'97 FZJ-80 1yr exped. prep advice

[GeoRoss]

I don't recall if anyone mentioned it, but you will definately need to extend the breather hoses from the front and rear diff's, especially with the 864 rear springs. The rear breather is stretched a bit on 864's unloaded. I run the 850/864 w/ 1.5" spacers in the front. Unloaded it rides like a pickup truck, but loaded it is much better. It is not the smoothest of rides with the normal loads I carry every day. The rear bumper that is on order will make things much better.

On the water end of things, I hate filters. They clog and waste calories . I use either chlorine or a saturated iodine solution. One comercial option is Polar Pure. It is a rechargeable, saturated iodine solution. With a bandana, stove and iodine I have drank and purified water from some sketchy places on three continents (my favorite was 5 days from the 'yak pooh pool'). In any event, I would recomend taking this Polar Pure iodine solution (not the tablets) as a backup. There is no taste with the solution unlike the tablets. It does take some forthought though.

Others have added their two cents on spare OEM belts and hoses and a good quantity of rubber fuel hose and 5/8" hose for on road repairs. Make sure your cooling system is in order, ie radiator flushed, new t-stat, fan clutch, etc. Don't forget a good set of metric tools in case you need them on the road. You might want to look over your mechanic's shoulder as he/she does the work just to familarize yourself with the vehicle, unless you already are.

Good luck and have fun.

Ross

 

[rgsiii]

Anyone have any suggestions on a rear bumper system with a swing out propane tank and swing out gas can carrier? The Hanna people aren't taking orders, they are back ordered. Same with Man-a-Fre. I don't think Slee's will work cause it just has the one swing out made for a tire. Ideas?

~Adriana

Give Luke Porter at 4x4Labs a call. He makes a very nice bumper and in my experience very prompt in his manufacture. It will require some cutting of the frame. It is not too bad of an install. He usually installs them at his shop, I was too far and it was a 2-3 person job and needed some cutting tools. He is located in northern California. He will build what you want as far as configuration. I have enclosed a link to pictures of mine. I wanted one built that would accomodate 3 jerry cans, with tire on left and he did it. My 1994 FZJ-80 on IH8MUD as the ROTW
http://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=72532

I have one of Luke's bumpers with another on its way. His number is 1 + (530) 477 - 0140.

His hacked and slow to recover web site is http://www.4x4labs.com/

If you are going to get it in time for Sept, you had better call him ASAP. He is building mine about now and I assume he could just add another to the batch. Let him know Richard sent you.

If I was carrying fuel/propane to a foreign country, I'd make sure about whatever laws they have in regards to this. As an example, some European countries do not allow exterior fuel.

 

[Desertdude]

You could also post a want add on IH8MUD.com - you might be surprised at what you could find or some independent who would build you one.

I would also call Slee and ask him if he has any proto types you could buy and modify...

 

[Scott Brady]

I gotta give a shout out to Scott and Chris. They've been so helpful and generous sharing their wealth of knowledge. I had a wonderful time and I really appreciate all they've done to prepare me for the coming adventure. I feel more confident with my driving skills and now I know how to use my winch! Not only that but Scott was nice enough to help me put together a route for the first month of my trip through Baja. Little by little I'm getting there.

~ Adriana

It was a great weekend and I am proud of your accomplishments. My favorite part was when I did a short rally demonstration (to show just how fast you can go on dirt if required). The first pass was at about 50% of race speeds.

I asked her what she thought; her reply was priceless:

"50% was fun, I want to see what 100% feels like!"

I think Adriana is ready for some global adventure :clapsmile

 

[tarbe]

Anyone have any suggestions on a rear bumper system with a swing out propane tank and swing out gas can carrier? The Hanna people aren't taking orders, they are back ordered. Same with Man-a-Fre. I don't think Slee's will work cause it just has the one swing out made for a tire. Ideas?

~Adriana

Slee is working on a dual swing-out bumper. I talked to him in early June and he thought he was a couple months away...so hopefully he'll have something soon.

I know Hanna is back-logged. I put my money down over two months ago. I am expecting my bumper to ship in the next 10 - 14 days (can't wait!).

You might call Christo and ask him where he is at on his dual swing-out model.

 

[rgsiii]

Slee is working on a dual swing-out bumper. I talked to him in early June and he thought he was a couple months away...so hopefully he'll have something soon.

