I'm not that far from you...
Build 1988 BJ74 “Number 1”
- Thread starter FJBen
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- #2,722
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- #2,723
Boy…zero tech or pictures from me. I’ve had some interesting and sad things happen but I’ll at least talk about some of the good things.
Another work trip, 1:45 each way in the cruiser and it just chugged along again. Got rain dumped on 5 separate times.
Dave Steadman at Japan4x4 found me a turn signal unit so that should be coming shortlyish.
Went garage saleing up at our neighbors and found this stick welder for $50.
Stick and scratch tig.
Not sure what I’m going to weld….but I’ll figure it out!
Another work trip, 1:45 each way in the cruiser and it just chugged along again. Got rain dumped on 5 separate times.
Dave Steadman at Japan4x4 found me a turn signal unit so that should be coming shortlyish.
Went garage saleing up at our neighbors and found this stick welder for $50.
Stick and scratch tig.
Not sure what I’m going to weld….but I’ll figure it out!
No sunset in the background? You’re getting slack.
- Thread starter
- #2,726
You only have about 7-8 hours left to plan it out today.I am due for one huh?
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- #2,728
Adding to the fleet like @theglobb minus nice hair
Also I havent seen a check engine light in awhile and how I do miss that warm yellow glow. It’s like an ever present companion in a VW.
I got a 2002 Jetta wagon TDI 5spd for free. Well, the price to ship it to me.
Pros:
5th gear upgrade, low rpms she can flat go down the highway.
No sunroof
Cali car since new…clean
Bilstein suspension
Cons:
AC intermittent, mostly not working
406,000 miles…but she runs like a top
Not sure:
19” rims, nice stilauto rims
Sits low…needs a skid plate
Has a mild tune, not sure what…but runs good
My friend let someone borrow it, they cut a turn short and creased the 2 driver side doors and rear fender. Insurance said nope and I think there’s some wierd California insurance stuff…anyways he replaced doors from other vehicles and asked if I wanted it?
Heck yeah, I’m just going to pile more cheap miles on it and not worry about it.
I know @Rigster is well versed at repairing MK4s
This is my 2nd MK4, first wagon.
Also I havent seen a check engine light in awhile and how I do miss that warm yellow glow. It’s like an ever present companion in a VW.
I got a 2002 Jetta wagon TDI 5spd for free. Well, the price to ship it to me.
Pros:
5th gear upgrade, low rpms she can flat go down the highway.
No sunroof
Cali car since new…clean
Bilstein suspension
Cons:
AC intermittent, mostly not working
406,000 miles…but she runs like a top
Not sure:
19” rims, nice stilauto rims
Sits low…needs a skid plate
Has a mild tune, not sure what…but runs good
My friend let someone borrow it, they cut a turn short and creased the 2 driver side doors and rear fender. Insurance said nope and I think there’s some wierd California insurance stuff…anyways he replaced doors from other vehicles and asked if I wanted it?
Heck yeah, I’m just going to pile more cheap miles on it and not worry about it.
I know @Rigster is well versed at repairing MK4s
This is my 2nd MK4, first wagon.
theglobb
SILVER Star
Lucky, I’m jealous. Talk about the perfect daily right there
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- #2,730
Yeah pretty good deal on this one. Should work great for DD duties. It’s not as cool as your wagons!
- Thread starter
- #2,731
Side note: my wipers run strong and normal speed now. They sometimes would barely work or stop on a dry window. The new signal/wiper unit seemed to have fixed a few other things as well. 
So if your wipers suck, it may be in the whole control unit with lights/turn/wipers
So if your wipers suck, it may be in the whole control unit with lights/turn/wipers
You got a deal there, my friend! That is what my wife is driving around and she loves it.Adding to the fleet like @theglobb minus nice hair
Also I havent seen a check engine light in awhile and how I do miss that warm yellow glow. It’s like an ever present companion in a VW.
View attachment 3982214
I got a 2002 Jetta wagon TDI 5spd for free. Well, the price to ship it to me.
Pros:
5th gear upgrade, low rpms she can flat go down the highway.
No sunroof
Cali car since new…clean
Bilstein suspension
Cons:
AC intermittent, mostly not working
406,000 miles…but she runs like a top
Not sure:
19” rims, nice stilauto rims
Sits low…needs a skid plate
Has a mild tune, not sure what…but runs good
My friend let someone borrow it, they cut a turn short and creased the 2 driver side doors and rear fender. Insurance said nope and I think there’s some wierd California insurance stuff…anyways he replaced doors from other vehicles and asked if I wanted it?
Heck yeah, I’m just going to pile more cheap miles on it and not worry about it.
View attachment 3982215
I know @Rigster is well versed at repairing MK4s
This is my 2nd MK4, first wagon.
I am in the middle of putting my son's 1.9 BEW into a new to him shell this weekend, then I have to find time to do the cam and followers in my 06 BRM, then back to my wifes before the snow flies as hers needs two new front axles.
