Sempertoy
Explorer
Thanks, I really like the colors myself. I have only seen a few on mud and never seen another on the streets. Yes I am running 315 70 r 17's. (stock H2 tires)
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UT_I_SKOGEN 80 series build
- Thread starter Sempertoy
- Start date
Thanks, I really like the colors myself. I have only seen a few on mud and never seen another on the streets. Yes I am running 315 70 r 17's. (stock H2 tires)
ssssnake529
Explorer
You look like you're ready to have some fun with the new toy.
Sempertoy
Explorer
I have officially been SLEE'D
As the title states, I recently placed an order with Slee offroad. I wish it were a bumper/sliders or something uber cool like that, but hey you take what you can get right? Like I had mentioned before I noticed that my tie rod was bent and that my rod ends were fuuuugly. A few days later...
Here is the tie rod from slee, zinc coated to prevent rust, OEM tie rod ends from american toyota, and a hi-lift mount for my factory rack. Also from slee.
Here is a picture of the old rod when I took it off next to the new rod. I could not believe the weight difference between the two! The rod from slee is so much beefier! another benefit it has is there is no slit down the side like the OEM rod, thus preventing crud and debris getting stuck in there. I don't think I would have ever been able to get those rod ends out of there. The slee rod has a jam nut that you just tighten down to keep things in place.
note: When I was in highschool I worked at a bike shop down in the basement building bikes. My teacher/instructor/zen master at the shop beat it into my head that ANY time you have metal on metal contact, (i.e. rod end into rod) grease it up!! So that's exactly what I did. I borrowed some packing grease from my shop and greased away!
Here is the Tie rod installed. These are a few things that I learned from the experience.
1. I HATE HATE HATE the scissor jack I bought for my wifes car. Need I expound?
2. When doing the rods, just jack it up and take the wheels of from the beginning. You won't save time cutting corners.
3. Invest in a 3-5 lb sledge hammer. I was beating on those old rods for 15 minutes. ( my neighbors love me)
4. Only start at 5:30 p.m. if you have to. Otherwise save it for the morning where you wont have to work with a headlight.
5. Invest in a pickle fork. Or better yet, rent one from NAPA or vato zone.
6. Get a nice floor jack.
7. I love my landcruiser more than any other vehicle I have ever owned.
And here is my handy dandy hi-lift mount
That's all for now folks, a starter is on the list of things to do before my Death valley trip, also I need to try and refurbish my Fan clutch before then. Other than that, most of the little gremlins are being worked out. I think it's funny how on all of the 80 FAQ's about buying and driving one they mention something about the cost of ownership, and having a budget set aside for basic items. I was pretty excited when I was able to sell my truck and then buy this for 2k less that my truck sold for, I figured I would have some cash set aside for a basic upgrade item, but somehow in the last 2 months or so my budget has been whittled down to only a few hundred dollars. BUT at least I have the peace of mind that every major system of my cruiser has been gone over by me, that I have done all the pm's and have fixed most of the little gremlins that would cause me problems on my adventures. And as much as I want a set of sliders or a nice front bumper, I have fun every time I get to go out and work on my LC. I promised myself last night that I would put 150,000 miles on this myself. I'm sure there will be lots of fun adventures, great memories and interesting situations between now and then, but I know this vehicle can do anything.
As the title states, I recently placed an order with Slee offroad. I wish it were a bumper/sliders or something uber cool like that, but hey you take what you can get right? Like I had mentioned before I noticed that my tie rod was bent and that my rod ends were fuuuugly. A few days later...
Here is the tie rod from slee, zinc coated to prevent rust, OEM tie rod ends from american toyota, and a hi-lift mount for my factory rack. Also from slee.
Here is a picture of the old rod when I took it off next to the new rod. I could not believe the weight difference between the two! The rod from slee is so much beefier! another benefit it has is there is no slit down the side like the OEM rod, thus preventing crud and debris getting stuck in there. I don't think I would have ever been able to get those rod ends out of there. The slee rod has a jam nut that you just tighten down to keep things in place.
note: When I was in highschool I worked at a bike shop down in the basement building bikes. My teacher/instructor/zen master at the shop beat it into my head that ANY time you have metal on metal contact, (i.e. rod end into rod) grease it up!! So that's exactly what I did. I borrowed some packing grease from my shop and greased away!
Here is the Tie rod installed. These are a few things that I learned from the experience.
1. I HATE HATE HATE the scissor jack I bought for my wifes car. Need I expound?
2. When doing the rods, just jack it up and take the wheels of from the beginning. You won't save time cutting corners.
3. Invest in a 3-5 lb sledge hammer. I was beating on those old rods for 15 minutes. ( my neighbors love me)
4. Only start at 5:30 p.m. if you have to. Otherwise save it for the morning where you wont have to work with a headlight.
