Please school me on the '95-'97 Fj80s - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

Jay5.9L · 02-26-2008, 10:22 AM

Hello from the Jeep side of the site. I have a built CJ and am leaning toward selling it and buying an 80 to make into a more family friendly wheeler. My plans are to create a reliable, comfortable, capable expedition rig that my family can enjoy. It will have to do some rock crawling since I'm semi close to Moab. I have read the great write up on Slee's site but I wanted some feedback from other owners.

What mods, lift kits, sliders, bumpers do you guys like? How big of a tire can I use until it creates more trouble than they are worth (as in axle breakage, fender trimming, re gearing). Any info would be great!

Thanks,
Jason

CreeperSleeper · 02-26-2008, 10:28 AM

Hey Jason,

Here is enough info on 80s to make you pee yourself: http://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-te...ring-pump.html

HTH!

Jay5.9L · 02-27-2008, 11:15 AM

Thanks, great link!

CreeperSleeper · 02-27-2008, 11:21 AM

NP! Happy hunting...

Jay5.9L · 03-03-2008, 10:43 AM

Here is another question: How do these rigs stand up after a few years of wheeling? Are there any chronic problems? How do all the electricals (window motors, door locks, etc) stand up? Coming from the Jeep world there are always something to fix or something to upgrade and with the new fmaily rig I'd like to avoid that.

ginericfj80 · 03-03-2008, 11:31 AM

Front axle seals, the pesky heater hose, and head gaskets. And there is no pattern to the headgaskets. Mine went at over 235k. Others have them go at 140k. Others never go.

Personally I'd stay at 35" tires. That will get you through Pritchett without a problem. Once you go above 35s you are on an expensive slippery slope. More lift, driveshafts, front control arms, axle and birf upgrades. I'm a big fan of the OME 419 spring in the front with the J in the rear. It provides an even lift of about 4".

Jay5.9L · 03-03-2008, 12:01 PM

That's the info I was looking for

35's are what I was shooting for in terms of a being a big tire but not too big.

I did read about the head gasket. What's the ball park cost of the repair?

ginericfj80 · 03-03-2008, 01:18 PM

I think at a dealer about $1500. Most folks do it themselves. IdahoDoug on Mud actually made a how to DVD of the whole process.

laproscopic · 03-03-2008, 04:12 PM

i beat on mine with 37's, a turbo and stock axles and it did well with no breakages. But Im installing one tons, arb's, 42's and 35 sp chromolies as we speak so ill never know the limits of the stock drivetrain.

Official build post pending

Jay5.9L · 03-13-2008, 12:21 PM

There is a tubo kit?? I have seen the super charger but not the turbo.

NW-sickboy · 03-13-2008, 06:42 PM

slee does offer a turbo for the 80 series but its $$$$$$

buy mine, American fork utah

six inch lift, 37's chromoly shafts and joints, everything you need to have a great family wheeler. I am moving to chicago and going to part ways with what has been a great rig for me....

http://picasaweb.google.com/jiborg/C...ey=fwmAZt86610

Jay5.9L · 03-13-2008, 07:21 PM

Nice rig, how much are you asking and what are the other specs (year, mileage, etc)?

NW-sickboy · 03-13-2008, 08:34 PM

sent pm, didnt want to hijack your thread. If your really interested in having a 80 series wheeler stick with the years your looking at and buy one that is already been built. They seem to show up occasionally.

02-26-2008, 10:22 AM	#1 (permalink)
Jay5.9L Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Member # 51407 Location: Utah Posts: 222	Please school me on the '95-'97 Fj80s Hello from the Jeep side of the site. I have a built CJ and am leaning toward selling it and buying an 80 to make into a more family friendly wheeler. My plans are to create a reliable, comfortable, capable expedition rig that my family can enjoy. It will have to do some rock crawling since I'm semi close to Moab. I have read the great write up on Slee's site but I wanted some feedback from other owners. What mods, lift kits, sliders, bumpers do you guys like? How big of a tire can I use until it creates more trouble than they are worth (as in axle breakage, fender trimming, re gearing). Any info would be great! Thanks, Jason __________________ 1986 CJ-7 with stuff

02-26-2008, 10:28 AM	#2 (permalink)
CreeperSleeper Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Member # 79255 Location: Tualatin, OR Posts: 166	Hey Jason, Here is enough info on 80s to make you pee yourself: http://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-te...ring-pump.html HTH! __________________ '00 LX470 & '73 FJ40 <------ Low post count........ because I know how to use the search function.

