Brian894x4's FZJ80 build thread...part 2

[Brian894x4]

I haven't updated my build on this site for a long time. Haven't really updated anywhere.

This is my original build thread. Unfortunately, looks like all the pictures are gone, so if noone minds, I'd like to start a new one. Giving a general overview first and then adding some details later. I've been getting requests to update my website or posts pics of the latest mods, so this is start in that direction.

Here's my old build thread.....
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4219&highlight=brian894x4

The rig is set up for what I do most, which is go out and explore old historical sites, such as abandoned railroads, mines, ghost towns, etc. This is all volunteer documentation of historical sites for a personal website and relative preservation information is passed on to various responsible government agencies. Especially in areas of planned logging. Unfortunately, time has limited how much I can do this these days, with my job and now volunteering for a local shortline railroad as a student engineer/conductor, but I do what I can. For example, we'll be spending a good week in Eastern Oregon starting in a few days exploring and documenting more historical sites.

It's not typically a daily driver and can sit for anywhere from days to weeks in between driving, although I'd prefer to drive it around town than my old beat up Honda CRX, despite the 10 mpg city mileage.

I've been continuing with the LC build, but haven't had a lot of time to update my personal websites. I have a new main website about our explorations and research....

http://www.nwrailresearch.com/

But my old one, that some are more familiar with is still up and always will be:
http://www.brian894x4.com/

The rig is 1995 FZJ80 that now has about 110K on it. Stock engine, tranny, ARB lockers front and rear, stock gears, OME 2.5 heavy lift all around and associated equipment (shocks, alignment bushings, etc) , Slee bumper, 8000lb Warn winch, African outback short rack, custom tool box on the rack, 33" MTRs, custom skid plates, metal tech sliders, duel batteries, Toyota 150 amp alternator are some of the major exterior high lights. I also added solar panels (not shown) on the roof rack (since I can't really store much else up there). However, the panels are garbage consumer RV panels with something like 15 watts peak a piece, so that will be a future upgrade project down the road.

Everything on the roof has to stay absolutely no higher than the top of the black box to clear my garage door, or I would definately have a lot more on the roof. I dream of having a garage door that is 1 or 2 feet taller. Life would be so much better and the rig set up would change fairly signifcantly.

The only major exterior mod left that I'd like to do at this point is eventually add an all steel rear bumper and probably tire carrier. Slee's set up is my favorite design, but I can't justify the expense right now. Beyond that "maybe" an auxiliary fuel tank and then the rig will be pretty much done with major mods. Unless a free supercharger falls in my lap.

Not really a modification, but one thing I've been doing since I last posted on here, was really go through all of the mechanicals. Major overhaul on the cooling system and front and rear axles for starters. The cooling system overhaul dramaticly affected engine temps and was worth every penny and the many hours I spent doing it, for piece of mind.

 

[Brian894x4]

Before I get to far into this update, I have a website about the truck, that covers all of the early build and most of the mods, except for the latest ones I'll mention here.

http://www.brian894x4.com/ExpeditionLandCruiserFZJ80.html

Here's a website about my old truck that this Land Cruiser replaced a few years ago. I tought I'd miss that truck, but I honestly don't miss it one bit. The Land Cruiser is 100 times better rig for my purposes and I don't miss the cramp dusty cab, harsh ride, roller coaster handling or the squire power engine. But it was still a damn fine truck that did it's duty.

Today, a local Land Cruiser shop has it and they chopped it up to make a dedicated rock crawler out of it. I must say, the last time I saw it, it looked pretty good and it's doing what it does best, which is hardcore off roading.

http://www.brian894x4.com/Mytrucksmodifications.html

Here's a few interior front shots of the FZJ80.

The highlight of the front interior is the weird looking center console. I basically ripped out the stock console and built a custom one with scrap stuff I had laying around the garage. The goal being something that I could mount radios, switch panels and a laptop mount to that would be rock solid secure.

It's not purdy, but it's very functional. Fortunately, the stock console mounts in various places which make great mounting points for any rock solid console build.

Forward switch panel holds switches for the duel battery system, volt meter for the aux battery and main cut off switch for all auxilary accessories, plus additional cig lighter adapters. Red switch covers control aux engine fan, and rear back up lights. Black switch panel controls amber warning lights and radio stand houses a Ham 2 meter and basic CB radio. And finally a Maglight in a charger.

The stand originally supported a medium sized laptop, but I recently went a different route. The laptop is mounted in a secure container in the back of the truck and what is now mounted up front is a Xenarc touch pad monitor, which is much smaller and lighter and more usable. Plus it doesn't cover up things like the stereo and heater control panel. The monitor runs off of the laptop and I can use all computer functions. Windows has an auxiliary keypad that comes up on the touchscreen that I can use. But I also have a wireless keyboard (shown in the picture) that I use or stow away as desired. I use this computer almost exclusively for mapping, using USGS topo maps. The laptop is hooked up to a GPS, which is routed through an external antenna. The GPS is mounted in the back by the laptop out of the way. It's a hand held unit that I take with me when hiking around.

To the left of the monitor is an iphone booster/mount. Just got this thing. Supposedly boosts the phone output to 2 watts. Reception is dramaticly improved around town, according to the dBi meter, but we'll see what happens in the woods. Booster antenna is on the roof rack and I've already broken it. Stupid low clearance garage.

Left of that is a standard Garmin Nuvi GPS that I mostly use around town or for general highway navigating or navigating to specific addresses.

To the left of that is Scangauge that reads off of the OBD II computer and gives various guage info, like engine and air temp and a lot more. Best money I ever spent.

The factory locker switch controls the ARBs. As currently wired, first notch turns on both the compressor and rear locker at the same time. Second notch, keeps rear lock on and turns on front locker. This is the simpliest way to wire it and it works fine for my purposes. I've pretty much run out of places to mount switches.

The switch panel on the far left controls the LED (map light) dimmer and front fog and HID flood lights. The gauge just barely in view is my auto tranny temp gauge.

 

[Brian894x4]

The interior behind the seats has a few permanant features, but is generally set up for whatever I'm using it for at that particular moment.

Not shown is that I permanantly removed the middle driver's side passenger seat and replaced that with an Engel refrigerator and storage box and a rack that stores things like first aid kit, various supplies, etc. Anything that I want relatively handy. The passenger side middle seat usually stays in place and the rig is usually a 3 seater. But in this photo I have the rig set up for my upcoming 1 week trip, where I'll be camping inside the rig.

The middle passenger side seat is removed, replaced with a large storage box (not shown) and I have a sleeping cushion laid out. I'm not real tall, so I just barely fit on this thing length wise. I absolutely hate tents and hard ground, but when the wife is with me, we have no choice. This trip will be just me and friends in other vehicles that have their own sleeping arrangements, tents, or inside their own rigs, etc. I dream of roof top tent set ups, but the garage height prevents that set up. Maybe in the future.

One obviously permanant feature is the African outback drawer system and spare fuel. One not so obvious feature is the fresh water storage and dispenser.

The water dispenser is the white water container mounted up against the left rear window. It holds 4 gallons of fresh water that I generally use for cleaning. The spicket is gravity fed and it's the copper pipe on the left side drawer deck. Drinking water is generally carried seperately in multiple 1 gallon containers or water bottles. I could drink the water in the white container, but it can sit in there for days or weeks at a time, and I'd prefer not too, so it's mostly washing and cleaning water.

Spare fuel consists of four 2.5 gallon gas cans. 2 mounted on the top of the right side of deck, 1 mount under the right side of the deck, and one mounted on the top left side of the deck (out of view) for a total of 10 gallons (really about 9 usuable gallons, since they don't really hold 2.5 gallons) As far as storing fuel inside the rig, these tanks are about as airtight as anything I've ever used and never detect even the slightest whiff of anything. They're as secured as I can make them, but it's a risk I take if I'm involved in an accident. There is just no place else to put them. And spare fuel is a must have with this rig. An auxiliary tank in conjuction with the rear bumper/tire carrier is on potential wish list.

Drawer holds everything from tools, repair manuals, CO2 air tank, emergency kits, etc. The wood box stores an antidote for bear and cougar invading camp at night.

Normally, if not single person camping, the only difference would be the right middle seat would be installed and there would be no sleeping cushion. And probably few less supplies. She's mostly loaded for the upcoming trip in this picture.

 

[Momrocks]

Brian, glad to see you back. Your rigs are always so interesting. I admire the fact that your build ups are built and tested purely for function and not rolling collections of fashionable "gear of the month." Good update!

 

[Brian894x4]

Thanks much. I'll add some more pictures and details when I get back from my trip. If I can pull off an internet connection while I'm out there, I'll see if I can upload some interesting shots in this and the expeditions in progress sections.

:smiley_drive:

 

[Momrocks]

BTW, what gauge or caliber is your "bear and cougar invasion antidote"?

