Box Rocket 1995 FZJ80 Build

A local guy cut out a few "kits" for a rear panhard bracket on his plasma table and I ended up with one of them. Similar to the DeltaVS bracket but this one isn't completely bolt in and one edge is welded to the upper control arm bracket on the axle. There's a "safety" weld on the original panhard bracket but probably isn't necessary. I was planning to get the Delta one but this was offered to me and I happily snatched it up. Used a stock panhard with it to replace the adjustable one I've had.

Seems to be a minor improvement in handling over the adjustable panhard. I'll be honest, I was expecting a more noticeable change based on the feedback I've heard from others after getting the rear panhard leveled off. The "wiggle" that is described from the rear end of the truck that does not have a level panhard when hitting bumps was not that pronounced on my truck to begin with. I have to assume that the Slinky suspension and HD rear swaybar were controlling the back end pretty well, but this panhard bracket does seem to make the rear of the truck feel a bit more settled. So I think it's a worthwhile mod. I look forward to getting it out in the dirt and see how it behaves on some fast tracks.

Stock vs adjustable panhard
Untitled by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

small difference in length
Untitled by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

Welded up the bracket.
Untitled by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

Untitled by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

In the truck
Untitled by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

Little paint
Untitled by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

New OEM bolts for the frame side bracket on the top of the new axle bracket. Reused the original axle bracket to hold the lower end of the new bracket.
Untitled by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

Untitled by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

There is interference with the Axle bolt and nut with the Slinky coil. One solution is to lift the frame of the truck to open up the suspension and slide the bolt in from the front with the nut on the back side. If you needed to remove it you would need to open up the suspension the same way to get it out. I chose to machine about 1/2" off the end of the bolt and about 1/8" off the nut (it's like a 1" deep nut) and put the bolt in from the back with the nut on the forward side so that it would clear the springs and I wouldn't need to open up the suspension to remove it.

 

Just went DeltaVS and OME adjustable panhard on mine. I had pro help getting it all installed. Haven’t tested it out yet.

 

That Delta VS tho. Gonna look amazing on that rig!

 

I was anti 37s until I looked at post 805 on this page. Thanks a lot...

 

My work is done here. mic drop.

 

Haha I was perfectly happy with my 35s... I should regear, maybe when these tires wear out I think I'll just plan on 37s.

 

Northern Nevada.... That's not terribly far. How worn are those 35s, I have a reputation as an enabler

 

That's what I said. I was perfectly fine with my OME suspension, until I put on the Slinky suspension. Now I can't even imagine running the OME suspension on my 80, I'd probably sell then truck. When you find out what you've been missing, the whole world changes. haha

With the 37's I haven't notice a huge difference in power. I already had 4.88's but the change from 35 to 37 didn't feel much different at all.

 

Only have about 3k miles on them.

I dont hate my 35s and stock gears, but I bet 37s would be miserable.

 

I didn't hate 35's and stock gears either. I ran than setup on my last 80 for 15 years.

 

I’m going all in on this OME set up. New UTA, LTA on the rear and new Panhard on the front with a Marlin Crawler steering upgrade kit. All nice and tight. No more clunks.

 

Cool. When those caster bushings come apart, replace them with OEM rubber bushings and caster plates, you'll be glad. The OEM bushings will last longer and flex better.

Which rear control arms are you using? Steering stuff and panhards looks good

 

It’s all OME. Here’s the UTA. https://www.metaltech4x4.com/ome-80-100-series-land-cruiser-adjustable-upper-trailing-arms/
I’m still learning about all the suspension stuff on the 80. It’s different than anything else I’ve owned.

 

Cool. The Metal Tech arms are good. Sorry, you maybe confused OEM and OME. I was talking about the Factory Toyota rubber bushings. The Old Man Emu will work fine for a while but for rigs that get flexed a lot the Poly bushings don't flex as well and will tear apart quicker. When they start to come apart you'll get some wandering on the road since they are also what is handling the caster correction. Probably feels pretty good now since they're new. You've got some time before you'll have to worry about it but its just something to consider when the time comes.

 

Debbie Downer!

 

LOL, I'm no Debbie! Nothing to be down about, you're good to go for a while.

 

I’m more stockish than you. Soon I hope to have BIO slider steps and an LRA gas tank.

 

That's a great setup! I'll be jealous of the LRA tank. It's on my want list.

 

37 gallons is amazing. I have one in my other 80. You can also add the 24 gallon spare tire tank. I don’t need that much gas. Delta VS rear bumper is on my want list if it ever comes out.

 

The Delta bumper is on my list too. I believe you can get one now, just need to call them rather than going through the website. It's 'spensive, so I'm still saving up for it. Until then my homemade bumper will have to do.