ARCHIVE Bringing back the York OBA bracket and pulley kit!
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NLXTACY
Wits' End
- Thread starter
- #384
The third run of the York OBA kits for the 1FZ have just started getting installed by customers and there was an issue that popped up that sent the customers, the fabrication shop and myself into a frenzy. As it turns out the two support legs aren't 100% parallel on this run so if you place the bracket onto the head you will notice that only one foot/flange will line up at a time. I experimented with a few things that worked but I wasn't exactly thrilled with the execution.
Then one of my customers had an "aha!" moment. This is what he did:
"So just a quick email from the garage to show you how to make it work... I bolted the front foot to the engine and put a small 12" pry bar between a water neck and the exhaust manifold and pushed the rear leg backwards until the holes lined up. It could also be done with a big screw driver... it only required about 25- 30 lbs of force, so anyone can do it. Here's a before and after shot plus where I put the tip of the pry bar. I'll let you know if anything else pops up."
And with that, problem solved. Its something that I will be sure doesn't happen on the fourth run but for the time being this batch has a simple, free fix.
For anyone still on the fence, I have plenty of kits in stock. Grab one before the price change on 2/14.
Then one of my customers had an "aha!" moment. This is what he did:
"So just a quick email from the garage to show you how to make it work... I bolted the front foot to the engine and put a small 12" pry bar between a water neck and the exhaust manifold and pushed the rear leg backwards until the holes lined up. It could also be done with a big screw driver... it only required about 25- 30 lbs of force, so anyone can do it. Here's a before and after shot plus where I put the tip of the pry bar. I'll let you know if anything else pops up."
And with that, problem solved. Its something that I will be sure doesn't happen on the fourth run but for the time being this batch has a simple, free fix.
For anyone still on the fence, I have plenty of kits in stock. Grab one before the price change on 2/14.
TrickyT
Hate that mud...
Here's a story of an unusual issue I've just resolved. I was part of the 2008 OBA bracket and pulley group buy that Joey organized. The hardware was made by, I think, a dude named blowjet (name was a takeoff on the water jet cutting technology he used for making these early OBA brackets). I installed my bracket-pulley-compressor setup in early 2009, which for my FZJ80 was 40,000 miles ago. The system has worked very well until a few thousand miles ago when I first noticed an on-again off-again squeaking noise coming from my water pump. This was strange because I had replaced my water pump only 36,000 miles ago when I did my head gasket and Toyota OEM pumps are known to be very robust and typically last for 150,000 - 250,000 miles or more. Nevertheless, when I put the tip of my mechanic's stethoscope on my water pump the squeaking sound was very loud. So I dropped $105 to get a new pump from Kurt at Cruiser Outfitters. Trouble was, it didn't fix the problem. Then I noticed that if I looked very carefully I could see the "slack" portion of the inner belt for my alternator, down near the A/C compressor, vibrating excessively while the outer alternator belt stayed tight all the time. WTF? To make the proverbial long story at least a little shorter, it turns out that the three-belt pulley I installed in 2008 had worn significantly and the inner belt was riding on the bottom of the pulley groove, something that should never happen with V-drive belts. (The "V" of the belt should always ride in the "V" of the pulley.)
My real reason for posting to this thread is that I'm not sure how many 'mud readers realize just how lucky we are to be able to just order unique parts like an OBA pulley for an FZJ80 from an on-line vendor. Back in 2008 there where countless posts and many months delay just to convince a custom low-volume manufacturer to "do another run". At least right now it's very different. I figured out my problem was with my pulley last weekend, ordered a replacement from Witt's End last Sunday, and had a new pulley it in my hands by Friday. How f**king awesome is that?!?
Here's a photo to showing the key differences between my worn pulley and NLXTACY's current pulley. If there's enough interest I'll link a video that shows the vibrating inner alternator drive belt.
My real reason for posting to this thread is that I'm not sure how many 'mud readers realize just how lucky we are to be able to just order unique parts like an OBA pulley for an FZJ80 from an on-line vendor. Back in 2008 there where countless posts and many months delay just to convince a custom low-volume manufacturer to "do another run". At least right now it's very different. I figured out my problem was with my pulley last weekend, ordered a replacement from Witt's End last Sunday, and had a new pulley it in my hands by Friday. How f**king awesome is that?!?
Here's a photo to showing the key differences between my worn pulley and NLXTACY's current pulley. If there's enough interest I'll link a video that shows the vibrating inner alternator drive belt.
NLXTACY
Wits' End
- Thread starter
- #386
Tom thanks a bunch for the write up and the kudos. Helps to hear every now and again to keep me motivated.
Actually it was Great Lakes Water Jet. I don't remember his actual name off hand but in the background, it was kind of a pain in the neck to get even that group buy going because he wasn't the easiest to work with/around. I was doing product dev at the time but my manufacturing specific knowledge wasn't what it is today so it was what it was.
You are actually the third person I know of now that experienced this same thing.
For my most recent productions I knew this going into it. I had the issue when I had billet aluminum pulleys on my 68 Camaro 396. When I redesigned the pulley I actually changed the ridge and v-notch slightly to prevent the belt from peeling off the top layer from a growing ridge. Then I anodized the pulley using Type 2 black which is far better for long-term wear. It still won't last as long as steel, and why OEM are always steel, but I could make it definitely last longer.
