Builds Big Red Toy (3 Viewers)

[The Phoenician]

It really shouldn't haunt you. You have huge tires on a very lifted truck. The 4BT puts out a ton of power, but it's using a lot of that power to push your truck down the highway at modern freeway speeds. Two fixes:

1. Decrease the load by running smaller/lighter tires or lowering the truck.
2. Increase engine RPM at cruising speed so that the engine makes more power, therefore decreasing load.

BTW, any word on Moonshine? what's new with your blow by issue?

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Nah. Drove her for a couple of hours last weekend and didn't have oil streaming out. Hoping to get some work in this weekend.

 

[The Phoenician]

Ok I'm back home after being gone a couple of weeks. Drove Big Red at highway speeds with my paddle board on the roof and with the AC on, I'm pleased with the results. At some points I was doing 78mph.

I decided to reinstall the old man emu steering stabilizer before heading out to White Sands in October. I need to find good mounting hardware to bolt it to the new Hysteer set up. Any recommendations? I found some hardware on All Proof Off Road, but want to compare before squeezing the trigger.

 

[cruisermatt]

What do you mean by hardware? Nuts and bolts? Are you still running OE-TRE's? I would think your steering stabilizer would stay OE style.

 

[The Phoenician]

Sorry, I should have been clearer. I just needed something to clamp the stabilizer shock to the link. I ended up buying this from Ruff Stuff

 

[The Phoenician]

So I got my Ruff Stuff steering stabilizer bracket installed. This thing is over built and I love it.

I painted it black before the install.

Here it is on Big Red.

It got rid of that small shimmy I had at higher speeds and does not hinder any steering ability. Very pleased with it.

On a different note, I met a very interesting gentleman yesterday at Popeye's of all places. I'll save that story for later once I get permission to post his pic.

 

[The Phoenician]

Just saw this video, has a near identical set up as mine.



Wondering how necessary it is to get the front axle reinforced with gussets ( referring to 1:34 in the video).

 

[The Phoenician]

My bike rack and extension hitch came in today.

Here it is assembled in my living room

Here are a few pics of on Big Red.

I can install the extension hitch upside down if I wanted to lower the rack, but then I won't be able to use the Pintle hook at the same time. Freaking first world problems

 

[The Phoenician]

Because I'm an impulsive child, decided to hit the local trails by my house, you know just so I can test out the rack.

decided to flip the extension which makes it easier to load and unload the bike.

ok time to hit the real gym and go to work.

 

[erse]

Just saw this video, has a near identical set up as mine.



Wondering how necessary it is to get the front axle reinforced with gussets ( referring to 1:34 in the video).

I think it was on here I remember visiting and revisiting the add way too often. Doesn't look like the PO still visits mud but the new owner might I guess.

For Sale: - FJ62 Turbo Bio-Diesel

 

[The Phoenician]

Found these old beauties from Round Up 2014, had forgotten about them.

 

[The Phoenician]

Came home this morning to find this.

Looks like I have a coolant leak. Hoping it's just a loose hose. I need to get the wiring and all this little stuff fixed as well as weld the gussets Iordered before I take Big Red to New Mexico at the end of the month. The only issue is I don't have much time from now till then.

 

[The Phoenician]

Drove by a mechanic that's close to my house. This guy has been working on old German cars since I was 5. He had about 30 vehicles parked in the rear, I only managed to take a few pics.

one of my old time favorites, the M6. I used to watch these machines street race mercedes benzes in Lebanon all the time.

An Old Mercedes that has sat in a garage for 23 years and a decent looking MG.

Not a big fan of Fords, but this is nice looking

and finally my 3rd favorite car

 

[The Phoenician]

On my way home I saw the UPS man drop off the gussets I ordered.

What do you guys think, yay or nay?

Has anyone done this before? Any pics?

 

[boots4]

I'd say Yay to your gussets. Towards the end of my FJ60 axle is where I bent it on a wheeling trip and I did not have that part gusseted. The landcruiser axle could use the reinforcement in that section especially considering the use and abuse with bigger tires, more weight, and more torque.

 

[The Phoenician]

I thought this would be a 20 minute job, ends up being two hours. Only got charged for one though so I can't complain.

Left a gap so it doesn't melt the seals.

I feel better now , $20 gussets is cheap insurance for a very expensive front axle.

 

[boots4]

hmm... I would have welded the whole thing, no gaps. Should still give better reinforcement as is.

 

[The Phoenician]

hmm... I would have welded the whole thing, no gaps. Should still give better reinforcement as is.

We discussed it, and it came down to if he welds it, it will probably mess up the inner seal and then a simple job would become an expensive messy one. Decided to err on the side of caution since I don't have the time or money right now to waste on this thing should it decide to start leaking.

 

[The Phoenician]

Decided to discover the local bike trails and test out how well the bike rack will hold up to having two bikes on there. We weren't disappointed.

Came across lots of beautiful scenery, Aurora had to stop every few minutes to take pictures. I didn't complain since I needed to catch my breath anyway.

The bridge across looks like it hadn't been used in years. I wasn't even sure how people got across.

And out of of no where we find the constellations. Apparently if you flash a light on them they will glow, at least according to the hippie lady that was there with her German Shepherd.

And also according to the little plaque on the ground.

Happy to say, the bike rack is stout and can still fit two more bikes.

 

[cruiserpilot]

Hey, back in town so thought I'd see what you were up to. Marlin Crawler has front axle gusset kit
they sell. I think I remember mentioning to you to put one on. Glad you got something on there before
the tube ends got bent.