Recent content by corax

Several years ago I swapped a 1UZ into my '88 'runner. I couple years of spirited driving and I grenaded my 8" e-locker axle. So I built a 35 spline Ford 9" with Explorer rear discs and a drum-in-hat parking brake. That parking brake never did work very well. It would kinda, sorta hold the...

Second paragraph had me suspecting a throttle body issue, though that usually sets a DTC when the electronic throttle glitches. Third paragraph is really odd. If the clutches were slipping or not fully applying, you'd get an RPM flare. I can't think of any reason, or way, for the engine to...

All mounted and ready to go back together. Break in is supposed to last 500 miles, so I'll be driving it real easy for awhile. Initial impressions though are good.

After only 30k miles and 5.5 years (of admittedly hard use), the Spec Stage 2+ clutch started slipping on the second day of the Oregon Trail Rally. I could only give it less than 1/2 throttle or it would start to let loose. Luckily, I was able to limp it the 100 or so highway miles home at a...

Final product all painted and installed. That's 1/4" plate against the engine to reduce warp from welding and stay flat & 1/4" plate where it bolts to the stock mount on the frame for the same reason. All the rest of the plate is 1/8" and gusseted. Note the slight notch I had to make to clear...

Is the hub locked on the other side as well? If both front hubs aren't locked, what you describe will happen

4 1/2 years ago, I used 22RE rubber mounts (since they're very common and were in use for decades) on my own brackets. After about 6 months, they relaxed enough to let the oil pan contact the steering relay rod (center link), so I built a new oil pan to clear that (it was already close when I...

someone asked in a private message about the Ford 9" I built - how it's holding up 2 years later and if I'd do anything different - so I thought I'd share the reply The Ford 9 is still doing great. 35 spline is the way to go, enough beef without being overkill (almost as strong as a Dana60 but...

saving rally cars, 1 at a time at the Oregon Trail Rally (yes, that's a Domino's Pizza sign bolted to the roof of the car, and yes, it lights up 😂) This one went wide on a turn and up an embankment before dropping into a ditch, registering a high G impact with the Rally Safe tracker. In the...

That's part of the reason why I went from a 3" thick 3 core to a 2.5" thick 2 core radiator, though the new radiator does have more surface area than the old one which is a step up anyway (294 sq in on the Griffin vs. 370 sq in on the new Champion). The slightly thinner radiator allowed me to...

also got the new radiator fan on. Decided to go with a Maradyne M166k. <- click link for specs and dimensions I really wanted to use one of the Derale HO Single fans because they're 2 speed and rated well, but just couldn't find the space. It has a slightly less powerful 160W motor than their...

for anyone chasing every fraction of an inch at the front of the engine to fit a better electric fan . . . 3UZ (SC430 specifically) fan bracket on the top, original JDM 1UZ VVTi bracket on the bottom original JDM 1UZ VVTi fan bracket with bolt-on pulley 3UZ fan bracket with pressed on pulley

chasing rally cars in The Gorge again at the Oregon Trail Rally a week and a half ago

V6 chaindrive cross member is swept forward more than the 4 cyl gear drive cross member. Mounting holes are in the same location for both V6 and 4 cyl

Yep. It's just butyl holding it in and relatively easy to cut off of the topper (I had them out last year when I installed new sliding window weatherstrips)