2000UZJ's Build (3 Viewers)

[2000UZJ]

Looking great! I see the pup is a chick Fil a fan

Thanks! Great to see you still around. I hope all is well with ya! If your ever back in Atlanta, let me know and we can link up!

 

[2000UZJ]

Amazing work on the paint. I just redid the motor mounts on mine and it was a big difference.

Thanks! I still have a few spots to fix, but I am really happy with how it turned out!

I have a feeling my mounts are due, I feel like the idle should be smoother in-cab, feels like the motor is bouncing around under the hood but it's running extremely smooth. I exaggerated a bit, but it does have more vibration than I think it should.

 

[2000UZJ]

May Update: I've been heavily enjoying the 100. I seem to be driving it over my other vehicle constantly. The MyBMW App told me I had driven...0 miles in the 5-Series in April .

Completed:

• Bi-Weekly Leather Conditioner Application - Seats are pretty soft, still 18 year old leather but have held up extremely nice.
• Removal of rust on sliders. Talk about a pain in the ass.

To-Do

• Inner and Outer Tie rod on Passenger side. I believe the inner has play, causing steering to still be vague.
• Figure out why the steering rack locks up in parking lots. I think the rack is shot to s***, but isn't leaking, returns to center, and the new bushings made it drive like a new-ish used off road Toyota, lol.
• Install lower 555 Ball Joints to replace the OEM from 300,000 miles ago.
• Replace all of the 6K Eye f*#cking bright blue LED's with Warm LED's.
• Finish my peach vodka drink right after hitting Post. (Don't judge. It's already hot outside)

 

[2000UZJ]

It's been a while, not many crazy updates but figure I'd post!

• ARB Combo 2003+ Installed with ARB LED Fog Lights
• Bilstein B8 5160's
• Dobinson's Adjustable Rear Control Arms (Upper and Lower)
• Rebuilt Swing Out Spindles.
• 2700K Interior LED's
• 35L Fridge + Fridge Slide
• Extended OEM Camera to Carrier
• Clear Coat on Hood
• Overhauled every inch of wiring and added a new control panel (8 Gang Paen)
• YotaMD Key (Black with Green Accents)

She's getting ready for her inaugural trip to the mall

 

[turBRO]

I love your truck. It's a huge inspiration, thanks for posting.

 

[Land Shark]

It's been a while, not many crazy updates but figure I'd post!

• ARB Combo 2003+ Installed with ARB LED Fog Lights
• Bilstein B8 5160's
• Dobinson's Adjustable Rear Control Arms (Upper and Lower)
• Rebuilt Swing Out Spindles.
• 2700K Interior LED's
• 35L Fridge + Fridge Slide
• Extended OEM Camera to Carrier
• Clear Coat on Hood
• Overhauled every inch of wiring and added a new control panel (8 Gang Paen)
• YotaMD Key (Black with Green Accents)

She's getting ready for her inaugural trip to the mall

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Interested in knowing how much those B8's made for a better ride?

 

[2000UZJ]

Interested in knowing how much those B8's made for a better ride?

They are fantastic for the money, around $1,000 at my door. Coming from OME NitroChargers that had 100K on them, it was night and day. I was torn between the Dobinson MRR (Adjustable) shocks which ran $2,600 at my door. I am very happy with it, for how heavy this truck is, and the "heavy" springs, they control the weight pretty nicely. I'd buy them again. The only thing I don't like is the digressive valving. They handle big stuff with grace, but small cracks in pavement and metal plates come with a stiffer transition.

8/10 for daily and light offroad. This truck is my "hobby" late at night. It's not really meant to do what my old 2000 did. It's fun, not meant to hardcore wheeling. I'm proud to have it as a pavement pounder, and monthly beach machine.

 

[2000UZJ]

Nothing crazy to report, but wanted to update.

• Tranmission Fluid Exchange (It was black)
• Transfer Case Fluid (OE LF 75W Toyota)
• Front and Rear Differential Fluids
• Prestige Tag
• Our pup with her glasses
• Finally got my tool box organized.

Up Next:

• Upper & Lower Control Arm Rebuild
• Slee SOF2RH Springs (Lower the rear a bit)
• Drive Flanges with Hub Hardware
• Tie Rod Ends
• Remaining Diff bushings

I've been battling what felt like brake drag, but had zero signs of it. Temp gun showed matching/even temps across the board. After flushing the transmission, diffs and transfer case the truck does not seem to exhibit the issue. I'm a bit perplexed as I didn't thing fluid could have as much resistance. Either way, happy with how it coasts now. The next big ticket is rebuilding the control arms. SPC's have 100K on them, being replaced with Nitro's. The lower arms are original so 300K and the ball joints and bushings are toast. I have #1 and #2 and @cruiserpatch frame bushing tool for this job.

 

[2000UZJ]

Started on the LCA’s. Got the old Ball Joints out and the #1 bushing out. Based on all of my research, I wasn’t too confident on a cold chisel set and my BFH, but that can break them loose. Worked with @cruiserpatch’s frame bushing tool and it was quick work.

Need to file down the LCA, nicked it a few times with the chisel. Next one will be easier to navigate.these LCA’s are a little rustier than I thought when I bought them, oh well.

Now to de-rust and paint!

 

[cruiserpatch]

FWIW:

I find it easier to press the bushings out of the arm if you have an upright press. I also just whack the LBJs out with a BFH

So good to see someone using this tool. I really need to make more- had lots of issues with finding another manufacturer...TBC

 

[2000UZJ]

FWIW:

I find it easier to press the bushings out of the arm if you have an upright press. I also just whack the LBJs out with a BFH

So good to see someone using this tool. I really need to make more- had lots of issues with finding another manufacturer...TBC

Thanks! I figured I’d try to press the LCA bushing. It was successful. I did the other side in 15 minutes.

They are prepped for a fresh coat

 

[2000UZJ]

Both LCA's are rebuilt, now waiting for some free time to swap everything out. My plan is to swap LCA's at the same time I replace the #2 frame bushing. I plan to address the drive flanges, depending on the CV condition, two OEM CV's. I'm really hoping the outboard splines are OK, I know the PS Flange is clunking quite a bit so I'm hoping it's just the flange. Wheel bearings appear fine, I need front brakes at some point in the future, so I'm addressing the wheel bearings (will check preload, etc while I have it apart) in the future along with brakes.

You can do this with basic hand tools, a press kit, and CruiserPatch's bushing tool.

All in, I'd give this a 3/10 in hardness.

 

[2000UZJ]

Finally got around to installing the Slee springs. The truck rides 200% better than the 863’s. It’s crazy! Also, no more stink bug.

First is before then some afters.

Next up:
Front end rebuild
35’s

 

[2000UZJ]

The other week, running errands I was blessed by the Brake God. A Costco run, Publix Run and my 5 month old in the truck, the brakes let go. I was able to move the truck to a more remote area but damn...when the brakes go out they GO OUT!

Uber'd home, grabbed the second car, called @cruiserpatch and he rescued me that day.

New MC installed, brakes bled, and I think I fixed the nasty MPG battle. I think all 4 of my brakes may have been slightly sticking. I've gone from 8.5MPG to 11.5MPG. The brake pedal always had a "kick" like it was stuck down, and now it does not do that. I think this MC was on it's way out for a while now that I look back.

Job with TIS, super easy to bleed the brakes.

 

[MongooseGA]

So glad it was not anything worse.