'97 FZJ-80 1yr exped. prep advice

[calamaridog]

The main concern on an expedition is damage to the tyre. I'd steer clear of siping, especially an MT, because it makes breaking lugs more likely. Any effect on MPG (positive or negative) is minimal. If it were a good idea, BFG would do it at the factory

Excellent!

 

[michaelgroves]

Do you really think I won't be able to find fluids down there? Maybe I'm naive but I sorta thought I'd be able to buy normal stuff like that wherever I go.

It's a good idea to carry enough fluids to refill, in case you have a roadside problem and lose, say, your brake fluid. But basic oils are readily obtainable anywhere. Don't expect synthetics! (I found GL5 gear oils, and DOT4 brake fluids hard to find, so I had to tolerate GL4 and DOT3 when I changed oils).

I had been trying to avoid this expense, but I'm wondering if it may be a good idea for a couple of reasons a. the one you stated about digging the spare out from underneath b. Correct me if I'm wrong but wouldn't this give me an additional lift point if I were to use a hi-lift jack? (so far I only have the front bumper) c. jerry can carrier so they don't have to go on the roof or inside. d. if I have to get an under mounted water tank I'd need the room...

Spare underneath is horrible. But be careful of too much weight out behind the rear axle - there's an awful lot of leverage out there, so a 20kg jerry can a metre behind the axle puts close to 30kg of load on the axle... Not sure a rear carrier would make a strong enough jacking point either, unless designed specifically.


Lights: I'd put in brighter bulbs, but maybe leave the driving lights. Expensive to buy good ones, desirable to thieves, and they make you look even more affluent. And you know not to drive at night. (If night-driving is unavoidable, good headlights are a must, but you can just drive within the limits of your lights). A mounted work-light or two is great though - switches in the cab.

 

[Pskhaat]

Also sounds like the gasket should be looked at.

The easiest way to tell is that on each side of the engine between the block on the head you will see some wet or dried salty `seepage'. If you do or run your fingers alongside this junction and get deposits (other than the standard dirt) on your hands you may have a leaking head gasket.

The big problem is that even if that is not present, it may still be leaking internally. Some folks recommend getting the engine at operating temperature then look at the overflow tube going into the reservoir fluid. If there are small bubbles coming out then you very likely do have a blown gasket.

Mine needed to be replaced at 80k miles, and contrary to a scary steering/axle incident at Slee's recently, and my drving at the EP rally, I drive my 80 like it costs 10x as much and keep maintenance tops with synthetics all around and the whole 9 yards: still had a gasket failure;l leaking like a rabid dog on the sides of the engine.

 

[Hltoppr]

For gas cans, go with the steel NATO style wedco cans (www.expeditionexchange.com) or Scepter cans. I absolutely love my NATO cans...thousands of rough miles and not one leak....not even fumes!

-H-

 

[Mike S]

Just a thought

Repack the front wheel bearings and double check the pre-load. Check rears as well. Add a 12V fan inside the truck. In addition to the other items mentioned, carry a sat phone and numbers to call in various possible emergencies.

I added a large dual inlet/outlet fuel filter on the frame of the 80, a Mallory. Carry a spare filter or two.

Carry two spares.

M

 

[RAM5500 CAMPERTHING]

For "normal" expedition usage, go with the 863s, and review Mr. Brady's literature on loading and vehicle loads. If you don't have a copy, try to find Tom Sheppard's

I HAD 863's in the back of my rig, and with the rig loaded with food and gear for 3 days they were sagging and that was with NO BUMPER at all on the rear and the spare was on the roof! Those springs were wayyy too soft!

BTW...the OME 864 springs really...I mean REALLY...jack the rear end of these rigs up...try 4-5"+ depending on your load, so be careful. You might want to peruse the 80s section of IH8MUD.com for some pics and experiences. Only one guy I know, Photoman (Bill K.) on 'mud can really justify those springs..and his GVW is upwards of 8000lbs.

Going to have to disagree here! If you plan on a heavy bumper and spare and some fuel on the back of the rig, those springs are perfect! I have added a 44 gallon tank and when loaded for camping with the fridge, food, and gear in the back, and 44 gallons of fuel the springs are compressed to level, if not a little sagging! I have even contemplated getting stiffer ones! And that is with NO REAR bumper yet as well!

I now run the J's in the front and the 864's in the rear and unless i am loaded to the max, they work perfect!

