Builds 1983 Cruiser Story

[Ian Crawford]

Alright, Saginaw conversion complete!

https://i.imgur.com/aN7QmVP.jpg

PSA:, don't install the pulley until you have the bracket mounted.... Yep, I got to pull and re-install the pulley on mine.

Tada!

Power steering works great but I do have a new underhood whine that's new. I'm not sure if its the pump or the ancient belts I bought from the local autoparts. Either way, I test drove it to work this morning without any hiccups. We'll see how she does!

 

[Ian Crawford]

The Saginaw conversion is still running strong, with no issues, not that any where expected.

Anyway still mostly daily driving the truck and snapped this photo of Lola Saturday morning.

 

[4Cruisers]

Lola looks extremely happy and content.

 

[Ian Crawford]

Lola looks extremely happy and content.

Thanks! I think so. She really is the greatest dog I have ever had and maybe ever will have, she turned 12 last month.

That said, the "over-lapping" is working great, Gertie has a great teacher! She is following in Lola's footsteps to greatness and is still only 7 months old.

 

[NeverGiveUpYota]

Beautiful shiny coats. They look like they get an egg a day in their food like mine. And that blanket really makes them pop!

 

[Ian Crawford]

Nothing too new to update, I've just been driving and enjoying the truck.

I've developed a 2K+ RPM squeak, high pitched, it starts at ~2K and gets higher pitched to where I cannot hear it. I can hear it clearly in the cockpit and the reverb off of a near curb or guardrail but when I pop the hood to replicated it, with all the fan noise I cannot hear it.

There is another groan/squeak, much deeper sounding that starts at ~2800 RPM and gets worse as I rev passed 3K. I can hear that plain as day under the hood but it's too hard to distinguish which component. I either need a stethoscope or to remove a belts and try to isolate it.

I've got a new alternator, new water pump, new Jim C air pump idler, and new Saginaw PS pump. The only old component there is the AC Compressor but I don't think it's the culprit.

Good times! Luckily it's almost 70*F today so I will mess with it after work and see what I can find.

We love photos, here's a pic from our Local Bluegrass Land Cruisers Meeting at a Louisville Brewery (Monnik Beer Co.):

 

[DevonBen60]

Great progress, keep it coming. Looks very solid overall

 

[Ian Crawford]

Well, removing belts I narrowed it down to the Jim C pulley and water pump. With the stethoscope it turns out its the Jim C air pump idler, there is a chance I had this belt overtightened over the last 4K miles. This seems premature, I hope it was overtightened!

 

[FJACS]

Nice write up.

 

[ROBsSON]

Well, removing belts I narrowed it down to the Jim C pulley and water pump. With the stethoscope it turns out its the Jim C air pump idler, there is a chance I had this belt overtightened over the last 4K miles. This seems premature, I hope it was overtightened!

Ever find out if it was just from overtightening?

 

[Ian Crawford]

I believe it was over tightened and that lead to the premature failure. I ordered a replacement form Jim and had it in 2 days. We're back up and quiet as a mouse!

 

[ROBsSON]

Awesome glad it was an easy fix!

 

[Trapper50cal]

Wow, you've really gotten after it! I applaud your gumption

Quick tip on rust on chrome....

Coke and aluminum foil. Ball up some foil and pour coke on the rims
and scrub with the foil. Takes some elbow grease but works like a charm

Cheers Again!

 

[Ian Crawford]

Finally got out to play in some dirt and mud. A friend of mine bought 120 acres in Powell County, Kentucky right outside of Stanton on the edge of Red River Gorge. A few of us decided to get together and go drive the trails on it and clear some of the brush. While in that part of the state we ran over to part of the Daniel Boone Back Country Byway and found some pretty serious mud holes. After Alex got stuck and I had to pull him out we decided it was a good time to head back.

 

[Ian Crawford]

The pups had a pretty good time, too!

Things have been great with my truck, I've put just over 5,000 miles on it since it's been back on the road.

 

[Ian Crawford]

Updates!

I've been enjoying the truck and up to 89K miles!

Here's some recent photos:

Also, towards the end of summer I found a dilapidated, rusted out early ARB bumper. I bought it right and decided to rehab!

It's not perfect but should look pretty good once mounted.

Cutting the rust out:

Making patch panels:

Tacking together:

And back from blasting powder coating!

I went with a semi gloss "hammered" finish to hopefully hide some of the uglies.

I will report back once mounted! I'm afraid my wife is going to hate it. If she does, @Comet has first dibs!

 

[NeverGiveUpYota]

Man what a score! How’s you come across that? Pix of the dogs is totally awesome. I love wild flapping pooch ears!
And that truck in the mud... wow!

 

[Ian Crawford]

It actually popped up on a local Land Cruiser Facebook Group.

The dogs were having a big day!

 

[Comet]

I know that's all lip service because your bride is going to love the "Gate" (as my wife calls it) on the front of the cruiser. Only 89K, I am so excited for you and the family. Happy motoring! BTW, Buster Brown finally got on the freeway this weekend. 55 mph on 33's is actually closer to 62 mph per my phone. Checked after the State Trooper did a double take.

 

[NeverGiveUpYota]

I know that's all lip service because your bride is going to love the "Gate" (as my wife calls it) on the front of the cruiser. Only 89K, I am so excited for you and the family. Happy motoring! BTW, Buster Brown finally got on the freeway this weekend. 55 mph on 33's is actually closer to 62 mph per my phone. Checked after the State Trooper did a double take.

I’ve wondered that myself w/ mine on 35’s tho when it’s shiwing 55 it only feels like 55 and folks are still passing me.