Rusto
SILVER Star
This started as a "help me spend my money thread, but it's now going to be my build thread. I'm editing this post to include everything I've done to date.
1. Started with Stardust Silver '87 FJ60 that I found in Texas, but was originally a California truck. I wanted to call it "Willie" since it was Stardust Silver and I found it in Texas, but the kids named it the Beast, so there you go.
2. New Master Brake Cylinder and rear break cylinder to fix spongy and leaking brake system.
3. New Oil pain gasket.
4. OME 2.5" springs, shocks and stabilizer (has the lean, so I purchased add a leafs that I still need to install as of (2.10.20)
5. Trailer hitch and trailer brake controller (required in CO if pulling more than 2,500 lbs).
6. All new interior - Carpet from Mudder, Dynamat all over the place, local upholstery shop did seats in Marine Grade vinyl (see below).
7. Rebuilt Carb and all new vacuum lines.
8. New EGR gasket to fix decel backfire
9. Saginaw PS upgrade with kit from George. Took me a couple of times, but I got it right and absolutely love the '79 Caprice Classic feel to my steering
10. Recent fluid change on diffs, transfer case, etc.
BURNT TWO EXHAUST VALVES (3 & 4).. which resulted in.
11. Overpaying for shop to R&R head and send out head to get rebuilt (discussed on another thread - MUDDERS were right i SHOULD HAVE pulled it myself and sent to machine shop) #nomoremechanics. I'm doing all the work on this from here on out.
so.. The mechanic didn't replace interior gasket on thermostat, rendering the t-stat useless. When I called to discuss they were reticent to include that as part of the warranty, "if it's our fault, it's covered, but we won't know until we look at it". I got an idea - when you are testing it out, make sure it gets up to operating temp!. I fixed it for $20.
12. New Radiator (mechanic didn't replace hoses when R&Ring head)
13. Shortly after getting truck back from mechanic, the smog pump seized. the quick drive to my house with no WP resulted in a a cracked lower t-stat housing.
So... I decided to do what I should have done in the first place.
14. New (to me) smog pump.
15. New belts and hoses all round.
16. New (to me) lower t-stat housing
17. Fixed Saginaw connection proper with line that was 17MM on truck side and 5/8 - 20 on pump side)
18. New water pump and fan clutch. Replaced remaining vacuum lines that weren't updated last time around.
--- as of June 8th, 2020 ---
19. Replaced pushrod cover gasket
20. Replaced hacked up air rail with OEM fittings and nozzles.
21. Resurfaced intake/exhaust manifold by hand in my garage.
22. Fixed 4 different exhaust leaks and now it's running so smooth. Details and a lot of meandering and such can be found here - Not Needed (hopefully): Over-priced Machine Shop with experience resurfacing 2F intake/exhaust manifolds
That's where it sits, right now. Lots more on the list, so I figure it's time to make this an official build thread.
------ THIS IS WHERE THE ORIGINAL "WHAT SHOULD I SPEND MONEY ON" THREAD STARTED ---------
So.. what should I spend it on.
It's completely stock, down to the still working smog equipment except for the recently upgraded OME springs and shocks .
The paint is in good enough shape for me, with a nice patina, but still shiny in most places.
The front seats could use refurbishing/replacing as the foam is shot and the left drivers bolster is torn (typical).
So... I'm leaning towards SOR front seat foam and maybe covers. Other than that, I'm coming to the ih8mudders for your suggestions..
Desmog and engine work?
ARB bumper and winch (I do travel solo in somewhat remote areas?
H55f 5 speed?!
Rear swing out bumper so i can get 37 gallon tank?
Help me spend my money!!
1. Started with Stardust Silver '87 FJ60 that I found in Texas, but was originally a California truck. I wanted to call it "Willie" since it was Stardust Silver and I found it in Texas, but the kids named it the Beast, so there you go.
2. New Master Brake Cylinder and rear break cylinder to fix spongy and leaking brake system.
3. New Oil pain gasket.
4. OME 2.5" springs, shocks and stabilizer (has the lean, so I purchased add a leafs that I still need to install as of (2.10.20)
5. Trailer hitch and trailer brake controller (required in CO if pulling more than 2,500 lbs).
6. All new interior - Carpet from Mudder, Dynamat all over the place, local upholstery shop did seats in Marine Grade vinyl (see below).
7. Rebuilt Carb and all new vacuum lines.
8. New EGR gasket to fix decel backfire
9. Saginaw PS upgrade with kit from George. Took me a couple of times, but I got it right and absolutely love the '79 Caprice Classic feel to my steering
10. Recent fluid change on diffs, transfer case, etc.
BURNT TWO EXHAUST VALVES (3 & 4).. which resulted in.
11. Overpaying for shop to R&R head and send out head to get rebuilt (discussed on another thread - MUDDERS were right i SHOULD HAVE pulled it myself and sent to machine shop) #nomoremechanics. I'm doing all the work on this from here on out.
so.. The mechanic didn't replace interior gasket on thermostat, rendering the t-stat useless. When I called to discuss they were reticent to include that as part of the warranty, "if it's our fault, it's covered, but we won't know until we look at it". I got an idea - when you are testing it out, make sure it gets up to operating temp!. I fixed it for $20.
12. New Radiator (mechanic didn't replace hoses when R&Ring head)
13. Shortly after getting truck back from mechanic, the smog pump seized. the quick drive to my house with no WP resulted in a a cracked lower t-stat housing.
So... I decided to do what I should have done in the first place.
14. New (to me) smog pump.
15. New belts and hoses all round.
16. New (to me) lower t-stat housing
17. Fixed Saginaw connection proper with line that was 17MM on truck side and 5/8 - 20 on pump side)
18. New water pump and fan clutch. Replaced remaining vacuum lines that weren't updated last time around.
--- as of June 8th, 2020 ---
19. Replaced pushrod cover gasket
20. Replaced hacked up air rail with OEM fittings and nozzles.
21. Resurfaced intake/exhaust manifold by hand in my garage.
22. Fixed 4 different exhaust leaks and now it's running so smooth. Details and a lot of meandering and such can be found here - Not Needed (hopefully): Over-priced Machine Shop with experience resurfacing 2F intake/exhaust manifolds
That's where it sits, right now. Lots more on the list, so I figure it's time to make this an official build thread.
------ THIS IS WHERE THE ORIGINAL "WHAT SHOULD I SPEND MONEY ON" THREAD STARTED ---------
So.. what should I spend it on.
It's completely stock, down to the still working smog equipment except for the recently upgraded OME springs and shocks .
The paint is in good enough shape for me, with a nice patina, but still shiny in most places.
The front seats could use refurbishing/replacing as the foam is shot and the left drivers bolster is torn (typical).
So... I'm leaning towards SOR front seat foam and maybe covers. Other than that, I'm coming to the ih8mudders for your suggestions..
Desmog and engine work?
ARB bumper and winch (I do travel solo in somewhat remote areas?
H55f 5 speed?!
Rear swing out bumper so i can get 37 gallon tank?
Help me spend my money!!
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