FJ80 Factory Lockers vs ARB?

[Nay]

You want a big built one? you could have this one for $8K.. http://forum.ih8mud.com/vehicles-trailers-sale-wanted/260842-97-fzj-80-lifted-locked.html

I almost bought this rig 3 years ago when it was sold the first time. Those are custom front y-link radius arms. I didn't want to go that big at the time.

I would only buy a built rig, those mods are maybe five cents on the dollar at this point?

 

[Crash]

Just to complete this thought, if you have an Air Locker you NEED to having these rolling around in your spares box. Naturally assuming proper setup and regular maintenance, but these little $10 fittings solve the most common on-trail issues.

Dave, where can we pick these up locally without having to order them first?

 

[Beater]

I almost bought this rig 3 years ago when it was sold the first time. Those are custom front y-link radius arms. I didn't want to go that big at the time.

I would only buy a built rig, those mods are maybe five cents on the dollar at this point?

Having built 3 rigs now, I can honestly say you would have to be a complete maroon if you think you can treat building a vehicle as an investment.

I had close to 15k into my rover that I ended up selling for 3k.
I probably lost 9k in my last 80

oh - you CAN manually operate an elocker to some extent, not so with an arb. that's my only .02 on this

 

[nakman]

And while true, I seem to enjoy the journey too much to ever just go buy something someone else built. I like my 4" springs now because I had J's before. And I liked the J's, because I had 850's before. and I liked the 850's, because... same goes for all the tires, lighting modifications, various cargo area configurations, each new one is an improvement to the last, and the process of making that happen is often more enjoyable to me than the end result. It's clearly a hobby, not a business.

 

[DaveInDenver]

Dave, where can we pick these up locally without having to order them first?

Not sure, maybe Christo would have them?

 

[Tch2fly]

Dave, where can we pick these up locally without having to order them first?

I got mine at High Country 4x4

 

[Hulk]

And while true, I seem to enjoy the journey too much to ever just go buy something someone else built. I like my 4" springs now because I had J's before. And I liked the J's, because I had 850's before. and I liked the 850's, because... same goes for all the tires, lighting modifications, various cargo area configurations, each new one is an improvement to the last, and the process of making that happen is often more enjoyable to me than the end result. It's clearly a hobby, not a business.

Yeah, but think how cool it would be if you could start with an 80 like the one Neil Quigley bought. Supercharged, HID lights, bumpers... even if you wanted different armor, you could sell off the used parts.

I've always been skeptical of buying a truck that someone else built, but there are occasionally opportunities to buy really solid, amazing trucks. I would have loved to have owned Wild Rice. Hatfield's old pig was really well built and needed nothing. You could buy any truck that FJBen builds -- he only owns them for 6 months before he decides to "save money" by selling it, and then buys another one a few months later.

 

[farnhamstj]

I have ARB in the front and factory in the rear. I really like the set up. If you are buying an 80 buy one with factory lockers. If you find an 80 you like without lockers plan on another $2500 to add the ARB. I will sugest that you also consider a 98 or 99 land cruiser. They were offered with a factory rear locker and an ARB may be installed in the front for about $1300. How may 80 owners can run with just the front locker engaged? Or maybe that's bad birfield juju. 98-99's don't have birfield issues

 

[nakman]

.... How may 80 owners can run with just the front locker engaged?

That's funny I have actually discussed doing that mod in threads of old, would like to have it if it was somewhat feasible. Involves quite a bit of wiring work though, more than this Joe pocketknife and his roll of electrical tape should probably take on. Have you ever run open rear/locked in front Farnham?

 

[FJBen]

Yeah, but think how cool it would be if you could start with an 80 like the one Neil Quigley bought. Supercharged, HID lights, bumpers... even if you wanted different armor, you could sell off the used parts.

I've always been skeptical of buying a truck that someone else built, but there are occasionally opportunities to buy really solid, amazing trucks. I would have loved to have owned Wild Rice. Hatfield's old pig was really well built and needed nothing. You could buy any truck that FJBen builds -- he only owns them for 6 months before he decides to "save money" by selling it, and then buys another one a few months later.

