Builds A Troopy Finds Its Owner

[61Mk+]

If you are at 3.2 ton constantly, dissconnect that silly valve and leave it in the 100% position, your braking should improve.

Nasty tap into the axle! How hard would it have been to weld a few nuts in place?

Which brand of lockers do you have?

Hello Damien,

I am at 3.2 tonnes constantly, that's the vehicle's empty weight. From a non-mechanic's point of view, i love the feedback, 'cause i don't know nuthin', so i'll use your brake disconnect info when i get the opportunity; thank you.
In regards to why nuts were not welded into place on the axle, you'd have to ask crushers; as i am not in touch, i ain't about to ask him.
I assume that my electric lockers are Toyota items, and i certainly hope so; refer to the last sentence for why i won't find out anytime soon.
I do intend, when finances allow, to entirely dismantle my car and rebuild it right. So all these bits of info i appreciate.

 

[61Mk+]

As mentioned previously, the front diff lock 'switched on' light hasn't come on in at least a year and a half. Initially, i assumed that it was an electrical issue, just because of the car's history since i got it.
I finally had a chance to get that sorted. It turns out that the indicator light was correct, in that it never came on because the front diff lock never engaged; and, Sadam_husain, you were on the money with your take on it. However, the reason that diff lock never engaged was because of a really silly reason: the diff lock actuator housing has a breather, to which was attached a hose, the same sort one puts on diff breathers and lead up high to keep water out. Except that in this case, the diff lock actuator housing hose was not led higher, it was just stuffed into a wiring harness.
So the actuator's grease had been long ago washed out, there was corrosion in it, and the plunger (actuating rod, whatever, sorry i do not know the factory term) was seized. That's sorted now, thank christ, the hose was led up, the actuator was cleaned and re-lubed, and all is well with that now.
Great joy resulted when locking the diffs now, the steering got heavy, the car kept moving. A happy Troopie is a good Troopie. Oh, and the front diff indicator light comes on.
Bloody hell, once again i can't get pictures uploaded here just now. Will keep trying.

 

[61Mk+]

I am able to get the pictures in now; please don't ask why i couldn't before, as i haven't a clue.
These just show the corrosion in the front diff lock actuator housing.

 

[cruiserpilot]

Sometimes I find a slow internet is the culprit with failure to upload pics.

 

[wardharris]

As mentioned previously, the front diff lock 'switched on' light hasn't come on in at least a year and a half. Initially, i assumed that it was an electrical issue, just because of the car's history since i got it.
I finally had a chance to get that sorted. It turns out that the indicator light was correct, in that it never came on because the front diff lock never engaged; and, Sadam_husain, you were on the money with your take on it. However, the reason that diff lock never engaged was because of a really silly reason: the diff lock actuator housing has a breather, to which was attached a hose, the same sort one puts on diff breathers and lead up high to keep water out. Except that in this case, the diff lock actuator housing hose was not led higher, it was just stuffed into a wiring harness.
So the actuator's grease had been long ago washed out, there was corrosion in it, and the plunger (actuating rod, whatever, sorry i do not know the factory term) was seized. That's sorted now, thank christ, the hose was led up, the actuator was cleaned and re-lubed, and all is well with that now.
Great joy resulted when locking the diffs now, the steering got heavy, the car kept moving. A happy Troopie is a good Troopie. Oh, and the front diff indicator light comes on.
Bloody hell, once again i can't get pictures uploaded here just now. Will keep trying.

Never ends, eh?

 

[61Mk+]

You're probably right, Cruiserpilot; and the connection in my location is certainly far from fast.
Wardharris, no it never ends. And i've a long way to go yet. There are still all manner of minor oil leaks, a funny thump from somewhere in the rear, and so on and on. I do look forward to when i have it all sorted, and have a 70 that behaves without influence from careless and/or apathetic influences. All my car's issues are not the car's fault. Stupid, isn't it.

 

[PNWScooby]

Your situation is so frustrating and motivating at the same time. A lesser man would have given up and been crying by now. I feel like there should be a "gofundme" or something for everyone on here to chip in a little $ and help you knock out some of these issues.
I am obviously preaching to the choir here but I hate that you have to deal with these constant issues instead of just enjoying what's supposed to be an epic troopy. Keep your head up!

 

[roscoFJ73]

Hello Damien,

I am at 3.2 tonnes constantly, that's the vehicle's empty weight. .

Are you sure? I thought my troopy was about 2000-2200kg empty. I haven't weighed it yet.
I just read most of the thread but I don't recall seeing what engine it has.
Did you get a console,I was going to suggest the Department of the Interior console. No experience but they have a happy following on some 4wd forums in Oz.

 

[61Mk+]

Hello Rosco,
I'm quite certain, i've driven it over roadside scales a number of times(because i find it a rather large number too). The builder told me that he weighed all the steel he fabbed for it, and that alone came to 1100lbs. The engine is the 1HZ. No i haven't yet done anything about a console, as i intend to entirely rebuild the car myself, so being back at work now is partly to pile up a few frogpelts for that endeavour. Uh, more answer than you needed, but i'll make a console at that time.

