Bobby

[majdomo]

Victory! Found my ground fault, it was the same wire as the one I reconnected over the weekend, but a third wire was buried down in the harness that was disconnected as well. Lights now work the way they’re supposed to...it’s the little things. Now looking at putting in the rear cargo light, but not sure if there’s wiring attached to the harness in my ‘97. Doesn’t look that way but will do some more research.

 

[majdomo]

All the talk about steering wheels earlier in the week got me looking for a replacement for mine again. Found one at a yard not too far from me, took a gamble and found this one on an LS400, as installed with my original airbag. Gray isn’t exact, but close enough and the finish on the “new” one isn’t nearly as trashed:

And here’s my original, which I’m keeping to have refinished (eventually):

The LS400 wheel is a smidge thinner in the hand than the stock LC, and I kind of prefer the beefier wheel, but will trade that for now to not feel that worn spot under my palm. Airbag fits fine and horn works as confirmed.

Wanted to get to the shocks this weekend, but have babysitting for the weekend and didn’t want to spend the time without kids wrenching.

 

[majdomo]

NEW SHOCKS!!! OMG I got my workbench back. This was a pretty easy job, swapping them out. Took about 2-3 hours tops including cleanup and going slow. Also found my cricket - there’s a dowel-shaped metal cylinder that sits on top of the rag joint that is squeaking against the plate that has the pinch bolt attached to the upper part of the steering column. Figuring either 1 - the rag joint is shot, or 2 - just get a rubber jimmy hat for the, uh, shaft. Going with #2 for now, look into replacing the rag joint later.

Time for some pix!

Old and new - old looks like they were original to the car (!!!) On the rears, obvious but maybe not - I just pulled the whole top part and installed it on the bench, then depressed the shock and installed really quick while it rebounded. Worked a charm. Old vs new, showing the bracket that the top part bolts to before installing the new shock, check the trick rock shield on the new shock, this points toward the front of the rig:

Old and busted front shocks and assorted shot rubber bushes. I have no idea how long they were in for, but they were done. These were super easy, used a crowfoot ratchet attachment to get under the brake booster on the driver’s side. Torqued to spec.

That’s about it, pretty productive day all considered. New HT radio too, Yaesu FT3D!

 

[majdomo]

E30 sold today to a fellow BMW enthusiast. Wasn’t a planned thing exactly, but found someone who was looking, got a good price for a great car, and felt like the time was right. Will be missed for sure!

 

[majdomo]

Haven't been here in a minute, mainly because I've been out enjoying the LC and it hasn't needed anything except gas and an occasional wash. Currently waiting for some exhaust cushions to turn up from Partsouq (UAE), and will install those when they arrive. Nothing major, just sounds like a little exhaust rattle when closing the door or going over bumps.

Suspension has settled in nicely, replaced the gas cap to solve for the weird gas smell at the back of the car. Replaced the right and left rear door lock mechanisms, since they wouldn't unlock when they got hot or cold, ordered new from Rockauto. Still need to do the passenger front lock mechanism. Little diverter for the front / rear washer fluid is busted, so that's on the list but it's really not urgent at all, will get to it whenever. I mean, really little stuff.

Oh - and I replaced the new OEM radiator cap with an aftermarket Gates one, also from Rockauto. The OEM cap doesn't quite completely seal the filler neck of the TYC radiator, so I kept getting little fluid puddles on the driveway at the end of my commute. No overheating or anything, but enough to be annoying, and the Gates cap fixed it.

Have a book on order for backcountry trails in SoCal... it STILL has not been off pavement and it's getting to me...

 

[majdomo]

FINALLY. Wasn't much of anything but got the tires a little dirty. 5N24 near Santa Clarita. Easy peasy first go.

 

[baldilocks]

All the work you’ve done and it still has the running boards attached???

 

[majdomo]

All the work you’ve done and it still has the running boards attached???

Needs sliders, doesn't it?? The and kiddos need something to step up on, even at stock height. Soon, I think!

 

[baldilocks]

Ask them do they want to have fun or not? Been there done that did what I wanted they had fun.

 

[majdomo]

5N14 / Rowher Flat to 5N18 / Fall Canyon to 6N07 / Sierra Pelona finally to Bouquet Canyon. 17ish miles / 1.5 hours on rocky fire roads, plenty of folks on the trail and lots of good scenery. Need to do a search on the right tools to air down.

 

[baldilocks]

You can get fancy air down dodads but I just pull the valve core and time it. It’s quick.

 

[majdomo]

You can get fancy air down dodads but I just pull the valve core and time it. It’s quick.

Right. I may be oversimplifying, but can't I just get an air pressure gauge and let air out, recheck periodically until I get to the right pressure? This seems like one of the easier things to do... but what do I know.

Air UP, well that takes a compressor.

Oh - and I got some trail pinstriping on the passenger side today! Woot!

 

[baldilocks]

Your style of enthusiasm is what this forum needs more of! Choose all things through your own experience. I’m telling you that removing the core is fastest. The problem is that it requires your attention. Haha

 

[majdomo]

(YouTubes "remove valve core"...OH...durh...)

 

[baldilocks]

Yeah we we’re going this before YouTube existed.

 

[majdomo]

Report - not much to report! The rig has been better than awesome, no issues or problems whatsoever. I had to readjust my steering wheel centering a little, but that's it. Needs an oil change. Probably should buy parts / tools to do the birfs sometime soon. But other than that, I've been focusing on the 02 over the holidays, and just finished up a decent sized project on that car redoing the intake and putting on a new 38/38 carb. Fun fact - did not know that the 38/38 works with the FJ40 as well. Good to keep in mind when I'm ready to get a 40!

Took my son out on a few errands around town, and he was cold. Switched on the rear heater and he went nuts for it! (Glad I baselined that over the summer!!)

Every time I drive it, it's just such peace of mind being behind the wheel of such a well engineered truck.

 

[majdomo]

Short update - nothing major at all. Got some of those aftermarket floor mats from Rockauto for $30 in gray, which match the color of the carpet pretty well. I don’t really care if they get messed up, $30!

Pulled and rebuilt a charcoal filter out of a 96 LS400 and installed. Fits in the car perfectly, looks OEM, but the outlet back to the purge valve isn‘t the same size as the one to the tank - on the OEM 80 one they are both the same size. I have a chunk of the old purge line from the Lexus fitted into the inlet hose for the purge valve and it works fine. However, the OG one’s valves seem like they are in fine shape, so may just rebuild that one and reinstall.

Other than that - drove it to Vegas and back this weekend, short turnaround trip and it was totally, completely fine. I’m getting a high-pitched, whine/rattle that sounds like a worsening exhaust leak, but that’s about it. Oh, and my power steering leak isn’t totally fixed, so need to get into that at some point. Have started getting deep into the 2002, pulling parts on it to send out for a motor and glass-out paint and doing a top-end rebuild on the engine, so that’s taking up most of my time these days.

 

[majdomo]

Random person pulls up in my driveway. We aren't expecting anyone to visit...

"HEY! You selling the Land Cruiser??"

"No."

"YOU SURE??"

(closes front door).

 

[baldilocks]

You could have made money.

 

[FMC80]

You could have made money.

But lost so much more.