NorthwestCruiser's linked 80 series crawler slammed on 4d's and BS

Yeah I'm bummed on selling it too but hopefully it goes to a good home.

Once the taco sells it'll be full force on this thing!

 

Subd! I love LC builds. Trying to convince my brother to start building his up

 

Welcome to the club haha, everyone's getting an 80 now

 

That is one strange looking Volvo.

Must be one of those eastern European models.

Nonetheless, I'm excited to see how the project goes!

 

Cause they are awesome!! I've been driving it for just over a day and already in love with it.

 

Ripped out the rear seats since I'll never use them. Still have my drawers from when I had the canopy on my taco and what do you know, they fit like a glove. Just have to trim the side pieces and add a slide for the cooler.

 

Sounds like a solid plan!

Going to have Torfab do the install?

 

No I don't think they do that big of fabrication. Going to have the same guy Andrew had his done do it. Now that they've worked out all the kinks on his truck haha

 

Wasnt sure if they would or not. I know thye have done a few big projects on FJ40's but that was more on stock stuff

 

Yeah I think they do more restoration stuff. I took this one there for a buyer inspection though, really cool guys

 

Just out of curiosity, what's your strategy behind swapping the Taco out for this baby? 80's are awesome rigs(!) and I'd love to have one but high mileage, less-powerful motor, wide, heavy...

I know you wanted a solid front axle rig... but why not just SAS/40's the Taco? Unless you were just tired of the platform and ready for change.

 

In!

 

Thats all I know them through...the restoration side

Wouldnt call the motor "less-powerful". Its ~20-30hp less but has a bit more torque. Plus the torque curve on the 1FZ-FE is a bit better so you get better torque at lower rpms. Just different is a better way to describe it

 

SAS is expensive. 80s come with really good axles. Brian would have had to buy axles if he wanted to SAS the Tacoma.

Just for an idea of price, to have done a SAS with one tons, 40s and links front and rear would be around 20K to 30K in just PARTS. And that's before you factor in the cost of paying a fabricator to do the work, all the steel said fabricator would need, as well all the misc cost that you'd need to do while getting the SAS. He'd also only make a couple grand off selling parts of his Tacoma.

When all is said an done, you're looking at a $50,000 investment. Sure, to some it worth it, but if you want to not spend a fortune, then getting a vehicle with solid axles front and rear is saving you a ton of money already.

 

Given my experience with straight-6's, I imagine the torque curve is pretty amazing. I was strictly going off of numbers. According to the wiki, the 1GR (on 91 octane) is good for 239/278, versus 212/275 for the 1FZ. Either way, both are solid engines, just from different generations with different technology.

 

I totally understand the cost aspect. I was just talking about SAS'ing the Taco, not turning it into a KOTH rig. Unless you're picking the most expensive parts possible, gold plating them and finding the most expensive fabricator, it wouldn't cost $50k to put a solid axle under the Taco.

80's axles are pretty good, but from what I've seen/heard (of course depending on driving style as well) going over 38's on them can create durability issues. I mean, if we're really going all out, why not just go to a 60/14 combo?

 

In

 

Couldn't have said it better, Cory.

There are ways to cut costs but you know me, if im going to do something im not going to cheap out. To do it the way I believe is "proper" is to link front and rear, and new axles (or completely refurbished dana 60's). Others believe leaf springs is okay, but to each their own. So yes it would end up costing at least $20k in parts, then another $10-$15k at least in labor/fabrication for the way i'd do it.

The 80 series is a much better platform for me. Perfect wheel base (once I stretch it 2 inches), its actually made to be wheeled since everything is tucked up much higher than the frame so skid plates aren't needed. Comes with a full float 9.5 (1 ton) rear axle and high pinion front. Most importantly its already solid axle, from the factory.

Of course the larger the tire size the more risk of breaking things but these axles are very easy to build up to withstand it. Chromo shafts/birfields up front, hellfire knuckles and 1 ton steering makes the HP 8" front incredibly strong. If you just use skinny pedal you can break any axle. Hell a east coast guy broke a ring and pinion on 33's in the stock 8" taco diff and i've been perfectly fine with 35's on. Its all driving style/experience.

 

I literally was typing this out. vvvvv

But cost wise is still nothing compared to a KoH rig. It's still 50K for a SAS done right. I mean you could go to Trail Gear and get a SAS dont for $5K, but then you literally have the crappiest SAS out there. Good parts mean money, fabricators who know what they're doing mean money. I'm good friends with plenty of people in the industry who know what they're doing and will say the same thing I said.

If you really want to understand what I mean, go and set up a spread sheet and go put every part you'd need to do a SAS with link front and rear. And I mean everything. Not just the big, you know you need this part, but even put in washers, nuts, shims, etc. You'll be surprised that even picking some of the more cost affordable will end up racking up the cost fast.

 

The KoH was just a facetious remark. I understand the costs and am very familiar with the process, but regardless, I was simply asking Brian the purpose behind his switch. Just an honest, curious question; no need to bust out spreadsheets and argue a cost/benefit analysis.

Again, super excited to see the build!