Schattenjager's '97 FZJ-80

[Schattenjager]

Spacers!!! :elkgrin: Looking good. What's next?

STORAGE !!! From a cross post in the STORAGE SOLUTIONS forum:

Referring to the black box with the yellow lid:

I was told these were a special buy by home Depot and they may not have anymore once these are gone - I got four of these in Colorado - Denver area.

They are far more rigid than an Action Packer, they do not deform easily like the Action Packers and they stack VERY well, also unlike the Action Pacers. As a matter of fact, the lid has slots that mate to the box allowing one point to secure the box down as well as secure the lid to the box. A tie down strap will EASILY fit in the 'crowns' of the lid adding to their versatility. The bottom of the box is slightly lined so it will grip carpet far better than, you guessed it - the Action Packers. The price is an amazing $11.98 per

I have a set of four - all of which fill the back of my 80 with 'stuff' room on either side and along the tail gate. The boxes Are almost perfectly square, which eliminates the wasted space of the Action... well - you get it. After years of using Action Packers - I never want to see another one after finding these units!

I will edit this tomorrow with more detailed pics - this is a quickie from the cell phone:

The net is garbage - looking for a replacement that isn't $200 bucks.

 

[98roamer]

Close but not $200. Maybe something they have will fit. I loved the ceiling one when I had my Xterra.

http://www.raingler.com/merch.htm

 

[Schattenjager]

And it continues:

SPACERS !!! :chef:

Thanks to a smoking deal I was able to pick up some 1.5" spacers from a fellow who could not use his new wheels!

How do you think these would look satin black?

 

[Schattenjager]

Tire carrier?

Anyone make a tire carrier for the factory rear bumper? I saw the Kaymar unit for what seemed to be an $850.00 from Man-a-fre. LOL! I can build one for about 1/50th the price and out of uber stout stuff - but would like to get a ready made kit for time's sake.

Ideas?

 

[targa88]

Anyone make a tire carrier for the factory rear bumper? I saw the Kaymar unit for what seemed to be an $850.00 from Man-a-fre. LOL! I can build one for about 1/50th the price and out of uber stout stuff - but would like to get a ready made kit for time's sake.

Ideas?

You might want to check out this thread

 

[deadbeat son]

You might want to check out this thread

That thread didn't have a single tire carrier that bolts to the factory bumper as requested, only aftermarket bumpers with integrated tire carriers.

 

[a.mus.ed]

No one makes one for the factory rear bumper, but I have seen some custom jobs... searching for ya now...

Here's one: http://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/250063-my-rear-tyre-carrier-build-up-woooh.html

There was a rear swing out carrier option from the factory in other markets, but you cannot retro-fit them onto a NA spec 80 as they are without the extra bracing in the body where the swing out mounts.

 

[Schattenjager]

Thanks - there is the manafre version of the ridiculously overpriced Kaymar -

 

[hieronymus]

You need bigger tires! Those 235's are way too small for such a nice truck..........

 

[a.mus.ed]

Holy crap - when you said $850 I thought you were talking about the Kaymar rear bumper! I can't believe they sell many of those at that price.

 

[sethro80]

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:

N
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

Dave

Hello there, I notice you are in Flagstaff, if you ever want to go wheelin I too live up here, just shoot me a PM and we could hook up.

Sethro80

 

[blupaddler]

Don, congrats!
You're off to a good start.

 

[Schattenjager]

Goodies!

Giving ARB's new gear a shot! Brave of me, yes? It's a 2.5" heavy lift. I Might try doing the springs and shocks tomorrow but the caster bushings scare me! I might wait on those till my buddy Rob can help dial them in this weekend. In the mean time, the ugly part of the job will be finished.

 

[upcruiser]

Looking good! You haven't been wasting any time. Is Rob from MIT giving you a hand with the bushings? I never installed mine as I was nervous about doing them too. If Rob has a jig setup though or something, that would be sweet.

 

[Schattenjager]

Looking good! You haven't been wasting any time. Is Rob from MIT giving you a hand with the bushings? I never installed mine as I was nervous about doing them too. If Rob has a jig setup though or something, that would be sweet.

Yup. Rob's the man! How does your rig drive sans the bushings?

You still have that old, cheap, heavy, ugly rack?:bike_rider: