80 Series Rebuild

[Declan]

So I have this for about 4-5 years and only getting some motivation to start it now

It's a 12 valve manual, diff locks, disk brake rear axle.

As you can see from the pictures below the body has seen better days, got a small smack on the o/f corner, rust under the rear window and some in the n/r sill. Underneath is rust free.

Everything perishable underneath is going to be replaced, bushes, disks & pads etc

Front axle needs a rebuild so going to remove it then strip, sandblast, repaint it and put it all back together.

Silmilar will be done with the rear axle except for the rebuild.

Here's a few pictures anyway so ye get an idea!

 

[clivehorridge]

What's your target Declan, to be smart or will it be used for pay-and-play use?

Most of your battle-scars are fairly superficial by the look of it, the hardest part being the painting after repairs (depending on the quality of the finish you want) and the cost of trim parts, unless you can get them from a salvage yard.

@karl (here) or Garry @80Breaker will likely be of assistance for salvaged parts.

The front axle rebuild will be the most expensive part, depending on what you have to replace, CVs and shafts (if needed) can set you back a bit, always go for genuine Mr. T oil seals. Assuming the front diff is OK, the cost is limited though. The swivel bearings in the knuckles are not unreasonably priced.

 

[Declan]

What's your target Declan, to be smart or will it be used for pay-and-play use?

Most of your battle-scars are fairly superficial by the look of it, the hardest part being the painting after repairs (depending on the quality of the finish you want) and the cost of trim parts, unless you can get them from a salvage yard.

@karl (here) or Garry @80Breaker will likely be of assistance for salvaged parts.

The front axle rebuild will be the most expensive part, depending on what you have to replace, CVs and shafts (if needed) can set you back a bit, always go for genuine Mr. T oil seals. Assuming the front diff is OK, the cost is limited though. The swivel bearings in the knuckles are not unreasonably priced.

It'll hardly ever be off road so just going keep the suspension standard, might look into a poly bush kit though. Have a set of bf Goodrich all terrains ordered along with all seals for front hubs and cv joints. Bearings are good as far as I can see but i might end up ordering them later..

Yeah the body work will set me back a nice chuck but that's a long way away yet! I'll definitely look into getting second hand panels etc

 

[Michael Montgomery]

Sounds like a worth while exciting new project Declan. Wishing you many hours of enjoyable labour & pints of beer

 

[chapel gate]

It'll hardly ever be off road so just going keep the suspension standard, might look into a poly bush kit though. Have a set of bf Goodrich all terrains ordered along with all seals for front hubs and cv joints. Bearings are good as far as I can see but i might end up ordering them later..

Yeah the body work will set me back a nice chuck but that's a long way away yet! I'll definitely look into getting second hand panels etc

gary 80 does reconditioned body panels, professionally restored and primed ready to paint. good as new really.

 

[Declan]

gary 80 does reconditioned body panels, professionally restored and primed ready to paint. good as new really.

I'll look into that thanks!

Here's a pic of my dads 80 that I'm using as a bit of inspiration!

 

[yogi]

Looks like you'll have a bit of work to get it like your fathers!!

Best of luck.

I've a couple of 80s they're a great machine!!

 

[Declan]

So this is how it's sitting at the moment, hate working on the ground but can't have the lift help up for a few weeks or months

Rear axle is out and just had a quick go over it with a wire brush

It should clean up well but will take forever to sand and grind everything, so thinking of investing in a cheap sandblaster?? Anyone ever use or buy one?

Front axle is just about out and should be by the weekend. Disconnecting the abs wires was nearly the hardest part

 

[Declan]

Also got my new tires
Just need to sort the alloys out now!

 

[Declan]

So got the front axle out today and had my first two broken bolts! 4 new shocks are in order now after breaking this one

Broke another bolt on the bottom of the hub but luckily it drilled out handy enough and I had a spare hub to get another bolt from! King pin bearings are pretty bad so going to get 4 new ones along with new wheel bearings while I'm at it.

 

[Garfieldus]

Good going Declan. It'll be worth your while checking that your lockers are working while you have the axles off. Much easier to work on while they're accessible.

 

[Declan]

Good going Declan. It'll be worth your while checking that your lockers are working while you have the axles off. Much easier to work on while they're accessible.

Yeah I'll be doing that at some stage, may read up about them cause I've no idea how they operate!

 

[Declan]

So a long needed update on this!

Haven’t been working on it much due to work but I’ve been collecting a few new parts for it,
So far I have everything rebuild the front axle, seals, bearings, disk & pads, new callipers etc
Ordered all new Whiteline bushes from roughtrax that arrived yesterday along with new track rod ends

 

[Declan]

Sent a few bits off for powder coating as well and pretty happy with how they came out!

This is how the front axle is sitting as of yesterday evening, got all the bits sent up and cleaned! I have a good few days off for Christmas so going to try make progress on it while I can!

 

[Chris]

Not sure how I missed this thread first time around Go Declan. Good (and very familiar) work. That's a really good looking back axle actually.

 

[Ben Stratford]

Looks like a great work facility there Declan, and a good start to the rebuild.
Best of luck

 

[Michael Montgomery]

Always a joy seeing rebuilds and restorations......great job thanks for sharing

 

[clivehorridge]

Good to see you haven’t given up Declan, you won’t regret it!
Press on, 80s are the best!

Merry Christmas BTW

 

[Declan]

Thanks for the comments lads!
Happy Christmas to ye all as well

 

[Declan]

So I got the new swivel bearings in, along with the new inner axle seals, gaskets, cv joints etc.
The diff was put back in too, checked over the diff locker as well and it seemed fine.

Have the new wheel bearings in as well,
What way do ye lads set them up? Seen a few different ways to do it, some say 15pounds for the inner and 45pounds for the outer and just leave it at that?

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