hdj81 cruiser build

[Lchundy]

Decided to sell my fj80 because it was thirsty as and didn't have a straight panel on it.
Ended up buying a 97 hdj81 vx limited with the 1hd-ft
I already have most of the bits I need from my last bus
The to do list:
Fit suspension lift
Rear locker
Exhaust/snorkel
35" silverstones
winch
And I'm going to get exo/sliders/front and rear bars to try and minimize damage
I'm hoping for a good tough bush limo/touring rig that if need be can get me most places which it should as my fj80 did.
Before I start getting to carried away was wanting to get a certifier involved in the build
Any one use and recommend cert guy in aux area?as the guy I now of has retired.

[imsohi]

hey what locker are you using in the rear selectable or mechanical and what experiance have you had with them before? looking at one for my rig, cheers

[Lchundy]

Im using mechanical,lockrite been in my last 80 for 2 years trouble free.
i like them because there fairly cheap and simple with no cables/air/electric activation to go wrong

[imsohi]

yea my thoughts aswel have you ever towed with one will be my only pitfall with them

[Lchundy]

Nah i removed tow bar wasnt a tow wagon

[Lchundy]

Bit of a update
Have sanded back prime and painted shocks and radius arms black
Picked up some extended brake hoses and some hose to extend diff breathers.
So tomorrow plan is to do suspension lift
Today i took all the bumpers and running boards off so can start planning/designing some bar work

[Lchundy]

Only had a spare hour to work on the wagon today so didnt bother doing suspension,gave it a good waterblast underneath so it nice to work on.
Lifted it on hoist to where it gona sit and put the wheels on for poser shot

[Lchundy]

Sorted the front end out today
efs extremes shocks and steering damper
lifted springs
h/d adjustabe panhard
h/d tie rod arms
superior engneering superflex radius arms
extended brake hoses


Got the old suspension out of the back end
Fitted lifted springs and h/d panhard
Just got to put the shocks in and new brake line

[Lchundy]

I finally finished the suspension so my mate could start fab work
Winch mount done

[Mattman]

Beefy looking winch tray. What winch are you going to run?

[Lchundy]

Im running winch off my old truck,runva 11xp does the job till i can afford a better one
My mate likes over engineering stuff,its 8mm steel so it aint gona move much.
Ordered me some new 37" tyres yesterday too should arrive mid week

[Lchundy]

Little update
Have had some security added
Ripped out shitty stock audio and upgraded it,finding front speakers to fit behind factory covers was a bit of a mish
sounds a million times better now
Found boost and egt gauges black faced with green lights that match factory gauges same with the headunit
Was going to mount them on steering column but its blocking to much of the dash
Ive decided to pillar mount them jdm stylez

Mate will be getting some hours in on the bar work this week too

[derk]

is that an old fj40 troop carrier in the background?

[Lchundy]

Haha another 40 fan,sure is
Took my 40 in that day to so it was cruiser central

[Lchundy]

Put new 37s on and flexed it up,just rubbing on back of rear wheel arch
front tyres are rubbing on front of wheel arch when hard lock
Dont really want to start cutting wheel arches up so ill see how 2inch body lift goes

[Lchundy]

Body lift in need bit of a tickle on front wheel arch and the be able to flex it up with no rubage

The 37 look pretty sweet tucked up with factory spec wheel arches
Put the snorkel on today too

[olielux]

Are you planning to change your diff ratios for the 37s

[Lchundy]

Will probably look into it later on but doesn't seem to worry the 24 valve engine much

[lax2wlg]

Tyre Diameter: 37"

1st gear ratio (assuming its the A442 auto and you can get it to lock up in 1st): 2.95:1
Differential gear ratio: 4.10:1
Transfer reduction: 2.488:1

Crawl ratio: 30:1

Need more gear reduction

For a multi-purpose off road vehicle you want to be at 45-60:1 at least.
For a rock crawling machine you want to hit 90:1 at least

[Lchundy]

Cheers for the tech info
Will change diff ratio at a later stage at the moment my budget is accounted for
I have taken it or a bit of a drive in low and its not as bad as your numbers make out
You can talk ideals all day
My last truck was a 80 manual with 35s so had better gearing but seat of the pants this thing feels way better in low

[lax2wlg]

I have taken it or a bit of a drive in low and its not as bad as your numbers make out
You can talk ideals all day

Yes you're right there are a lot of real world factors to take into account also.
The low end torque of the diesel engine for instance will help shitloads.
Good work on the build.

[tomsoffroad]

Good looking truck there dude. Would love me some Treps

As for gearing, when the time comes may I recommend you change the transfer gearing as opposed to the diffs. I chucked some Marks gears in mine and to be honest its the best money I've spent. 57% reduction in low and 8% in high. Im running 37s too with 4.1 diffs and do most of my general 4wding in low 3rd and 4th! Low 1st is stupidly low

[Lchundy]

Will look into transfer gears for sure
Sounds like the go

[wjw]

Only $1000!!:

http://www.marks4wd.com/low-rand-overdr ... k1665.html

I might have to get some next time someone goes over

[Big]

It'll cost more if you do the dif heads..

[wjw]

Just checked freight, <$1000NZD including freight....

[Lchundy]

The one for 80 series doesn't gear down hi ratio which is a bit gay
.transfer gears for older cruisers does.

[Hamz]

This is awesome. I wanna get a 80 now! Lets have some more updates !

[wjw]

The one for 80 series doesn't gear down hi ratio which is a bit gay
.transfer gears for older cruisers does.

With the auto I was going to go to 4.56 diffs, but now I have a manual, not sure I need to do the high ratio as at 100K's I'm already doing 2,200RPM on 35's, has plenty of grunt for scooting round town and I'm generally in 3rd or 4th

But then your tires are 2" bigger

[olielux]

I have 315s on mine and they have affected performance much but as I do a lot of towing, mainly the boat and hay rakes ive been tossing up whether it would be worth it too