 

[sprocket3]

Looking good. When are we going to do an 80 series trip in the NW.

 

[JChatary]

I'm almost thankful I drive something that doesn't have that many available mods out on the market! That is one really clean and nice looking FJ!

 

[Brian894x4]

BTW, what gauge or caliber is your "bear and cougar invasion antidote"?

I used to carry a 12 guage shotgun, but now carry a trapper (16" barrel) Winchester 94AE lever action in .357. May not seem like much, but I'm loaded with buffalo bore 180 grain hardcast that push about 2000 ft/sec out of this rifle. Basically better ballistics than a 30-30 with heavier bullet. Put a nice clean hole through 1/4" of stainless steel plate, so I think it will do the job. The rifle is a nice small light and much easier to pack around.

I've run into lots of bear, but most run away. Although I've had one that didn't and that spooked me a bit. Never seen a cougar, but I'm a little more worried about them for some reason. But it's also more piece of mind than anything else. I highly doubt I'd ever have to use it. Mainly just have it for camp when out and about at the same as the creatures are.

 

[luckyrxc]

I used to carry a 12 guage shotgun, but now carry a trapper (16" barrel) Winchester 94AE lever action in .357. May not seem like much, but I'm loaded with buffalo bore 180 grain hardcast that push about 2000 ft/sec out of this rifle. Basically better ballistics than a 30-30 with heavier bullet. Put a nice clean hole through 1/4" of stainless steel plate, so I think it will do the job. The rifle is a nice small light and much easier to pack around.


Nice choice. This combination is very underrated and one round feeds both the lever gun and revolver. Me like.

 

[Brian894x4]

I was trained on .40 and .45ACP cal for the last 20 years, so of course, I didn't think anything else existed. I especially turned my nose up to the .357 round, until very recently. The fact is, a heavy .357 loaded to full spec is far more powerful than any factory .40 or .45ACP. The bigger bullets can be loaded to heavier weights, but are very slow moving. .357s move really fast out of revolvers, but REALLY love rifles.

Of course, it's hard to find factory .357 loaded to it's full sammi potential. So I go with Buffalo bore ammo.

 

[sprocket3]

I've run into lots of bear, but most run away. Although I've had one that didn't and that spooked me a bit. Never seen a cougar, but I'm a little more worried about them for some reason. But it's also more piece of mind than anything else. I highly doubt I'd ever have to use it. Mainly just have it for camp when out and about at the same as the creatures are.

I wonder what things are going to be like in 10 years when the Wolf population is out of controll.

 

[latinoguy]

Looking good Brian,


What exactly did you end up replacing in your cooling system overhaul?
What brand side work lights are those on the roof rack?

 

[Brian894x4]

I wonder what things are going to be like in 10 years when the Wolf population is out of controll.

That's definately an interesting question. I just read that wolves are getting pretty bad in Idaho after they recently reintroduced them. I've never seen one personally. I'd worry a little bit about their pack mentality though. I've seen more coyoties than you can shake a stick at, but never had a problem with one. They are definately skittish and fairly harmless as far as I can tell.

Looking good Brian,

What exactly did you end up replacing in your cooling system overhaul?
What brand side work lights are those on the roof rack?

Thanks much. On my cooling system overhaul, I replaced....

The radiator (went with a brass '94 new OEM)
All new rad hoses.
All new heater hoses, combination of OEM and silicone (PHH) hose
Used stainless constant clamps on all hoses
(didn't replace the rear heater hoses or lines, however)
Replaced clutch with a new OEM blue hub clutch
Replaced T-stat
Replaced Water pump (probably didn't need too)
Fan belts and idler pullies

As for the roof side lights, I don't have them on there at the moment, but they were KC SlimLites using fog light white lens for the wider beam. I late moved these to the rear and mounted them on the bumper, where they got destroyed when I backed into a tree. Actually the lens survived just fine, thanks the plastic housing guard, but the mental case got destroyed.

So for now, no side lights up top. Rear lights are now cheap plastic tractor lights mounted high and tight next to the license plate.

 

[bluedog]

Brian,

I am envious of your 80. Mine is the same color and your's puts mine to shame. Your post reminded me that I have neglected my girl since I got back from the UP Overland Trip. I need to get out the wax and make shine again.

FYI, I have the Slee rear bumper with the swing out tire carrier. Like everything I have purchased from Slee, it's a solid bumper and the tire carrier is smooth and very stout. I think the only wish I have for it is a Jerry can holder. If you want or need pictures I can send some over.

B.