Very good point My last 80 I traded for but still had to sell. The good news is that we are debt free besides the house right now

Buying built isn't a bad deal at all, a lot of times they are very nicely setup for WAY cheaper than you can build it.

 

[AxleIke]

Have you ever run open rear/locked in front Farnham?

I have several times.

It is particularly useful when you wish to slide around something rather than go over. I came to a rock that I had to either go over, or go around, and going over was going to get me stuck, but the rear wouldn't "slide" as, with it locked, it wanted to just climb. So, I unlocked the rear, and kept the front locked, and was able to pull around the rock.

Its not common, but it is a nice feature.

 

[nakman]

I have several times.

It is particularly useful when you wish to slide around something rather than go over. I came to a rock that I had to either go over, or go around, and going over was going to get me stuck, but the rear wouldn't "slide" as, with it locked, it wanted to just climb. So, I unlocked the rear, and kept the front locked, and was able to pull around the rock.

Its not common, but it is a nice feature.

Awesome. My "dream use" is when I follow someone down a shelf road in the snow, then for whatever reason we have to back up. When your back is locked, it tends to just slide off the road, but when you're open everywhere it's not enough to get going, and it's worse trying to back up around a corner. Would be sweet to be locked in front only in that situation.

 

[Uncle Ben]

Awesome. My "dream use" is when I follow someone down a shelf road in the snow, then for whatever reason we have to back up. When your back is locked, it tends to just slide off the road, but when you're open everywhere it's not enough to get going, and it's worse trying to back up around a corner. Would be sweet to be locked in front only in that situation.

So just bypass the safety lock.....couldn't be that tough. Be carefull about counting on the minitruck crap in front to get the tuna boat free by itself!

 

[AxleIke]

about counting on the minitruck crap in front to get the tuna boat free by itself!

Aww...You know you love it. At heart, you wish you drove a mini

 

[Hulk]

The good news is that we are debt free besides the house right now.

Hey, that's great!

Didn't you have that sweet 100 series a few years back with all the LCD screens in the headrests? That one was very tempting when you were selling it.

 

[Red_Chili]

Be carefull about counting on the minitruck crap in front to get the tuna boat free by itself!

That's right. If a bridge rated for 20,000 lbs collapses when a 30,000 lb. rig crosses it, it is the bridge's fault.

 

[AxleIke]

That's right. If a bridge rated for 20,000 lbs collapses when a 30,000 lb. rig crosses it, it is the bridge's fault.

 

[Uncle Ben]

That's right. If a bridge rated for 20,000 lbs collapses when a 30,000 lb. rig crosses it, it is the bridge's fault.

No not really....but the silly engineer who decided to build a light duty bridge that might be called into the duty of a severe duty bridge should be publicly flogged! Put a kids go-cart parts on dads golf cart and you just might not be able to get all 18 holes in in one day!

 

[farnhamstj]

I have run locked in the front open in the rear due to the fact that the front engages almost immedialty and I often get to the top of an obstical to realize the rear locker is still flashing and not yet engaged. Or I don't want to wait so I just drive straight up with front locked only. I have not had to pull the tight turn drag the rear move yet, or back up, but when I have to I'll be able to.
If something looks gnarly, I'm not of the try it open, then try 1 locker then try 2. It there is not a lot of turning involved and chances of low traction. I'll run both lockers. If I have to turn it's rear. If it's looks easy, nada.

 

[FJBen]

Hey, that's great!

Didn't you have that sweet 100 series a few years back with all the LCD screens in the headrests? That one was very tempting when you were selling it.

Yeah we try to forget that one again, trying to save a few bucks on the now, doesn't always go in your favor. I have this odd aversion to debt/car payments that sometimes doesn't pan out....like that cruiser. Should have kept it. Didn't lose or gain money, but chalked it up as a learning experience