Did I do the right thing?

[ToyotaDon]

Today, I finally got around to the brakes. Unfortunately, I only got one rear rotor machined during my lunch break, then didn't have enough free time to finish the job.

Found out the rear pads were non-Toyota and one of the anti-rattle clips was missing, so parts are on order and the rest will (hopefully) get done tomorrow.

The main reason I pulled it in the shop has a little back-story.

Last week, one of my coworkers found an '88 4Runner on Craigslist, and went to pick it up Saturday. (I just tried to find the ad again, but it must have been removed)
The guy also had a '94 Cruiser, so my coworker thought I might be interested in that. It also came with a set of Pacer Daytona wheels and BFG All-Terrain tires.

I told him I'd be interested in the wheels & tires, they are 15-inch and would give me options for a second set. He replied that he was wanting to get a trailer hitch for his 4Runner and had found one in Visalia. To shorten the story up a bit, I ended up buying the hitch from the guy yesterday and bringing it to work today. We worked out a deal trading the hitch for the tires, and I threw in some cash to boot.
Here's a pic of the hitch, for fun.

Now for the wheels & tires.

They are 31x10.50 15s and are pretty worn out. This is probably the best one.

I did mount them on the Cruiser, and lowered it down to almost normal height, so here's how it looks.

 

[ToyotaDon]

Another thing I did right at the end of the day, was install the front diff lock indicator switch I got from Napa.

I'll link the thread on this switch once I find it. LINK: https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/446641-replacement-84222-12010-switch.html#post6302196

 

[LCHardriver_02]

Don,

Read through your thread. Great read! Definitely inspires me to get into working on my "new" 80. If I ever get back down that way to visit family (sisters live in Tulare and my mom still lives outside of Pixley) it would be great to get together for a day run!

Good luck with the truck!

Jonathan

 

[ToyotaDon]

Thanks, and anytime you're down here, look us up.

BTW, she's still in the shop; I haven't had more time to finish the brakes, and parts aren't coming in on time.

 

[ToyotaDon]

I just found out why they went to 16" wheels in '93!


REAR DISC BRAKES!!!


The wheels I got won't work without spacers, so back to the stockers I go.

 

[ed97fzj80]

I just found out why they went to 16" wheels in '93!


REAR DISC BRAKES!!!


The wheels I got won't work without spacers, so back to the stockers I go.

I would say "Search!" but that would just be adding insult to injury, so I won't.

Sorry to hear she's not back on the road yet!

 

[ToyotaDon]

No offense, Ed. Sometimes we have to make the same mistakes as someone else to finally learn our lesson.

She is back running, with the stock wheels. I'm now looking for the "perfect deal" on tires, probably 285/75R16, but I may try going to 315s.

 

[slickrock]

I have a full set of 60 series 16s on 37s that are worn out. I'm using 3 on the trailer and two collecting winter sludge. Buy the trailer and get the set of wheels. As long as the wheels are 6 lug, you can use the 31s on the trailer.

Give me a call. I need to figure out of I need the trailer for the summer, but with the FJC and camping, I may not use the 40 for those trips anymore and won't need the trailer.

 

[ed97fzj80]

No offense, Ed. Sometimes we have to make the same mistakes as someone else to finally learn our lesson.

She is back running, with the stock wheels. I'm now looking for the "perfect deal" on tires, probably 285/75R16, but I may try going to 315s.

All in good fun. Good luck on your tire quest -- A/T, M/T?

 

[ToyotaDon]

All in good fun. Good luck on your tire quest -- A/T, M/T?

M/T

Picked up this set last weekend and got them installed Thursday evening.

We took a quick trip up to the snow this afternoon, so they got a little workout.

We mainly went so the kids could play, so didn't go far into the un-plowed stuff. The biggest difference I've found with these 285/75R16s is the noise (MTs) and speedometer variance. We had the GPS in this vehicle today, so I found out my speedo shows 66 when I'm doing 70.

 

[ToyotaDon]

Got some 30 mm spacers for the front, and finally got them installed today.

Before

After

 

[slickrock]

Looks good. Where did you get the spacers? Have an inside track?

 

[OG 91 LC]

TYTADON. Was the spacer job pretty simple or difficult? I would like to add spacers to the front of my 91. I would do it myself if it's not that bad. What do you say?

 

[ToyotaDon]

Looks good. Where did you get the spacers? Have an inside track?

No inside track. Just MUD Classifieds.

TYTADON. Was the spacer job pretty simple or difficult? I would like to add spacers to the front of my 91. I would do it myself if it's not that bad. What do you say?

Not necessarily easy, but it's all about knowing what to take apart. I had the advantage of the hoist, air tools, and a tall jack stand. But many guys have done them with a floor jack and jack stands in their garage/driveway. I also had a friend/coworker to help with some of the grunt work.

Here's one thread that may help: https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/437133-help-cant-get-coil-spring-back.html

There's another thread I saw the other day where someone posted a list of steps, but I haven't been able to find it again.

Found it: https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/434473-maf-coil-spring-spacers.html

 

[ToyotaDon]

After the spacers, I had to flex it out a bit.

 

[mickeyt]

How much are you into her at this stage? Looks awesome.

 

[ToyotaDon]

How much are you into her at this stage? Looks awesome.

Good question...

...but one I don't have the answer to right now. It's been as cash became available, or deals came up that I've done the work. Most of the mods have been bigger $$$ purchases, but the little maintenance/repair items have also added up.

 

[ToyotaDon]

Time to update this thread, mostly with pictures. I may add more captions as time goes on, but feel free to ask questions.

Front end damage was repaired with a replacement radiator support from OrangeFJ45.

Comparison~old support on top, "new" on bottom.

Georg thought the parts rig was a '94, but it must be a '93, as it has R-12 brackets and labels.

"94

The replacement went well, I just had to do a little bending to get the fenders to line back up. Now my headlights aren't "toed-in" and I can fit the factory grill back in place.

 

[ToyotaDon]

Stickers

Shocks

Maybe I'm crazy, but I put these long things on there without any additional lift.

One spring unloads, the other one doesn't.

Tried some "poor man's" bump stops. These came on one of the new Prius models with lowering springs to keep the front end from dropping too low during transport.

Unfortunately, as I discovered later, one of the zip-ties came off exiting the dealership driveway right after I got them on. The spacer was gone from the LH rear, and the RH one came loose a few days later.

Fronts

The "bump stops" are still on the front, 30mm spring spacers keep everything a little tighter up there...but not totally.

Lot's of down-travel now.

 

[ToyotaDon]

That was all a few weeks ago, today I got some spacers put on the real bump stops for the rear.

Nothing fancy...

...and may turn out to not be strong enough.

Installed.

More fun later.