02-27-2008, 11:15 AM	#3 (permalink)
Jay5.9L Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Member # 51407 Location: Utah Posts: 222	Thanks, great link! __________________ 1986 CJ-7 with stuff

02-27-2008, 11:21 AM	#4 (permalink)
CreeperSleeper Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Member # 79255 Location: Tualatin, OR Posts: 166	NP! Happy hunting... __________________ '00 LX470 & '73 FJ40 <------ Low post count........ because I know how to use the search function.

03-03-2008, 10:43 AM	#5 (permalink)
Jay5.9L Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Member # 51407 Location: Utah Posts: 222	Here is another question: How do these rigs stand up after a few years of wheeling? Are there any chronic problems? How do all the electricals (window motors, door locks, etc) stand up? Coming from the Jeep world there are always something to fix or something to upgrade and with the new fmaily rig I'd like to avoid that. __________________ 1986 CJ-7 with stuff

03-03-2008, 11:31 AM	#6 (permalink)
ginericfj80 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2001 Member # 5767 Location: IDaho Posts: 1,829	Front axle seals, the pesky heater hose, and head gaskets. And there is no pattern to the headgaskets. Mine went at over 235k. Others have them go at 140k. Others never go. Personally I'd stay at 35" tires. That will get you through Pritchett without a problem. Once you go above 35s you are on an expensive slippery slope. More lift, driveshafts, front control arms, axle and birf upgrades. I'm a big fan of the OME 419 spring in the front with the J in the rear. It provides an even lift of about 4". __________________ Eric V. 99 built UZJ100 FJ68 Project 74 FJ15 www.WildWildWestArt.com

03-03-2008, 12:01 PM	#7 (permalink)
Jay5.9L Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Member # 51407 Location: Utah Posts: 222	That's the info I was looking for 35's are what I was shooting for in terms of a being a big tire but not too big. I did read about the head gasket. What's the ball park cost of the repair? __________________ 1986 CJ-7 with stuff

03-03-2008, 01:18 PM	#8 (permalink)
ginericfj80 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2001 Member # 5767 Location: IDaho Posts: 1,829	I think at a dealer about $1500. Most folks do it themselves. IdahoDoug on Mud actually made a how to DVD of the whole process. __________________ Eric V. 99 built UZJ100 FJ68 Project 74 FJ15 www.WildWildWestArt.com

03-03-2008, 04:12 PM	#9 (permalink)
laproscopic Granite Guru Join Date: Jun 2006 Member # 73963 Location: lemoore cali Posts: 813	i beat on mine with 37's, a turbo and stock axles and it did well with no breakages. But Im installing one tons, arb's, 42's and 35 sp chromolies as we speak so ill never know the limits of the stock drivetrain. Official build post pending __________________ IFS build http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showt...ht=starfighter turbod the Lexus http://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-te...rbo-build.html Tons and 42's on the Lexus http://forum.ih8mud.com/hardcore-cor...j80-build.html

03-13-2008, 12:21 PM	#10 (permalink)
Jay5.9L Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Member # 51407 Location: Utah Posts: 222	There is a tubo kit?? I have seen the super charger but not the turbo. __________________ 1986 CJ-7 with stuff

03-13-2008, 06:42 PM	#11 (permalink)
NW-sickboy Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Member # 15693 Location: Utah Posts: 261	slee does offer a turbo for the 80 series but its $$$$$$ buy mine, American fork utah six inch lift, 37's chromoly shafts and joints, everything you need to have a great family wheeler. I am moving to chicago and going to part ways with what has been a great rig for me.... http://picasaweb.google.com/jiborg/C...ey=fwmAZt86610 __________________ Hey, Napoleon. What did you do last summer again? I told you! I spent it with my uncle in Alaska hunting wolverines! What kind of gun did you use? A freakin' twelve gauge, what do you think?

03-13-2008, 07:21 PM	#12 (permalink)
Jay5.9L Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Member # 51407 Location: Utah Posts: 222	Nice rig, how much are you asking and what are the other specs (year, mileage, etc)? __________________ 1986 CJ-7 with stuff

03-13-2008, 08:34 PM	#13 (permalink)
NW-sickboy Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Member # 15693 Location: Utah Posts: 261	sent pm, didnt want to hijack your thread. If your really interested in having a 80 series wheeler stick with the years your looking at and buy one that is already been built. They seem to show up occasionally. __________________ Hey, Napoleon. What did you do last summer again? I told you! I spent it with my uncle in Alaska hunting wolverines! What kind of gun did you use? A freakin' twelve gauge, what do you think?

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