new driver side mirror, sound deadened doors and new speakers, center console covering
oem cd / tape player wouldn't work so in went an Alpine deck
I plan to remove the plastic pocket to install a cb unit under the Alpine in the future. And fill that sad spot where the center diff lock button should go.
the #2 cat was cheap and easy so it was replaced. Old unit looked ok in after analysis but it is done now.
Who doesn't love broken bolts?
pulled off the running boards, some of the chrome and installed my 305 Coopers on method pseudo locks. The oe rims had to be hammered off of the hubs with sledge and wood blocks. Not a fun way to just see how it sat on the wheel/tire combo but had to happen. The oe wheels are nasty (except the spare) and need sand blasting.
tire clearance is already pretty good except for some fender trimmings. Also dumping this awful push bar ASAP.
My intentions are for a mostly hard usage trail truck. Minimal lift, 35-37" tires, lockers and low gears in axles and tcase. I want to keep center of gravity as low as possible and have lots of low gearing.
In an attempt to keep this fairly low budget, I was searching for a late model 80 (for the full float rear axle and obd2). In early January, with help from @DanielChase , I acquired a 1996. Sadly, the truck didn't come sporting lockers, blower or much anything other than 260k miles and some chrome crap but for the money, it still fit the plan. According to carfax, i am 3rd owner of a Stevinson sold truck that lead a quiet life in Colorado for most of it's life until ending up in a few different auction yards to spend 2 years in the sun and slowly dry rotting. We found it sitting in a dirt lot, with a dead battery, tires cracked and half deflated, wasted brakes and clicking birfields. But, it ran ok and tcase was functional so we limped it home.
The next day
Who doesn't love broken bolts?
