`98 G-Ride 100 Build

[SALTY METHODS]

It's been awhile since I posted on the G-Ride. Since last post, I've dented in my rear bumper and scratched the back corners too. I used a heat gun to pop out the dent. In the process of popping out the back dent, I was selling my step sides and stock front bumper to a local Craigslister. I sold him the front bumper, side steps and the back bumper for $80. Now I'm rocking no back bumper and I like it. I plan on getting an after market bumper eventually but for now, no more scraping. Removed the tow hitch also which was bugging me because it was definitely the lowest point in the back.

Dented back bumper - Ocotillo Wells 5/2017

I then found another set of Rock Warrior wheels and tires (BFG KO2 285/70/17) on Craigslist. So I picked those up. I will probably keep one wheel for my spare and sell the other 2 or 3 wheels to you guys if anyone is interested.

I tried out a little trail bead pop with my hi-lift jack. Just to see if I could do it. It works.

 

[SALTY METHODS]

This weekend took the boys up to the Sierras for a little off roading, fishing and camping. We drove Friday night to a small town called Isabella. Tried to find a campground but wasn't able to. Stupid GPS put us in some random place along the road. It was too late to find the spot so we pulled over and setup a quick camp a little ways off the highway. 8/2017

The truck in the morning before we were about to take off.

The destination was Monache Meadows.

Heading into the town of Kennedy Meadows. Elevation around 7,500 feet.

"Traffic" heading in on the trail

Driving through 1 of 3 or 4 awesome meadows

 

[SALTY METHODS]

Camp

Found a completely dead tree in camp and luckily I brought along (from my old fire fighting days) my pulaski and chopped it down. Got winded a few times along the way.

Took another route to leave and crossed the Kern river a few times

Tree...!

Rock...!

I love this truck. Now I have to clean this bad boy. Off roading with the windows down and the sunroof open sure does suck in the dust. Oh well...

 

[ikarus]

Those trails look awesome man.

 

[SALTY METHODS]

Top: 5-days of Death Valley, CA
Bottom: 1-day at the detailer

 

[SALTY METHODS]

Took the family out to see the Grand Canyon over New Years. Definitely a sight to see.

This "tour-on" came barrelin' down the center of the road, while looking at his phone, swerved, barely missed us and ended up in the ditch on the side of the road. Told the guy to watch the F--k he was doing and proceeded to pull him out with my winch (gave me a good reason to use my winch).

Then on the way back to our cabin, we saw another guy (4Runner) trying to dig out his truck on the side of the road. Pulled over and used the winch again. Got him out and he was cool enough to give me a sticker and $20 for beer. Not needed but a super cool gesture on his part.

 

[SALTY METHODS]

More winching fun in Death Valley back in 2019. Had to high-lift jack up my buddies truck because he blew out his drive shaft. Jack-pull-fall-jack-pull-fall-jack-pull-fall. Once we got him pointed in the right direction, we used another winch to pull him up the trail.

 

[implayaz9]

Sick Build. Post more pictures

 

[SALTY METHODS]

It's been a while since I last posted.

Took the ol' family truckster out to Anza Borrego/Ocotillo Wells/Plaster City for a few days with the family the day after Thanksgiving. Went out with some friends to check out his new luxury pre-runner. We off roaded most of the night the first day we got there and off roaded all the next day.

While driving around I noticed my steering was getting all wonky. It would quickly spin hard to one side and the truck would turn hard when I would turn more than 90 degrees. I figured it was a ball joint going out or maybe a wheel bearing starting to go. I figured it would hold up the rest of the trip and drove like I normally would off road and then ultimately home on the freeway for a couple of hours doing 70+ mph. I pulled it into the driveway and parked it until I could figure out what was the matter. Almost two months later...

So one day my friend rolls over and asks about the Landy. Told him I didn't know so we started to look at the ball joints, looked at the spindle, looked all around. He then called me an idiot and pointed out the upper control arm on the passenger side. The rear part on upper control arm snapped off the mount. That explained the wonky steering. Ha!

Anyways, I finally got time to dig into it today. I pulled it apart and got to work.

Drew up some gussets.

Cut gussets out and test fitted.

Tack welded the bushing mount back onto the arm. I know... I know... I should have bought a new bushing and pressed the old one out. I probably should have got new pipe, welded it to the arm, then pressed the new bushing into place. Heck, I should have just bought a new arm. But nope. I wanted to see if I could pull this off.

Once tacked, I started to weld.

Finished up with a quick coat of black.

Then slapped that bad boy back onto the rig.

Took me all day but surprisingly less time than I thought it was going to take. All that's left is to get it aligned and cross my fingers my welds hold. Cheers!!

 

[SALTY METHODS]

Welp... It's time. I got myself a new tow pig and the wife won't let me keep all my trucks. So reluctantly I've decided to sell the Land Cruiser. If anyone is interested, she's up for sale. Here's the listing:

SOLD - San Diego, CA 1998 Toyota Land Cruiser (UZJ100), Rear Locking Diff

It's time for me to let my baby go. Got a new/old truck (2003 Ford F350 diesel) and the wife isn't letting me keep all my trucks so it's time to sell my Landy. Price: $18,000 OBO Mileage: 174,062 Location: San Diego, CA Here's the details: '98 LC - UJZ100, Factory rear diff locker, SPC UCA...

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New to Me Ford 2003 F350 4x4, Crew Cab: