Few observations = ?'s

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

Joined
Jul 23, 2004
Threads
6
Messages
25
Location
Whitefish
I have had this thing for a month now. Overall feelings are better than expected but have a few things to work on.

1) On the highway this thing is all over the place, replaced the tires with Toyo 305's and helped a little. But when the wind comes up, it tosses me like a rag doll, is this the stock suspension and $hitty Monroe shocks??? If so OME should help? I think I read that just putting on OME shocks will not help?

2) Wind noise is crazy especially when I have my mountain bike mounted up top on the Yakima racks, with moon roof and screen closed. Would Shin Etsu really help on the rubber seals.

3) Gas milage pretty bad, 12.75 average since inception, which is all around town, to and from work. Injectors were cleaned after I bought it. Will try premium next few tanks.

4) Got a date with future father-in-law to help me with the birfieldings, only thing is that I am not sure, even after "Researching" , Wrench, what exactly my part list should be? I have a lot of printouts for the job as a result of Search but still mixed on parts.

5) Doing the starter contacts this weekend, thanks fellas for the info. Yes have a problem, at least the beginning of a major one.

6) What is the best way to find the 80's in my area on this board? Portland baby.



Thanks
Kelly
 
Last edited:
1. Your shocks are probably shot so anything will probably help. OME can stiffen it up depending on which spring you choose. It is the best $700 you can spend besides tires for an 80.
2. How are your seals? My 91 is noisy because a lot of the seals are old, but my 94 is quiet and I live in a high wind area. Close the sunroof screen when you have stuff on the roof that will help with noise.
3. 12.75 isn't terrible for town or high speed driving. 13-14 running around in town is good. I've only got my best of 18 on the highway driving slow. In town I've been running 13 lately in the 94 and only 10 in the 91. Also correct your mileage for the larger tires. In my 91 with 35s, 100 miles on the odometer is 124 miles on the GPS.
4. Contact Cruiserdan and have him send you everything. It will be cheaper that way. Get a hub socket too! and tie rod puller if you are doing the knuckles. Look up front axle rebuild in a search.
5. Are you doing starter contacts without a problem? Or do you have a problem? If no problems I'd leave them alone.
6. www.cascadecruisers.com There are a few 80s in that group and they will know the rest.
 
My Gas mileage was about the same when I purchased the rig. I have since switched to a fully synthetic system consisting of Mobil 1 engine oil, diff fluid, and transfer case fluid, Amsoil Tranny Fluid, Amsoil Grease in the Wheel Bearings and birfs, and I run on 33s also. My mileage is now consistently 14.5 MPG. I wouldn't have believed the difference if someone else told me about it but those are the numbers.

I would do the starter contacts (mine went at 70K) or at least have them and the tools in the truck as this could strand you somewhere. You wouldn't want to be stuck purchasing a $400.00 starter.

C-Dan is the Man for all of your parts...but be sure to thank him for his services.

If you think wind noise is a problem with Yakima try an ARB...you'll think you are sailing.
 
Stealth said:
3) Gas milage pretty bad, 12.75 average since inception, which is all around town, to and from work. Injectors were cleaned after I bought it. Will try premium next few tanks.
Bumping up to premium won't do anything but make your wallet lighter. 12.75 isn't bad for 'round town dirving. With my OME, ARB front, sliders, Slee rear bumper, etc. I get around 11 around town and if I'm lucky, I'll get 13 on the highway. My wife gets about 13 around the city and averages 16-17 on highway/freeway driving.
 
Stealth said:
I have had this thing for a month now. Overall feelings are better than expected but have a few things to work on.

1) On the highway this thing is all over the place, replaced the tires with Toyo 305's and helped a little. But when the wind comes up, it tosses me like a rag doll, is this the stock suspension and $hitty Monroe shocks??? If so OME should help? I think I read that just putting on OME shocks will not help?

My steering/tracking is good, all stock (except shocks replaced by PO). Might check tie rod ends and alignment.

