87FJ60

[tarheel40]

Spent an hour or so adding the leaf I originally removed from the 7L front packs back to the drivers side front to help correct the lean. I still didn’t achieve a completely level stance but I’ll put a few hundred miles on it as-is and see where she settles. The two front leaf packs I received were from two different batch numbers; one was significantly more arched than the other so I decided to add the leaf from the older, less arched pack. I may need up switching them again as I’m still about 1/4” low on that side. Also, really wish these BFG’s were actual 33” tall. They fall short about 2”.
View attachment 3335351View attachment 3335352View attachment 3335353

Looks great, know you’re enjoying the improved ride! Interesting to see I’m not the only one that ended up with a lean when the front springs were both 6L. To be fair it wasn’t that bad but it was noticeable when looking closely. Seems like Dobinsons should consider make a left/right specific spring for the front like they do in the rear.

Depending on your rear measurements and rake you could consider putting the spacer leaf on top of the passenger side rear leaf pack. That will lower rear passenger corner the thickness of the spacer leaf (1/4-1/3” I believe) and might drop the passenger side front just a hair. When detailing my suspension stance I found adjustments on one side affected both front and rear height on that side, though the difference was smaller on the corner where the spring pack wasn’t adjustment - hope that makes sense!

 

[Gretsch]

Spent an hour or so adding the leaf I originally removed from the 7L front packs back to the drivers side front to help correct the lean. I still didn’t achieve a completely level stance but I’ll put a few hundred miles on it as-is and see where she settles. The two front leaf packs I received were from two different batch numbers; one was significantly more arched than the other so I decided to add the leaf from the older, less arched pack. I may need up switching them again as I’m still about 1/4” low on that side. Also, really wish these BFG’s were actual 33” tall. They fall short about 2”.
View attachment 3335351View attachment 3335352View attachment 3335353

Looks great. Love the color of that truck.

 

[schuy2147]

Looks great, know you’re enjoying the improved ride! Interesting to see I’m not the only one that ended up with a lean when the front springs were both 6L. To be fair it wasn’t that bad but it was noticeable when looking closely. Seems like Dobinsons should consider make a left/right specific spring for the front like they do in the rear.

Depending on your rear measurements and rake you could consider putting the spacer leaf on top of the passenger side rear leaf pack. That will lower rear passenger corner the thickness of the spacer leaf (1/4-1/3” I believe) and might drop the passenger side front just a hair. When detailing my suspension stance I found adjustments on one side affected both front and rear height on that side, though the difference was smaller on the corner where the spring pack wasn’t adjustment - hope that makes sense!

Thanks! World of difference in handling and comfort. I feel like I'm driving a proper land cruiser now.

I've used your build thread as a guide for and was considering just replicating your formula as we had the same batch kits from Dobinsons (7923) but figured each cruiser is different so I'll just adjust one thing at a time and see where it ends up. Plus, as I stated before, they sent me an older batch front leaf pack and that is the leaf I chose to re-install. I may end up taking that route with the spacer leaf though. We'll see how she settles.

 

[schuy2147]

Pretty sure my choke cable snapped on me yesterday. Luckily it’s warm here and I shouldn’t need it to get the ol girl fired up but I’ll get a new one on order. I’m assuming they aren’t serviceable?
I pulled the cable from the dash to inspect and noticed this bundle of joy. Anyone know what it could be?

 

[WP40]

Aftermarket alarm?

 

[schuy2147]

Swapped in a new OEM choke cable from cityracer. Sure wish the power steering pump was that easy.

Holy smog hell!! What an effort to get that sh*t out of the way.

Hoping someone can chime in and help me out here: the rear bolt that mounts the pump to the bracket seems to hit a dead stop at the header. Is header removal required or is there a trick?

 

[3_puppies]

Hoping someone can chime in and help me out here: the rear bolt that mounts the pump to the bracket seems to hit a dead stop at the header. Is header removal required or is there a trick?
View attachment 3351236View attachment 3351235

easier to remove the entire bracket than the manifold

 

[schuy2147]

easier to remove the entire bracket than the manifold

Yeah that’s what I’m starting to realize. Looks like one nut and one bolt?

 

[schuy2147]

WOW. I can’t believe this little power steering pump is this difficult for me to remove. De-smog has been on my list but now it has become inevitable as the smog pump and all its glorious hoses are in the way of every single thing I’m trying to do. Not to mention the clamps are all orientated in a manner that’s nearly impossible to get a pair of pliers or channel locks on to remove. Still have one more bracket bolt to remove but I’m defeated and done for the day. Not a chance im putting myself through all that to install the rebuilt pump. My goodness.

 

[schuy2147]

Fresh start today. Removed PS pump for reseal, bracket, and air pump.

Years of oil build up down there. I’ll do my best to get this area cleaned up while I wait for a response from JimC about a desmog setup. I had figured some of this smog equipment was bound to be failing sooner than later and my suspicions were validated during removal.
Haven’t researched what this is…but it’s broke.

 

[schuy2147]

PS pump rebuilt. Hopefully this holds for a while.

 

[schuy2147]

Installed the rebuilt power steering pump. Also installed a new return line and added an inline filter.

I ground about half the head off the rear mounting bolt that hits the exhaust manifold. Now, if I need to remove the pump again for service or to access the smog pump, I can remove it without having to loosen/remove the entire bracket.

 

[MoaByte]

I also have an 87. The smog pump and all those hoses were overwhelming. I admire that you you could keep it together. Good job.
However, I don't miss it.

 

[schuy2147]

Noticed the wire from the body to the tailgate was broken that feeds the license plate lights. Made the repair and still didn’t have lights. I’m kind of stumped here: I’ve checked voltage through the entire circuit up to the light bulb sockets and have ~11.3V there. Bulbs tested good. Not sure what I’m missing.

 

[MoaByte]

Noticed the wire from the body to the tailgate was broken that feeds the license plate lights. Made the repair and still didn’t have lights. I’m kind of stumped here: I’ve checked voltage through the entire circuit up to the light bulb sockets and have ~11.3V there. Bulbs tested good. Not sure what I’m missing. View attachment 3499655View attachment 3499656

It's the ground. I have yet to fix mine.

 

[3_puppies]

It's the ground. I have yet to fix mine.

it is grounded thru the hinges, a "new" wire would need to be run

 

[schuy2147]

it is grounded thru the hinges, a "new" wire would need to be run

Hmmm..I don't understand my readings then. 11.3 volts at the light socket(s) but there is still a grounding issue?

 

[3_puppies]

just for laughs, run a jumper wire for a ground and see what happens
single hot wire feeds the light
the ground is thru the tailgate hinges to the body
hinges get rusty and lose contact

 

[schuy2147]

just for laughs, run a jumper wire for a ground and see what happens
single hot wire feeds the light
the ground is thru the tailgate hinges to the body
hinges get rusty and lose contact

Great Scott!! It works!! Thanks for the tip!

 

[schuy2147]

Started my desmog process today. Made some good progress.

The air rail is still on as I’m letting the 6 ports soak a bit longer. They’ve all broken free except the rear one closest to the firewall. Does anyone have any experience reaching this one? Looks pretty much impossible.