Builds 1988 BJ74 “Number 1” (3 Viewers)

[PabloCruise]

Did you need stitches?

 

[FJBen]

Did you need stitches?

I don't think so...or should say hope so. Bandage for now and keep cleaning. I'm lucky I wasn't pulling an old seal full of grease so that it would have slipped and jammed nasty wheel bearing grease into my skin I should be good, just sore today, was fairly deep.

After this I still have to do the full floater rebuild, but that will be later for sure.

 

[FJBen]

And of course, whats a project without a snag.

Wheel studs. i don't think re-using is a good idea so that basically puts me to where I'm at now. I only need to hook up tie-rods/relay rod, pack wheel bearings then rotor/studs/hub done. I drilled out the brake line backing plate, so I have to clean that up and put in new bolts.



The issue is, i can't find wheel studs locally. 3 places all had the wrong ones so it looks like a call to a mud vendor today will get them to me by friday.

Does anyone know if there is a viable aftermaket part to pickup at a local parts store thats correct?

 

[FJBen]

In news of the unexciting, I found some wheel studs that should fit for the front.

Toyota OEM number: 9094202053

According to Dorman, a direct cross to this is: Dorman Part number: 610-264

You can get these pretty much anywhere as it's a Dorman part, or you can still get them from Toyota. They were $2.30 each.

 

[cruiserdan]

Pretty crude construction compared to the OEM part. Fairly typical.

 

[FJBen]

Pretty crude construction compared to the OEM part. Fairly typical.

Yeah it’s definitely not as nice. Next time I will go for oem and call it good.

 

[FJBen]

Just about buttoned up.

drivers caliper is really tight. i can only spin it with the wheel on and it’s a little tough at that. Not sure if something is off, or I just didn’t open enough when I put it on.

just have to bleed the master
Bleed all brakes
Adjust toe in
Adjust drag link

Also rotated tires and cleaned the other 2 with CLR.

 

[FJBen]

Got a lot finished and test driven.
Got it alligned by myself, need to double check but it seems to drive fine.
Brakes getting bed in.
Went to machine shop to get the stud pressed out for steering stabilizer, man that thing was stuck, zero chance of me doing it.

Also found this metal badge in my toolbox so decided to put it on the dash. These were made by someone on mud years ago.
@PabloCruise you might have one of these
I see I’m missing 2 screws as well...I knew I had a few loose...

 

[FJBen]

Since I didn’t do enough, I decided to work on the seats again.

the drivers seat foam was a bit beat down from 485,000km of someone loving this land cruiser. The fabric is great save for one small patch from getting in and out for 30 years. I decided to swap the seat foam with the passenger seat.
Bought some hog rings and pliers and went to town. It was fairly easy to do and feels better at least on the drivers side.

I also decided to change my seat extension. I used 1” box before and it was OK. The seat went back about 2” I believe further than stock and 1” up. It definitely helped but I didn’t like or need the extra height Being 6’5”.
i Went and grabbed a 1.5” x 1/4” steel bar and cut the holes to match and extend it to a 3” longer than stock setup. To clean the front seat slider bolt, I had to raise the very front with a spacer. For right now it’s too long of bolt and washers until I get the correct spacer and bolt. So I like this setup much better. The front it tilted up,not as high and further back. Will be much more comfortable for my lanky limbs.

 

[FJBen]

All in all for the last week I put a lot of hours in on the BJ74.

Knuckle rebuild - thanks @cruiseroutfit
Marlin crawler axle seals
New rotors/pads - Napa premium
New wheel bearing - cruiser outfitters
New wheel studs - dorman
New tie rod ends - cruiser outfitters
Aligned toe setting
New relay rod ends - cruiser outfitters
Master brake cylinder rebuild - cruiser outfitters
Brake fluid flush/bleed
Tire rotation
CLR treatment on rims
Seat cushion swap
Seat extension redo

I only had 3 stupid moments which isn’t bad for me.

1. Put tie rod on losely, for some reason thought it was backwards put on the other way and tightened down I was tired...that was another trip to town to rent non damaging tie rod puller.

2. Put passenger hub on without gasket to spindle, Noticed as I was tightening last bolt on Aisin hub. Lucky that comes off quickly.

3. On rebuilding the master cylinder, I dropped a small rubber o-ring that goes on the bottom of the resovoir. Bled brakes, test drove all good until I see the puddle in the morning. Pulled the Reservoir where it was leaking, looked on counter and found O ring, put it on no more leak. I didn’t have to bleed either thankfully.

I think toMorrow it’s more test drive, out to the lake or something. I may turn the boost up a little more as well. Currently tops at 11psi.

 

[FJBen]

Also took the “other” 4WD out when I needed a break from wrenching

Riding off into the sunset, well at least until the bugs nearly ate us.

 

[PabloCruise]

Also found this metal badge in my toolbox so decided to put it on the dash. These were made by someone on mud years ago.
@PabloCruise you might have one of these
I see I’m missing 2 screws as well...I knew I had a few loose...
View attachment 2332069

Ah yisss...

From here: Builds - POTM - March, 2014 - Javelina By Pablo Cruise

 

[FJBen]

And here’s 2 reasons I’m not out working on the cruiser.

I do have a window/portable A/C unit but the building has soaked up so much heat...I’m over it. I think the wind is a little modest too, it’s hammering out.

Getting better ....

I did happen to find some more Australian treasure last night when cleaning under the seats.

 

[FJBen]

The seat all the way back after extension. The seat cushion swap has definitely helped to improve driving comfort. It's still a 30 year old land cruiser seat, so eventually I wouldn't mind finding a better seat for it.

And of course, finished knuckle. Maybe next time I'll paint everything, but it still has enough patina/character I"m leaving it for now.

 

[FJBen]

Adjusted the clutch pedal height down to factory specs, it was a little high. Also put another tiny shim for boost, haven't gotten a good load to test max boost yet but I did hit 12. I'm going to get a boost controller and top out at 14~15psi.

Also used it to drag a tree out that snapped in the wind yesterday.

Of course the "helpers" were out with me.

 

[PabloCruise]

You guys enjoyed that fun wind as well, eh?

 

[Gun Runner 5]

Adjusted the clutch pedal height down to factory specs, it was a little high. Also put another tiny shim for boost, haven't gotten a good load to test max boost yet but I did hit 12. I'm going to get a boost controller and top out at 14~15psi.

Also used it to drag a tree out that snapped in the wind yesterday.

View attachment 2335505



Of course the "helpers" were out with me.

View attachment 2335506

You should send that bottom photo to the ECHO folks. Would make a very cool brochure cover.

 

[FJBen]

You guys enjoyed that fun wind as well, eh?

Yeah that wind was brutal. up to 70mph gusts on Sunday from the south, then monday 40-50 gusts from the north. A few branches down I thought we had made it without any tree damage, nope...

 

[FJBen]

You should send that bottom photo to the ECHO folks. Would make a very cool brochure cover.

I like your thinking. I guess I should have put some of the trees with it

 

[Gun Runner 5]

I like your thinking. I guess I should have put some of the trees with it

The Cruiser guys will focus on the Cruiser.
The dog lovers will focus on the dogs.
The ECHO chainsaw guys will focus on the chainsaw.
Perfect "product placement" and a win-win for all concerned.