2) Wind noise is crazy especially when I have my mountain bike mounted up top on the Yakima racks, with moon roof and screen closed. Would Shin Etsu really help on the rubber seals.

I have not done the shinetsu, or even cleaned the seals, but I get rid of the moonroof whistle by pushing up on the glass as it slides closed to get a tighter seal, usually works.

3) Gas milage pretty bad, 12.75 average since inception, which is all around town, to and from work. Injectors were cleaned after I bought it. Will try premium next few tanks.

That is within normal limits, I get avg of 13mpg (corrected) around town/little bit of highway with 285/75/16 Goodyear MT/Rs, otherwise stock, with fresh synthetics everywhere but fr/rr diffs which have fresh dino, as well as a recent birf job w/synth. I recomend a basic tune up and replace fluids then just get used to it. :D

4) Got a date with future father-in-law to help me with the birfieldings, only thing is that I am not sure, even after "Researching" , Wrench, what exactly my part list should be? I have a lot of printouts for the job as a result of Search but still mixed on parts.

There is a list somewhere, I would get the FSM, if you don't need it for the Birfs, you will need it for something else in the future.

5) Doing the starter contacts this weekend, thanks fellas for the info. Yes have a problem, at least the beginning of a major one.

Haven't had to deal with this yet.

6) What is the best way to find the 80's in my area on this board? Portland baby.


Thanks
Kelly

I'm just across the River. If I have the time when you do the Birfs I might be able to give you a hand.
 
Thanks fellas.

After doing more research I hit the Mother Lode, as far as a part list and numbers for the front axle rebuild job. Thanks Beowulf for your 05/01/03 post. I only copied Section A because that pertains to me, do it right or have all parts on hand the first time. I can not wait to do this, pretty excited!!

Beowulf's recommended parts for an 80 Series front axle service:
================================================


This is divided into 3 sections; A, B, and C.
Pricing is approximate and was determined by using list prices as of May, 2003.


Section A. Money is no object.
This is for those of us that want to do the job
one time and want all possible parts on hand. Cost
of parts is insignificant.

90313-93003 $27.22 ea x2 Dust Seal
43436-60011 $ 1.14 ea x2 Inner Spindle Gasket
43435-60020 $ 1.03 ea x2 Outer Spindle Gasket
43204-60031 $27.35 ea x2 Dust Seal & wiper Kit
43422-60060 $ 1.51 ea x2 Hub Gasket

90311-62001 $12.02 ea x2 Grease seals for wheel
90310-35010 $ 6.26 ea x2 Inner axle oil seals
09607-60020-01 $32.95 ea x1 54mm hub socket, SST
90366-20003 $22.38 ea x4 Knuckle Bearings & races (Koyo: 30304AJR-2-N Hi cap)
90368-49084-77 $50.90 ea x2 Inner wheel bearings, Timken bearing #JLM104948, race #JLM104910
90368-45087-77 $43.85 ea x2 Outer wheel bearings, Timken bearing #LM102949 , race #LM102910
90215-42025 $ 2.81 ea x2 Tabbed Spindle Lock Washer

43236-60020 $ 1.39 ea x2 0.10mm Knuckle bearing shims for setting preload
43233-60030 $ 2.73 ea x2 0.20mm Knuckle bearing shims for setting preload
43234-60020 $ 3.01 ea x2 0.50mm Knuckle bearing shims for setting preload
43235-60020 $ 4.06 ea x2 1.00mm Knuckle bearing shims for setting preload

90521-34005 $ 2.69 ea x2 C-clip for inner axle to birfield (43411C in the diagram below)
90520-31007 $ 2.57 ea x2 Snap ring for outer axle

Section A assumes you will be replacing wheel bearings and
adjusting the knuckle bearing preload. The inner axle will be
separated from the birfield for cleaning so you will need the
C-clip. The birfields will be swapped from left to right side to
extend their life. A hub socket is in the list of parts because
this is intended to be for the person that wants a complete kit.

================================================== ================
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top Bottom