Builds Baselining, maintenance, and build of Paddy - 97 LC (1 Viewer)

[schradec]

Few months back I picked up a new to me 97 FZJ80. After hunting for a while online I found one fairly close with pretty low miles (105.xxx at the time). Pulled the trigger and drove her the hour and a half home.

After pulling all the lame chrome trim the PO had put on it was onto the even more fun stuff. First was addressing the fluids. Oil change was done immediately after I got it home, and a little piece of mind was gained(Rotella T6). While stock piling parts and waiting on a few more to come in I did the first performance mod and one of the most important performance mod for any vehicle. Tires.

285/75/16 BFG ko2s.

 

[schradec]

Now onto the tranny, tcase and both F/R diffs.

Pulled the plug on the tranny pan and drained it dry. New plug gasket, bolted it back up and filled via the dipstick until the level was back to normal (will take about 4qts if your rig was properly filled). Next was on to the diffs. Pan placed under the from first, 24mm sock to the fill plug, and then the drain plug. Got the drain plug pulled and let it flow. Also found this...

Now I know where all my moly grease is going to...and also that I will be doing a front axle knuckle rebuild here in the near future. Do yourself a favor and get one of those little gear oil filler tubes from the auto parts store (http://www.amazon.com/Hopkins-10106...&qid=1457220865&sr=1-3&keywords=gear+oil+tube ). I did mine without and it was a pain and took forever as I used a piece of tubing and a funnel...letting gravity fill it up.

 

[excessive]

i think those metal shavings are pretty normal to find in the front or rear diff, not the case w/ the tranny though!

 

[schradec]

i think those metal shavings are pretty normal to find in the front or rear diff, not the case w/ the tranny though!

Yea I wasn't to surprised to see that, no heavy chunks on the mag or that flowed into the oil catch. More so the moly grease that was caked on there as well. @LandCruiserPhil chimed in as well with some knowledge and recommended filling it and driving it before rebuilding the front knuckles. The car only has 106 on the clock, so going that route and will just order a rebuild kit in the mean while to have when the time comes.

Cheers!

 

[tominboise]

Yeah, mine just rolled 160k and the front axle seals aren't leaking yet. So I wouldn't tear into it yet.

You should consider packing the wheel bearings front and rear, though.

 

[schradec]

Yeah, mine just rolled 160k and the front axle seals aren't leaking yet. So I wouldn't tear into it yet.

You should consider packing the wheel bearings front and rear, though.

Smart move. Added to the top of the to do list! Thanks!

 

[Irish Reiver]

Do yourself a favor and get one of those little gear oil filler tubes from the auto parts store (http://www.amazon.com/Hopkins-10106...&qid=1457220865&sr=1-3&keywords=gear+oil+tube ). I did mine without and it was a pain and took forever as I used a piece of tubing and a funnel...letting gravity fill it up.

I picked up a couple of handheld garden sprayers a few years back. Fill it with oil, a few pumps and off you go. You can lie and watch for the fill signs with no stress.

 

[schradec]

I picked up a couple of handheld garden sprayers a few years back. Fill it with oil, a few pumps and off you go. You can lie and watch for the fill signs with no stress.

Yea I gravity fed the front diff yesterday...took FOREVER haha. Im going to run to the parts store today and grab another method. If they aren't in stock though I'm headed to Lowes to give your method a try. Good idea! Thanks!

 

[Irish Reiver]

Yea I gravity fed the front diff yesterday...took FOREVER haha. Im going to run to the parts store today and grab another method. If they aren't in stock though I'm headed to Lowes to give your method a try. Good idea! Thanks!

This is the one I use. I have a feeling I picked it up in the UK. Been using it for years with success. Just remove the nozzel and your good to go.

 

[schradec]

This is the one I use. I have a feeling I picked it up in the UK. Been using it for years with success. Just remove the nozzel and your good to go.
View attachment 1220231

Awesome idea! Be a good solution for gear oil and trans ATF vs fighting with those skinny long funnels or feet of tube. Great little garage hack you have there! If this rain lets up today I will hopefully finish off the rear diff and tcase

 

[schradec]

Rear went well, oil didn't look to bad at all actually. Had the same build up on rear drain plug too. Working on the center diff now...PB blasted them, took a ratchet to the first one and snap. Soaking the other 2 real good and will attempt with impact possibly?

 

[decoco]

hey! I really like the ride, looks a lot like mine.

What I'm nuts about are the wheels!

welcome!

 

[schradec]

hey! I really like the ride, looks a lot like mine.

What I'm nuts about are the wheels!

welcome!

Yea the wheels took me a bit, but finally are growing on me! I really hated them at first. Appreciate it!

 

[schradec]

Got the last 2 off the center diff skid with out snapping them off. Will probably just bolt it back on once I'm done with the fluid drain and then look into a new skid entirely. Most likely something like the ipor one that replaces that whole crossmember.

On a side note does anyone know or have experience with the AJIK rear tire carrier that bolts to the stock bumper? Looks like a cool option vs dropping 2+K on a full rear bumper....

 

[schradec]

Haha @NLXTACY maybe you would be in the know of that

 

[NLXTACY]

Haha @NLXTACY maybe you would be in the know of that

I've heard rumors

 

[schradec]

Got the dash pulled apart today and new JVC bluetooth unit installed along with the little bottom cubby that came with the kit. Little note to anyone using Crutchfield...make sure you chat with customer service when buying as you will want a diff harness than the one they will sell you.

Here is a link from MUD that helped me a ton. Points you to the correct harness needed as well.
So you want to install an aftermarket HU + Amp + Sub.....

All in all I am really happy with the HU, fit/finish etc. It was very reasonably priced, looks good and initial use has been great!
JVC KD-X320BTS

I will snap some photos tomorrow as it started raining as I was finishing up.

 

[schradec]

...next is the windshield seal/sunroof drain clean...which I should have done first bc its still raining haha.

 

[schradec]

for others draining and flushing. Shots of the block drain. 14mm. Straight shot once tire and skirts are removed from drivers side wheel well.

 

[schradec]

Quick note to others. I did not plan on bypassing the rear heater. Bone head move. Lines have some really nasty sections. May be grabbing the other car and some hose length to do this today as well. Highly recommend checking your lines first and if they look iffy( aka likely ). By pass that thing.