FZJ-80 build (input appreciated)

Flipper

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 21, 2005
Location
Raleigh, NC
I have a new to me 1994 FZJ-80. It seems to be a really solid truck with some good potential. My last rig was a 93 4runner, sas'd, 38's, etc. I don't really do enough wheeling to justify that level of build anymore. I don't need to be tellico-ready anymore, just UNF ready and still be able to drive two hours on I40 to carolina beach to camp out. My plans of now are:

J series OME springs (approx 3.5" lift), adjustable upper control arms for the rear and caster bushings for the front.
I want to run a 315/75/16 tire, probably in the MTR, geolander MT, baja claw type.
I'll most likely go with a rear aussie locker and leave the front open till I can swing a selectable type (it being full time 4wd and all).

I'm going to build my own bumpers this time, just get a 3/16" sheet and weld on it till I get it right (including a spare mount on the back. I already have an M8000 winch.

I'm not extremely familiar with the cruiser axles. I am familiar w/ minitruck 8" stuff, though. I hear things like fine and coarse spline axles, what is all this about?

The front I know is a high pinion and is similar to a V6 style minitruck 3rd member (same carrier, right?)

Any suggestions or comments are welcome.
 
imo, an m8000 is a little light duty for that pig. probably be okay for your intended use though.

why not just do e locker's f/r if it's going to see alot of pavement?

i'm not real familiar with the fj80 axles either, but i'm pretty sure the course/spline deal is a thing of older fj's.

hit up WolpackTLC (jason). he's got a well built and well used 80 that still sees alot of street/highway miles and has gone through a few stages. i'm sure he can give you a good idea of what works and what doesn't.
 
course spline stuff was only in the older FJ40 stuff. front high-pinion is similar to V-6. Uses the same bearings. the carrier is only a single cross pin design, much like the standard 4cly third thought. The v-6 rear uses a 4 pin cross style. (similar to a 14 bolt)

I agree on the winch being a little small...that what i run on the yota truggy...and it binds up pretty good at time.

with that size tire...you should be good with stock axles shafts throught-out...the fj80 birfs are bigger than standard toy birfs.

good luck....crusiers are money pits.

Seth
 
I'd like to do elockers f/r, but people are very proud of them. junkyards have them at $1000 an end, and the few sets I've seen for sale have been $2500 a pair. I can't see paying that when I can buy a set of rebuild 1 tons for the same price. An aussie is $250, and I can put it in myself. I don't mind the on road quirks of an autolocker
 
The deals on e-lockers are out there, just be patient...

Your plan sounds good, except the M8k.. it's great winch, but your rig weighs ALOT... As long as you don't get too stuck, you'll be OK though.
 
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