New wheelin rig

[colsoncj]

Well, I went through with it today. I've been thinking about getting a new wheelin rig to build, and was leaning towards a 96-98 4Runner... Then I started thinking about having to SAS it and everything else... Then I started thinking about what already has a front solid axle, has 4 doors, has leather, and is not a 4cyl... It dawned on me I should get an FZJ80... So, today I picked one up. Its a 94 with the 4.5L I6, auto, factory e-lockers front and rear, center diff lock, TJM front bumper, BFG A/T 33"s and the creature comforts newer cruisers are known for... How bout some pics:

http://img376.imageshack.us/img376/5748/80204557on5.jpg
http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/6517/26391460yi2.jpg
http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/144/71452198rn1.jpg
http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/1651/43753633ko1.jpg
http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/2676/74944230zu6.jpg
http://img376.imageshack.us/img376/5100/86194374lr9.jpg
http://img376.imageshack.us/img376/4287/28033215im6.jpg
http://img376.imageshack.us/img376/7662/10cx8.jpg
http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/2987/96977521pg1.jpg

Now, I've decided I cant do any hard wheeling, or even moderate wheeling, until I get sliders, and a good rear bumper with quarter protection. The plan is to keep this one semi nice. Some scratches are to be expected, but not huge dents or aggravated tree encounters, unlike the 87. And for those who are curious, I'm now leaning towards parting out the 87 and leaving nothing but part of a body and a frame... then as time and money allows, turn it into a competition rig... two seats, 1 big motor, 1 transfer, 2 big axles, and 4 big meats.... For the Cruiser, I plan on doing a 6" lift , regear the axles as steep as I can, putting some 37"s on it, and callin it a good general purpose wheelin rig!

[extremetoy2000]

You don't have to put that much lift on to clear 37"s. I got a couple of friends with FZJ80's and they clear 35" with only a 2" OME lift.

[fulleroffroad1]

it's nice thats for sure, the first real good battlescar on that thing is gonna be one worth crying over. :jawdrop:

[colsoncj]

You don't have to put that much lift on to clear 37"s. I got a couple of friends with FZJ80's and they clear 35" with only a 2" OME lift.

I'm still doing some digging.. I know with now lift and 33"s, it needs to go up some, I just dont know how much yet. The general idea is keep it as low as possible, but enough to clear at least some 37"s

it's nice thats for sure, the first real good battlescar on that thing is gonna be one worth crying over. :jawdrop:

Thats why "no wheelin without sliders, and a rear bumper with quarter protection!!!!" Its goina be hard, but I think I can do it. Also if you see me on a trail wheelin it without armor, catch me, and tell me to quit and go home.

[fulleroffroad1]

are you takin that to hot springs?

[colsoncj]

Doubt it... I want to, but it wont have armor by then. rule is no wheelin til i have armor... now if ya wanna come up and help fab some, then maybe I can get it to HS :D

[fulleroffroad1]

man i'd love to come up! you still got my number?

[fulleroffroad1]

do you have a pipe bender? or a 220 welder?

[colsoncj]

Got a 220 welder... I've got an AWESOME fabricator and welder that works for me... I'm giving him some pics of Slee sliders and Hanna sliders and I'm thinkin I can turn him loose... He's not into 4wheelin, but he did help with the cut, fab, and weld on the 37" tire clearance job on my 87, so he familar with the sport, and he seems to really enjoy helping out.

I think the pipe bender is where I'm going to run into problems... thus far I dont have one, and I dont know anyone that does... Also need a tubing notcher...

I think I've still got your number somewhere.... I'm real bad about that. you still got mine?

Right now I'm just workin on fixin the little stuff, the antenna, rear window... things like that.

[YotaJosh]

Nice! :eek:

That color looks great. Awesome find. :kewl:

[wadeunderwater]

Cory, Adam at 4xinnovations has them for around $500. He is the cheapest I've seen for an 80. Cat Conv is the problem on those for mounting sliders. Have to build around the cat. to mount them. Might want to check him out. ;)

[colsoncj]

Nice! :eek:

That color looks great. Awesome find. :kewl:

Thanks! Josh, I havent forgotten about ya, just been tied up. Give me a call 417-489-4429 and we can catch up on where we are at with parts and whatnot.

Cory, Adam at 4xinnovations has them for around $500. He is the cheapest I've seen for an 80. Cat Conv is the problem on those for mounting sliders. Have to build around the cat. to mount them. Might want to check him out. ;)

Wade, thanks for the heads up! I'll shoot a note to Adam and see what hes got! So far all I can find are around 800-900 bucks.... little steep for my taste.

[colsoncj]

Well, I did a bit of work on it today.. ditched the sway bars and mud flaps... Thinking about taking the flares off, but havent quite made up my mind. Here are some pics of some, what do you guys think?

http://forum.ih8mud.com/2653721-post12.html
http://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/193463-pics-fj80-w-o-fender-flares.html

[YotaJosh]

I'd say keep the flares. The break up the acres of sheet metal on the sides of those things. :2cents:

[wadeunderwater]

X2. Not to mention the paint will be faded and you will have screw holes you'll have to patch. Bushwackers would look good though.

[colsoncj]

problem is right now it looks kinda funny... I've had to take the mudflaps off the front and rear and now the flares just unexpectedly end. and they flare out at the bottom... they just look odd.

The only thing thats keepin me from doin it are the holes to patch...

[wadeunderwater]

problem is right now it looks kinda funny... I've had to take the mudflaps off the front and rear and now the flares just unexpectedly end. and they flare out at the bottom... they just look odd.

The only thing thats keepin me from doin it are the holes to patch...

Could you cut the existing mud flap down to the contour and use those for now? Like this (green lines)....

[colsoncj]

Wade, honestly that hadn't even registered.... That may not be a bad idea. I'd be less likely to grab them..

I'll probably leave them off until I get the sliders and rear bumper done, then mold them into the flares...

I do really like to look of the flares, but the width may be the death of them... I guess if they get snagged, I'll know what to do.

[YotaJosh]

The width of them is what will save other parts of the body. I'd rather beat up a plastic/rubber flare, than dent the sheet metal.

I didn't realize that the flare and flap were integrated like that. Wade's idea looks like a good idear.

[colsoncj]

The width of them is what will save other parts of the body. I'd rather beat up a plastic/rubber flare, than dent the sheet metal.

I didn't realize that the flare and flap were integrated like that. Wade's idea looks like a good idear.

The thing that worries me, as stout as these flares are, it wouldnt surprise me if it transfers the damage to the sheetmetal.

I'm going to take it on a run sat, I'll see how they do and take it from there. I think Wade's idea in conjunction with molding on the sliders and rear bumper will work best, until some side protection tubing is installed...