Builds Penelope Cruiser (1 Viewer)

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

The Phoenician

**** your sensitivity!
SILVER Star
Joined
Jul 27, 2011
Threads
54
Messages
5,055
Location
On the X
Website
forum.ih8mud.com
Long time 62 series owner, but recent 40 series owner. I've been wanting one for nearly a decade, but my other cars needed upgrades and life happens, so it took longer than I thought it would.

I saw this beauty while getting some mods done on my tacoma. It has 44 inch tires, a GM 350 engine, 60 series axles, an NV4500 and an Orion transfer case.
20220106_140612.jpg
20220107_153005.jpg

When we off loaded it, we realized that it was way too wide to fit in the backyard.
20220107_162920.jpg

So we had to change out the 44in tires with 37s off an H1 Hummer
20220107_163206.jpg


It looks so much weaker now. But I plan on installing 40 inch Yokohamas once they are in stock.
20220107_165539.jpg

Penelope and Big Red. 4BT compound diesel vs GM 350.
20220110_155000.jpg
20220110_155546.jpg


The first order of business was to get the bezel on the correct way.
20220116_101952.jpg

Second order of business was to replace the fuel tank which has some rust in it.
20220116_102519.jpg

I wanted a all black fuel tank, but they didn't have them in 20 gallons, so I got what was functional, not what looked good.
20220116_113132.jpg


Ordered a bunch more parts, but the build will be slow, I'm currently in quarantine and will be deploying in a few months.
 
Last edited:
Tire size for comparison. I think 40 inch will be a good compromise.
20220110_154224.jpg
20220110_153536.jpg
20220110_114712.jpg

Received my 17in aluminum beadlock wheels. Just waiting on tires at this point.
IMG-20220120-WA0030.jpg
IMG-20220120-WA0032.jpg
 
Got it running. Replaced the hoses and fuel filter.
This thing runs like a beast now.
20220129_135438.jpg
20220129_133506.jpg
20220129_133456.jpg
 
LMAO, so that was you on Reddit.....

Nice.
 
The 16-17 year old kid in me would have a real hard time letting those 44" boggers out of my life even though ih8mud! Looks like a neat truck.
 
The 16-17 year old kid in me would have a real hard time letting those 44" boggers out of my life even though ih8mud! Looks like a neat truck.
I thought really hard on it and it comes down to being functional. The issue with those 44 inch tires is they hit the leaf springs when you barely turn. Otherwise I'm all about them
 
Took it for a spin today. Did great on the highway and on country roads. The engine doesn't overheat and it has plenty of power to push it along, even in 5th gear. The wife even commented that she wants to take Penelope to Colorado instead of our 62 or our tacoma the next time we do Solid Axle Summit.
I also found the best cheapest sound system is to just get a bluetooth speaker.
20220130_141900.jpg
20220130_152812.jpg
20220130_152924.jpg
20220130_153607.jpg
20220130_153813.jpg
20220130_153834.jpg
 
Small update time. I'm having a hell of a time finding 40 inch tires in the time frame I need to make it to round up. So i guess I'll be going there in some old 37s that used to go on the 62.

I got the winch installed. Only dropped it on my foot once.
123_1(11).jpeg
123_1(12).jpeg


Needed a small plate welded to have the control unit sit, so took it to land cruiser specialist in Austin. They do great work.

The rear is super flexy, here's a pic of it with and without the rear axle strapped.
123_1(13).jpeg
123_1(14).jpeg
 
Got stuck in traffic behind my wife.
20220306_140406.jpg
20220306_141756.jpg


This was my cheap solution to a sound system. Works great! Looking forward to round up next week!!!
20220306_143842.jpg
 
Decided to use different shoes on Penelope. These are lighter than the steel hummer tires and wheels and they are wider. I also started to install off road lights but haven't finished wiring them because it's so cold out. Hopefully I'll get to it tomorrow or sometime this weekend. I'm not yet sure how i feel about the look of the lights, but i guess as long as they are functional.
20220311_132220.jpg
20220311_133118.jpg
20220311_140237.jpg
20220311_150001.jpg
20220311_150449.jpg
20220311_171238.jpg
20220311_172254.jpg
 
Wired up the lights. They are super bright, can't complain for the price.
20220312_191130.jpg
20220312_191141.jpg


I also installed my tow hitch and the bbq grill. Getting really excited for round up.
20220312_172613.jpg
20220312_172617.jpg
20220312_181619.jpg
20220312_181623.jpg
20220312_181908.jpg
20220312_181912.jpg


I do have a tiny air leak from one of my tires. Hoping to get it addressed on Monday. I just need these tires to hold up to get me back from round up, then i can look to replace them after i return from deployment.
20220312_141233.jpg


20220312_172613.jpg
 
Got some insurance welds on and recharged the shocks. It sits a bit higher now and rides much smoother.
20220314_142051(0).jpg
20220314_144114.jpg
20220314_144042.jpg
20220314_145319.jpg
20220314_145446.jpg
20220314_165216.jpg
20220314_165224.jpg
20220314_165816.jpg
20220314_165820.jpg


The tire seems to be fixed. Had to clean the bead and put fix a flat. Held 40psi overnight and I drove it doing 75mph. Didn't realize this rig could go that fast.
 
Last edited:
I replaced the fuel pump with a high pressure pump today. The old one got clogged up at Round Up and the parts store only had a low 6psi pump on hand. It was not enough to keep Penelope running right, but was adequate enough to crawl on rocks.
20220323_194416.jpg
Screenshot_20220323-194355_Speedometer (Pro).jpg


After installing the new correct 60psi pump. The engine came alive like never before. I was able to get it to 74mph in no time and could have gone faster had it not been for traffic. However, there is some black residue in the brand new fuel filter. It's a brand new tank with brand new fuel lines, any idea what could be causing this?
 
I'm also picking this beauty up Friday. I saw it wheel last year and was impressed. I'm going to build it for my 13 year old and give it to him once he's legally allowed to drive.
IMG_0119(1).jpg

It's a 1985 4x4 pickup with a factory solid axle.
 
I'm also picking this beauty up Friday. I saw it wheel last year and was impressed. I'm going to build it for my 13 year old and give it to him once he's legally allowed to drive. View attachment 2961203
It's a 1985 4x4 pickup with a factory solid axle.
Very nice. Don’t let him ever sell it.
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top Bottom