Mauka2Makai - Our Quest Begins...An 80 Series Adventure

[NM-Frontier]

X2

I kinda like the look with out the flares but if your gona do it you got to go all the way! Loose the trim also and fill in the hole and paint, otherwise put them back on. PLEASE don't liner it! Your 80 has a very clean look, liner on rigs has its place(trail and crawling rigs) but I just cant imagine putting it on yours!:sombrero:

 

[Sempertoy]

My thoughts are as follows. You have such a pristine low mile CE, and that is pretty rare. You don't wheel it in a way that would rip your flares off, so there really is no reason to pull them.

It's your rig and yours to do as you please, but I personally think its a step in the wrong direction.




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[mph]

Each is there own...congrats on completing your project.

Now, can u put them back on

 

[stioc]

I don't think it looks bad, though it's hard to tell from the pics because of the dirt under the flares. Removing them def makes the tires look small

 

[Mauka2Makai]

Trust me fellas, I've got a vision... a new look for the LC. I know I'm going against the grain, but I'm really feeling this. Take a look at the third pic from the bottom and thats what I'm seeing. :ylsmoke: Hope to have the finished look in a couple of weeks... stay tuned.

FYI - under the flares I had a cesspool of dirt built up just patiently waiting to set off a rust bomb.:Wow1:

 

[shmabs]

You certainly took care of a corrosion hot spot, that, to me is a huge deal in itself. It seems like you intend to keep your cruiser for a while and being pro-active with corrosion will play a key role in that.

Being that the rest of your cruiser is so well put together, im sure the final product will be worth it, I know I'm curious.

 

[Flagster]

Trust me fellas, I've got a vision... a new look for the LC.

I'm smelling powder coated winchbar and linex...tan

 

[Sempertoy]

I think you should pull the black trim if you pull the flares... Excited to see your vision come to life.

 

[ab1985]

I need an excuse to pull my flares. Keep the updates coming.

 

[dcoy]

I kinda like the look with out the flares

X many

I think of FJ80 fender flares as sort of analogous to FJ Cruiser stock bumpers. You can try to learn to like them, but ultimately they look best when they're gone. I think the FJ80 fenders (without the flares) would look good either painted or linexed, either color matched or in a complementary color (black).

Just one more vote, for what it's worth.

 

[r3run33]

I actually dont think they were just for looks! Think of all the rocks that are gonna get kicked up and maybe crack some part of the glass or chip that paint etc. looking at the side view yo posted makes me think they are very much needed. especially with those toyos. By the way thanks for the input of the raptor etc but with money tight I may just put it into expo gear instead of the new vehicle. You mentioned a few times about the reliability of the land cruiser when out in the boonies with your wife and kids; care to share the in car discussions??

 

[Mauka2Makai]

You certainly took care of a corrosion hot spot, that, to me is a huge deal in itself. It seems like you intend to keep your cruiser for a while and being pro-active with corrosion will play a key role in that.

Being that the rest of your cruiser is so well put together, im sure the final product will be worth it, I know I'm curious.

Shmabs, As you know in our line of work "corrosion is everyones responsibility" :elkgrin:... fortunately for me, even though my decision to remove the flares was purely aesthetic at the time, It was crucial in helping to identify this potential corrosive hot spot. I find that a lot of our preventive maintenance and inspection practices carry over to my LC.

I need an excuse to pull my flares. Keep the updates coming.

The amount of sand and dirt that was built up behind the flares was incredible. That in itself is a good reason to remove and just do some cleaning.

 

[p nut]

You don't wheel it in a way that would rip your flares off, so there really is no reason to pull them...

I agree with this. 80's just don't look right without the flares.

 

[concretejungle]

i don't want to pile on you about the fender flares... even though i agree i did like em'!! I've been there and removed mine as well, but my rig was not as nice as yours. If i had it to do over again i would probably leave the flares on and just put spray-liner on them. Sorry i don't have anything constructive to add other than i think your truck is amazing!

 

[Mauka2Makai]

I actually dont think they were just for looks! Think of all the rocks that are gonna get kicked up and maybe crack some part of the glass or chip that paint etc. looking at the side view yo posted makes me think they are very much needed. especially with those toyos. By the way thanks for the input of the raptor etc but with money tight I may just put it into expo gear instead of the new vehicle. You mentioned a few times about the reliability of the land cruiser when out in the boonies with your wife and kids; care to share the in car discussions??

r3run33, For the price of a new Raptor that's a ton of gear you could buy. Toyota's in general are remarkably well engineered vehicles... that being said, given the age of our LC, I try to maintain the LC to the best of my mechanical and financial abilities. With money being the limiting factor, I wanted a vehicle that had a proven track record. As far as I'm concerned there's no difference in a well maintained vehicle and a new vehicle... either one can have a unexpected failure in the field. This is my mindset for reassuring my wife while out in the boonies.