Decision Time - Am I Ready For A Frame Off Restoration

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I made some progress this weekend. It is slowly coming together. I am getting a bit excited.

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Howell harness integration has started.


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Clutch fan installed.


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Battery tray moved to the front of engine bay.


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Ignition wires tidied up.

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This is starting to look like a working engine bay
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Note worthy things to report:

Howell Harness - I called up Howell to talk to them about the throttle position sensor connector not being correct. My harness was set up with a inline weather pack connector and the TPS unit has a 'round' three pin plug. Apparently GM changed the design in 1996 and Howell did not catch it. I got a quick response from Matt Howell saying they would take care of it by express mailing me the adaptor plug. This is a top notch operation and my experience has been great so far.

ECU Mounting - I was pumped that there seems to be a PO installed opening in the firewall for the ECU routing. Then a thought hit me.. I can't mount it there because of the vintage air evaporator unit. So it appears I will have to rethink this one or mock up the unit to determine clearance.

Vintage Air - I called them to determine if my vintage air unit can use the stock GM compressor. They verified that my R-12 system can indeed use the GM compressor by simply purchasing an adaptor plate. They provided the part number and Summit Racing has the part in my hand the next day. I was assured that the electrical pin out on the stock GM compressor is identical to vintage air. Plug and play they said. I will keep everyone apprised on the results. I am pleased that it integrates to the serpentine set up on the chevy TBI.

Stock harness integration - this has turned into a simple re installation project. So far it makes sense to keep it intact and clean up the connectors. I am still open to suggestions on this...
 
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I did it. I Monstralinered my dash. Overall I am pleased with the way it blends into the tub and makes everything uniform. I had painted it chassis black previously and I hated how it looked. I had the gallon kit left over from Big Blue so I tore into it and mixed up enough for the dash. I will use the rest of the kit on the gas tank cover and the front fender wells.

I will post more pics of my progress tomorrow...
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Pretty hardcore there Chris. You like how it looks?

Meant to ask you - how do you plan to paint the outside? Spray, roll?

I've been thinking about that and looking at the OEM paint schemes from the pre '76 and post '76. I'm thinking about going with an pre '76 color on my '76 truck, vs the original Freeborn Red.

Here are the colors http://www.toyotareference.com/landcruiser/1961-1983
 
I applied two coats on the dash and then the roller started to come apart leaving residual pieces in the liner. I planned on using the scouring pad (provided in the kit) to remove the imperfections and then roll a final coat. Once the imperfections were removed I really liked the way it looked. The color and texture really blended in with the tub so I opted to leave it be.

I applied a second coat to the has tank cover and called it a wrap with Monstraliner for the time being. I will use the rest of the can on the front fender wells when they have been blasted and have a coat of primer. I am extremely pleased with how it turned out. I installed the dash pads, glove box door and ash tray and I really like the pop of silver against the black dash.

My plan for final paint is to have it done at a buddies shop. He will paint the tub and pieces and I can reassemble it there. I plan on going with sky blue (code 854) only because I have all of the supplies purchased. If I hadn't purchased them I would consider caprice blue.

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In the spirit of IH8MUD, I am taking an off road tour of Cabo San Lucas with my daughter. We will be traveling in a tandem dune buggy. I will post up some pics upon my return to the states. This is where I believe my addiction will step up to the next level. I have a feeling Bigger Blue will become more than a badass milk getter when it is done and fully utilized.
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TCSTARK said:
In the spirit of IH8MUD, I am taking an off road tour of Cabo San Lucas with my daughter. We will be traveling in a tandem dune buggy. I will post up some pics upon my return to the states. This is where I believe my addiction will step up to the next level. I have a feeling Bigger Blue will become more than a badass milk getter when it is done and fully utilized.
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Sounds like a blast:cheers::steer:
 
It was a real fun time. It made me understand the excitement of wheeling. I think Bigger Blue will not be a garage queen when I am done.
 
Happy 4th of July !!

Since the addiction never ends I decided to not fight it. While sipping piña coladas at the pool I acquired a set of 555 tie rod ends off of eBay for $69 shipped. I also got a hold of a flat/straight pitman arm for $40 shipped that included a beefed up relay and steering arm. I plan on seeing if they will work for me when I get back. This should button up the power steering set up if all goes well. Worse case scenario is that I use the stock setup with the new to me arm.
 
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I installed the Aqualu cross over arm tonight and in the process I misplaced one of the stud cone washers. I have added it to the list of things 'I need'. To keep things moving along I got the new tie rod ends installed and test fit the straight pitman arm. My clearance issue have been resolved. Once I feel comfortable with the install I will tighten everything up to spec.

I do have one nagging issue with my steering setup. There is a sticking point at, let's say 12 o' clock, and it occurs during each full rotation of the wheel. I suspect it is a steering shaft angle issue where the column and the shaft are joined by the Borgeson u joint. I need to get my daughter to turn the wheel while I inspect underneath for any clearance issues where the saginaw box enters the front frame rail.
 
Thanks Georg. Howell is definitely top notch.


Scott - these pics are for you!


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Aqualu Cross Over Arm - I am not real happy with the hub studs. I don't think they are seated all of the way down. I may get a new set and come back to this in the near future.

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Proper clearance of the front passenger leaf spring.

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Flat/Straight pitman arm.

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The 555 tie rod ends fit like a glove..
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Things have slowed down to a crawl at the Stark household. Unknown to me I had been dealing with walking pneumonia for the last few weeks. It finally came to a head when my docs got worried it wasn't getting any better. A CT scan and a lung specialist later I found myself in the hospital for almost a week. I was floored that I had almost 900 cc of fluid in my left lung plural space since I had been active and working out the entire time. I had doctor's orders to rest and take it easy since they didn't know the cause of the infection that caused the pneumonia. As it turns out they have pinpointed the root cause of my rheumatoid arthritis causing the lung inflammation.

As I sat in the hospital thinking about my unfinished project I realized that I want to enjoy this damn thing while I have the ability to do so. I contemplated letting my mechanic cross the finish line with the electrical and the engine's initial start up. Then I got better and came to my senses.

I tinkered out in the garage yesterday getting the old 2F wiring harness bits taped up and out of the way and then started on installing the rear harness.
 
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