Goose Gear 80 Series Build

[SoCal80_]

In April I bought an 80 series Land Cruiser to build into an overlanding rig. The 80 has 203K miles on the clock, but had the engine rebuilt at 199K. The rig has some damage to the front of the passenger side that is only cosmetic. Otherwise, it is straight with no structural damage.

 

[SoCal80_]

Step one was losing the grill guard and tail light guards.

 

[SoCal80_]

The next thing I did was replace the name badge on the rear hatch. Someone must have tried to steal it and snapped it in half in the process. ?‍♂️

 

[SoCal80_]

After this, it was time to remove the second and third row seats to allow for the install of the Goose Gear® sleeping platform.

 

[SoCal80_]

After this it was time to take the goodies from Nitro Gear & Axel to get installed! I re-geared to 4:88 to accommodate 35" boots.

 

[SoCal80_]

Whenever you buy a used vehicle it is the quirks that take a while to discover. I went to fill up the tank for the first time and discovered the gas cap door wouldn't release. Thanks to @kernal on ih8mud for explaining what was missing.

 

[SoCal80_]

Before the re-gear and compressor install I purchased the Wit's End 80 series quarter panel to mount the ARB twin air compressor to. At first the quarter panel did not want to go in. I then realized there was some body damage that was preventing it from sitting correctly.

 

[SoCal80_]

Fixed the body damage and the quarter panel fit like it should.

 

[SoCal80_]

I found a seat lever from a supplier in Japan - only had gray. Ordered it and promptly broke it getting out.

 

[SoCal80_]

Fabricated a bracket to make sure the seat lever didn't break again.

 

[SoCal80_]

I found the outer cover for the seat I needed on eBay. Apparently, grey is the only color they make after they sent my oak interior off the assembly line.