Well, its on...

[upcruiser]

Finally. Just ordered up a new (used) front axle for my 80 and a set of good used exhaust manifolds as well. Looks like the FJ80 will be coming back out of the barn from its 2 year hibernation this month! Now I just can't wait to get back from California to get it all together and see just how bad gas can get in two years sitting in a fuel tank.:Wow1: It's a 3FE right? They love that stuff with no octane.

Other stuff I'm hoping to do immediately include having a custom dual fuel tank setup designed by a local fabricator. This would include a replacement of the current tank plus a new custom rear secondary tank mounted where the factory spare was. The new exhaust manifold will connect up to a new custom exhaust I'm having a local shop build for me as well. I'm going to pull out the current bed setup and build a new two person sleeping system in the back of the truck with storage beneath accesible by hinging trap doors. Also looking to pull the trigger on a winch finally as well. Haven't decided on which to go with. Hopefully I'll have it dialed in and together completely for my late July trip to Colorado. Looking to do 2 weeks connecting some alpine routes and visiting friends.

Anyway, thought I'd share the happiness. Can't wait to get 'er out on/off the road.

 

[adventureduo]

Congrats dude! I bet your excited.

Im out of it... what happened to your axle to prevent you from enjoying your rig currently?

 

[upcruiser]

I neglected doing my birfield service and put it off waaaay to long. A seal failure caused a mixing of diff oil and birf grease causing a catostophic 3rd member failure. Basically all of the internals of the axle were wasted. I sourced a used 80 series axle that has 30,000 miles on it since a service and picked it up. Additionally, my job gave me a company vehicle that along with my packed travel schedule made it unecesary to fix it right away. I was able to take insurance off of it and save it till I had more time. With my new position I took at work, I'll have a lot more freetime in between work jaunts now, so I'll be able to enjoy more overlanding, but also loose the company vehicle. So, the cruiser goes back on the road and I'll use it as my daily driver along with the 944 untill I can find a nice economical and pratical car to pick up and save the other two cars for their special uses.

 

[adventureduo]

Right on, that is really good news then.

 

[Northern Explorer]

Where are you having your fab work done??? (dual fuel tanks)

 

[upcruiser]

A place down near Traverse City called Wheelock Welding. They do good work and put the dual tank in my father's F350 and it turned out great. It works out well since I have a pole barn where the cruiser is stored near there. I'll probably get it on the road, have them take measurements, bring it back up to Marquette for a couple of weeks, then take it back down when the tanks are ready. That's my intent, not sure if it will work out like that or not though.

For the exhaust I was going to have EQ muffler in Marquette do the work. Those guys have helped me out huge in the past and are really affordable.

 

[zimm]

so I'll be able to enjoy more overlanding, but also loose the company vehicle. So, the cruiser goes back on the road and I'll use it as my daily driver along with the 944 untill I can find a nice economical and pratical car to pick up and save the other two cars for their special uses.

now isnt the time to loose that company fuel card!

 

[upcruiser]

Unfortunately, I didn't have a fuel card. Although, any work related travel I was reimbursed for. It was nice though to have a new truck with now payment of insurance to worry about. I definately put some use on it!

 

[upcruiser]

I should probably update as well. I didn't end up ordering the exhaust downpipes as I was originally quoted $250 for the pair, but apparently that was a mistake and they were $250 a piece. So, I'm still trying to figure out that solution, but $500 for a used set seems steep. I'm this close to pulling the trigger on a Warn 8000 and some synthetic line as well. I probably will wait till the truck is on the road to buy it though in case I have some unforeseen issues. The axle arrives next Thursday with a fresh rebuild, so that is nice. Unfortunately, I'm in Cali till the 26th and am anxiously awaiting the opportunity to get it swapped. :jumping:

 

[Desertdude]

how smart of you to stash the LC until you were ready again...

http://www.cruiserparts.net/

may have exhaust parts for you

 

[upcruiser]

That's the place that I talked to actually. I ordered the axle through them. Orginally they thought they had a hub to hub front FJ80 axle with 30,000 miles on it since its last service. Apparently that didn't exist in their inventory. I ended up with one with overall fewer miles and they went and serviced the axle for $200 extra. That's a good deal in my eyes as I'd rather pay that then go through the mess to do it myself.

 

[Desertdude]

Small world sounds like you got a great deal.

Oleg has a few 80's parting, out he may have something - http://www.irbisoffroad.com/

 

[upcruiser]

Actually, I'm pretty sure it was you who had recomended LandCruiserparts awhile back. The axle arrived today, unfortunately I'm in San Diego at the moment(actually its pretty nice to be here).

I also ordered up a shiny new Warn 8000 tonight. Pecking away on the 'ol checklist. Anyone know if you can squeeze a Warn 8000 on without removing the bullbar on an FJ80?

 

[Pskhaat]

Get someone to help (maybe two), but yes you can get a winch on there. I put my w12k on mine with the bar still on. PITA to get the bolt holes lined up, but it did work.

Advice, go buy some extra-long mounting bolts of the same thread pitch/diameter (don't remember off top of head). You can use those long bolts to secure the winch in the proper position from a greater distance away, and then use the provided bolts to mount.

 

[upcruiser]

Get someone to help (maybe two), but yes you can get a winch on there. I put my w12k on mine with the bar still on. PITA to get the bolt holes lined up, but it did work.

Advice, go buy some extra-long mounting bolts of the same thread pitch/diameter (don't remember off top of head). You can use those long bolts to secure the winch in the proper position from a greater distance away, and then use the provided bolts to mount.

That's some good advice, I'll heed it no doubt.:wavey: