Builds Another 80 series build thread. The 'BlackHole'
- Thread starter mervo
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- #142
So after all this it was time to drop some coin into getting some maintenance taken care of.
Oil change (sample sent to blackrock) , tires rotated, new air filter, psyched!!!! That was until the rig developed a loud noise when I hit 40mph that was fairly loud until I hit 65 and then it would subside.
So.... after searching MUD for similar issues I commenced the checking of tie-rod ends, and pan hard bushings. All looked good to my inexperienced eye, and wrench, so I figured I needed someone with slightly more experience to give me their thoughts.
Next stop, the 1 mile jaunt from work, the good guys at @sleeoffroad .Cristo set me up with an appointment over the phone after running me though a list of things to check myself and a week and a half later I dropped the rig off with those guys. Before rolling out Amory thought it might be a good idea for one of the guys to take a drive with me to make sure they were identifying the same noise i was. So out walks the master of all things Land Cruiser and Toyota, Shop Manager, Joe.
So after a quick 5 minute drive with Joe he was pretty sure by the vibration, sound, etc., that it was drive-line related. The same day Amory calls and sure enough front and rear drive line and u-joints were in pretty rough shape.
Such is life I suppose, but nothing I hadn't expected or anticipated when I decided to purchase a Cruiser a year and half ago. I'm actually looking forward to getting it back mañana so I can install my new rear hatch gasket that I've been slacking on taking care of.
STOP READING HERE IF YOU DON'T LIKE READING ENDORSEMENTS
I'm well aware of Slee's reputation around here, but I'm telling you that's what makes this place different than any other place I've been, they care about your rig. Amory always remembers me, shoots the breeze about how things are going, asks me about my job, and they want you to know what you're getting into before they turn a wrench. Ben has always been nothing but friendly when getting me squared away with my Shortbus bumper, and Joe has always been a straight shooter, and as nice as they come. They may not be the least expensive Cruiser specialist around, but it will be done right.
Oil change (sample sent to blackrock) , tires rotated, new air filter, psyched!!!! That was until the rig developed a loud noise when I hit 40mph that was fairly loud until I hit 65 and then it would subside.
So.... after searching MUD for similar issues I commenced the checking of tie-rod ends, and pan hard bushings. All looked good to my inexperienced eye, and wrench, so I figured I needed someone with slightly more experience to give me their thoughts.
Next stop, the 1 mile jaunt from work, the good guys at @sleeoffroad .Cristo set me up with an appointment over the phone after running me though a list of things to check myself and a week and a half later I dropped the rig off with those guys. Before rolling out Amory thought it might be a good idea for one of the guys to take a drive with me to make sure they were identifying the same noise i was. So out walks the master of all things Land Cruiser and Toyota, Shop Manager, Joe.
So after a quick 5 minute drive with Joe he was pretty sure by the vibration, sound, etc., that it was drive-line related. The same day Amory calls and sure enough front and rear drive line and u-joints were in pretty rough shape.
Such is life I suppose, but nothing I hadn't expected or anticipated when I decided to purchase a Cruiser a year and half ago. I'm actually looking forward to getting it back mañana so I can install my new rear hatch gasket that I've been slacking on taking care of.
STOP READING HERE IF YOU DON'T LIKE READING ENDORSEMENTS
I'm well aware of Slee's reputation around here, but I'm telling you that's what makes this place different than any other place I've been, they care about your rig. Amory always remembers me, shoots the breeze about how things are going, asks me about my job, and they want you to know what you're getting into before they turn a wrench. Ben has always been nothing but friendly when getting me squared away with my Shortbus bumper, and Joe has always been a straight shooter, and as nice as they come. They may not be the least expensive Cruiser specialist around, but it will be done right.
- Thread starter
- #143
New drive lines and u-joints.
Front DL
Rear DL
Front DL
Rear DL
- Thread starter
- #144
Rear hatch gasket install.
If yours has never been changed you might want to think about at least pulling yours off and checking for rust. It's easy enough to put back on.
Take 5 minutes, literally.
Old gasket off-
Some surface rust-
Can't be having rust-
After sanding and painting, new gasket was installed.
And I wonder why the hatch gasket leaked.....
If yours has never been changed you might want to think about at least pulling yours off and checking for rust. It's easy enough to put back on.
Take 5 minutes, literally.
Old gasket off-
Some surface rust-
Can't be having rust-
After sanding and painting, new gasket was installed.
And I wonder why the hatch gasket leaked.....
- Thread starter
- #145
Super stoked on the rear bumper that @reevesci is finishing this week. I should be able to make it up there on Saturday to pick it up, and Monday it'll be off to the powdercoater.
A shot with a main component left off as a teaser. We'll have to wait until I get up there with TT to post a pick of the completed bumper on my rig.
A shot with a main component left off as a teaser. We'll have to wait until I get up there with TT to post a pick of the completed bumper on my rig.
- Thread starter
- #146
(cross posted from what did you do with your 80 this weekend)
Great, great, day.
Picked up my bumper from Trail Tailor, aka @reevesci and I couldn't be more STOKED. Round trip from FoCo to Green River, 6am departure back at home at 4pm. Not too shabby.
I looked at all of the available rear bumpers out there and only Trail Tailor agreed (without hesitation mind you) to tweak the bumper to hold an extra storage box.
So Aluminess box was ordered and drop shipped to TT (don't ask me about my experience with Aluminess.... just note that they will not be getting any more $$ from me)
Dual-swing out, spare, high-lift mount, box platform that can also double as a rear winch mount if needed, (and also apparently little dude's new favorite seat) Note that box location is approx as I won't bolt it down until after power coating is finished.
If anyone is debating on who to get a bumper from I highly recommend Trail Tailor. J- is easy to work with, great prices, he's a Cruiser guy, and all-around great guy. (his 60, 80, 100, and FJ Cruiser all grace his driveway) Do yourself a favor and give TT a look for anything you need custom, bumpers, sliders, suspension, etc. If he doesn't have it I'm sure he can BUILD IT.
Great, great, day.
Picked up my bumper from Trail Tailor, aka @reevesci and I couldn't be more STOKED. Round trip from FoCo to Green River, 6am departure back at home at 4pm. Not too shabby.
I looked at all of the available rear bumpers out there and only Trail Tailor agreed (without hesitation mind you) to tweak the bumper to hold an extra storage box.
So Aluminess box was ordered and drop shipped to TT (don't ask me about my experience with Aluminess.... just note that they will not be getting any more $$ from me)
Dual-swing out, spare, high-lift mount, box platform that can also double as a rear winch mount if needed, (and also apparently little dude's new favorite seat) Note that box location is approx as I won't bolt it down until after power coating is finished.
If anyone is debating on who to get a bumper from I highly recommend Trail Tailor. J- is easy to work with, great prices, he's a Cruiser guy, and all-around great guy. (his 60, 80, 100, and FJ Cruiser all grace his driveway) Do yourself a favor and give TT a look for anything you need custom, bumpers, sliders, suspension, etc. If he doesn't have it I'm sure he can BUILD IT.
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It was a pleasure. Thanks again for the order and hope to see you soon for sliders, etc.!
J
J
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Did you ever mount the LED on the Slee front?
J
J
- Thread starter
- #149
Well I'm glad you asked. I was waiting to do a complete update with light bar and your rear bumper but considering my experience with FRPC I'm not holding my breath.
Without further adieu.... (pics taken from approx 30 feet)
Factory low beam
Factory high beam
Trail Tailor light bar and low beams
IT WILL MELT YOUR FACE OFF. I'm considering mounting one to the rear to melt faces of tailgaters.
Stand by for mount and on/off switch.
- Thread starter
- #150
Ok.
As I've mentioned before if you need anything for suspension, armor, lighting, or you just have an idea floating around, hit up J- aka @reevesci and I'm sure he can make it happen. My bumper is amazing and hopefully the powdercoater can get it back to me sometime this millennia....(not holding my breath)
After J- hooked me up with this light for an extremely killer price all i needed to do was mount it and go online and purchase "eyourlife heavy duty wiring harness" (linky at bottom). Plug and play, came with generic on/off switch. Wired straight to battery and used the existing factory blank and a spade bit to make the hole in the blank.
Is it as nice as @NLXTACY would have done, no, not even close. But I'm not a mad scientist, electrical genius warlord, when it comes to electrical stuff. As a matter of fact that's why I bought his FEM bc I'll probably start a fire in my rig due to my lack of knowledge. But hey, so far so good.
On/off switch. (measure to be centered...no eyeballed it and i was off, freakin idiot)
@reevesci light bar
Wiring harness used.
Amazon.com: Wiring Harness,Eyourlife Heavy Duty Wiring Harness Kit for Led Light bar 300W 12V 40A Fuse Relay On/Off Switch Relay 14AWG 12FT Length Universal Fitment Light Bar Accessories: Automotive
As I've mentioned before if you need anything for suspension, armor, lighting, or you just have an idea floating around, hit up J- aka @reevesci and I'm sure he can make it happen. My bumper is amazing and hopefully the powdercoater can get it back to me sometime this millennia....(not holding my breath)
After J- hooked me up with this light for an extremely killer price all i needed to do was mount it and go online and purchase "eyourlife heavy duty wiring harness" (linky at bottom). Plug and play, came with generic on/off switch. Wired straight to battery and used the existing factory blank and a spade bit to make the hole in the blank.
