[AMMO]

Ok, this post is for SEVERAL reasons...

Reason number one: What is the meaning of IH8MUD? Because I can tell you all right now there are 4 owners of 80's who all after today's outing all HATE mud with a passion. And why you may ask, well it goes deeper then just the pain in the a$$ of cleaning it off later, deeper then it will rot out my body, deeper then, well you get the point. Leads me to reason number 2

Reason number two: After a big upset and having the Miller/Lockwood gate trail closed minutes before we got to the trail head today, we decide to make a go of some fun in the Gorman ORV Park north of LA. Members of the board include Sliver cruiser, Biff, myself AMMO one other FJ80 driven by Brian and two other cruiser heads, sorry don't know there screen names. Anyhow, we found our self’s in the mud. Forgot to mention the reason the trails were closer was SNOW, lower elevations, was rain witch = mud. After we all played in the MUD, like clock work we ALL started to over heat. Me first, then Silver, then Brian, then later down the road (on the side of the 5) was BIFF. WE all tried our best to flush the RAD's w/ water to clean the mud from clogging our cooling.

Question number one: Has this happened to you? If so what did you do to prevent it? And don't say STAY OUT THE MUD... or tarp the front. That’s too easy.

Question number two: What have you done to prevent electrical issues, because after a very long ride home w/ several pulling over and cooling off breaks we did find a power washer car wash. Witch lead to, can anyone guess??? WET..... DISTRUBITORS... yes yes that's right a whole other issue is caused now, you have to heat the engine up to dry the engine off but you’re trying to keep it cool at the same time... FUN middle finger smiley right here... Several... What can be done to prep the dist, and other electrics in the future? Besides WD40.

I guess what I’m looking for is solutions that people have done to cruisers where these harsh elements or river crossings can't be avoided and are driven trough time and time again.

Thanks you all in advance I know four people who will be very happy to hear some suggestions.

-A

[Romer]

I don't know about the mud, but when I want to hose the engine down at the carwash, I put a towel over the distributor and do my best to keep it dry. This was of course based on washing the engine in my youth and not being able to start it again. The towel trick has worked for me, just don't spray the towel directly.

[Biff]

I feel for you buddy. As soon as I got home I power washed my 80, covered the distributer with a plastic bag, seemed to do the trick. Now all I have to do is replace the fan clutch that I f'd up. :(

[AMMO]

Victor,

Glad to hear you made it home ok, I wondered about you as we peeled off to the 405 and you kept heading south on the 5... Like a fighter jet breaking away from the formation on his own...

-Matt

[Biff]

Originally Posted by AMMO

Victor,

Glad to hear you made it home ok, I wondered about you as we peeled off to the 405 and you kept heading south on the 5... Like a fighter jet breaking away from the formation on his own...

-Matt

Had to break rank, figured I would continue hobbling along on my own. All and all the trip was worth while, the overheating was just part of the experience. Now I just have to figured out how to install a new fan clutch assembly:(

[PKP80]

As part of Silver's "pit crew" riding shotgun, there were many interesting and creative ways of cooling we all discovered including but not limited to the use of any and all drinking water and the drainage water that collects on the side of the freeway transported via a Mcdonalds cup found along the side of the road to the vehicles. I didn't take my 80 up call it fate although my heart was with my 80 brothers the whole way as were my hands and articles of clothing that were being used to clean the MUD, but I will hopefully be taking it up come the 12th pending the fact that the trails will be open. I was also a lucky winner in having the pleasure of a topless and doorless with Rogersfj40 in the 38 degree weather. I had an amazing time and I must appreciate the unity and camaraderie that was amounst us all....Let the good times roll (out of the mud with dry distributors and no radiator problems).

And all the things Ammo mentioned, there has to be a better way than NO MUD, or Covering, Right?

-SAm-

[FirstToy]

Matt & all, sorry to hear about the little snafu. The rest of the trip sounds good.

I think washing out the radiator after you play in the mud is the only solution? That or blocking off. Doesn't seem to be much else to do...

I guess you guys are lucky it was cold out, if it was 100 and sunny it wouldn't of helped matters.

[lx450landcruiser]

i played in the mud once had bad distributor probs. the deal is toyota sealed the distributor really well from the factory. So well that moisture condensed in it and would casue problems. so they drilled a hole in it to let it breath. You can see the hole from the outside. the prob with this was its a semi big hole and its located at a low point so the area around it creats a funnel. Since i live in AZ and dont have to worrie about moisture i sealed it shut with silicon. i have heard that you can find a snall o ring and fit it in there to help make it smaller and that works also.

[YngTLCOwner]

Biff,
Sorry to hear you guys had those problems today. When you get to fixing the Fan Clutch let me know and I will come over and help however I can. I could not get out today since I did not have my truck, but hopefully on the next trip will make it out w/ you guys.

Steve

[timbercruiser]

On the FJ 40 dizz, there is a vent line that lets it breathe while keeping water out.

As for the rad, go to the garden section of your favorite store, and get a pump up pressure sprayer (the kind for spraying the flower garden) and use that to clean off the rad. Maybe also try spraying Pam on the rad to help the mud slide off.(?)

[e9999]

what happens coolingwise when you cover up the rad with cardboard? all OK?
E

[Brentbba]

Sounds like I may have made a good decision after looking at the weather Sat. evening. I don't like to mix snow with stupid California drivers. Most of them don't even know how to slow down on rain slick freeways, much less deal with snow. It's a wonder that CalTrans closes highways, etc. with an inch or less of snow!