 

[61Mk+]

Hello PNWScooby,
Thanks for the kind words, i don't really know what to say in response. The support makes a difference.
I do enjoy my car, don't think otherwise. If i am visiting someone, have to run an errand, and i am offered another vehicle, i still take my Troopie; i love driving it.

 

[Gun Runner 5]

Hello PNWScooby,
Thanks for the kind words, i don't really know what to say in response. The support makes a difference.
I do enjoy my car, don't think otherwise. If i am visiting someone, have to run and errand, and i am offered another vehicle, i still take my Troopie; i love driving it.

Spending money on a vintage Cruiser is just part of the ownership experience however spending money twice just sucks. Hope you get it sorted.

 

[61Mk+]

The message is appreciated, thank you sir.

 

[Gun Runner 5]

The message is appreciated, thank you sir.

My dad and my grandfather were "sirs" .... I'm just Charles.

 

[roscoFJ73]

I was looking at the plate on the firewall and it says GVM 3055 kg (gross vehicle mass) . That's a lot of weight to carry just for storage space ,although it looks quality.
If the tanks are standard ,they are nominally rated at 90 litres each but I can only get about 83 in the rear and 87 in the main tank. I can get about 1300klms from that at 13/100. Sometimes it gets down to 12/100

 

[61Mk+]

I was looking at the plate on the firewall and it says GVM 3055 kg (gross vehicle mass) . That's a lot of weight to carry just for storage space ,although it looks quality.
If the tanks are standard ,they are nominally rated at 90 litres each but I can only get about 83 in the rear and 87 in the main tank. I can get about 1300klms from that at 13/100. Sometimes it gets down to 12/100

Hello Rosco,
It certainly is a lot of weight; i do have the Dobbinson springs installed, which i've assumed means they can cope with the greater mass. In regards to the fuel tanks, i think i'll have those rebuilt too, i was hoping to have a capacity of 240 litres. Overboard, yes, but i don't want to carry any jerrycans with me. And i am aware of Long Rangers' items, especially the 180 litre reservoirs for Troopies. I do fill mine up, when i can, to the top of the filler neck, and that has taught me that the breather in my rear tank isn't right at all, as if it was never installed. I'll never be satisfied until i take it all apart and sort out all the little issues.

 

[roscoFJ73]

Hello Rosco,. I'll never be satisfied until i take it all apart and sort out all the little issues.
, and that has taught me that the breather in my rear tank isn't right at all, as if it was never installed

One of the great things about these is that when something is fixed properly ,its done forever. I kind of keep a mental diary on things that need doing in order of cost+importance.

Was the breather related to the fuel leakage around the cap?

I had Dobinsons heavy duty leaf springs on my 73 series and I needed a few hundred kg extra on the back axle to make it ride nice. It was at its best loaded with 4-5 days of camping gear.
I had them on the 73 series for 4-5 years and they never sagged ,maybe 5mm if any and they went over some rough tracks. So I'm sure you will get good mileage out of them.

 

[61Mk+]

I haven't a space to do all the work, so i'm aiming to rent one for a year in order to focus on doing nothing but that, until comlpetion. I prefer to do so than fix one bug here and then another there ad nauseum, unless it's a necessity.
The rear tank's fuel filler neck had a few small dents on the surface which mated to the cap's rubber ring that sealed; that filler neck was replaced earlier this year, but there is yet a minor leak; and whenever i fuel up, it takes forever to get fuel to stop frothing at the top of the filler neck, which indicates to me that the breather doesn't work, or at the very least tells me that something isn't right in there.
I was told by my builder that the Dobbinssons on my car are the medium duty ones. Nice to hear they'll last, thank you.

 

[AndrewHadji]

My dad and my grandfather were "sirs" .... I'm just Charles.

aaaand we have come full circle... dont worry, i get in trouble for the sir thing too :-D

 

[roscoFJ73]

The rear tank's fuel filler neck had a few small dents on the surface which mated to the cap's rubber ring that sealed; that filler neck was replaced earlier this year, but there is yet a minor leak; and whenever i fuel up, it takes forever to get fuel to stop frothing at the top of the filler neck, which indicates to me that the breather doesn't work, or at the very least tells me that something isn't right in there.
.

Its hard to understand how it could go wrong. The breather is just a piece of hose that allows air to escape. I replaced the whole fuel filler TUBE when I did the diesel conversion on my FJ73 by sourcing one from A BJ70.
Its been a while since I have delved into that area and I'm wondering if somehow the hoses are crossed with the condenser hoses.(if that's possible)
If you put some low pressure air into the fuel tank ,you should feel air escaping from the breather.
Having an area to work in will be a blessing.

 

[61Mk+]

You've bashed the nail on the head, Rosco, with this statement: 'It's hard to understand how it could go wrong'.
Andrew, touché! I was wondering if you were going to pipe up about that...