Builds Dave's 80 (1 Viewer)

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I have to care a little about mpgs. Even if it's just range I'm worried about.

The dog has as much interest in being hauled up a ladder as I have hauling him.

Ready for potts when you are...I think it opens 4/1?
 
Update time..
Built some drawers. I may have used too much...or not enough glue when applying the rubber mat to the top.
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New oil level sensor gasket. One of the many leaks I noticed the last time I laid under it.
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Sewed on a new gen you wine leather steering wheel cover. Had it in my parts pile for 4 years and thought that was long enough.
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Bought the best winch very little money can buy.
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Added to the HG PM parts pile.
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I now need to get a rear bumper with swing out. I used to toss the spare in the back when I went wheeling, that's not really an option anymore. Also need stiffer/taller springs. Those drawers are heavy. The crap I put in them is even heavier.
More stuff for the HG PM parts pile:
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Update/photo dump
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Switched to OMEJ springs and long travel shocks
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Got a slee transfer case skid. Of course I snapped all 3 bolts in the crossmember. I ended up drilling out the bolts and using longer ones. Probably not a good permanent solution but it works for now.

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The morning after I finished installing the new lift, I went to the capitol land cruiser club's fall crawl. It was awesome obviously. The cruiser did great and Im pretty happy with the j springs, especially off-road. Only breakage was my center diff quit working and I had to stop at a car wash on the way home due to a serious mud related death wobble.

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Fixed my center diff. It was the bulb, which I figured out after I replaced both the 4l and CDL position switchs.
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I figured since I had my dash apart I'd fix my floppy ac vent with the bushings I got from outsane but I ham fisted it and broke my vent, badly. So.
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Also replaced a bunch of other dash bulbs while I was there.
 
So..

I got some 37s. @H8 Roads sold me his maxis trepadors on 17x9 97s for cheap.
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My original plan was to trim the flares and keep them but as soon as I started pulling them I realized they were all for s*** and barely hanging on for dear life. So I went flareless.

After I pulled the flares the rear bumper was next. That's when I found this hidden cancer.
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Not sure how I'll go about fixing it yet. Maybe find a good rear quarter and weld it in or tub the back above the level of the rot. Idk.

I decided to diy my rear bumper and swing out. Just getting started but I'm happy with the progress so far. Pics to come.
 
@FMC80 I haven't moved the axles, but I did trim some of the rear of the front lower fender liner. I may end up getting some Delta VS control arms in the future but not sure yet.

I put 300miles on it last weekend and other than one of the wheels being a little bent and causing a slight wobble, I'm happy with the way it drives. I had to buy a 5th tire and rim anyway so that should fix the wobble and I'll try to bash the bent one back into shape (yay steel wheels!). Mountain climbs are quite a bit worse. I will either regear, turbo, both, or LS it to remedy that issue (not anytime soon).
 
Bumper stuff.
I have a super Cool bumper! I'm stoked how well this has come together. It's simple, strong, and high clearance. Eventually it will have a swing out tire carrier too. Or maybe not, I really like it the way it is now and hate to clutter it up with a bunch more tube but I also really want that giant tire out of the back.
Anyway, I cut the frame a little, made some brackets and drilled some holes for a few grade 8 bolts. I'll be using the OEM tow hooks for now but might cut them off in the future.

I can't claim this design as my own. I just stole a bunch off here and ig and mashed them together to my liking.

I also couldn't have gotten this done without help from @BlueCruiser84 who did a majority of the welding (95%)and @bkfj40 who let's us use his bender. Thanks guys

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Took it to uwharrie ohv for the old north state cruiser clubs annual Carolina Relic Run. I drove the cruiser 240 miles each Way with no troubles even with the 37s and stock gears. I averaged a little over 11mpgs (which surprised me). We got turned around by lightning at the top of Daniel but otherwise we Did all the trails. The relic run is a great time. if you haven't been and are able, I'd definitely recommend it.
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thank you @matzell for being a capable trail guide in his V8 40.
 
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also.
I landed hard on my new bumper several times and much to my surprise, it didn't fall off. so that's good.

also, also,
I offered to sign my title over to the owner of that LN 105. He politely declined. :(
 
Bro! Looks like a GREAT time! Impressive picture of the fleet that attended too. Uwharrie is only 4 hours and change from me…maybe next year.

Anything new you ID’d on the rig that you want to adjust/fix/spend money on for no reason?
 
Bro! Looks like a GREAT time! Impressive picture of the fleet that attended too. Uwharrie is only 4 hours and change from me…maybe next year.

Anything new you ID’d on the rig that you want to adjust/fix/spend money on for no reason?
Put it on your calendar for next year. Worth it.

I need a front passenger spring retainer or maybe just a stock isolator because without any weight over there (I think) when wheeling the spring bangs all over the place and is pretty annoying.

Oh and maybe this:
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Updates.

Went to coal miners classic cruisers (or something like that) in PA hosted by Gotham City cruisers. Awesome time.
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Then I drove it to the Adirondacks in update NY less than 90 south of the Can. border to visit old friends. The truck did amazing even on the 700 miles trip back to VA. I did use quite a lot of gas.
Wheeled it a bunch more..

(Insert cool pics of me doing epic sh#t)

Parts:
Delta vs panhard correction bracket.
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High quality item. Helped with the on-road manners a lot.

Slee Extended brake lines

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No more using brake lines as limiting straps.

Prinsu rood rack

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I broke 3 Yakima q towers in tight a$$ trails just this year and the last time I landed the truck on the awning (which took it like a champ btw). So I got this very expensive solution with quick detach awning mounts so I can leave it at home or camp when I wheel.
 

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