FMC80
SILVER Star
Right on, I appreciate that discerning mindset when it comes to making purchases, large or small. Thanks bro
Builds Building Bubbles the Turbo Super Tourer (4 Viewers)
- Thread starter Dirty Koala
- Start date
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Dirty Koala
SILVER Star
- Thread starter
- #342
Every time I cut a corner I get burned…this time around it was me deciding to just replace the brushes on a junkyard sequoia alternator before swapping it in. This past Saturday as I was leaving the ski resort my battery light came on, I assumed my belts had broken, but no luck there…the alternator B post was not putting out any current….crap. To make it even more interesting I had about a 30 mile drive home, 20 of that being in big cottonwood canyon ski traffic, crawling at 5-10 mph.
I figured I would test to see how long my battery would be able to run the engine before it was too depleted. I managed to go for about 50mins or 25 miles before having to link my aux battery to get the rest of the way home.
On Monday I got stuck into removing the alternator, which in my particular engine bay is a nightmare job, washer tank, battery, battery box, oil filter, PS reservoir, intercooler coolant lines and a few other parts all have to come out to get enough access to wiggle the big sequoia alternator out.
At the recommendation of a guy in one of the Facebook groups, I took my alternator up to Action Alternator & Starter in Bountiful UT for a rebuild. 2.5 hours after I dropped it off I got a call that it was all finished and ready to be picked up…wow that was fast.
Turned out the slip ring had disintegrated and taken out the new brushes I had put in. The shop replaced the bearings, Stator, brushes, slip ring and cleaned up the rotor, sand blasted the housing and cleaned it all up…looks brand new again now.
After the rebuild the shop tested the output and measured a little over 160amps at 2500 rpm before they stopped adding more load. He was worried he might hurt his 5hp test bench motor if he added much more load. At 1000 rpm (idle) it was putting out about 120 amps, I am thoroughly pleased with that result.
Putting it all back together is just as miserable as taking it apart…but I got it done yesterday afternoon and everything is working as expected.
With all the heavy draw electrical devices turned on and engine at idle the voltmeter didn’t drop below 13.8V. I call that a win, hopefully I don’t have to do that job again anytime soon.
I figured I would test to see how long my battery would be able to run the engine before it was too depleted. I managed to go for about 50mins or 25 miles before having to link my aux battery to get the rest of the way home.
On Monday I got stuck into removing the alternator, which in my particular engine bay is a nightmare job, washer tank, battery, battery box, oil filter, PS reservoir, intercooler coolant lines and a few other parts all have to come out to get enough access to wiggle the big sequoia alternator out.
At the recommendation of a guy in one of the Facebook groups, I took my alternator up to Action Alternator & Starter in Bountiful UT for a rebuild. 2.5 hours after I dropped it off I got a call that it was all finished and ready to be picked up…wow that was fast.
Turned out the slip ring had disintegrated and taken out the new brushes I had put in. The shop replaced the bearings, Stator, brushes, slip ring and cleaned up the rotor, sand blasted the housing and cleaned it all up…looks brand new again now.
After the rebuild the shop tested the output and measured a little over 160amps at 2500 rpm before they stopped adding more load. He was worried he might hurt his 5hp test bench motor if he added much more load. At 1000 rpm (idle) it was putting out about 120 amps, I am thoroughly pleased with that result.
Putting it all back together is just as miserable as taking it apart…but I got it done yesterday afternoon and everything is working as expected.
With all the heavy draw electrical devices turned on and engine at idle the voltmeter didn’t drop below 13.8V. I call that a win, hopefully I don’t have to do that job again anytime soon.
Dirty Koala
SILVER Star
- Thread starter
- #344
Yes, very tight engine bay...tightest one I have ever seen in an 80. Yes it's a custom air to water intercooler system that @scottryana helped me spec parts for.
damn. how did I miss this from your build thread. dang that's nice and damn that makes we want to do one too.
Dirty Koala
SILVER Star
- Thread starter
- #346
I am a big fan of cooling everything. I also have a remote oil cooler on my frame rail to help keep the motor oil temps down on those hot Utah summer days.
Outsane
Supporting Vendor
It gets hot in Utah too?
Action is killer. I used them a few times for alternators and starters. Always top notch work.
Dirty Koala
SILVER Star
- Thread starter
- #349
Just a little bit
Dirty Koala
SILVER Star
- Thread starter
- #350
A few weeks back I joined @huddleston @Box Rocket @Delta VS @Ozark cruiser and a few others on an Express Rally trip to Death Valley. Here are a few snaps from the trip.
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Dirty Koala
SILVER Star
- Thread starter
- #351
I added another toy to the offroad arsenal this weekend. Since @Box Rocket kids (half of them anyway) now have their own trucks, his family offroad trailer wasn’t getting as much use anymore. Adam built such a well thought out trailer, perfect for what I want since my kiddos are at the perfect age where having a trailer will be very helpful in enhancing the camping experience. My daughter is already in love with the trailer.
I picked up 3 icon alloy compression wheels from @Delta VS to match the 5 on the truck. I also got all 8 wheels wrapped in 37” Yokohama Geolander MT’s. 1st time trying out the Yoko’s, it will be interesting to see how they compare to the Toyo’s that I have been running for years.
I picked up 3 icon alloy compression wheels from @Delta VS to match the 5 on the truck. I also got all 8 wheels wrapped in 37” Yokohama Geolander MT’s. 1st time trying out the Yoko’s, it will be interesting to see how they compare to the Toyo’s that I have been running for years.
FMC80
SILVER Star
Nice set up, I’m interested to hear your thoughts on the Geolander MTs vs the Toyos as well.
That rocks man! I remember seeing this build thread a few years ago. Cool that you were able to adopt it and continue using it as intended. Let us all know how it serves you. Hope to build my own in the coming years - gotta get the little ones out there!
How do the kiddos breathe in that trailer? Bad joke. Did anyone post any videos of the Death Valley trip?
Dirty Koala
SILVER Star
- Thread starter
- #356
Yeah I posted a bunch, so did Adam and Scott. I will put some more up in here also.
huddleston
GOLD Star
Good times! I desperately need to update my build thread from a few years ago! Looking forward to November!
huddleston
GOLD Star
There will be a full video from that event coming out in the next month - give @expressrally a follow or I am sure it will be posted here when its out.
Dirty Koala
SILVER Star
- Thread starter
- #359
This past week I have had far to much time spent sitting on the couch courtesy of having knee surgery 7 days ago. I figured I would get a little work done on the truck in between zoom meetings and feeling sorry for myself.
I pulled the steering wheel, which honestly was in great shape, but a bit too smooth and shiny for my liking. It took me an entire day, but I successfully recovered the wheel with new leather. I would recommend anyone doing this to pull the steering wheel off and work the on it somewhere comfortable. The wheel now feels great in the hand and looks pretty snazzy too.
I pulled the steering wheel, which honestly was in great shape, but a bit too smooth and shiny for my liking. It took me an entire day, but I successfully recovered the wheel with new leather. I would recommend anyone doing this to pull the steering wheel off and work the on it somewhere comfortable. The wheel now feels great in the hand and looks pretty snazzy too.
FMC80
SILVER Star
Wow, that looks great! Did you end up removing the old leather or wrap over it?
Sorry for your knee troubles. Hoping for your fast recovery.
