Again, even slower and lamer. FZJ80 build.

Here we go again, this one isn't a project though so it should go better than the 60. And its not a daily so it will be around longer than the taco, hopefully. Anyhow, sold the 60 when I moved because I didn't have a place to work on it or store it. I've been itching ever since.
So I picked up a 96 FZJ80.
217k miles, ARB front bumper, 4" lift, brand unsure. I thought it was OME, but its got Bilstein shocks so I am not sure. Decided with box rockets help they are most likely Slee 4" coils. 35" Cooper STs. It appears to have been taken care of, light oil leak from the front and the rear, I'm assuming the mains. The knuckles are dry so that's a plus. I'm just going to use this to document my adventures, and headaches.

Most photos end up on Instagram - @flyinbphoto







When I picked it up


I kept my lights and winch from Taco.

 

Specs
1996 FZJ80
1FZ-FE
Bought with 216k miles, now 228k
4" Slee lift
315/75R16 Cooper STT Pro
ARB bumper
TJM winch-solenoid relocated to engine comp.

Work done-
baselined
front main seal
fan clutch
Home built spare carrier
adjustable rear panhard
Front wheel bearings
new drivelines
new cat back exhaust and sealed up cats

Future.
Needs-


Wants-
Ultra gauge
CDL switch & 7 pin mod
better shocks
sliders
rear bumper w/ swingout for spare

Eventually
pan gasket is seeping
rear locker
offset hawse-anyone want to trade?
12v power to the rear
double din
speakers

 

Mine pt2

 

First!!!

 

Is this the one I just saw sold on eBay? You bought it?

 

I found it on CL in Sac. He might have had it on ebay too, I'm not sure.

 

Also, took it on its maiden voyage. It was an adventure. Drove 9 hours one way to scout for elk up by Jarbidge. I had changed the belts, because they were in pretty bad shape. The ac belt wasn't tight enough so it squealed pulling out of the driveway, as I opened the hood to tighten it up, I saw the radiator cap leaking. Grabbed a new one on my way out of town and that took care of that. Headed out, it was about 100* outside and the temp started to creep up a little at highway speed. As I started up the first summit it started getting hot. Well the only thing changed was the addition of the lights since I drove it over Donner summit in 106*. I pulled over and pulled them off. Ran cool as a cucumber the rest of the trip. Sigh... Finally got to the dirt. This thing rides amazing off road. like I don't believe it. I thought my taco was smooth, but this thing is amazing. Got a little speedy though some corners and my little girl got carsick and threw up all over herself and her carseat. So that was a bum deal for her, but she did enjoy facing forward for the rest of the trip and was puke free. So we do some pretty steep up and down and it handled it all with ease. We get to camp and a bunch of oil has leaked out of the front of the engine. I wiped up most of it and kept my eye on it. I believe it really only leaks on steep downhills and I believe its the front main. Shouldn't be too bad to change based on the things I've read, just have to find the time. Of course I have found more issues, the tires are all out of balance and the suspension bushings are wore, so anything over about 68 things start to get shaky. Just some issues I figured I would have in getting a 21 year old rig that has probably seen plenty of offroad. Anyway, I didn't get a ton of pictures, like hardly any. But here you go.


A little view from the top. Definitely one of my favorite areas in the state.


The fruits of our labor. My wife's uncle shot this guy Saturday.

 

Because when it comes to vehicles, I have the absolute worst luck on the planet. Back in October I was getting this thing ready to go deer hunting, found some coolant on the side of the transmission. Thought probably no big deal, could be a cold leak out of a heater hose or something. Nope, couldn't be that lucky. Nice big stripe of coolant down the side of the block from under the head. FML. Good news though I am petty sure I have no coolant oil mixing. Since I dont trust my skills as a novice parts changer to do this job, I'm having someone else do this one. Hoping to have it back soon but this guy does this stuff on the side so it might be a bit. But at least I know for certain it will be done correctly as this guy is top notch. While it was sitting I put a new head unit in it and fixed the harness, which was a complete hack job, I have no idea how someone thought that was ok. Then one of the old Cooper ST tires finally dry rotted and cracked through and went flat. So as soon as it gets back its getting tires... think I've decided on Cooper stt pro. The wife is thrilled.

 

In

 

Cool. I’m wanting a rig like this, so I’m learning from you!

 

Love this body style.

 

Sometimes I think I should give up and walk. Did a leakdown test, nothing. Got it to operating temp, still no pressure drop. Found some leaky clamps and the fan clutch was toast, maybe the coolant I saw was coming from somewhere above? I don't know? At least I am saving some money so that's good, and its being really gone through by someone much better than me.

 

Forgot how much I like this thing.
Tires next Saturday!

 

Glad to see another 80 on the road. I love them, but make sure you address the temp issues before they get out of hand. The 1FZ is known for killing it's first head gasket because the material they used wasn't ideal. Always near cyl 6.

 

It is about 85 outside right now and it ran right in the middle all the way home. No summits, no AC, so no real test... I should be getting an ultra gauge soon so I can keep my eye on the temps a little better than the factory gauge. I know the fan clutch was in bad shape, so hopefully that fixed it.

 

New tars!!!!!
Those old tires were in really bad shape. I'm thinking the suspension bushings are in much better shape than I thought. This rides a lot better. Now that all the tire stuff is smoothed out, I found a vibration I'll have to track down.

 

Took the family out for a little mountain time, because mountain time is the best time. Tires did good, but no real test. Thought with all the rain we might see some mud, but nothing.





IMG_8204-1 by TJ Brown, on Flickr

 

TJ, looks like a fun rig.

 

Rad man.
Jelly for sure.