I think just you and two others now
I knew how I wanted to treat this community, my product line and the Wits' End name. I didn't want to be a one-hit wonder. I didn't want to take people's money and then disappear. I wanted to be a one-stop shop for anything/everything 80 Series...no matter how obscure. Part of this means I have to maintain a certain amount of inventory. Its tough to do to be perfectly honest. For example, this York OBA run has left me with nearly 20 complete kits sitting on the shelf. All of it paid for.
What I have noticed is there is a catch-22 with what I am doing. If I tell people I am only making 20 of something and all 20 need to be pre-sold, guess what? All 20 would be sold. But I changed it. I am stocking each of these. Now people don't have the sense of urgency to get a hold of a unit of potential unobtainium. Why? Because I stock it. I'll have these for probably the next year. It sucks, but then I do get the enjoyment when I read posts like this. Makes me feel like I'm doing the right thing.
Please do. It'll help those looking at this thread in a few years trying to figure out their issue.
View attachment 1410432[/QUOTE]
Actually it was Great Lakes Water Jet. I don't remember his actual name off hand but in the background, it was kind of a pain in the neck to get even that group buy going because he wasn't the easiest to work with/around. I was doing product dev at the time but my manufacturing specific knowledge wasn't what it is today so it was what it was.
You are actually the third person I know of now that experienced this same thing.
For my most recent productions I knew this going into it. I had the issue when I had billet aluminum pulleys on my 68 Camaro 396. When I redesigned the pulley I actually changed the ridge and v-notch slightly to prevent the belt from peeling off the top layer from a growing ridge. Then I anodized the pulley using Type 2 black which is far better for long-term wear. It still won't last as long as steel, and why OEM are always steel, but I could make it definitely last longer.
I think just you and two others now
I knew how I wanted to treat this community, my product line and the Wits' End name. I didn't want to be a one-hit wonder. I didn't want to take people's money and then disappear. I wanted to be a one-stop shop for anything/everything 80 Series...no matter how obscure. Part of this means I have to maintain a certain amount of inventory. Its tough to do to be perfectly honest. For example, this York OBA run has left me with nearly 20 complete kits sitting on the shelf. All of it paid for.
What I have noticed is there is a catch-22 with what I am doing. If I tell people I am only making 20 of something and all 20 need to be pre-sold, guess what? All 20 would be sold. But I changed it. I am stocking each of these. Now people don't have the sense of urgency to get a hold of a unit of potential unobtainium. Why? Because I stock it. I'll have these for probably the next year. It sucks, but then I do get the enjoyment when I read posts like this. Makes me feel like I'm doing the right thing.
Please do. It'll help those looking at this thread in a few years trying to figure out their issue.
View attachment 1410432[/QUOTE]
ewillis
SILVER Star
Good stuff Joey...keep it up! I remember sitting at that restaurant in Arrowhead with you and Chang after hitting Cleghorn. You were all excited about a couple of pre-wits' products that were in the back pocket...much has changed! Your dedication to the LC community is second to none. I'd be all over this kit if the damn PAIR system wasn't an issue! weather's warming up...we need to get another trip on the books nonetheless eh? 
NLXTACY
Wits' End
- Thread starter
- #388
Good stuff Joey...keep it up! I remember sitting at that restaurant in Arrowhead with you and Chang after hitting Cleghorn. You were all excited about a couple of pre-wits' products that were in the back pocket...much has changed! Your dedication to the LC community is second to none. I'd be all over this kit if the damn PAIR system wasn't an issue! weather's warming up...we need to get another trip on the books nonetheless eh?
How is it an issue?
NLXTACY
Wits' End
ewillis
SILVER Star
How is it an issue?
Is it not an issue? Did a search a couple nights ago (not reading through 20 pages
). Thought I read the PAIR was in the way...you messin with me?NLXTACY
Wits' End
- Thread starter
- #391
Is it not an issue? Did a search a couple nights ago (not reading through 20 pages
That's what you get when you don't read
Remove the PAIR, order up the new heater pipe, order up some keychains, run the York's suction line to the hole left by the PAIR unit in the air canister.
If you want we can set up a time to install it, document, and maybe get some of the last pieces finalized since I can't mount a York in my own truck
ewillis
SILVER Star
Yeah! Was reading a bit about those keychains...I'll text you midweek. 
Steve D
SILVER Star
If I had it to do over again, I would start looking for the later heater pipe (87208-60161) sooner. I didn't have the patience to find one from a part-out so I got one through Beno. Even with his excellent service, it was back-ordered and took a couple weeks.
My PAIR system was removed at some point in the past (<<--plausible deniability
) with the O2 sensors relocated to the manifold. Other than the heater pipe looking as shiny and new as my OBA bracket, it looks like it belongs - because it sorta does.I plan to use the PAIR's filtered air source (i.e. the +/-1" diameter pipe that extends toward the 2nd battery, now plugged) as the source for my York. Except for all the Wits' End logos and lack of dirt (for now), it will look totally factory.
69vortec
SILVER Star
Just curious why you went with type II over type III hard black anodize?
Damn, owning an 80 looks like it just got more expensive for me lol. I may have to go visit witts end for some keychains...
I may drive over there one of these days. I am out on the road this week. But it would be cool to meet some of the local members/talent.
NLXTACY
Wits' End
- Thread starter
- #400
Finally got the air coupler and Anderson bracket kits onto the site. They will start shipping by 4/21 or sooner based on the new info I'm working with: OBA Accessories from Wits' End