Thats my .02

p.s. i dont know where you are located but you are welcome to come to san diego and check out my rig for yourself. I have driven a dozen or so 80's and feel i have dialed mine in perfectly!

 

[RAM5500 CAMPERTHING]

I'm replacing the stock tank with a 38 gal. replacement and will probably carry a can or two just in case.

You may want to rethink that if your talking about the REPLACEMENT tank that Man A Fre sell, i was thinking that route, but there are a decent # of folks out there that had problems with that unit, easily dented, one guy busted a weld and most people complain the driveshaft sits scarily close and if bent slightly would rub a whole in the tank!

Seems to be concensus on the 864s and replacing hoses (esp. PHH) belts, fuel filter. Also sounds like the gasket should be looked at.

The head gasket cant be looked at, its kinda weird, the original ones have an internal flaw in them and tend to all fail in the same spot inside. As for fuel filters, i carry a spare with me at all times in case i get some crummy fuel that mucks up my filter, i can change it out!

Let me clarify, I lurk on ih8mud, I'm way too intimidated to jump in with that group! Sounds like CDan is an awsome guy to know. I do have a good mechanic who can set me up with all the Toyota stuff. He'll be my contact if I get stuck without something, I'll be able to email him and he'll ship it wherever I am.

Dan is THE MAN for 80's! I have spent over $4k through him on my rig and not a single mistake on his part ever!

 

[RAM5500 CAMPERTHING]

Other items that will help out a bunch:

-Georges LED lights for the interior, VERY nice upgrade over the stock lighting, helps out a bunch! Info here: http://www.taskled.com/

-Non US Rearmost Cargo Light to help you see your gear in the cargo area at night (i did this upgrade with a "Georges LED" and its one of the most useful mods i have done! Info here: http://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=82720

-44 Gallon Aux Tank (for a total of 69 gallons). Info here: http://www.yankeetoys.org/mangler/auxtank.htm

-Upgrade your headlight bulbs to the Toshiba HIR's. These are the best bulbs available right now and dont require the upgrade harness (which many folks on mud have had corrosion problems with). Info on these lights here: http://www.danielsternlighting.com/

Oh, and of course a fridge of some sort, the bigger the better! :beer:

 

[Atomic Dog!]

Ok, I was planning on picking up parts up at MAF next week but it turns out they can’t help me find side panel water storage they originally told me about and this may affect how I build the truck because I need to carry 20-30 gal. of water. (I need a lot of water traveling with 2 dogs.)

What kind of water storage does everyone use? Michael, I appreciate your comments regarding the ability to clean the water tanks and carrying water of varying degrees of purity. I planned on having some portable storage as well as the onboard storage. I was going to transfer the contents of 5 gallon bottles into my storage system. Also, I’ll be bringing a water purification system so I don’t have to worry about bad water when I don’t find bottled. Without the tanks, I’ve got to find a way to carry 20-30 gallons of water. That would mean 4-6 jerry cans of water inside an 80 along with all the parts, camping gear, fridge, supplies for a year and room for dogs? Hmm, I’m having difficulty picturing how that is all going to fit. Everyone says I shouldn’t put heavy stuff like water cans on the roof. Suggestions?

Gas Tank: MAF told me the 44 gal aux tank was made of thinner material and hung a little low, thus easier to tear. Not true? BTW, nice build page Boston Mangler, but as you mention on the bottom, it is rather complicated and I’ve got to pay someone to do it. I thought for my purposes the 38 gal. replacement was better since it’d be simpler to install, no second/double neck second pump etc. and I wouldn’t need to move my spare (which of course I’m now considering for the afore mentioned reasons) Any other opinions 38 gal replacement vs. 44 gal aux tank? This may be a mute point if I need the space for a water tank.

Spare tire location: Not good under, not good over, not good behind, where then does it go.. on the hood? Do they make a fastener I can use on an FJ 80 hood? There are an awful lot of people out there carrying tires and cans on the rear bumper. Any other opinions on the stability of that set up?

Tires:

I think the 255/85 R16 BFG MT would make for a solid compromise. It would give her a 33" diameter and the rolling resistance of the narrower tire… The 285/75 would also be a good fit, and likely easier to replace. With how heavy her truck is going to be, the extra flotation might be welcome...

Any further thoughts? I really only want to take one spare and try to stick to tires I’d be able to buy there if I need to.

