PREPPING A FJ80 FOR OVERLANDING

camel357

Member
Ok, here is the deal, for the last 10 years I have own only Land Rovers, I even work on an Independent Land Rover shop here in S. Florida (The Rover Shop, Don't miss the thread Prepping a Camel Trophy 110 done by my business partner on the Land rover part) in total I have own around 6 Land Rovers. Now, my first car was an FJ60, also my second, my third was a 2 door RRC and of course my forth was an FJ70 and fifth an FJ62. For some reason I feel like getting into Landcruisers again and don't tell me because they are better than Land Rovers or because I need to go back to my roots, is just that Landcruisers and Land Rovers are on my blood and I feel the need to have both(may be a mid-life crisis??), you know what I mean... My RRC is ready for overland and my D1 ready to play in the mud, but this is the Landcruiser area, so lets talk business:

I just got a '92 FJ80 from NC and it should be here by Friday, Don't worry as soon as I have it here, I'll post some pictures. What I know about this FJ so far is that the engine has more than 280k miles on it, tranny needs to be rebuilt, no paint just primer all around, needs to replace fenders, interior is ok for its age(whatever this means), missing rear bumper, in a few words or like my wife would say: ******??? for me is just a piece of coal waiting to be transform into a diamond. Anyways, once I have the car at the shop, I'll do a complete check out on it and will post its real condition. Ohh, that's another thing, I'm going to do the whole prepping on the shop, A LAND ROVER SHOP!!! so, we'll see about the cross-feelings between Land Rovers and Landcruisers.

My idea is to prepare the car for overlanding, with everything needed for a trip around the world. I know is a lot and not sure how long is going to take me(because the money thing and other projects going on at the same time). this will be about my 5-6th car that I have prepare for these kind of trips, so I believe I have some knowledge in how to do it, but the whole idea in keeping record of the prepping here is to listen to all your opinions and suggestions and see what is going to be the final draft. I won't talk about prices and expenses because I'm sure you all know that area well (but most because my wife might read it), but if you have any question, feel free to PM me. Of course in a way is an easy job due that we are distributors of most brands that I am going to use in the prepping, so I'll have anything I want fast and ready to go. Also we have all the tools and space needed for any custom work that needs to be done. By the way, there is no plan or idea in what is going to be done or how or when is going to end.

well, here you have it, my first post for this prepping. from the arrival of the FJ until the last bolt is tight, I'll try to post every step of the process.

see ya when the FJ gets here.
manu
 

Sempertoy

Explorer
I have a few questions for you, if you dont mind.

1. What did you pay for said land cruiser in this condition? (if you dont want to divulge thats fine, some are offended by this question)

2. what made you decide to go with a 3FE and not a 1FZE?

3. Have you considered/completed engine swaps before? If so are you planning on doing one?

4. Have you considered just leaving the fenders off? I know a lot of people either pull thiers or wait for them to get ripped off on the trail.

5. Is the interior cloth or leather?

6. Seeing as it is primered, have you thought about a color for it?

Sounds like you have a fun project ahead of you. If you are not already a member on ih8mud, I would suggest that you join, it is the mecca of LC knowledge.
 

camel357

Member
1. What did you pay for said land cruiser in this condition? (if you dont want to divulge thats fine, some are offended by this question)

less than 1100 plus shipping

2. what made you decide to go with a 3FE and not a 1FZE?

everybody is going to have different reasons for one or for the other, at the end its about personal choice. for me: easy to work, simpler, I'm gonna used her for travel not for race or rally and the most important, I know the 3f as the palm of my hand. At the end its all about taste...

3. Have you considered/completed engine swaps before? If so are you planning on doing one?

I done it before, in this case not sure what I'm gonna do with the engine, I guess I'll wait till gets here to know the real condition. about the tranny, I'm already looking at prices for a 5spd trans and transfer, in the US all came automatic so I am using my contacts in S. America to get one from there. doesn't mean that I am gonna convert her, but is a possibility as convert her to diesel. I like to have different choices and at the same time would like to keep it as a toyota not a toyochevy or cumminsyota, whatever I'll do, I am going to keep the brand on the engine and all others components so we'll see...

4. Have you considered just leaving the fenders off? I know a lot of people either pull thiers or wait for them to get ripped off on the trail.

I love all the FJ bodies (not so much the FJcruiser), so I'm sure I will let the body as original as possible, but with protection on the needed parts

5. Is the interior cloth or leather?

cloth, not a fan of leather. I am sure I will use seat covers anyway

6. Seeing as it is primered, have you thought about a color for it?

from the fj40 till the series 200, for me white is the insignia color, so I have a couple of colors in mind: white, black, orange, yellow, may be sand glow(to honor the CT), I am even thinking about bedlinner the whole fj on black with some orange accents. we'll see...

cheers
 

camel357

Member
ok its Friday and I still waiting for my FJ. I just talked to the transport company and due to the "weather" its not gonna by here until monday or tuesday. So, I'll see you next week hopefully with pictures.
cheers
 

camel357

Member
Finally the baby is home. Doesn't look as bad as I though, here are some pictures so you can tell me what do you think. its been raining all day long and is suppose to be like that till next week, so for now I am just gonna start cleaning the interior (looks like 4 dogs were sleeping in there), taking the third row out and charge the battery so I can start it and look for any trouble on the engine and tranny.

DSC05831.jpg
DSC05832.jpgDSC05833.jpgDSC05834.jpgDSC05835.jpgDSC05836.jpgDSC05837.jpgDSC05838.jpgDSC05839.jpgDSC05840.jpg
 

mtnbike28

Expedition Leader
I have heard of rose colored glasses, but you even have a rose colored camera. That looks like you will have a fun project! I can't wait to see it's transformation!
 

agvokure448888

New member
I guess I'll wait till gets here to know the real condition. about the tranny,
g.gif
 

Flagster

Expedition Leader
ooof...I thought my 60 was rough...guess I have no excuses now:)
Looking forward to seeing the progress...

The interior on my 80 came out really easy...much easier than the 60...I pressure washed my carpet from the 60 since you can't get factory anymore and even though I replaced my 80 with OEM carpet I cleaned the undamaged sections with a powerwasher and they came out really nice...vacuum, resolve, spray lightly, soak, high pressure rinse...repeat...made a rack out of old 2x4s to support the carpet (tacked the edges to) so I could really get after it...
I basically copied Fergie in his Great White Buffalo thread as far as the 80s interior tear down and refresh...
 

camel357

Member
Last night I drove it home and feels good. transmission appears to be ok, I'm going to service it and see if it does something to it, but stills, I'm already looking for a 5spped trans down in S. America and so far and in some point I believe I am gonna convert her, will see.
tires are really bad and steers to the right, suspension is good, pretty much all electrical works fine. I'm gonna charge the AC to see if it has leaking or something. power, just like any 3FE and with 300000+ miles on it, does not smoke and I don't see any oil leaks, I'll try to put her on a lift today and do a better check up on her.

today's list:
start cleaning interior
put her on a lift to check her under
order parts for servicing transmission and for a complete tune up
make a list of all missing or damage parts so they can be order later

hey, rose colored cameras are in this year.. :) I'll get better pictures from now on.
 

camel357

Member
Ok, today was complete check out day. serviced the transmission, new wires plugs, dist cap and rotor. oil and filter, fuel filter, replaced the air intake hose ( old was made of duct tape). transmission and transfer has no leaks, changed diff oil, engine has small leak rear main seal I think. gas on the AC and is freaking cold now. I believe o2 sensor needs to be replace, at least is giving me that code. After all this drove it and I can feel the difference.
haven't clean the interior yet, but I took out 3rd row seat and seatbelts, tight front seats (were loose and driver was missing a bolt), secure center console that was loose. lower rear tailgate was also loose, not any more.

hopefully, tomorrow I'll clean the interior so I can take it home during the weekend to see what else might need to check.
 

REDrum

Aventurero de la Selva
We're embarked on a similar path. We picked up a '94 FZJ80 with 170K for $2.5K in need of a lot of TLC, PM, and CM. Going to ship to Central America for some overland fun Fall & Winter.

Just finished up rebuilding both axles, birfs, hubs, brakes; added Aussie locker and re-geared (4.88). Hoses and belts next. Then full body coat of U-pol bedliner... w/o flares :)

BTW, will be in the 'Dale next month, will have to drop by.
 
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REDrum

Aventurero de la Selva
Let me see some pictures when is done, maybe i can copy some of your ideas :)

Here are a couple of the prep. Removing all the glass found more work than we wanted.... Note new solid rear 1/4 glass. U-pol goes on this weekend.

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