5. Invest in a pickle fork. Or better yet, rent one from NAPA or vato zone.
6. Get a nice floor jack.
7. I love my landcruiser more than any other vehicle I have ever owned.
And here is my handy dandy hi-lift mount
That's all for now folks, a starter is on the list of things to do before my Death valley trip, also I need to try and refurbish my Fan clutch before then. Other than that, most of the little gremlins are being worked out. I think it's funny how on all of the 80 FAQ's about buying and driving one they mention something about the cost of ownership, and having a budget set aside for basic items. I was pretty excited when I was able to sell my truck and then buy this for 2k less that my truck sold for, I figured I would have some cash set aside for a basic upgrade item, but somehow in the last 2 months or so my budget has been whittled down to only a few hundred dollars. BUT at least I have the peace of mind that every major system of my cruiser has been gone over by me, that I have done all the pm's and have fixed most of the little gremlins that would cause me problems on my adventures. And as much as I want a set of sliders or a nice front bumper, I have fun every time I get to go out and work on my LC. I promised myself last night that I would put 150,000 miles on this myself. I'm sure there will be lots of fun adventures, great memories and interesting situations between now and then, but I know this vehicle can do anything.
sleeoffroad
Adventurer
I am not sure if the above photo was taken before the mount was installed all the way, but the handle should be inside the bracket like the attached picture.
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Sempertoy
Explorer
Jag at fruktansvard dalig med stavning, o inte sa bra langre med svenska! Jag ar stolt med spiralfjader (coilsprings?) dem ar skona.
Har du bade 40 o 45? Jag vil ser bilder! Jag onskar har bada tva! En unimog med? va cool bilar du har.
P.S. jag har inte en SKOGEN pa skylten men jag vil nar "my registration" ar upp.
TangoBlue
American Adventurist
Dang, after reading all that I'm thinking I'm going to swing by IKEA and get me some of them Swedish Meatballs! YUM
Sempertoy
Explorer
Ha! Funny you should say that, I just made that for my wife and friends last week! Don't forget the lingonsylt
Sempertoy
Explorer
New wheels
So here is a little update on the cruiser. I still love driving it every day and think that it is the best thing since sliced bread. After doing the Tie rod and ends, I also replaced the drag link. This time with a budbuilt. No real reason that I switched brands except that I saved about $20.
Now on to tonight. Since owning this vehicle I feel that the one thing that detracts from it are the wheels. They are after market and look a little
bro-dozerish. They have been fine and aren't anything that I HAVE to change, but I have been on the lookout for some 17" toyota rims that will work for me. I stumbled upon an FJ cruiser forum and found some fj factory steelies in my price range so I called the guy up and made arrangements to go pick them up! So now I have 5, yes 5 toyota factory rims for my 80. I think with a little paint they will look just great!
Here are the 4 of them in the back for the ride home, the 5th was already in the garage to get a quick coat of paint to see how they look.
Threw on a coat of paint and let it dry, this was the spare so it does not have the center cap. All the others have it.
And here is what it will look like on the cruiser! More utilitarian and less bro dozer.
So these probably wont go on this weekend as I will be at Tierra Del Sol, so maybe the weekend after?!
So here is a little update on the cruiser. I still love driving it every day and think that it is the best thing since sliced bread. After doing the Tie rod and ends, I also replaced the drag link. This time with a budbuilt. No real reason that I switched brands except that I saved about $20.
Now on to tonight. Since owning this vehicle I feel that the one thing that detracts from it are the wheels. They are after market and look a little
bro-dozerish. They have been fine and aren't anything that I HAVE to change, but I have been on the lookout for some 17" toyota rims that will work for me. I stumbled upon an FJ cruiser forum and found some fj factory steelies in my price range so I called the guy up and made arrangements to go pick them up! So now I have 5, yes 5 toyota factory rims for my 80. I think with a little paint they will look just great!
Here are the 4 of them in the back for the ride home, the 5th was already in the garage to get a quick coat of paint to see how they look.
Threw on a coat of paint and let it dry, this was the spare so it does not have the center cap. All the others have it.
And here is what it will look like on the cruiser! More utilitarian and less bro dozer.
So these probably wont go on this weekend as I will be at Tierra Del Sol, so maybe the weekend after?!
Sempertoy
Explorer
Ok so here is an update now that I have 5 minutes to breathe. I work full time and was a full time student this last semester so I have had no time to play around on the computer. I have however been on a few camping trips so let me update you on those.
So right after I bought the Cruiser, I took it on a scout trip to Joshua Tree
Sleeping in the back
After Joshua Tree was a trip to Anza Borrego again with the scouts.
Then we did TDS 50th desert safari!
Met up with some Expo guys and gals, they were such great people!
Lunch on the way to sandstone canyon
in the canyon
By the Gas Dome
My favorite camping buddy
In Julian on the way back
Got my STEELIES!!!
Back to Anza Borrego with the scouts, checked out the pumpkin patch
Dropped off the scouts and this happened
Got everything back up to functioning form, getting ready to go to Death Valley next week!! I'll try and stay up on my pictures from now on
So right after I bought the Cruiser, I took it on a scout trip to Joshua Tree
Sleeping in the back
After Joshua Tree was a trip to Anza Borrego again with the scouts.
Then we did TDS 50th desert safari!
Met up with some Expo guys and gals, they were such great people!
Lunch on the way to sandstone canyon
in the canyon
By the Gas Dome
My favorite camping buddy
In Julian on the way back
Got my STEELIES!!!
Back to Anza Borrego with the scouts, checked out the pumpkin patch
Dropped off the scouts and this happened
Got everything back up to functioning form, getting ready to go to Death Valley next week!! I'll try and stay up on my pictures from now on
Sempertoy
Explorer
I used the krylon "Rust Tough" semi flat black paint. So far so good!