Mark's '95 fzj80...

[FourByLand]

Mark,

Congrats on the your new baby.

Like the others I am sure, I will be following this build closely as well!

 

[Mlachica]

Thanks ArchaeoTaco and FourByLand. I hope to exceed the ammenities and quality of my taco in a more stealth (OEM) fashion:jumping: It's just going to take a lot longer.

Looks great Mark.

Now that you have spent time with the 80 for a few months, what are your impressions, specifically in comparison to the Tacoma.

I'm embarrassed to say that my 80 hasn't seen any dirt, nor have I slept in any tent in SO LONG. Having two young one's is a lot of work, it's all worth it though

From what I have experienced in the last few months I've been very pleased with. The 80 is very solid, everything from the dash to the way the doors close. It's apparent from day one how well it's built. Don't get me wrong, the tacoma is well built as well but it rattled/squeaked a little more than the 12yr old 80.

When I first got the 80 it would track and wander pretty bad. I thought it was due to a poor caster angle (j springs + 1.5" spacer). It turned out the source was the 15" wide rims. Once I put the stock rims on it stopped tracking and wandering.

The road handling characteristics aren't as good as the taco, but it's still good. Potholes are a little more noticeable with the 80, the taco soaked them up well. Otherwise it handles great. It's not as peppy as my under geared taco but the 80 with 4.88's and 35's the power is quite adequate.

More later, time to leave...

 

[Pskhaat]

...nor have I slept in any tent in SO LONG. Having two young one's is a lot of work, it's all worth it though

Welcome to the insanity dude! Congrats!

 

[BajaTaco]

... It turned out the source was the 15" wide rims.

:yikes:


Mark, congratulations and good luck! Glad to see you kept your camera system

 

[BajaTaco]

Yes I know, this thread is useless without pics - I'm sorry, I need a new laptop. any recommendations? 2gig ram, at least 100 gig hd, 256 vid card, wireless, bluetooth.

Did you get one yet? I am very pleased with mine.

 

[Mlachica]

Did you get one yet? I am very pleased with mine.

Yeah, I ended up getting a dell latitude d820. I wish I saw your thread, I never looked at the gateway tablets - they're nice. I looked at the toshiba tablets and didn't like them. So far I'm happy with what I have. Btw, it's a replacement for my desktop. I've been eyeing the mac mini too, for 600 it's a nice compact all in one solution for a carputer.

15.4 screen
1.66 dual core
2gig ram
100 gig HD 7200rpm
512mb video card
dual layer dvd burner 8x
bluetooth

I just need to figure out how to mount it. I'm leaning towards a custom mount utilizing the mounting holes for the center console - like brian. But I want to keep the center console and have the upright come up through the faux cup holder.

 

[Mlachica]

water system

I just bought the last available water tank made for the aob drawers from slee :wings: It measures 48"x8"x12" which equates to about 19 gallons. I think this will be perfect for showers and kitchen cleaning. The last one left was carpeted in tan so it will match the interior but not the charcoal drawers I bought a flojet automatic water pump for the taco which will work perfect for the 80.

I'm contemplating doing what captaincoors did here to heat the water. But because of the dimensions I'm afraid of damage if the water gets shallow. Any thoughts?

Pics

 

[Mlachica]

Don't have much time to type but I finished installing the tank. I just need to plumb a pump and the fixtures. The mounts utilize some of the original screws for the drawers plus 4 wood screws.

 

[Desertdude]

Nice fit - what are your plans for input output ?

 

[Brian894x4]

I just bought the last available water tank made for the aob drawers from slee :wings: It measures 48"x8"x12" which equates to about 19 gallons. I think this will be perfect for showers and kitchen cleaning. The last one left was carpeted in tan so it will match the interior but not the charcoal drawers I bought a flojet automatic water pump for the taco which will work perfect for the 80.

Well all be darn, I had no idea that those were even available. Congraduations on getting the last one. I love Slee's stuff, but I really wish he'd keep his website updated on what's available and what's not. Don't get me wrong, Slee's a good guy and good products.

Now when full, that's almost 160lbs of water. It is baffled inside inside to keep it all from sloshing around by any chance. Also, is that really the last of the last one? No more ever?

 

[Mlachica]

Nice fit - what are your plans for input output ?

The filler is actually pictured on the pasenger side. It has a schrader valve on it because it was designed to push the water out pneumatically. The output is on the bottom facing the passenger side, below the filler.

I'd like to make something that sits flush against the sliding window so I can open the window and fill it there. That idea may leave things a little awkward with the window lock there...

As for the output I have an automatic pump sitting at home waiting for install. I'll run the lines behind the plastic trim, and have the pump inside the cubby hole. I'll likely have a quick connect for a hose with a shower head. And a fixture similar to yours for drinking water with an inline filter.

I may even install a five gallon tank with a heater like the capt's setup.

 

[Mlachica]

Well all be darn, I had no idea that those were even available. Congraduations on getting the last one. I love Slee's stuff, but I really wish he'd keep his website updated on what's available and what's not. Don't get me wrong, Slee's a good guy and good products.

Now when full, that's almost 160lbs of water. It is baffled inside inside to keep it all from sloshing around by any chance. Also, is that really the last of the last one? No more ever?

I got lucky. I thought they were long gone. I called and asked, none available. I emailed just for info about them and to express interest in hopes they'd order more. Christo wrote back stating that had one in stock.

I doubt there's baffling, but I'll double check. With the shape of the tank do you think it's really bad without it?

If he has enough interest, he may order more. It just seemed like there wasn't enough demand for them. Maybe if you told him you had a handful of people ready to buy them he may import more.

 

[mountainpete]

Mark, your truck is looking great :wings:

 

[FourByLand]

Any updates???

eepwall:

 

[Mlachica]

Not a whole lot...

painted the stock rims black
integrated the oem locker switch with oem dash indicators
removed most of the wood laminate on the dash
3 AOB load bars w/eezi awn

In the near future I should have two 100ah batteries with a perfect switch isolator
water pump w/fixtures
infinity speakers
2m/440cm radio