FJ80 Expedition Vehicle

[Scott Brady]

We should plan a breakfast and day run in early Sept... Any ideas? The 2nd and 3rd weekend are good for me :ylsmoke:

Smiley Rock maybe? Or even just breakfast and oogle over the trucks for a few hours.

 

[Scott Brady]

Oh, and my ride of choice would be the BMW 650 thumper. I have been VERY close a few times

I am actually on the fence between the bike and a zodiac for spearfishing... :smilies27

 

[Hltoppr]

Looks like I'm gonna be in Vegas the end of this month, and a new BMW Motorad dealer just opened....gonna be hard to resist, but I may go see about a couple of test rides.

-H-

 

[Scott Brady]

I always find trips to dealerships to be very dangerous. :smileeek:

I need to replace my Trooper, but want to wait until after we are settled in Prescott. Decisions, decisions

 

[dmc]

nice truck

Hltoppr,

I love the truck. I hope one day to be able to deem my 80 an exepedition Cruiser. I think you have a great truck and more importanly you've used it properly.
dmc

 

[blupaddler]

Hltopper

:Wow1:
Nice!!! I have admired your rig for a while over at ih8mud. Very simple but functional.
BTW...my 80 is in "economy"mode right now too!

You do SAR too, right? I would love to get together and chat with you about Cliff rescue on a trip sometime.

 

[Hltoppr]

Between Cruisers, Trips and SAR, that's days of B.S.ing! :Wow1:

Cheers!

-H-

 

[Scott Brady]

I agree Robb, it is the well designed, functional nature of Hltoppr's machine that really appeals to me. In reality, the FZJ80 needs little or no modification to explore any stretch of road in the world. I have always had a soft spot in my heart for the purpose built rig, with no bling or chrome.

My truck has finally be freed from all chrome (I am a chromophobic :smilies27 )

 

[blupaddler]

What do you mean "chromaphobic"?

I am currently having my full length rack chromed! Along with ALL of my suspension products...Show-n-go baby!!!




:jump:

 

[blupaddler]

Oh, H, another question for you.

Why have you stayed with the 31" tire size? Your lift would obviously allow a bigger tire. Also how do you like the Mud tire? Scott, same to you. Would you buy the Mud tire again, or go with a different tire?

 

[Scott Brady]

I like the mud terrain, always have. My favorite all-terrain is the Yokohama AT+II.

If I were to do it again, I would fit a smaller tire to the truck. Probably a 235/85 R16. But, the truck needed some bling (for SEMA), so on went the 33's.

Now that the trip to Alaska appears to be a reality, it is better that I have the larger tires installed. Even the tame trails are intense :elkgrin:

 

[Hltoppr]

The 3FE inline six in the truck, with a whopping 155 hp for a 6K pound truck is a tad anemic in the power department, so I didn't want to turn bigger, heavier rubber. Additionally, I really haven't found that for my type of wheeling (travel) that I've needed larger tires.

The 31s are easy to work with, roll around the garage, or lift up to the roof rack, and they're available at every llanatera (tire shop) in the middle of BFE.

As for mud terrains, I will always go with the BFG MTs (unless I can find a good supplier in the states for Michelin XZLs....). I have run through 6 sets of these on 3 rigs, and they've always performed flawlessly. The BFG MTs are made by Michelin, have a lower pressure rating (emergency) than the XZLs, and the sidewalls are fantastic! They're a tad overkill for the street, but the extra traction is there when I need it, so the trade off is worth it.

In several thousand miles of Baja, I've never had a flat or slow leak!

What's the old "hot rodder" saying..."If it doesn't have to work, chrome it!"

I hate chrome...

-H-

 

[Scott Brady]

Additionally, I really haven't found that for my type of wheeling (travel) that I've needed larger tires.

Agreed

As for mud terrains, I will always go with the BFG MTs (unless I can find a good supplier in the states for Michelin XZLs....). I have run through 6 sets of these on 3 rigs, and they've always performed flawlessly. The BFG MTs are made by Michelin, have a lower pressure rating (emergency) than the XZLs, and the sidewalls are fantastic! They're a tad overkill for the street, but the extra traction is there when I need it, so the trade off is worth it.

You might want to contact Expedition Exchange, to see if they can still get the Michelins

In several thousand miles of Baja, I've never had a flat or slow leak!

What's the old "hot rodder" saying..."If it doesn't have to work, chrome it!"

I hate chrome...

I knew you were a cool doood

 

[Hltoppr]

I checked out EE, but last I saw they only had the 37" equiv. in the XZL. I've still got about 25K miles to go on this set of MTs, so we'll see!

-H-

 

[dmc]

My truck has finally be freed from all chrome (I am a chromophobic :smilies27 )

not to hi-jack the thread but my old taco was dechromed as well. I even removed the grill and painted it black. The new 80 will be there as well as soon as I can justify new rims and afford a rear bumper.
dmc