Lights: Michael, I agree about adding lights. Maybe working lights and getting brighter bulbs but I don’t know about adding lots of lights. BTW Boston Mangler, I have replaced my interior lights with George’s, they’re great!! I’ll look into the bulb suggestion you made for the headlights.

Shocks: 850/864 win hands up! :luxhello:

Michael: Good advice on the fluids, I figured I should take some things and buy others there.

Repack the front wheel bearings and double check the pre-load. Check rears as well.

-thanks for that input. I’m going to have a couple of fans for dogs, and already on the Sat phone search..

Awsome, input from all thanks so much,
Adriana

 

[upcruiser]

Adrianna, are you considering installing a roof basket? I can't remember now if you ruled this out or not. I have one on my 80 and I put jerry cans, water, my highlift, my spare, and other recovery equipment up there with no issues. Yes you want to avoid putting too much weight on the roof but I've tested this setup with mine and run some pretty hairy stuff in Moab with the roof loaded to see how it would react. Yes, there is more side to side movement, but really it wasn't THAT bad and I was doing more technical stuff. For what you are planning I don't think putting some nonvaulables on the roof would be that big of a deal. The advantages that I found are: 1. Not putting a heavy/expensive rear bumper on 2. Hanging alot of weight off of that bumper, 3. The load in the basket can be centered fore aft and side to side better, and 4. you are getting a ton more storage space with the basket.

The only concern I could think of really for you is security of items on the roof and if you really load it down being aware of the handling differences. My 2 cents.

Also, just for perspective, with my 80 I have the 850/863's. Unloaded the rear end sits noticeably higher then the front. When loaded (the last trip I used the truck on was 2 months) it sat perfectly level. I have the stock rear bumper but had quite a bit of equipment with me. I think with what you have planned for mods and the amount of things you are bringing that the 864's might be a better fit (I'm assuming you are going to have a heavier rear load then my uses). Here's a shot were you can see how I fit fuel and water on my roof on my last trip.

 

[blupaddler]

Water storage:

I believe you mentioned somewhere that you will be building a platform. You could fit a RV type water storage tank in there. Ideally towards the middle of vehicle to keep weight centralized. For other storage of water, I have and highly recommend MSR dromedary bags. I am using the 10L versions and have two. They are nice b/c they are soft and flexible, but tough, so you can easily stow them when not being used.

http://www.msrcorp.com/hydration/dromedary.asp

Also, check out Desert Dudes awesome water set-up in his 80. Maybe more fancy than what you're looking for, but the tank is good.




Lastly, I am sure you figured out by now. But, take out all the seats except for the front two seats. It makes for a great amount of storage, and the dogs will dig it too!

 

[blupaddler]

Cool, I posted in the correct section this time



:clapsmile :clapsmile :clapsmile

 

[Atomic Dog!]

You could fit a RV type water storage tank in there. Ideally towards the middle of vehicle to keep weight centralized. For other storage of water, I have and highly recommend MSR dromedary bags.

Scott told me about those bags, so that's what I was planning on using for the portable stuff. As for the storage tank, I guess I should talk with some RV outfitters?

I'll have to check out Desertdude's water system.

take out all the seats except for the front two seats.

-Oh yeah! It's the first thing I do when I get a new truck. :sombrero:

Adrianna, are you considering installing a roof basket?

Yes, I thought I go with the African Outback rack but I'm also putting a roof tent on the back so that'll take up a lot of room too. I've actually been considering mounting the tent to the top rail and sliding some flat stuff underneath. I was told not to put heavy things like fuel/water tanks and such up top due to the maneuverability issues?

-Adriana

 

[Scott Brady]

Call Christo at Slee Off-Road. He had a very nice carpeted water tank, which I believe was 19 gallons. It secured with straps.

I have made a post to the water storage thread, just to keep things tidy: http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=26712#post26712

 

[upcruiser]

That's right, I was forgetting that you were planning on using a rooftop tent. Yes, you do want to avoid putting heavy loads on the roof whenever possible. My point was more around that fact that sometimes it gets blown out of proportion a bit. Some people get phobic about putting anything on the roof, but from my experience, even with some pretty heavy loads in an 80 series is that you can do quite a bit with even a big load. Emergency maneuvers can be an issue, but just like having the respect that an SUV takes over a standard car, if you are a smart driver, the issues are minimized.