Is it as nice as @NLXTACY would have done, no, not even close. But I'm not a mad scientist, electrical genius warlord, when it comes to electrical stuff. As a matter of fact that's why I bought his FEM bc I'll probably start a fire in my rig due to my lack of knowledge. But hey, so far so good.
On/off switch. (measure to be centered...no eyeballed it and i was off, freakin idiot)
@reevesci light bar
Wiring harness used.
Amazon.com: Wiring Harness,Eyourlife Heavy Duty Wiring Harness Kit for Led Light bar 300W 12V 40A Fuse Relay On/Off Switch Relay 14AWG 12FT Length Universal Fitment Light Bar Accessories: Automotive
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Thanks S,
Just a spare bar I had from the 80 fronts I made. For the cost of that bar they are worth every penny. I've run them for a few years and they are great.
Glad it worked perfect for the Slee front spacing.
I asked my 200 client and he took his bumper to Coating Specialties instead of FRPC like he initially said.... But coaters and laser cutters are some scandalous individuals when it comes to lead times and promises....
Looks good man! I'll be in Fort Collins for a few days the week of the 24th. If you're around I'll swing by and see the rig again in person.
J
Just a spare bar I had from the 80 fronts I made. For the cost of that bar they are worth every penny. I've run them for a few years and they are great.
Glad it worked perfect for the Slee front spacing.
I asked my 200 client and he took his bumper to Coating Specialties instead of FRPC like he initially said.... But coaters and laser cutters are some scandalous individuals when it comes to lead times and promises....
Looks good man! I'll be in Fort Collins for a few days the week of the 24th. If you're around I'll swing by and see the rig again in person.
J
- Thread starter
- #152
Heck yeah bro, shoot me a text and I'll have a frothy beverage waiting for you.
Thanks for the tip on Coating Specialties, I've took the tailgate lid and now the bumper to FRPC and while their work is great, their Customer Service SUCKS. I hate when I walk in someplace to give them my hard earned cash and I feel like I'm inconveniencing them.
Hope all is well with business, and figuring out the relocation.. keep me posted and let me know if you need a hand moving, I'd be happy to lend a hand.
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I may take you up on that. We have 4-60, 1-80, 2-100, 1-FJC , 3 trailers, 1 boat, a 1 ton Dodge and the Armada to transport when we do find a new home..... Maybe a FIRE SALE IS IN MY FUTURE!!!! I know Andrea would like that.
We're in CA right now browsing around and then to Vegas.
J
- Thread starter
- #154
Bumper FINALLY back from powder coating. (wouldn't work with powder coater or Aluminess again....)
I couldn't be more psyched on Trail Tailor's work (@reevesci) I now have my tailgate lid/storage from Trail Tailor and my bumper. His work and willingness to work with customers on custom one off's is second to none. Hit him up if you're looking for something custom. Now if he just had stickers that I could plaster on my box I'd be good-to-go.
Where the hell do people put their license plates? Inside the spare? Drill bigger holes in the plate?
I couldn't be more psyched on Trail Tailor's work (@reevesci) I now have my tailgate lid/storage from Trail Tailor and my bumper. His work and willingness to work with customers on custom one off's is second to none. Hit him up if you're looking for something custom. Now if he just had stickers that I could plaster on my box I'd be good-to-go.
Where the hell do people put their license plates? Inside the spare? Drill bigger holes in the plate?
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A few spots. I'd go to the swing arm personally.
J
J
- Thread starter
- #157
5 days of traveling Colorado with the family, itinerary as followed;
Day 1- show up in Buena Vistato camp with a co-worker and his family at some private property up Cotton wood pass. Rained all day and night but was amazing.
Day 2- Went up to Chlosey Lake for some fly fishing. Very remote, awesome water crossing and only saw one other rig, AN 80!!!!! I wish I could remember his MUD name but it was awesome running into you and your friends (see pic of his rig) Little dude caught his first trout. I couldn't be happier as evidenced by the pic. Drove to Joyfull journeys hot springs and had a great evening- spent night in a yurt, little dude loved it.
Day 3- Little dude's 4th birthday! Drove to Crested Butte grabbed some java and ran into @Nemo and his awesome 40. Chatted for a bit before heading out and spent the night coming down Kebler pass, amazing campsite, no one around, water crossing to get to site.