Stayed nice and cozy warm in bed.

Maybe next time Silvercruiser and all.

[alia176]

Brent,

I hate to say this, but in the Midwest, snow/rain conditions has the same effect on drivers! Everytime it rains/snows here, the stupid factor increase exponentially here as well! Mind you that these folks *should* be used to the conditions but alas, they aren't!

Ali

[Brentbba]

Originally Posted by alia176

Brent,

I hate to say this, but in the Midwest, snow/rain conditions has the same effect on drivers! Everytime it rains/snows here, the stupid factory increase exponentially here as well! Mind you that these folks *should* be used to the conditions but alas, they aren't!

Ali

That's were I grew up, but did quite a bit of driving in the Colorado mountains as well. Stupid factor is exponential out here by comparison. I've been out here 22 years and still laugh at the news reports of mountain closures, etc. with no more than 1-2 inches of snow.

[NorCalDoug]

Originally Posted by AMMO

...
Question number one: Has this happened to you? If so what did you do to prevent it? And don't say STAY OUT THE MUD... or tarp the front. That’s too easy.
...

Stay out of the mud

...well...that's what I do whenever possible...

[clownmidget]

Matt,
I posted on the Trail Rides section but this thread is what I was talking about
(Water Crossings downtown...)
Mike

[Big_Moose]

Sorry to here the troubles, almost went on the trip - but knew MJT would be closed.

First - Mud just sucks

Regarding the cooling issues - first, did any of you experience any tranny overheating? If not then your overheating was not really from the engine working in the mud / trying to get through / out. If you have a lot of mud built-up into the radiator, this could cause some of the overheating issues, but should of subsided while cruising on the freeway. When hosing out the radiator cooling fins, and minimal mud comes out, then it is probably time for a new rad. You really shouldn't of built up to much mud in the rad, unless you burried your axles or flew into the mud too fast, etc.

Next I would suggest that you inspect the top of the radiator for the dreaded sludge, and if you find some - replace with a new radiator from CDan [his dogs need to be fed for their winter coats], along with a new fan clutch, since you are at this point in the radiator replacement. A new thermostat couldn't hurt either.

Second, they close lockwood / miller h**p trail at the first sign of snow! You were close enough to run the trails to the north (cherry - can't remember the exact name, etc) of miller - other side of the paved road, or to the east - Rowher flats. I wouldn't be suprised if our club, Los Angeles County Cruisers runs either rowher or cherry trails this weekend to play in the snow! Cherry trail is easy, but it is down hill in the snow, and the fun is getting back up the hill!!

When powerwashing, wrap the distributor in plastic and clean the engine bay except the immediate area around the distributor, and you should be good to go

I might be up for a snow run this weekend, especially if I can find some rims! Anyone know where to get 16x10 w/3.5 / 4.0 backspacing? I just had the Truxus tires removed / replaced with the AT's for mileage on trips during the holidays.

Joe

[ShottsUZJ100]

I'm really puzzled by this thread. We finally have some muddy conditions in AZ and we burried the 100 yesterday through the Santa Cruz River and in many other mud holes. It took both lockers at many times to get me free. I have so much mud even in the engine compartment that everything sounds LOUD and unlubricated. (I need to clean it still but it's raining today.) We drove an hour home, temp fine, all OK except for wheel wobble from the mud in the inside of the rims. YUCK!

I've never mudded my 80. Is this overheating stuff a problem with the 80's? It sure isn't with the 100's? I'm concerned now. I was going to take the 80 out late today and thrash it. Now, I'm not.

[PKP80]

Originally Posted by Big_Moose

Sorry to here the troubles, almost went on the trip - but knew MJT would be closed.

First - Mud just sucks

Regarding the cooling issues - first, did any of you experience any tranny overheating? If not then your overheating was not really from the engine working in the mud / trying to get through / out. If you have a lot of mud built-up into the radiator, this could cause some of the overheating issues, but should of subsided while cruising on the freeway. When hosing out the radiator cooling fins, and minimal mud comes out, then it is probably time for a new rad. You really shouldn't of built up to much mud in the rad, unless you burried your axles or flew into the mud too fast, etc.

Next I would suggest that you inspect the top of the radiator for the dreaded sludge, and if you find some - replace with a new radiator from CDan [his dogs need to be fed for their winter coats], along with a new fan clutch, since you are at this point in the radiator replacement. A new thermostat couldn't hurt either.

Second, they close lockwood / miller h**p trail at the first sign of snow! You were close enough to run the trails to the north (cherry - can't remember the exact name, etc) of miller - other side of the paved road, or to the east - Rowher flats. I wouldn't be suprised if our club, Los Angeles County Cruisers runs either rowher or cherry trails this weekend to play in the snow! Cherry trail is easy, but it is down hill in the snow, and the fun is getting back up the hill!!

When powerwashing, wrap the distributor in plastic and clean the engine bay except the immediate area around the distributor, and you should be good to go

I might be up for a snow run this weekend, especially if I can find some rims! Anyone know where to get 16x10 w/3.5 / 4.0 backspacing? I just had the Truxus tires removed / replaced with the AT's for mileage on trips during the holidays.

Joe

Big Moose,
We are planning on going up again this Sunday the 12th...check out the trails and events thread "Gorman Dec. 12th." Hope to see you out there.

-Sam-

[AMMO]

Originally Posted by NorCalDoug

Stay out of the mud

...well...that's what I do whenever possible...

Ya thanks for the help.. All in good fun.