Schattenjager's '97 FZJ-80

[Schattenjager]

Well, here I am in the Cruiser forum after '09 strikes again. I was trying to sell the Tacoma but a test drive mis-hap in bad, uber cold conditions totaled it. I lost my butt on the extra gear and the mileage penalty, so I bought it back to try to recoup some of the $$$. I'll be pulling the salvageable cool-guy gear soon and posting it for sale the first of the year: motor, tranny, transfer case, near new suspension 235/85/16's that are near new as well... but more on that later.

There were a lot for sale, but most were used up or grossly over priced. I got a solid deal on this unit and look forward to remaking the Taco's imagine in a much different kind of rig. Watch here for rapid updates!

Anywho, here she is - the ubiquitous white LC

1997 - leather - 170K miles - Factory Lockers - Factory roof rack super strong engine and basically tight as a drum. The rear view mirrors don't even shake! The only gripe is the whistle from the drivers mirror at speed. Gotta get that looked after soon. It has heated seats (aftermarket, of course) and remote start - something I have had on the past three rigs and will never be without!

Today was 'pull everything out and clean it' day. Pulled the console 1/2's and started removing the cracked, warped wood trim. Yuck - what a job!
Tomorrow I order the ARB bull bar and 2.5 heavy suspension. I may even Line-X the fender flares al a the Taco... Only two of my Light Forces survived, so I will move those to the bull bar. If Slee is open this week, I'll grab some of their $lider$.

Overall, I am very thankful to have found this rig and look forward to testing the legend of Land Cruisers.

 

[Schattenjager]

OME "J" suspension

Shopping around I see an 'J' option for the OME usupension - what is this?

I will also be ordering a set of these from Tread Wright:

 

[Torquey]

"j"

Nice looking rig, I'm sure you will enjoy it.

I can't remember what the "J" is. Do a search on www.ih8mud.com

There is an abundance of info there!

 

[gearguywb]

If I remember correctly the "j" is a longer travel versionof the OME set up

 

[Fergie]

Congrats and sympathies, simultaneously.

May I suggest Kurt @ www.cruiseroutfitters.com for your OME needs.

Good choice on the TreadWrights as well.

 

[MoGas]

J springs provide more lift over the others.... My setup is 850/863, so heavies front and rear with ~2.5 inches lift. The 850J/863J springs would be 3.5" lift with the same spring rates as the "regular" 850/863s. If you go with J springs, you will need the L shocks. You may run into vibration issues that will require the use of a double cardan front drive shaft., steering issues that will require some sort of caster correction plates, the need for lengthened brake lines, etc.


These questions need to be asked:

Of course slider weight adds to both ends almost equally.

What size tires do I want to run?

What will my permanent front end load be? (bumper, winch, dual batteries, etc.)

What will my permanent rear end cargo load be? (fridge, on board air, tools, bumper, etc.)

How much weight will I add for camping or other intended uses? (fuel, water, food, etc.)

What types of roads will I be traveling? Rock crawling? General off road use?


Will I add roof load?

Will I tow?

How easy do I want any suspension issues that may arise to be to address in the field?


You will find that the 80 in stock trim is already an extremely capable vehicle. I have not come across a need for more height than the ~2.5 inches that I have. I run 285s with stock gears.

My setup is this:
OME 850/863 with N73/N74E shocks, OME caster correction bushings, Slee 25mm spring packers up front, Slee SS brake lines.

My permanent front end weight is an ARB Commercial bar with a Warn 8274 and I run dual batteries.

I have Hanna Quality sliders.

My rig is used as a kid hauler as well as a camping/exploring rig, so I keep the third row in regularly, and no aftermarket bumper and my spare is in the stock location, but I also load it up with a Norcold 60, the dog kennel, an 85 pound Lab, and there is always a Hi-Lift, Shovel, Axe, Recovery kit, and a basic tool kit on board. I also tow with it.

Here are a few pictures in different trims:

No lift, no additional weight, 265s.

No problems stock in Sedona on Broken Arrow.

Or at the rock garden on Smiley Rock.

Lift and no additional weight. Still with the 265s.

Lift, additional weight,no winch, 285s.

Going Fishing.

ATV trailer.

M416.

Current trim. Fridge was in the back and loaded up.

The only things that I may change are:
Change rear springs to 864s and add the Slee 3 degree caster bushings. My reasons are that with the trim packers up front, I exceeded the 2 degrees of caster correction provided by the OME bushings an I have a slight sag when fully loaded and the 864s would sit nicer with the weight. If I hadn't added the front packers, I would sit level when loaded, but have a "stink bug" stance when unloaded in the cargo area. I'll get the stink bug back if I go to 864s, so it is just a matter of what I want, not need.


Hope this helps,
Dave

 

[MoGas]

May I suggest Kurt @ www.cruiseroutfitters.com for your OME needs.

Yes, go to Kurt first for anything. He is a true professional and knows what is up.

Dave

 

[bucketosudz]

I have been watching your search for TLC and upon reading your title I was excited to hear you finally found one, only to be bummed to hear of your truck. The last couple of month's haven't been kind to you in the loss department. From one Portal member to another, I wish all of the finest in the year to come. Looking forward to seeing your build.

 

[Schattenjager]

I really appreciate your kind words.

I have been watching your search for TLC and upon reading your title I was excited to hear you finally found one, only to be bummed to hear of your truck. The last couple of month's haven't been kind to you in the loss department. From one Portal member to another, I wish all of the finest in the year to come. Looking forward to seeing your build.

 

[a.mus.ed]

Sorry to hear about your Taco, but I'm glad you found an 80! It looks great, too - I'm looking forward to the build.

 

[Dave Bennett]

Sorry to hear about your Taco, but I'm glad you found an 80! It looks great, too - I'm looking forward to the build.

:iagree:

 

[p1michaud]

New toy

Bad news on the Tacoma but good news on the 80! :elkgrin:

What did the Lightforce and covers that survived look like?

 

[Schattenjager]

Bad news on the Tacoma but good news on the 80! :elkgrin:

What did the Lightforce and covers that survived look like?

Unscratched! They look great - hopefully the bulbs survived too, but the housings / lens took a real beating and appear to be just fine.

 

[upcruiser]

Well again, I will echo what others have said about the Taco but congrats on a beautiful 80! Maybe I will see you on the trail sometime this spring now that we're neighbors.

 

[tacollie]

Nice find on the cruiser. Sorry to here about your Tacoma.