Thank goodness my middle son looks after his own maintenance on his GTI. I would need to retire early and open a VW/Landcruiser shop the way this is going these days... lol
Unless you're sure the axles themselves need replacing, just replace the CV joints and boots unless you want to shell out for genuine VW axles. The aftermarket axles usually cause odd, engine rpm related vibrations. My parent's '04 currently has a GSP axle in it and has bad vibrations in every gear at 1800 and 3600 rpm.
Throw in Mercedes and that is pretty much what @SnowVersion and I do in our "spare" time. Two JDM LC's, three (and a half) TDI's, and three MB's, all seemingly in need of endless maintenance.
Interesting to know! I already replaced them in my 06 with "A-Premium" axles and they are great at all speeds/RPM's. I have been impressed with the quality of this Chinese supplier, and have given a lot of their products a try and have not been disappointed yet (knock on wood). I would love to replace with OEM, but they have priced themselves out of the market in many areas. Some things I will not compromise, but for regular wearing parts I will give select suppliers a try, especially if they have great reviews.
But I thank you for sharing your experience and knowledge, that is what makes the "forum go 'round". Too bad you guys do not live closer, I would drop some of my stuff off for you to do when I am pressed for time, lol!!
- Thread starter
- #2,735
Boring trip report…
I took the cruiser on another work trip. This was almost 4 hours one way. The trip started out fine. Awesome weather. I was really going to take the Jetta because it’s made for trips like this.
Some might consider boring, but the plains can be a cool change of scenery…or lack thereof. You can literally see for miles and miles. The Great Plains.
There was a little headwind but I noticed my EGTs were up in the 950-1050F range driving 60-65.. It was 85f outside and my water temps were 187-188F. Odd. Pushing up hills not very hard I was showing 1150 before backing out.
Pulled over and decided to reset my Auber gauge. Unhooking the the EGT leads from the auber, power on then off and hook up and my EGTs dropped 250f.. Every so often this auber gauge does this. A bit frustrating but not hard to fix.
Rest of the trip I was at my normal 700-830ish in same conditions.
Got in a drag race with a local. Yes, the diesel cruiser lost.
Work went well. Quick trip but Wyoming weather was rain and storms so the top was fully on.
Mountains in the background outside of Wheatland, Wyoming.
Stopped by chimney rock
Fun facts:
Prior to exploration and settlement by European immigrants, the Native Americans of the area—mainly the Lakota Sioux—would refer to this formation by a term which meant "elk pēnis"
. It was also a significant landmark in measuring the emigrants' progress west. This natural feature was a "grand and splendid object" to emigrants who had never seen the geology of the American West. As they traveled alongside the North Platte River, they peered eagerly ahead for their first view of the rock. As such, it was mentioned in more emigrant diaries than any other landmark on the Oregon Trail!
There ya have it, one of the most exciting things for travelers on the Oregon trail…a rock. If you’ve ever travelled across Nebraska, you can 100% understand how exciting that would be.
Back on the road on the way home, big open skies.
Cruiser chugged along great. She’s due for an oil change, rotation and a wash/clean. The bugs were horrendous a couple of times.
Some new seats would recaro/scheel would make a big difference.
I took the cruiser on another work trip. This was almost 4 hours one way. The trip started out fine. Awesome weather. I was really going to take the Jetta because it’s made for trips like this.
Some might consider boring, but the plains can be a cool change of scenery…or lack thereof. You can literally see for miles and miles. The Great Plains.
There was a little headwind but I noticed my EGTs were up in the 950-1050F range driving 60-65.
. It was 85f outside and my water temps were 187-188F. Odd. Pushing up hills not very hard I was showing 1150 before backing out. Pulled over and decided to reset my Auber gauge. Unhooking the the EGT leads from the auber, power on then off and hook up and my EGTs dropped 250f.
. Every so often this auber gauge does this. A bit frustrating but not hard to fix. Rest of the trip I was at my normal 700-830ish in same conditions.
Got in a drag race with a local. Yes, the diesel cruiser lost.
Work went well. Quick trip but Wyoming weather was rain and storms so the top was fully on.
Mountains in the background outside of Wheatland, Wyoming.
Stopped by chimney rock
Fun facts:
Prior to exploration and settlement by European immigrants, the Native Americans of the area—mainly the Lakota Sioux—would refer to this formation by a term which meant "elk pēnis"
. It was also a significant landmark in measuring the emigrants' progress west. This natural feature was a "grand and splendid object" to emigrants who had never seen the geology of the American West. As they traveled alongside the North Platte River, they peered eagerly ahead for their first view of the rock. As such, it was mentioned in more emigrant diaries than any other landmark on the Oregon Trail!
There ya have it, one of the most exciting things for travelers on the Oregon trail…a rock. If you’ve ever travelled across Nebraska, you can 100% understand how exciting that would be.
Back on the road on the way home, big open skies.
