Desertdude -1997 80 series build up
- Thread starter Desertdude
- Start date
Scott Brady
Founder
Echo29, that is a killer shot!
Desertdude
Expedition Leader
Great photos Echo29 
For those that really know Death Valley is no mall cruise - the toughest washboard ( beyond Baja) and old mining roads that you can barely fit on. With incredible drop offs riding on staked rock edges.
This was the shake down maiden voyage for the 80 and I can say is - it performed with great excellence - no issues and in superb comfort the whole way
More great photos to follow :clapsmile
BTW that is a 3 ton rated log bridge that is hanging on the edge of a steep dropoff - not for the faint heart - photos by Kristina
For those that really know Death Valley is no mall cruise - the toughest washboard ( beyond Baja) and old mining roads that you can barely fit on. With incredible drop offs riding on staked rock edges.
This was the shake down maiden voyage for the 80 and I can say is - it performed with great excellence - no issues and in superb comfort the whole way
More great photos to follow :clapsmile
BTW that is a 3 ton rated log bridge that is hanging on the edge of a steep dropoff - not for the faint heart - photos by Kristina
Attachments
blupaddler
Conspirator
Echo, Scott, if I am correct...Welcome to the forum!
And as Scott said, VERY nice pics!!!
:clapsmile
Pasquale,
I was wondering whose 80 that was on the pics you guys were sharing from DV. I just didn't think you had gotten a rear bumper yet.
Nice lights!
The 80 is looking REALLY good! How did the roof-tent work in the cold, and being up that high.
And as Scott said, VERY nice pics!!!
:clapsmile
Pasquale,
I was wondering whose 80 that was on the pics you guys were sharing from DV. I just didn't think you had gotten a rear bumper yet.
Nice lights!
The 80 is looking REALLY good! How did the roof-tent work in the cold, and being up that high.
ShottsCruisers
Explorer
That's a FREAKY spot! :smileeek:
Desertdude
Expedition Leader
it is a very freaky spot - huge potential for error and certain death :bowdown:
Robb - the tent performed great in the high altitude cold - besides we have a 12v electric blanket for these occasions
Note on the Maggiolina tent: One morning we woke up to rain - all we had to do was crank down the tent and hang out behind the 80 on the tailgate eating breakfast and watching the rain - nothing to wipe -clean- dry or cover... this is a great feature of this model.
We were able to swing by Ken Hanna's on the Monday before the DV trip and get sliders and the rear bumper - Ken was really pushing for us and came through - his products are pure HannaQuality
More photos to follow...
Robb - the tent performed great in the high altitude cold - besides we have a 12v electric blanket for these occasions
Note on the Maggiolina tent: One morning we woke up to rain - all we had to do was crank down the tent and hang out behind the 80 on the tailgate eating breakfast and watching the rain - nothing to wipe -clean- dry or cover... this is a great feature of this model.
We were able to swing by Ken Hanna's on the Monday before the DV trip and get sliders and the rear bumper - Ken was really pushing for us and came through - his products are pure HannaQuality
More photos to follow...
Mlachica
TheRAMadaINN on Instagram
Desertdude,
Hats off to you and desertgirl! Very outstanding rigS! :bowdown: Impressive to say the least. This is an excellent thread for me to use as a motivator for my brother - I'm trying to get him to buy a TLC. I look forward to a wheeling trip sometime.
:archaeolo
Mark
Hats off to you and desertgirl! Very outstanding rigS! :bowdown: Impressive to say the least. This is an excellent thread for me to use as a motivator for my brother - I'm trying to get him to buy a TLC. I look forward to a wheeling trip sometime.
:archaeolo
Mark
blupaddler
Conspirator
Pasquale,
Your 80 has to be one of the fastest AND nicest (sp?) builds I have had the pleasure of seeing (well, not yet...but hopefully soon).
:victory:
Your 80 has to be one of the fastest AND nicest (sp?) builds I have had the pleasure of seeing (well, not yet...but hopefully soon).
