Box Rocket 1995 FZJ80 Build

OP,

I just finished looking through your entire thread. Glad I ventured out of the Tacoma threads and found this! Your LC looks absolutely amazing and it such a classic vehicle!
Of course I got through this thread in less than one week, but this reminds me that everything takes patients. Your first post was made years back. And in hindsight, it easy to forget that your rig didn't come together in just a few weeks.

Thanks for the posts and photos. Great camera work too! Always great to see photography enthusiasts throughout this community.

Last thing: this has been one of the most practical builds I've seen. (I stalk people's builds as a form of entertainment) I notice that a lot of folks follow some sort of "TacomaWorld" theoretical mod-list. Usually includes a lot of lighting all over the trucks and unnecessary lifts. But you somehow have managed to fine tune your mods specifically to your off-roading needs. I truly respect that!

 

Thanks I appreciate the compliments and thanks for taking the time to go through the build. This is exactly the reason I share my builds, is in the hopes that it might give someone else some ideas and maybe a little different look at how to approach their own builds. I too follow a lot of builds as entertainment but also to see ideas from others. I have a huge appreciation for those that are willing to try something that isn't just following the latest trend and will actually make their rig more effective for the type of wheeling they do. I try not to make any superfluous mods to my trucks. I still want them to look good but the primary purpose behind any mod is how it will improve performance, comfort and usability. Some take the "function over form" a bit too literally and sacrifice all aesthetic. There's no reason a 100% function driven mod can't also look good. I try to find that as much as I can so I appreciate the compliment that let's me know someone thinks I've achieved that to some degree.

You're right, builds take way more time, effort and money than many realize. I'm 4 years into this one now and there is still more planned. I've very pleased with the current state of the build and the performance. So upcoming plans won't be huge departures from what it is currently but just fine tuning what is already an awesome platform.

Thanks again.

 

I'm glad someone bumped this thread. Made me realize that I've forgotten to add a few recent tweaks. A while back I mentioned the Timbren bumpstops I planned to add. As part of that was doing some trimming etc in order to properly fit the new 37's. So off to one of the local shops to use their ramp and check clearances.
Bumpstop measurements by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

Generally speaking it wasn't as bad as I expected, but the rear bumper wings were going to need to get trimmed, along with a bit to the flares and fenders.
Bumpstops by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

Same thing in the front. The bumper wings were catching the tires as were the tops of the fender arch. Also when I moved the front axle forward it was creating tire rubbing at the front of the inner fender so I needed to cut out some of that sheetmetal also.
Bumpstops by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

Sheet metal and bumper getting trimmed
80 mods by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

Removed about 2" from the bumper ends in the front.
80 mods by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

A little CAD
80 mods by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

In prep for the Timbrens to go in the cups of the bumpstop needed to be trimmed so they didn't contact the coils.
Suspension by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

It was a simple bolt in install after that.
Suspension by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

In the rear, just over an inch was cut off the bumper wings. I've since done some good testing and the tires still make contact but just enough to rub off the paint. I could trim a bit more but not sure its really necessary.
37’s and bumpstops by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

The rear Timbrens looked HUGE when I got them and I was certain they would going to be too long. After checking clearance on the ramp and doing some measuring they are actually just about perfect. At ride height I have about 5.5" of shock shaft showing. The distance from the axle housing to the bottomed out bumpstop is about 5" so when I bottom out it leaves about .5" of shock which is great and won't damage the shocks.
37’s and bumpstops by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

rear bumpstop just touching. the Timbren will compress to about half it's height (rubber portion) so a couple more inches of compression still available
37’s and bumpstops by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

In the front the 37's still hit the tops of the fenders at full stuff but it's not causing any damage yet. I could space out the bumpstops a bit more to eliminate that. That will be a project for this summer sometime.
37’s and bumpstops by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

This is compressed about halfway in the front so there are still a few inches of compression available.
37’s and bumpstops by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

 

In other news, I managed to bend one of the forged front radius arms. I could throw it in the press and straighten it out since it's forged but I decided to just pick up a new set of arms.
Untitled by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

Untitled by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

Got the arms replaced and went out for some testing. Had an awesome trip with the family until my trailer let me know that I am not supposed to rally it as hard as I do the truck. Busted a shackle hanger in the middle of nowhere. Didn't really have the right stuff to fix it properly so I improvised a trail fix and some JB Weld, some zip ties and a prybar did the job to get us 50 miles back to civilization where I could weld it properly.
Untitled by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

Untitled by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

Untitled by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

But the resr of the trip was awesome.
IMG_2483 by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

IMG_2452 by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

IMG_2443 by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

 

Saw that on your Insta a few weeks back. Pretty ingenious

 

It's been almost a month since all of what I just posted. Since then I've done another trip. Spent 5 days guiding a group of Slinky Suspension Dealers and customers around southern Utah. We did 650 miles over the 5 days and finished in Moab just in time for the start of the Cruise Moab event. I cut back on my involvement at Cruise Moab this year. I've been leading trails every day during the event there for more than 15 years and wanted a little less responsibility this time. So I took a couple days off and just relaxed with my wife. We still led Poison Spider Mesa on Saturday during the event but that was pretty mellow. Didn't really get any pics in Moab, but the 5 days prior was nothing short of epic!
IMG_2533 by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

IMG_2544 by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

IMG_2544 by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

IMG_2609 by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

IMG_2666 by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

IMG_2699 by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

IMG_2756 by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

IMG_2762 by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

IMG_2782 by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

IMG_2812 by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

IMG_2826 by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

IMG_2830 by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

IMG_2842 by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

IMG_2854 by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

IMG_2897 by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

IMG_2914 by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

Untitled by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

Untitled by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

Untitled by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

 

It's time for my 6 month update to this thread. Have a few changes that have happened in that time.