Cruiser chugged along great. She’s due for an oil change, rotation and a wash/clean. The bugs were horrendous a couple of times.
Some new seats would recaro/scheel would make a big difference.
I live in Denver as you know, and the cheesy "mountains are calling" bumper sticker you see on 5th gen 4Runners is certainly true ... but I really love the plains. It's quiet cowboy country. It makes you feel small in a way that's different than the mountains do, and when the earth makes you feel small in that way it's a spiritual thing for me. Tons of history out there too, as you mentioned. I've seen some of the Oregon Trail wagon ruts up in Guernsey, Wyoming. It's pretty cool to stand there looking at them, thinking about all the folks who rolled through there chasing their dreams in an unknown land. And all the people that were there before that watching their arrival, too.Boring trip report…
I took the cruiser on another work trip. This was almost 4 hours one way. The trip started out fine. Awesome weather. I was really going to take the Jetta because it’s made for trips like this.
Some might consider boring, but the plains can be a cool change of scenery…or lack thereof. You can literally see for miles and miles. The Great Plains.
View attachment 3994022
There was a little headwind but I noticed my EGTs were up in the 950-1050F range driving 60-65.
Pulled over and decided to reset my Auber gauge. Unhooking the the EGT leads from the auber, power on then off and hook up and my EGTs dropped 250f.
Rest of the trip I was at my normal 700-830ish in same conditions.
Got in a drag race with a local. Yes, the diesel cruiser lost.
View attachment 3994044
Work went well. Quick trip but Wyoming weather was rain and storms so the top was fully on.
Mountains in the background outside of Wheatland, Wyoming.
View attachment 3994046
Stopped by chimney rock
View attachment 3994051
Fun facts:
Prior to exploration and settlement by European immigrants, the Native Americans of the area—mainly the Lakota Sioux—would refer to this formation by a term which meant "elk pēnis"
View attachment 3994057
. It was also a significant landmark in measuring the emigrants' progress west. This natural feature was a "grand and splendid object" to emigrants who had never seen the geology of the American West. As they traveled alongside the North Platte River, they peered eagerly ahead for their first view of the rock. As such, it was mentioned in more emigrant diaries than any other landmark on the Oregon Trail!
There ya have it, one of the most exciting things for travelers on the Oregon trail…a rock. If you’ve ever travelled across Nebraska, you can 100% understand how exciting that would be.
Back on the road on the way home, big open skies.
View attachment 3994211
Cruiser chugged along great. She’s due for an oil change, rotation and a wash/clean. The bugs were horrendous a couple of times.
Some new seats would recaro/scheel would make a big difference.
- Thread starter
- #2,737
Yes, gotta love the Colorado mountains now, go camping with 20 of your not closest friends and their toy haulers blasting Def Leppard and pitbull while blasting around in their turbod side by sides ….
Just need to find the right places in Colorado to go. Very sad for me being a Colorado mountain kid.
The plains definitely have a lot of history and things to see, they just don’t have the same magnificence as the mountains.
When we moved to the plains I nearly had a panic attack daily because it was too open! I needed mountains and trees.
Thankfully our place is fully surrounded by trees/windrow (we need it ) so it makes me feel a little more like home
It is quite amazing thinking all of the people traveling out west wondering when/where they were going to stop. That’s a lot of land to cover. Again, there are tons of things to learn about and see besides rocks…but usually people are going from mountains to black hills, or the coast
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- #2,738
Digging through some old photos, you can see where I got the 4x4 interest…
I loved this bronco we had. This photo was around 1979 or 80. Check out those side pipes
This was my dad’s toys pre-FJBen. Photo date says 1969. Ford Torino
I loved this bronco we had. This photo was around 1979 or 80. Check out those side pipes
This was my dad’s toys pre-FJBen. Photo date says 1969. Ford Torino
Pulled over and decided to reset my Auber gauge. Unhooking the the EGT leads from the auber, power on then off and hook up and my EGTs dropped 250f.
My Auber gauge for coolant temps has been acting up, it hangs down a little at the back and of late will report erroneous temps of up to 250f, but more typically is about 7-15f over. If I support the back end it drops to 180f where it belongs. I need to check connections and wiring. Scared the heck out of me the first time I glanced over and the temp was at 270f, but the the good ole, reliably accurate, stock gauge put my mind at ease
Mine does that too, especially when I hit a bump in the road. I’ve triple and quadruple checked my connections, pretty sure it is an internal fault. Interestingly, mine is a double gauge and only the channel I have hooked up to the coolant temp is faulty, the EGT channel works just fine.My Auber gauge for coolant temps has been acting up, it hangs down a little at the back and of late will report erroneous temps of up to 250f, but more typically is about 7-15f over. If I support the back end it drops to 180f where it belongs. I need to check connections and wiring. Scared the heck out of me the first time I glanced over and the temp was at 270f, but the the good ole, reliably accurate, stock gauge put my mind at ease