I almost bought a land cruiser from him in 2017. Really nice guy and I probably should've bought the cruiser.

ac04 said:

---

my dad added a really nice rack/lights/tent setup to his heritage last week. my kids were impressed. the tent especially is really cool, sleeps 3 adults and its actually comfortable with built in lights and dehumidifier.

i almost spit my drink out when he told me the price tag for the whole setup, but he and my son already have a trip planned this weekend so i think he's going to get his money's worth.

---

Nice, where was their trip?

DAMN! That's awesome paint job!

Is that a custom paint color or Toyota paint code?

FIDO 96 said:

---

Is that a custom paint color or Toyota paint code?

---

It's a Toyota paint, but I don't think it was offered on the 80 series. It is/was offered from Toyota on the 79 series.

Why is there a guy (SNLC) on Mud posting the same pics claiming this is his rig?

That's my guess. The way he (SNLC)posted it made it sound like he owned the rig, but then admitted he was not owner, so I'm guessing he owns a resto shop in Idaho?

vmiaptetr said:

---

SNLC is she shop. TxAg20 has used the shop before. That shop owner's OCD makes his work amazing.

---

This is correct. This is the 2nd Land Cruiser Ian (SNLC owner) is building for me. This one (maroon 80) actually started out owned by another ih8mud poster "jomelo". If you care to go all the way through the ih8mud build thread, I bought it from jomelo around June of '22.

Here is the mud thread on the 1st build Ian did for me:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/1995-full-resto-build.1280394/

Ian took exception when I said I had already seen those pics earlier. I get it now. Sorry if I alleged you were MF Barnes! You have one badass FJ80!

FIDO 96 said:

---

Ian took exception when I said I had already seen those pics earlier. I get it now. Sorry if I alleged you were MF Barnes! You have one badass FJ80!

---

No problem! Ian's online persona can be abrasive.

I'm enjoying your 80 build! I like your wheels with the powder-coated pockets. I'm trying to figure out what to do for wheels on my maroon 80. It had black, powder-coated LX450 wheels when I bought it, but I don't care for the additional grooves in the Lexus wheels. I plan to go back with OEM Toyota 80 wheels like yours, but not sure on color. Did you have to clear the aluminum after you machined the powder-coating off?

Yes, the entire wheel got a clear PC after being machined. I also had my aluminum step plate buffed and PC clear. Someday I'll take this rig a diff direction and will do the off-road bumper, tire carrier, etc. but I'm also looking at turbo as the next iteration. It's my adult Lego set ARs got boring to play with.


I'm not locked, but it's a daily driver. Should I be looking at finding axles and lockers now and put them away for another day or just get over 3X. I will never use them as they are meant to be used. Hard to get stuck on the tollway unless traffic is bad.

My green cruiser did not come 3x locked, but I had SNLC add Eaton electric lockers to the front and rear axles which are actuated through an OEM locker switch. I have used them twice in 18 months, and I don't know that they were truly necessary either time.

The maroon cruiser came 3x locked from the factory and I'll keep those lockers although I think the Eaton lockers may be more durable and reliable.

I wouldn't worry too much about lockers unless you think you'll use them offroad. I added them in my green 80 because it seemed like a good time when the axles and dash were torn apart.

A little extra power goes a long way in the 80 series. I think Magnuson is restarting production of the TRD supercharger for the 1FZ which is probably the most reliable way to additional power. I haven't seen a great turbo solution for the 1FZ yet. The Wits End kit has availability, support, and cooling issues. The factory ECU and fuel injection can't compensate for much additional boost, but I think an intercooled turbo would be the way to go if you want to stay with Toyota power. I brainstorm with Ian once or twice a year about an intercooled turbo setup for the 1FZ. He's willing to do it, but it won't be cheap. The easier, cheaper solution for more power is an LS (gas) or 1HD (diesel) swap.

If you don't off road, lockers aren't essential.

If you do, the performance of lockers is amazing.

If you're going to regear to run larger tires, you might as well add a locker at that time. Majority of the cost is labor.