Day 4- Drove to Marble, grabbed a campsite at the newly reopened Marble campsite (get campsite 10, or 15, no if's, and's, or but's, about it. With strong emphasis on 15, BUT it's the most expensive) Had lunch at Slow Groovin, and had the pleasure of meeting @Cruiser Jimmy and his significant other, awesome guy, I'd be psyched to get back to the Western Slope to wheel with him and his buddies. From lunch we headed to beaver lake for paddle boarding and wild raspberries. Live music at Slow Groovin that night
Day 5- Lead King Basin/Crystal Mill loop. Simply amazing, we hit the wild flowers PERFECtLY. Pics speak for themselves. On an amusing note, some jamoke took a Honda Ridgeline down Schofield Pass and got stuck, as in pinned, as in blocking the trail for anyone to pass other than dirt bikes. Apparently some crawlers went up took pics went back to CB to rally the troops to get the idiot out of trouble. Never heard the outcome, but I just shake my head.....
on the way home stopped at Penny hot springs on the Crystal River, great scene. Also, ran into another Cruiser head, @Basalt cruiser at the gas station, another awesome guy.
In short, best trip in the rig to date. Celebrated little dude's 4th birthday, ran a few great trails, and met 4 awesome MUD Members with great rigs. This community rocks.
Great waterfall on Chlosey trail waterfall.
Little dude's first trout!
Little Dude does not h8mud (campsite off Kebler pass)
Hit the timing on the wild flowers on Lead King Basin
Crux of Lead King Basin- 2 jeeps on this section rolled down the hill last year and impeded my progress on this section....... I made it to this location before a forced turn-around.
Day 1- show up in Buena Vistato camp with a co-worker and his family at some private property up Cotton wood pass. Rained all day and night but was amazing.
Day 2- Went up to Chlosey Lake for some fly fishing. Very remote, awesome water crossing and only saw one other rig, AN 80!!!!! I wish I could remember his MUD name but it was awesome running into you and your friends (see pic of his rig) Little dude caught his first trout. I couldn't be happier as evidenced by the pic. Drove to Joyfull journeys hot springs and had a great evening- spent night in a yurt, little dude loved it.
Day 3- Little dude's 4th birthday! Drove to Crested Butte grabbed some java and ran into @Nemo and his awesome 40. Chatted for a bit before heading out and spent the night coming down Kebler pass, amazing campsite, no one around, water crossing to get to site.
Day 4- Drove to Marble, grabbed a campsite at the newly reopened Marble campsite (get campsite 10, or 15, no if's, and's, or but's, about it. With strong emphasis on 15, BUT it's the most expensive) Had lunch at Slow Groovin, and had the pleasure of meeting @Cruiser Jimmy and his significant other, awesome guy, I'd be psyched to get back to the Western Slope to wheel with him and his buddies. From lunch we headed to beaver lake for paddle boarding and wild raspberries. Live music at Slow Groovin that night
Day 5- Lead King Basin/Crystal Mill loop. Simply amazing, we hit the wild flowers PERFECtLY. Pics speak for themselves. On an amusing note, some jamoke took a Honda Ridgeline down Schofield Pass and got stuck, as in pinned, as in blocking the trail for anyone to pass other than dirt bikes. Apparently some crawlers went up took pics went back to CB to rally the troops to get the idiot out of trouble. Never heard the outcome, but I just shake my head.....
on the way home stopped at Penny hot springs on the Crystal River, great scene. Also, ran into another Cruiser head, @Basalt cruiser at the gas station, another awesome guy.
In short, best trip in the rig to date. Celebrated little dude's 4th birthday, ran a few great trails, and met 4 awesome MUD Members with great rigs. This community rocks.
Great waterfall on Chlosey trail waterfall.
Little dude's first trout!
Little Dude does not h8mud (campsite off Kebler pass)
Hit the timing on the wild flowers on Lead King Basin
Crux of Lead King Basin- 2 jeeps on this section rolled down the hill last year and impeded my progress on this section....... I made it to this location before a forced turn-around.
Last edited:
- Thread starter
- #158
Continued---
Look on my face when wife asked to drive the section from the Crystal Mill (dead horse mill) back to Marble. No, she's never driven a trail and yes, I let her drive.....
Wife driving.....
Proof she didn't wreck the rig.
Look on my face when wife asked to drive the section from the Crystal Mill (dead horse mill) back to Marble. No, she's never driven a trail and yes, I let her drive.....
Wife driving.....
Proof she didn't wreck the rig.
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S,
Kiddos are wanting to run K Flats, Chutes and H.A. Hill when I get there Sunday/Monday, got plans? They are tentative on my end. Not sure I want the 100 on the Chutes though.
J
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[QUOTE="mervo, and had the pleasure of meeting @Cruiser Jimmy and his significant other, awesome guy, I'd be
psyched to get back to the Western Slope to wheel with him ][/QUOTE]
I KNEW THERE WAS SOMETHING ABOUT THIS GUY...................... HA! Just kidding Jimbo! Where the hell have you been brother?
J
psyched to get back to the Western Slope to wheel with him ][/QUOTE]
I KNEW THERE WAS SOMETHING ABOUT THIS GUY...................... HA! Just kidding Jimbo! Where the hell have you been brother?
J
