Project Half-@ssed - 1997 FZJ80 Build (in 30 Days)

[ab1985]

A couple of months back I picked up an 80 with the intent of turning it into a DD/family adventure vehicle. My 4Runner is great for wheeling and solo adventures, but with another baby on the way we needed an addition to the stable that would allow us to fit four comfortably. I have a lot going on at work right now, and with the new baby I haven't made any trip plans since going solo would leave my wife at home alone with both kids and family trips this early on just aren't really doable. Well, out of the blue today my wife mentioned that she was thinking about spending a week at her parents in August (with the girls) and encouraged me to plan a trip if I could get away from work. :Wow1: DONE. :ylsmoke:

The soonest I can get away is the third week of August, so this gives me 30 days to get the 80 ready. "Half-@ssed" means that this is not the final version of the build. I will cut corners to meet the deadline (without compromising safety), and I freely admit this up front. Things may not be pretty, but who cares. The goal is to get out of town next month and worry about the long term build later. So here we go.

The plan:

1) Baseline maintenance (I'll take suggestions, but at a minimum I'm thinking complete fluids, plugs, wires, and brakes)
2) Rear Storage
3) Sleeping platform (to facilitate stealth mode camping)
4) Kitchen including slide out fridge and table
5) 12V refrigerator
6) Dual Batteries
7) Roof Top Tent (regular camping)
8) Spare tire, Hi-lift, and recovery gear
9) *time permitting* onboard water and hot shower (this is a want not a need, so will take a backseat to above items)

The good:

1) 1997 FZJ80 40th Anniversary w/ 110k
2) I have a few things already laying around in the garage, and I plan to rob from my 4Runner wherever possible for temp solutions to meet the deadline so hopefully won't have to spend much time collecting parts

The bad:

1) 30 days to prep
2) 4 week old at home
3) Big project due at work before I leave (hence the reason I can't get away for another 30 days).

I'm starting this thread mainly to hold myself accountable and keep motivated. A proper build will happen later and I'll start a real build thread then. For now cheer me on as I scramble to cobble together an Expo worthy truck in 30 days.

:camping:

The vic:

 

[mtnbike28]

Nice! Can't wait to see it.

 

[hks3sgte]

Good-looking 40th as-is

 

[Sempertoy]

Great platform to start with!! Your half a$$ed project sounds like a long term mod list to me. Should be great!

 

[ab1985]

Your half a$$ed project sounds like a long term mod list to me.

Ha! Yeah, my plan was to take the 80 build slowly and be very methodical about the fit and finish. Then the opportunity came up to take a quick trip, and I decided to accelerate things. 'Half @ssed" is really just me saying that this is not the final version, and by expo standards this round of the build will be amateur at best. Luckily, I already have a few cool pieces of kit sitting around the garage so this will be a great chance to dust off some of those items.

I worked in the garage for a couple of hours today, and I will say the best thing about Project Half-@ssed is that rather than sitting around contemplating ideal solutions for all manner of complex problems I can just say F it and move on.

Pulled the 3rd row out to make some room:

Test fit the storage unit from my 4Runner - first thought was $$$:

Then I checked the clearance of the slide out extension for the sleeping platform. NO GO :

Ok, no big deal. I talked to my little brother today, and he thinks he might be able to get away for the trip. If he is able to make it, then there's no need for indoor sleeping accommodations anyway.

On to the slide out kitchen table. I have a table that folds down off the swing out tire carrier on my 4Runner. No fancy rear bumper (yet) for the 80, so I decided to take a spare set of drawer slides and build a table under the fridge slide. Easy, right? WRONG. Foiled again. If you look closely at the picture below, you can see that the slides are 2 inches too long for the box they'd have to fit into. Guess I'm cooking on the tailgate - Half-@ssed style.:ylsmoke:

The RTT I ordered a few weeks back arrived on Friday - with a huge hole gouged in the side of the box. Bobby @ CVT was great and has a replacement on the way now. I went to my local outdoor store this morning (Quest Outdoors ******) to pick up a Yakima roof rack set up, but looks like I won't need it for another week or two. More to come:

 

[ab1985]

Finally, I'm thinking this trip could end up with some mild wheeling (notice I haven't mentioned my destination). As of Friday it looks like my project deadline at work has been extended into the first week of September. This means I have a more time, and I may look to outfit the 80 with some armor. What's the deal with 80 mudflaps? I'm looking at the pics below and me thinks I should just remove these before I leave? Has anyone every successfully taken an 80 off-road and not FUBAR'd the mudflaps?

Also, now that I've provided pics I'd like ask a few other questions.:sombrero:

1) I need a spare tire - what are my pull-a-part options?
2) Should I be checking anything other than fluids and brakes before taking a 3000 mile trip (hint hint on the destination)
3) I don't know jack about Land Cruisers - am I missing anything?

 

[Sempertoy]

First, I would say that if you are doing any wheeling, take the flaps off. They will go up into your fenders and rip those off prematurely and on such a nice cruiser that would be a shame.

Check the front axle and make sure that isnt weeping. Also be sure to check the tranny fluid while you are doing the rest. May also be time for a radiator flush? Also make sure that your fan clutch is in good shape and pushing enough air to keep the beasty cool.

Other than just those few items, you dont need much. Just get in and drive, they are very comfortable.

 

[Danimal]

Stumbled upon this build; any progress on the rig?

Dan

 

[ab1985]

Nothing substantial. Ended up getting very busy at work and scrapped the whole idea of a quick build/trip. I do plan to start on a more comprehensive build soon and will post up once I get going.

 

[JasonRedwood]

Nice cruiser. This might be route I may take in the future. Subscribing

 

[upcountry]

Yeah, I like the ideas presented here. whats the progress?

I can relate to the delays with two small kids at home, work limitations, and working on completion of grad school as well.

It is so strangely agrivating to have the funds to buy the crap I wanted several years ago, but now that I have the funds to do it, I no longer have the time! Complete opposite of where I was 10 years ago.

Here's to living vicariously and procrastinating on the internet!

 

[ab1985]

Still planning to start a real build thread soon or update this one. I've been spending some time with my 4Runner preparing to sell so I can focus on the 80 . I have pretty much finalized the plans and work should commence over the next couple of months. We kicked around the idea of an RV or tow behind camper late last year, but I finally came to my senses and decided to invest my time and energy into turning the 80 into an all-purpose rig for our family of 4. Have a couple of really cool things in the works that I am very excited about.

 

[ab1985]

Nice cruiser. This might be route I may take in the future. Subscribing

My wife loves the cruiser. We took the girls to GSMNP for a week in October. She's just getting into the outdoors thing, and the 80 made things so much easier. As soon as we hit the mountains she started going on and on about how sure footed and safe it felt. She's sold.

 

[Mauka2Makai]

Still planning to start a real build thread soon. We kicked around the idea of an RV or tow behind camper late last year, but I finally came to my senses and decided to invest my time and energy into turning the 80 into an all-purpose rig for our family of 4. Have a couple of really cool things in the works that I am very excited about.

Looking forward to your build thread and to see what you have in store for your 80. I'm always looking for ideas on how people better outfit there 80's to support their family while out on the trail.

 

[ab1985]

I'll wait a bit longer before going through details of the final plan, but the first order of business will be addressing the sleeping situation. I was very excited about the RTT but after having multiple units damaged in shipment I finally requested a refund a scrapped that idea. CVT was great to work with and Bobby actually offered to deliver a tent personally at one point. In retrospect it worked out for the best. I think there are other options that will better for us. More to come.