SUMMIT CRUISERS Jr
SILVER Star
- Thread starter
- #81
Right after or before the Wyoming trip, I converted the AC to R134, added FZJ front brakes with slotted Stop tech Rotors and 100 Series pads. Along with those bigger updates, I changed the fuel pump filter sock, fuel pump gasket, and all of the heater hoses as one started seeping a little bit of antifreeze up in Jackson Hole. Other than that, I did not do much to or with the cruiser once school had started. Last fall I took advantage of the "Buy an ARB Fridge, get two free camp chairs" sale by purchasing a 60L fridge in preparation for the drawers I was planning to build along with a fridge slide.
I then had some issues with the power steering pump blowing out on the way back from Arkansas, which I then rebuilt and then decided to replace after something still didn't seem quite perfect. I also replaced the brake booster again as it was under warranty and still not quite providing the power I expected it to especially as the pedal was pushed down. Shortly after that power steering episode, we tore into the transfer case and replaced the rear output bearing and seal. I also rebuilt the driver's side front axle as it had gotten a little soupy. Once the larger repairs were out of the way, I set my sights on refining and replacing little things like the shifter bushings and grommets as well as the rubber shift boot that goes below that entire place. I also put in a new firewall seal around the steering shaft.
In order to have space for my drawers, I had to relocate my air tank under the vehicle and out of the old storage box that I had built to fit behind the 3rd row.
I could then turn my attention to designing the drawers. I definitely wanted to have lock in/ lock out slides with two main drawers and space for a fridge on top. I ended up going with the 9301 and 9308 Accurides in 36" length for the two drawers and a 22" slide for the fridge slide.
While working on the drawers occasionally between classes, I also went out to the Arbuckle Off Road Park with a buddy and his Trail premium 4Runner. Unfortunately, they just closed last month but I am glad I got a chance to check it out.
Despite being somewhat small, the place reminded me of Moab and the granite provided tons of grip.
Several weeks later and after a quick trip out to the Palo Duro to get some mountain biking in, I headed back out to Utah/Colorado for Spring Break. The trip was similar to last year's in terms of area, but Moab could easily be entertaining for months...as long as it isn't 100* outside. Lots of biking and some wheeling. We started driving around on random roads our first afternoon there and stumbled into Deadman Canyon if I remember correctly.
We started Poison Spider late in the day and didn't realize how long of a trail it was, but after the waterfalls, we turned around as it was starting to get dark.
Upon returning home, it was apparent the cruiser needed a tuneup.
The idle was no longer really smooth and a slight miss had started occurring. A fresh distributor cap, rotor, NGK Iridium spark plugs, valve cover gasket, and valve adjustment really made a difference. It idles so smooth you may think it isn't running if it weren't for the sounds. That really amazes me after 400k miles.
Around this same time I had gone out to Arkansas for a quick mountain biking trip where I ended up taking a soil sample on April 1st. Three breaks in the jaw, a nondislocated orbital fracture, a badly broken wrist, a helicopter ride and two surgeries later I found myself crippled on the couch for what felt like an eternity as my jaws were wired shut. It wasn't until about July that I was finally able to eat lightly fried chicken.
Once I was able to drive again, my dad and I started looking into the vibration at highway speeds and found the upper and lower RCA bushings in bad shape. Here is the thread on that stuff
To eliminate any doubts, OME Sport Series L shocks were put on in the rear to help combat the vibration as the passenger rear wheel was noticibly vibrating around at highway speeds pre bushing change. The rear shocks ended up tightening up the ride and reducing body roll so a matching front set of shocks also went on. Just today I finally found out what was causing the body and steering wheel vibration. Here is the thread on what was replaced and adjusted while trying to reduce the vibration. Ironically, it up being fixed by going back to square one and ditching the balancing BBs in the tires for balancing weights.
I am sure I am missing some smaller things I did, but the thread on ExPo has been kept up to date in much more depth.
I then had some issues with the power steering pump blowing out on the way back from Arkansas, which I then rebuilt and then decided to replace after something still didn't seem quite perfect. I also replaced the brake booster again as it was under warranty and still not quite providing the power I expected it to especially as the pedal was pushed down. Shortly after that power steering episode, we tore into the transfer case and replaced the rear output bearing and seal. I also rebuilt the driver's side front axle as it had gotten a little soupy. Once the larger repairs were out of the way, I set my sights on refining and replacing little things like the shifter bushings and grommets as well as the rubber shift boot that goes below that entire place. I also put in a new firewall seal around the steering shaft.
In order to have space for my drawers, I had to relocate my air tank under the vehicle and out of the old storage box that I had built to fit behind the 3rd row.
I could then turn my attention to designing the drawers. I definitely wanted to have lock in/ lock out slides with two main drawers and space for a fridge on top. I ended up going with the 9301 and 9308 Accurides in 36" length for the two drawers and a 22" slide for the fridge slide.
While working on the drawers occasionally between classes, I also went out to the Arbuckle Off Road Park with a buddy and his Trail premium 4Runner. Unfortunately, they just closed last month but I am glad I got a chance to check it out.
Despite being somewhat small, the place reminded me of Moab and the granite provided tons of grip.
Several weeks later and after a quick trip out to the Palo Duro to get some mountain biking in, I headed back out to Utah/Colorado for Spring Break. The trip was similar to last year's in terms of area, but Moab could easily be entertaining for months...as long as it isn't 100* outside. Lots of biking and some wheeling. We started driving around on random roads our first afternoon there and stumbled into Deadman Canyon if I remember correctly.
We started Poison Spider late in the day and didn't realize how long of a trail it was, but after the waterfalls, we turned around as it was starting to get dark.
Upon returning home, it was apparent the cruiser needed a tuneup.
The idle was no longer really smooth and a slight miss had started occurring. A fresh distributor cap, rotor, NGK Iridium spark plugs, valve cover gasket, and valve adjustment really made a difference. It idles so smooth you may think it isn't running if it weren't for the sounds. That really amazes me after 400k miles.
Around this same time I had gone out to Arkansas for a quick mountain biking trip where I ended up taking a soil sample on April 1st. Three breaks in the jaw, a nondislocated orbital fracture, a badly broken wrist, a helicopter ride and two surgeries later I found myself crippled on the couch for what felt like an eternity as my jaws were wired shut. It wasn't until about July that I was finally able to eat lightly fried chicken.
Once I was able to drive again, my dad and I started looking into the vibration at highway speeds and found the upper and lower RCA bushings in bad shape. Here is the thread on that stuff
To eliminate any doubts, OME Sport Series L shocks were put on in the rear to help combat the vibration as the passenger rear wheel was noticibly vibrating around at highway speeds pre bushing change. The rear shocks ended up tightening up the ride and reducing body roll so a matching front set of shocks also went on. Just today I finally found out what was causing the body and steering wheel vibration. Here is the thread on what was replaced and adjusted while trying to reduce the vibration. Ironically, it up being fixed by going back to square one and ditching the balancing BBs in the tires for balancing weights.
I am sure I am missing some smaller things I did, but the thread on ExPo has been kept up to date in much more depth.
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