Dented fender, blown exhaust - opportunity.

[MichLC]

My wife comes out on Sunday and tells me a couple funny stories about what she encountered earlier that day and then looks at the 4” hole in the already dented fender. She looks at me and asks; “why is there a large hole in the fender of the Land Cruiser”?
In my hand is my bright-red, Milwaukee drill with a 4” bit.
Busted.
There’s only one thing I can say and I hear it coming out of my mouth in slow-motion; s n o r k e l...
And then in one stream of justification I hear myself say; Ithelpstheeginebreathbetterandgetbettermpgandlive longer

She’s really going to dig the DT Headers, SS Cats, Borla muffler, Resinator delete and custom exhaust ;?)

 

[dogfishlake]

Absolutely imperative mods to enhance value, fuel mileage, and longevity.

 

[69LC]

And machismo

 

[dogfishlake]

I was just giving the "official" answer. Pretty sweet set up. Pure coincidence.

 

[MichLC]

Absolutely imperative mods to enhance value, fuel mileage, and longevity. @dogfishlake; you are very wise my friend.

The 2004 is my 'test-unit'... before I touch my 2000.
I'm not big on the black wheels but my son likes 'em.

Question for the group; Should we paint the snorkel (either Black or body colour) to protect it?
btw, I used this already dented fender to build a 100 series template... now I'd kind of like to find a replacement fender but it makes it look tougher.

 

[dogfishlake]

Absolutely imperative mods to enhance value, fuel mileage, and longevity. @dogfishlake; you are very wise my friend.

The 2004 is my 'test-unit'... before I touch my 2000.
I'm not big on the black wheels but my son likes 'em.

Question for the group; Should we paint the snorkel (either Black or body colour) to protect it?
btw, I used this already dented fender to build a 100 series template... now I'd kind of like to find a replacement fender but it makes it look tougher.

You likely could get by putting some UV protectant on it occasionally. Something like "303 aerospace protectant" which looks exactly like armor all coming out of the bottle but is water based instead of silicone based which is supposed to be a good thing. I like it.

 

[Golgo13]

You could paint it black, or any other color you want to help with protection as well. In general, molded plastic parts without paint are subjected to a LOT of UV and could benefit from some UV protection.

 

[kbahus]

Leave the dented fender, then you can't be accused of having a mall cruiser.

 

[MichLC]

I’m thinking of painting “Moab” over the dented area in a little different color.

This is going to be my son’s daily driver as soon as this stage is complete.

I think a protective coat of black will be going on the snorkel this weekend.

 

[AllLC]

So im working on the same thing right now. Just received my DT headers and already removed the resonator. Im having a hard time even finding an exhaust shop that wants to spend 15 hours installing the headers. Are you going to do it yourself?

 

[MichLC]

Painted the snorkel, debadged, de-rustified the usual spots (not in too bad of shape), prepped and painted the trouble spots.

Debating installation of the Surco rack I've had in storage for 3 years or if I should save it for when I own kbahus's Fj40 ;?)

So im working on the same thing right now. Just received my DT headers and already removed the resonator. Im having a hard time even finding an exhaust shop that wants to spend 15 hours installing the headers. Are you going to do it yourself?

No time to do it myself. I've been looking for a couple year and think I finally found someone who will do it in Lansing.
He's a Jeep specialist but just did my driveshaft and u-joints for $225 with Toyota OEM U-joints.
He'll have my LC the first 3 weeks of October (they have time out for SEMA) to build a rear bumper, sliders and full, custom SS exhaust.

I'll let everyone know how it goes. And I'll be sure to post a clip of the sounds I hope it makes.

 

[AllLC]

So whats the estimate for header install and custom exhaust? Im going to talk to a guy in plainwell today and id like to compare numbers. If my guy doesnt work out i would gladly drive to Lansing to have it done right!

 

[MichLC]

I bought the O2 sensors, Borla, Cats and Headers in the pics above and I’m not exactly sure how much final will be. From the initial discussions I’m guessing about $1600 - $2k all in.

Will let you know when it’s all said and done.

 

[MichLC]

The new date looks like October 31st for this round of project completion. Reviewed the fabrication for the rear bumper and I'm hoping it's as cool as our conversations. Thinking of the movie "Money Pit" for some reason...

Surco Rack looks stupid on it... can't do it / should just sell the rack.

Fox Shocks arrived... thinking '04 LandCruiser Rat Rod with altitude.

 

[AllLC]

I got an official estimate and date for my project. ill be in $3600 including headers for header install and custom stainless 3" exhaust from the headers to the tail pipe. Seems a bit rich but the guys a friend of a friend and he tells me it will last 20 years. he knows what i use it for. Man i want to believe him. Hes a really nice guy and has already invested a couple hours talking to me about options so i think im going to use him.
I drop Elsie off Nov 11th . For some reason just finding someone to do this job feels a lot like dating. I have to like them but they have to like me too. Ive been turned away from a few shops simply because of the 15 hour job on the headers.

 

[AllLC]

if you dont like the surco rack and you're looking talk to pat at bowfin cruisers.

100 series Bowfin Cruisers Roof rack

• AllLC
• Oct 12, 2018

I love it, more pics to come. https://www.bowfincruisers.com/products/100-series-roof-rack

 

[MichLC]

Looking to get a Bowfin rack for my 100... Pat does very nice work!

 

[MichLC]

LC's back. As soon as I learn how to upload a video to Mud I'll share what the new Stainless, customer exhaust sounds like.

 

[dogfishlake]

Nice! If you do a youtube video you can just hit the "copy link " and then come here and (on your phone) hold down on the screen until "paste" comes up and choose that. Or use the chain link icon at the top of your message box

 

[MichLC]

Need a cleaner recording... this was my phone rattling on the new rear bumper but you get the idea.

Question: Why is my mileage worse with the new exhaust and is there something I can do about it?

- Installed the snorkel, new K&N air filter in OEM air-box and new plugs and mileage improved as did performance.
- installed new high-flow cats, 4-OEM O2 sensors, DT header, Borla muffler, bypassed resonator, full SS end to end with 3.5".
Drove about 20 miles and Service light popped on. Mileage went from 15-17 to 9-10.
Assuming lack of back-pressure issues with new design.
Now i'm wondering if the issue is more in exhaust specs or engine software specs.

Anyone with this experience?