My First Car / My 95 80 Build Thread

[Dwood1466]

So like any 16 year old, I got my license the day I turned 16 and couldnt wait to hit the road, just one problem. I had my families minivan to drive to school for the rest of the year... I really didnt mind at all I was driving and I just didnt care a car was a car. So in summer I got a job and started putting money towards a new car was either set on a first gen 4runner or an 80 series landcruiser, i was leaning toward the 4runner since it was manual and thats all i knew how to drive... so we sold the minivan and put some of that toward my car. I was trolling craigslist night and day and came across and 80 series for only $3500 a 1995 with lockers, 197k, and owned by a toyota mechanic since new. My dad and i checked it out and it needed a new radiator so he offered to buy a new one and put it in all for free. We knew this was the car and bought it the next day, I had to pay half and my dad the other half. This thing was such a step up from the minivan in every single aspect and havent had a problem since I bought it last July. Not to mention all the kids at high school love it too:sombrero:

So after saving money for a few months I had to buy an ARB front bumper and keep modifying it. Heres the cruiser the day I brought it home

 

[Dwood1466]

Put the ARB on in October, and hit some trails!

 

[Schattenjager]

Very nice! Take care of that cruiser and you'll be able to give it to your kids when they turn 16.
:victory:

 

[TwinCruiser]

Welcome to Expo and congrats on your purchase.

My son is a few months shy of 16...and loves "his" Cruiser.
I promised him the car if he keeps his grades up in school.

He learned to drive on this thing...now he is learning to "turn wrenches" on it.
That is something you need to learn as well but something tells me you already do.

BTW, you are running FJ Cruiser 17" rims....like mine...er, my son's.

Here he is..."wheeling" with a big ol' smile on his face:

 

[Dwood1466]

Welcome to Expo and congrats on your purchase.

My son is a few months shy of 16...and loves "his" Cruiser.
I promised him the car if he keeps his grades up in school.

He learned to drive on this thing...now he is learning to "turn wrenches" on it.
That is something you need to learn as well but something tells me you already do.

BTW, you are running FJ Cruiser 17" rims....like mine...er, my son's.

Here he is..."wheeling" with a big ol' smile on his face:

Yeah i couldnt have asked for a better car, I love this thing to death. Yeah my dad and I have replaced the radiator, valve cover and wiper motor. The FJC rims came with it! We had to get some spacers for the wheels and put them in. I have had an account on IH8MUD even before i got the cruiser!

By the way are the lights on your roof part of the rack or independent?

 

[TwinCruiser]

Hi Dwood,

The lights are IPFs, don't know the model though.

They are mounted on custom light tabs that are bolted to the rack.
Very solid install.

Don't have a pic of the tabs but here is a closer view.

BTW, notice the rear wheels...the FJ Cruiser center "hub cap" fits perfectly.
However, the front does not clear the hub but I'm going to look into modifying it and see if I can make it work when I have some free time. Makes for a cleaner look, IMO.