First, I made a minor tweak to my rear bumper. Added an attachment to my second swingout for my smaller CO2 tank. Pretty simple mod that got it out of the rear cargo area in preparation for the next mod.
CO2 by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

CO2 by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

CO2 by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

CO2 by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

 

Second, the reason the tank needed to get moved out of the inside of the truck was so there was room for a set of drawers from Goose Gear. Holy crap! These are some of the nicest drawers I've ever seen. I knew Goose Gear had a good reputation, but seeing these in person and now using them for a few months I'm super impressed with the design and quality.
Drawers by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

Drawers by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

Drawers by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

IMG_3412 by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

IMG_3418 by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

IMG_3983 by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

One unexpected benefit of these is that with the second row seats folded it makes a level surface from the front seats to the tailgate. I have an extra RTT mattress that I unroll and use to sleep inside the truck and it's been super comfortable.
IMG_3973 by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

 

Additional work on the interior involved doing something about the cracking leather in the second row. The front seats I swapped in a while back are black and the stock seats are tan and didn't match. So I ordered new leather and removed the old cracked leather and installed a new set of black leather on the second row.
Rear seats by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

Rear seats by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

Rear seats by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

IMG_3420 by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

IMG_3422 by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

IMG_3424 by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

 

Installed a 1" Body lift for a little more clearance for the 37's. They actually fit pretty good without the body lift after I did the trimming and bumpstops stuff I posted earlier. I'm not typically a fan of body lifts but I've used a 1" BL a couple times now. Keeping it to 1" keeps it from having a bunch of the drawbacks of bigger BL's. And it allowed me to reduce the bumpstops and get more compression with the suspension.

Before:
iPhone 80 by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

After:
IMG_3428 by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

 

Noice!

 

Welp.


Apparently I'm still in love.


I've moved away from the Tacoma and am now adjusting some things on our 3rd Gen 4runner. Hopefully this curbs my desire for an LC for at least a couple years.

 

Few updates since my last post.

Replaced my factory rear swaybar links (that I've broken several times) with these beefy ones. Much better.
Swaybar links by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

Rebuilt the power steering pump again, but now it's not leaking. Finally.
Fixing Leaks by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

Replaced a bunch of dried out hoses.
Fixing Leaks by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

Replaced the oil pump cover seal and front crank seal.
Fixing Leaks by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

Installed some Nitro Big24 chromoly front axle shafts/birfs.
Untitled by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

Rebuilt the knuckles with new steering arm studs.
Front axle service by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

Used the Wits End "Nut Huggers" on the steering arm studs when it all went back together. Cool little bit that should help keep things tight.
Front axle service by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

Change out this part of the ebrake handle that increases the force on the brakes.
Untitled by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

Welded up a new tcase Skidplate/Crossmember from HuddExpo
Skidplate by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

Skidplate by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

Skidplate by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

Made a stupid bracket to hold my lug wrench
Untitled by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

Untitled by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

Added a tilting fridge slide
Fridge Slide by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

Fridge Slide by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

And most recently, added some hood vents to work with my scoop.
Hoodvents by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

Hoodvents by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

Hoodvents by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

 

Oooh. Carbon fiber.

+35 cool dad points
+2.834 HP


Love the rig, @Box Rocket

 

Wow! +35 cool dad points is actually way more than I thought those were worth. In fact I thought it would earn negative points since it's just vinyl and not real CF. haha

 

Oh, well with new information......


HAHAHAHA

 

Have had a couple projects recently. One was rebuilding my spare steering box with the 105 sector shaft upgrade. Overall it went pretty smoothly. I did a fairly detailed step by step that is posted on IH8MUD if anyone is interested.
Steering box FZJ80 by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

Steering box FZJ80 by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

Steering box by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

I also swapped out my tilt fridge slide for a MSA drop slide. Holy mutha, this thing is the beef!
Untitled by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

Untitled by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

Even better than the fridge slide was the shock upgrade to 2.5 dual bypass Slinky shocks. These are awesome!
Stage5 Slinky by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

Stage5 Slinky by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

A little less exciting is this custom grill I made. But I dig the TOYOTA text instead of the sombrero emblem.
IMG_4967 by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

 

So I just binged this whole build. Mostly cause I'm taking delivery on an 80 next week, but also cause it's an awesome build !!!

 

Cool. Thanks for checking it out! And good luck on your upcoming 80 build!

 

Your first gen taco was one of my favorite builds, the 80 just seemed to up the game.. oh I'm very excited. Our 80 comes with a few goodies