Recent content by Brian Maenpaa

Cool little truck. Looks good in Kirmit-the-truck green. I recently mashed up one of my fenders on the trail. Bedliner as paint really simplifies the restoration process. Just pull the dents, fill and sand and re-spray with raptor. And even though the earth smashed in the panels, the raptor...

Thanks for the referral...Happy Trails

You might be right. I bought the 2" Front (+220 lb) and rear 3" Rear (+440 lb) OME spring to compensate for load and bumpers, so the ride is a little firm and jangling. That's why I was surprised that the overall results on impact is bouncy. Even when sitting in the driveway. I jump up and down...

That's a sweet setup. Yeah, I was surprised as they were well reviewed. I have OME 2" in the front and 3" in the back on 34s. I also went with Icon 2.0 shocks and I'm not at all happy with them. They don't dampen well at all. They seem sturdy and I liked that they could be re-built, but the...

I just did. It's too short and their support says I may need to modify my truck? Here's an idea. Don't sell it as compatible with my truck in the first place! Back to the OEM for me...

Great meeting you Waylon! Good luck on your project rig. Let me know if I can be of assistance.

I'm sorry guys. No disrespect intended. I appreciate the advice. I've had this truck for 25 years. It's been rolled over and beaten like a rented mule and has never let me down. My wife promises me a viking burial in it... Happy Trails!

I long ago pulled out the mounting brackets and seat belts as part of my overlander conversions. I would never sell my Landcruiser. I just spent $15k on the engine rebuild alone. Wayway. It looks like you're local. They're yours if you can pick them up.

These were used once. They have since been stored in super-heavy plastic bags for years, and other than the fact that the seat belt latches have left what are probably permanent indentations, they are impeccable. I'm located in San Francisco and would give them to a good home, free for pickup...

Final Post: I installed sway bar drop shackles in the rear and a panrod drop bracket from Delta https://www.deltavs.com/all-products/fj-fzj80-lx450-panhard-lift-bracket Tracking is a lot better now. No more rear steer! There was still some vibration up front after I installed the control arms...

A final note. I just came back from a trip up a river bed and a lot of brush marks. I found a light circular buffing with a green Scotch pad, followed by a similar motion using those plastic pot scrubbers completely erased the marks. Awesome. Very happy with the Raptor. Happy Trails Backaroos!

Replacing the rear upper control arms with adjustable ones completely resolved this. I installed MetalTech 4x4 adjustable and made them 3/8" shorter than factory. I had to remove the locknut to get this done, as they only permitted 3/16" adjustment with it on.

I appreciate you spending the time to help. I'll update after the control arms are installed. Fingers crossed.

I'm grateful for your help, but that's simply not true. I have driven without the front and back impellers on numerous occasion over the years. Further research revels that this is likely related to the rear castor and resolved with adjustable upper control arms.

Thanks Matt, I don't. It's a '96 so the CDL is engaged when placed in Low. Regardless, I'll try isolating the issue by removing the front shaft as you suggest. Easy enough.