Thanks! The bypass has been great. I wasn't too impressed with the hoses/hardware provided with the kit so I sourced others, but it may have improved since I bought mine. I probably don't put enough miles on the cruiser these days to take full advantage of it the bypass, but it's great when used...
It's hard to believe it's been over 10 years since kicking off this project. The cruiser is still going strong and, believe it or not, there's actually been some progress in the build so I though I'd update the thread with some of the recent modifications since my last proper update back in...
Shamefully, I haven't been wheeling yet since moving out here. I have been working on it some, but mostly just maintenance. Before driving it out here, I had the front and rear axles rebuilt and upgraded the front brakes with 4Runner calipers. The brake upgrade was a huge improvement, but it has...
They're ok for the price, but I wouldn't buy them for that reason only. I got them for the value and the convenience of the direct bolt-in because my original driver's seat was so worn out. For those reasons, they're great. I haven't spent enough time in an 80 to really compare, but they're more...
I averaged about 19mpg at around 65mph with the 4.11's. I was driving against gusting headwinds up to 70mph across Iowa and Nebraska, which was enough to blow my bike off the roof once. I got about about 17mpg on those days...
Thanks for the kind words, everyone. I don't have many updates to offer, really. I returned to the states last fall after living overseas for over 4 years so I haven't yet finished kitting it out as planned. But, it has resumed its role as my daily driver, and recently took me across the country...
Thanks fraglerock!
I don't think so, at least not in the near future. If I did go this route however, doing a complete 80 series chassis conversion would be the more economical approach versus converting the 60 series frame as planned originally, and would probably yield better results for a...
The frame and body on the original brown HJ60 were shot, but the interior and powertrain were good. The silver donor FJ60 was for the body and I happened to have a 62 frame lying around. The easiest was would have been to just swap the interior and powertrain to the FJ60, but I had pulled the...
ProCar 1100 Seats
I finally broke down and replace my tattered front seats with a pair of tan ProCars 1100's. For the price and ease of install, these can't be beat. I am really happy with them.
GTurbo Upgrade
I bought and installed a GTurbo from Graeme (gbentink). It was a direct swap for the CT26 I had in there and provides better low-end response. I describe the install and results in Graeme's GTurbo user thread starting here with a few follow-ups in later posts. Initial results on...
Overdue update
I was home over the summer and it was another bittersweet reunion with the cruiser. Right off the bat the starter died. My dad had been driving it once a week throughout the winter/spring, the last time being a week before I got home. But of course the first time I tried to start...
Thanks guys, I've actually got a few updates to post from my trip home this past summer. Unfortunately, it's back in hibernation for the winter though...
Home leave...
I was back in the states again briefly over the holidays on some home leave. It was great to be behind the wheel of the cruiser again and it ran flawlessly. Having the family drive it every once and a while seems to have paid off, though it's coming months that will be the real...
until tomorrow... :doh:
I was actually down on Lake Norman for the 4th (and a Bachelor Party). Wish I would have made it down to the upstate timing was too tight this trip.
A quick PSA: Drive your Cruisers people!
I just just got back for a quick visit home and pulled the cruiser out after sitting for 6 months (longer than I had anticipated). The calipers were frozen, the starter was stuck and I sheared a bolt pulling the starter out.
Ugh.
I finally got it...
Well it's May and I won't be home this month after all... *Sigh* The cruiser will remain in hibernation until July which is when I will be home next, maybe for good, maybe not. Funny how a 1-2 month evaluation can become a 11(+?) month consultancy... But, I suppose the silver lining is all this...