:victory:
Desertdude
Expedition Leader
Mlachica -thanks for the kind words
clarkrw3 - Thanks! soon once my knee heals more - the rope and fairlead came from winchline.com
some photos of DV HERE and HERE
Robb - Thanks! yeah when I set my mind to something I usually over shoot the exit and need to be told to stop I have about 1.5 weeks of solid work and the 80 will be finished.
What's left to do:
Uniden PRO510XL cb radio and antenna
Custom drawer system
Water tank/pump/12v water heater/shower system
install shower controls/water faucet
in cab winch controls
upgrade second battery cables from #4 to #2 cables
install Slee front control arms and stock front shaft (test)
install 4 new OEM rubber brake lines to calipers
Possibly rebuild or install refurbished calipers (want best brakes)
change all fluids in drivetrain
re-torgue all bolts to spec
OZ 166L subtank-sender-gauge
gauge pod ( from an acura custom fit) with fuel and voltage
install technitop awning
clarkrw3 - Thanks! soon once my knee heals more - the rope and fairlead came from winchline.com
some photos of DV HERE and HERE
Robb - Thanks! yeah when I set my mind to something I usually over shoot the exit and need to be told to stop
I have about 1.5 weeks of solid work and the 80 will be finished.What's left to do:
Uniden PRO510XL cb radio and antenna
Custom drawer system
Water tank/pump/12v water heater/shower system
install shower controls/water faucet
in cab winch controls
upgrade second battery cables from #4 to #2 cables
install Slee front control arms and stock front shaft (test)
install 4 new OEM rubber brake lines to calipers
Possibly rebuild or install refurbished calipers (want best brakes)
change all fluids in drivetrain
re-torgue all bolts to spec
OZ 166L subtank-sender-gauge
gauge pod ( from an acura custom fit) with fuel and voltage
install technitop awning
Life_in_4Lo
Explorer
Pasquale,
Really intereseted in how you end up sorting out the suspension. Please keep us updated on the norcal list as well!
Really intereseted in how you end up sorting out the suspension. Please keep us updated on the norcal list as well!
Desertdude
Expedition Leader
I installed Slee's front control arms yesterday ( along with the stock DS) - they are real nice and beefy
I am going to have both D shafts balance, and install new U-joints in both to be absolutly sure the driveline is as perfect as it could be - and an alignment - this will be on Thursday
I spoke with Ben this morning an clued him in on how things were going - I will have my final review on Thursday.
a few photos here
I am going to have both D shafts balance, and install new U-joints in both to be absolutly sure the driveline is as perfect as it could be - and an alignment - this will be on Thursday
I spoke with Ben this morning an clued him in on how things were going - I will have my final review on Thursday.
a few photos here
Attachments
Scott Brady
Founder
I had the pleasure of driving "The Dude's" FZJ80 the other day. What a beautiful and well designed truck. Great seats and solid structure.
BUT, what I was most impressed by was the Slee 4" kit. There have been rumors and murmuring about too stiff, etc. I say it was perfect, though slightly under-dampened for the load Pasquale has. That could be resolved by a firmer valved shock.
I cant wait to see the storage and kitchen systems develop.
I know he was trying to sway me to the dark side, and its working I had visions of building a super simple 93 into a great DD and adventure machine. Let me see: White, steel wheels, 255/85 MT's, 2" OME kit, ARB front bumper, da da da da da
BUT, what I was most impressed by was the Slee 4" kit. There have been rumors and murmuring about too stiff, etc. I say it was perfect, though slightly under-dampened for the load Pasquale has. That could be resolved by a firmer valved shock.
I cant wait to see the storage and kitchen systems develop.
I know he was trying to sway me to the dark side, and its working
I had visions of building a super simple 93 into a great DD and adventure machine. Let me see: White, steel wheels, 255/85 MT's, 2" OME kit, ARB front bumper, da da da da da
ShottsCruisers
Explorer
Desertdude said:
So, you'll try a stock front D-shaft with the new arms?