Builds 1983 Cruiser Story
- Thread starter Ian Crawford
- Start date
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- Thread starter
- #82
Thanks!
I've actually got new wheels for it (perfect stock ones) with new BFG A/T KO2s but I want to get the steering components rebuilt and a good alignment before I mount them!
I've actually got new wheels for it (perfect stock ones) with new BFG A/T KO2s but I want to get the steering components rebuilt and a good alignment before I mount them!
Looks like a great truck! What did you use to clean the seats to get the smell and old dirt out? Good luck with it!After lots of vacuuming, scrubbing, soaking, scrubbing, drying, vacuuming, etc. The interior is finally going back in! I couldn't stomach the price for new carpet and the seats are in decent shape so she's going back with all of the '83 vintage and wear. Just not as stinky.
I got a good 3 hours in after work yesterday with no distractions.
Finally all buttoned up just after dark!
BONUS: The new wheels/tires came yesterday!
They'll just get to sit in the garage for now...
Need to get the gas tank dropped off to the shop that's going to restore it and spend some quality time with a cup brush and paint in its home. Hopefully this weekend!
- Thread starter
- #84
I pulled everything, I think most of the smell was actually in mouse droppings and urine in and under the carpet.
I pulled every piece of carpet and the seats out, I scrubbed the seats with upholstery cleaner and hosed the carpet and scrubbed it with a nylon brush and dish soap.
Pulled the glove box compartment out and vacuumed and scrubbed everything I could behind with simple green.
Once I felt like I had most of the stench out I bought this Auto Shocker and it worked wonders!
Auto Shocker™ ClO2 Odor Eliminator Quick Release
- Thread starter
- #85
Took the 83 on it's first road trip yesterday to Lexington (about 1 hour east) to pick up a new foster lab (mix) with option to adopt and keep!! Made the round trip of 150 miles without missing a beat and Gertie (Gertrude) loved every minute!
Cruising along at 60 mph in the slow lane.
Now that the first road trip is out of the way it's time for Lola, Gertie and I to fix the A/C, have the weak alternator rebuilt and finally fix the leaky power steering pump! Should have that power steering knocked out by the end of next week thanks to Georg at Valley Hybrids/Cruiser Bros (@orangefj45) and his conversion kit for the Saginaw pump!
I'll be sure to post photos of the finished conversion!
Cruising along at 60 mph in the slow lane.
Now that the first road trip is out of the way it's time for Lola, Gertie and I to fix the A/C, have the weak alternator rebuilt and finally fix the leaky power steering pump! Should have that power steering knocked out by the end of next week thanks to Georg at Valley Hybrids/Cruiser Bros (@orangefj45) and his conversion kit for the Saginaw pump!
I'll be sure to post photos of the finished conversion!
duplicate. Sausage fingers.
The stitches in the ceiling are awesome. You are living the dream brother. I am patiently going to follow the Saginaw saga. The conversion looks relatively painless.
- Thread starter
- #88
Haha, thanks! I'm proud yet not proud of it?
The headliner was ripped and sagging, $1K plus is not yet in the budget, heck look at the outside of the truck! I will get to it eventually but for the time being I sat around and thought of ways to fix it "economically", I rolled up a 1/4" wooden dowel in it and pocked holes through it. Looped zip ties up to the first head liner cross bar and boom!! No longer dragging on my head.
Definitely don't spend $1k on it! Get the SOR 60-62 replacement headliner for $250 and install it yourself. It's good quality and looks great after we installed it. I have a small write up on it that may be helpful if you end up going down that path.
- Thread starter
- #90
Thanks, Jen! That looks great! I'll try it eventually, maybe!
$250 is definitely the way to go. @Aloha Jen for the win. It even looks like the fabric comes further down the pillars than oem.
- Thread starter
- #92
Mixed Highway and City driving put me at 13.05 MPG average. I'm not upset by that!
I'm in the process of re-doing the headliner myself. I'm not quite confident enough to pull out the windshield though so I'm going to try to figure something else out.
- Thread starter
- #94
Keep me posted, I just had a new windshield installed...
- Thread starter
- #95
Alright, in the wake of the power steering pump replacement I've also decided to go ahead and upgrade to the 3FE alternator since mine is starting to show it's weakness. I bought the alternator from RockAuto and went ahead and bought @Coolerman 's Toyota plug and harness! Great customer service and quick turnaround!
In other news I'm still driving the truck every day, Gertrude is fitting into the family nicely and I'm thinking we'll keep her!
In other news I'm still driving the truck every day, Gertrude is fitting into the family nicely and I'm thinking we'll keep her!
D21FJ60
#LiveLaughLove.
I like re reading this thread because you didn't hack it up. Although I realized you got shiny stock wheels with KO2's but are running not as shiny wheels with KO's..why the change?
- Thread starter
- #97
I still have the shiny new wheels with KO2s in the garage, waiting to be the "cherry on top" so to speak.
I wanted to get the new steering components, tie-rods, etc. installed and get the front end aligned before eating up brand new tires!
D21FJ60
#LiveLaughLove.
Ah makes sense. Well get on it then!
Awesome project. Congratulations on the find.