I know Hanna is back-logged. I put my money down over two months ago. I am expecting my bumper to ship in the next 10 - 14 days (can't wait!).

You might call Christo and ask him where he is at on his dual swing-out model.

While ordering some stuff from Slee today, I asked about the bumper. It sounded like their new rear bumper is still a good ways off.

Also, when I talked with Ben a few months ago it also sounded like the Slee rear bumper was not going to be very amenable to customization. Ken Hanna or Luke Porter will customize stuff and do good work.

BTW Ken is a fireman and this is a sideline for him and it can result in a very long wait. I am surprised you were able to get on in 2 1/2 mos.

 

[Desertdude]

It was a great weekend and I am proud of your accomplishments. My favorite part was when I did a short rally demonstration (to show just how fast you can go on dirt if required). The first pass was at about 50% of race speeds.

I asked her what she thought; her reply was priceless:

"50% was fun, I want to see what 100% feels like!"

I think Adriana is ready for some global adventure :clapsmile

:clapsmile :clapsmile :clapsmile :clapsmile

 

[Pskhaat]

I don't think Slee's will work cause it just has the one swing out made for a tire.

There's no real reason you couldn't easily make fuel carriers out of the 3 bolts that hold the tire, and you also have an integrated hi-lift jack carrier out of it too.

Are you looking to put a tire back there?

I have a 1st generation Slee rear tire carrier with which I will soon be parting, the lower system is an integrated spindle support system, bolting to the frame, that does not replace the stock bumper. At custom fuel carrier arm or whatever could easily attach to that if you are interested...would be less than buying a rear bumper.

 

[tarbe]

BTW Ken is a fireman and this is a sideline for him and it can result in a very long wait. I am surprised you were able to get on in 2 1/2 mos.

Ken said it has been a very busy fire season...so less time in the shop than normal.

It will actually work out closer to 3 months total elapsed time. Seems like forever! But good stuff is worth waiting for.

 

[Atomic Dog!]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm placing the calls and will let you know what solutions I find.

pskhaat, I'll pm you about your carrier that might be a good compromise.

~Adriana

 

[tarbe]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm placing the calls and will let you know what solutions I find.

pskhaat, I'll pm you about your carrier that might be a good compromise.

~Adriana

Check your PM on Mud.

 

[Desertdude]

Check your PM on Mud.

I think that is an incredible generous gesture on you part

 

[tarbe]

I think that is an incredible generous gesture on you part

Well, we couldn't make it work. Ken was out of pocket (probably fighting fires) and she decided to go with the Slee option rather than wait to find out if she could take my bumper without putting my November trip in jeopardy.

Nice to have options...I hope Slee can come through.

 

[Atomic Dog!]

Thanks again Tim, I appreciate the effort!

I'm confident Christo's solution will work out great. We worked out the weight distribution and it'll be under what he'd be comfortable with. Plus it sounds like his system is way overbuilt anyway.

I dropped by to check on my truck today, the header was off and at the machine shop getting all cleaned out. Turns out the gasket was definitely on it's way out so it was a smart call getting that done now. I think they are also going to replace the water pump.

Any favorite products to replace the PHH? I know to go with a silicone hose, will any one do?

The water tank was installed and will be filled from a spout under the hood so that it's hidden from public view. Which suddenly makes me think it could be very convenient to do a heat exchanger shower system.. hmm.. I hadn't wanted to mess with modifying the engine, but seems like these shower systems are pretty popular.. Any comments/suggestions?

So here is the current list of mods:
OME 850/864, LTR shocks, steering stabilizer, BFG AT 285/75, ARB bull bar, Warn winch, safari snorkle, dual batteries, water tank, African Outback roof rack, Eezi Awn roof tent, hella lamps, ignition kill switch.. I've probably forgotten something.

I'm getting excited!!:jump:

~Adriana

 

[rgsiii]

This is a link for a "kit." In my area none of the stuff is readily available. I have the $20 dollar one on both of mine. The delivery time was quick.

http://www.1fzfephh.com/GreenStripe.html

I was on a roll with the 97 and got these hoses too.

http://www.1fzfephh.com/FHHkits.html

I believe that I mentioned the starter contacts in a previous post, be sure to get new ones. This is a common problem in FZJ80's.