Desertdude -1997 80 series build up

[Scott Brady]

Oh crap that is funny. :xxrotflma

Must... killl... the... chrome...

 

[Desertdude]

Now that is funny! :xxrotflma :xxrotflma

 

[flyingwil]

oK so not to hijack your post... whats your first mod going to be besides anti-bling?

 

[kcowyo]

Thanks KC - there are two gold ("special edition) bars glued up front where it used to have a lamanate of script writing - the gold bars have to go - the tailgate has a gold Toyota logo on it - it has to go - and two camary gold badges on the lower dash near the shifter - has to go.

I will hang back for a few days untill I see your photos - I appreciate the tips - and yes slow is the only way to go on this surgery

That's a lot of gold! Who pimped your ride?

I've attached a few pics from my debadging experience. Had I not rushed the 3M remover, I wouldn't have had as much glue residue to deal with as in pic 4.5. Lots of going back over it with 3M to get it clean. Afterwards I still wound up buffing the tailgate to get rid of the last visible swirlies, but at least there was no paint fade. That decal was HUGE.

I never cared for the chrome T100 emblems on the doors either, so they're gone. Now I'm constantly in stealth mode!

 

[Desertdude]

oK so not to hijack your post... whats your first mod going to be besides anti-bling?

Something like this...

(1) CDL pin7 and switch install + cup holder + husky liner mats
(2) Hanna Sliders
(3) Safari Snorkel
(4) dif breather extensions
(5) OME suspension
(6) 33" or 35"tires - depending
(7) ARB deluxe front bumper + winch
(8) Hanna rear bumper tire/can carrier
(9) ARB lockers/re-gearing
(10) skid plates
(11) duel batteries - HR isolator
(12) engel
(13) drawer system
(14) shower heater
(15) CO2
(16) Welder
(17) the rest -

 

[Desertdude]

That's a lot of gold! Who pimped your ride?

I think his name was GoldMember something about a bizarre smelting accident...

Thanks for those pics - very clean job in the end - I can see that the adhesive remover will be a key ingredient

it does not hurt ths finish by the looks of your photos

I also have to get rid of that "Cherry air freshener smell" EEEEEK!

I nice trip over Tioga pass Yosemite next week should take care of it

 

[Scott Brady]

Something like this...

(1) CDL pin7 and switch install + cup holder + husky liner mats
(2) Hanna Sliders
(3) Safari Snorkel
(4) dif breather extensions
(5) OME suspension
(6) 33" or 35"tires - depending
(7) ARB deluxe front bumper + winch
(8) Hanna rear bumper tire/can carrier
(9) ARB lockers/re-gearing
(10) skid plates
(11) duel batteries - HR isolator
(12) engel
(13) drawer system
(14) shower heater
(15) CO2
(16) Welder
(17) the rest -

Great list. I think it would be fun to mess with the order a bit. Do all of the expedition camping mods, but leave the truck stock. It would be a sleeper, and would be fun to document just how much those trucks can do.

 

[Desertdude]

yes! nothing in stone and as always- as time and $$ permits

I've wheeled with stock 80's in the mountains and canyons of Death Valley, and the slick rocks of Moab - slap on a set of sliders and go -

On this Particular 80 the PO has installed lower exhaust items - and a hide a hitch - those severely lower the ground clearance - the other thing that comes to mind are the mud flaps and side moldings trails love em for breakfast.

Drove around town a bit yesterday - the stock suspension leaves much to be desired even with upgraded bilsteins installed by the PO - the OME suspension lift/upgrade will be a safety upgrade more than trail necessity...

 

[Scott Brady]

I understand about the OME suspension. I took my Trooper on one trail ride and the next weekend, the stock suspension was on the garage floor.

 

[Desertdude]

It is really interesting to me how Toyota can place such an inferior suspension on an otherwise very capable vehicle - Could be just this one - It has a side to side motion - perhaps caused by light springs and the sway bar trying its best to correct the motion - gets me sea sick

Spending many hours reading on the various pros and cons suspension/lift options - almost there...

I will offer this - it is a plush ride :victory:

 

[Scott Brady]

Amigo,

I had the very same issue with the Trooper. Soft rolling down the highway, but uncontrollable pitch and sway off-road. Like you said, it made me sick.

The OME was a literal night and day difference. In fact, even with the 1.5" lift, I ran no swaybar for several years. OME Medium springs, Firm OME shocks.

 

[datrupr]

Scott, I know what you mean by the Trooper. However, my suspension is 105K old and thus about 1" lower than it should be and it bounds like nobodys business..... repetedly. It is gone right after I get the tires. I can put it in the pile 'o' parts on Scotts floor.

 

[Scott Brady]

Aaron,

You wont believe the difference it will make. When I first started using the Trooper, I was dissapointed by the payload (~900 lbs.). After some research, and discussion with some enthusiasts in Australia, it just came down to the spring rates. The Jackaroo have firmer, higher capacity springs, and also 500 lbs. higher payload rating... Which is a lot!

 

[datrupr]

Scott, I did not know that. That is amazing. See, they make these outstanding vehcles and are very capable in stock form, but for the US market they "tune down" the suspension for better on road performance. Which actually makes sense because the buyers of these $40,000+ vehicles really don't take them off road. Like they do in most other parts of the world.

I did not know that I could increase my payload by that much with a suspension upgrade.

 

[ShottsCruisers]

It is really interesting to me how Toyota can place such an inferior suspension on an otherwise very capable vehicle - Could be just this one - It has a side to side motion - perhaps caused by light springs and the sway bar trying its best to correct the motion - gets me sea sick

Spending many hours reading on the various pros and cons suspension/lift options - almost there...

I will offer this - it is a plush ride :victory:

I'll input this Dude (if I can?): While a lift like a $3000 Slee 6" is the dream, it's amazing how capable and much less a 4" costs for the 80. A 4" drops right in while a 6" is A TON of work to complete. Just make sure you get L-series shocks regardless.