Finally got a LC v2.0!

[IanB]

They've said they will build more if there's a market for them. When they've got their electronic media accounts set up I'll post links to contact them.

 

[IanB]

Well, we ran out of light for good pics, so those will have to wait for another day. Got everything installed, and I'm very happy with everything! A few teaser shots for now.

 

[IanB]

Haven't had time to actually do much with the truck lately, but I did come up with a solution to my blown shocks issues, ordered an Icon Stage 1 kit today from Sonny @ Downsouthmotorsports, can't WAIT!

 

[IanB]

I'm due for an update it would appear. Got out wheeling on Sunday, just a couple of trucks, headed east of the city about an hour and a half and got into the Canadian Shield. Beautiful area, rocks, trees, lakes, and streams. It's like being in the Rockies, but without the mountains, lol.

Learned a few lessons:
-don't follow a truck on 35's through the bog when you're on 33's, got high centered
-don't ever assume you won't need a front recovery point
-don't use the winch hook as a recovery point
-pinched winch harness = blown ignition fuse, even diesels can die on the trail
-do bring more tools than you'd ever think you'll need

Ended up twisting my winch mounting plate getting a tug out of the bog, seems I was hung up on a rock and something had to give. When the winch rotated it pinched the harness for the controller, which eventually grounded out and popped my ignition fuse, one of the few things that can kill a diesel on the trail. Had to pull the front bumper off and remedy to get the truck running again to get off the trail. Made for a long day!

Got lots of use out of the armor, my rear bumper ended up being what I was hung up on, decent dent in the lower edge of it, but that's what it's there for I guess. We have great weather, nicest day of the spring so far! My passenger was taking the photos and vids, here's a few he sent over so far.

 

[IanB]

In other news, my Icon Vehicle Dynamics stage 1 lift came yesterday! Hoping to get started on it tonight!

 

[IanB]

Wife got called back to work last night, so I got a late start and didn't get as much done as planned, but still got pretty well prepped to hit it hard tonight. Hoping to get the springs, shocks, brake line extensions, and swaybar relocation brackets on tonight, bleed the brakes and get it back on the wheels. One night next week I should be able to get over to a buddy's shop to use his press for the castor correction bushings.

 

[IanB]

Got the new kit installed last night, but managed to mangle a hardline installing the rear axle extended brake hose, so it's a jackstand princess until next week when I can get the new hardline. Castor correction bushings will get pressed in at a buddy's shop once it's back on the road. Very nice kit, everything felt very high quality! Can't wait to try it out!

 

[VehiculousFJ]

Looks great. Any idea what the exact powder is or where it came from?

 

[IanB]

Looks great. Any idea what the exact powder is or where it came from?

The exact powder?

 

[ExpoGeorgia]

Excited to see your update for the Icon's! And great pictures of the trail ride, whats the suspension setup on the Patrol?

 

[IanB]

Excited to see your update for the Icon's! And great pictures of the trail ride, whats the suspension setup on the Patrol?

The Safari is on a 3.5" lift made up of Suspension Stuff Flexi Coils, Amada Extreme shocks, and Superior Engineering bits. It's a pretty sweet truck! He's got a turbo upgrade with custom exhaust manifold, top mount intercooler, etc.

Update on the HDJ81, I was trying to chase down a vibration that could be felt in the steering wheel, took it to the tire shop and had the tires roadforce balanced, and the alignment checked, everything was within spec, but the vibration remained. Took it back again, and they found one of the wheels is bent, so that sucks. Moved it to the spare for the time being.

Rear bumper is having a few finishing touches carried out, and getting re-powdercoated, and I'll finally be able to snap some pics of the finished product.

 

[IanB]

Got started on a project last night, new engine and transmission mounts, fan clutch rebuild with 10,000cst oil, and replacing the winch magnet switch #1 (solenoid) hoping it's the reason I had no power with load this spring when I went to use it.

Tried to read up on what I'm in for before diving in to minimize downtime, @Crab Sack's build thread has been very useful so far, thanks for documenting your work!

Set out to do some prep work last night, with a goal of getting the fan clutch out and separated so it could drain overnight. That was a bigger job than I expected, as both battery boxes needed to come out to get the fan shroud free, and those battery boxes are tied in place with all the aftermarket wiring that's been added, a real PITA. I did get it done though, got the fan clutch seperated, and left it in a pyrex pan to drain overnight. After work I'll fire up the BBQ and subject it to low heat for a bit to aid the draining of old oil. It's super thick stuff, and it was amber in color, the new stuff is clear, makes me wonder if it's from heat damage over the years?

 

[IanB]

Last night was a full one! Started out with BBQing the fan clutch to get any remaining oil out, and refilled with 10,000cst oil and sealed back up, and then got my winch solenoid swapped thanks to some trail blazing by @asutherland to find an aftermarket replacement. Got the engine and trans mounts changed, and got it back to the point whereI started the night and went inside after midnight to get some sleep. The motor mounts were stuck in place, so the hoist was trying to lift the entire front of the truck. @Crab Sack 's suggestion of strapping the axle to the frame helped, but it took some prybar and hammer work to get the engine mounts to release. I was very happy to have a couple buddies over to help, it would have been a bear to do by myself!

Long night, I've got another couple hours left to get the fan back in place and the battery boxes, etc back together, but I'm really happy with the progress made!

 

[IanB]

Got the starter rebuild completed last night! Took about an hour and a bit start to finish, with the lion's share of the time spent removing the starter. That top nut is buried behind wiring harnesses and plugs, very tough to locate and loosen. One out it was about 20 min to replace the parts (both contacts and plunger are new), and before I put it back in I pushed up the wiring from below so it was out of the way, made it much easier. I was able to get my head up into the wheelwell to see where the stud was to get the starter back in position, would have had more room if the tire was off for this, but it wasn't too bad.

The one contact was worn down to almost nothing (the last pic shows the step worn into the middle contact), the other one didn't actually look too bad, the plunger was filthy, the contact ring all gnarled, it was definitely time for a new one. Inside the starter was black with dust, sprayed it out with electrical contact cleaner, fired up as it should, and didn't stick on. Great success!

 

[VehiculousFJ]

The exact powder?

Yeah, do you know where it came from (prismatic, tiger drylac, cardinal..etc) and what the paint code is. Looks great!

 

[IanB]

Yeah, do you know where it came from (prismatic, tiger drylac, cardinal..etc) and what the paint code is. Looks great!

Ah, no idea I'm afraid, color was called "gunmetal", sorry I can't help with more info. Thanks!

 

[IanB]

Got the rear bumper back from some final tweaks, and re-powdercoating, looks great! I'm really happy with the final product!

 

[zoojp]

Ah, no idea I'm afraid, color was called "gunmetal", sorry I can't help with more info. Thanks!

The color code is on the build plate in the engine compartment. You can Google it to find your color and order touch up paint if needed.

 

[IanB]

The color code is on the build plate in the engine compartment. You can Google it to find your color and order touch up paint if needed.

I thought he was asking about the color of powdercoating on the bumpers and sliders, not the truck's color.

 

[zoojp]

I thought he was asking about the color of powdercoating on the bumpers and sliders, not the truck's color.

That makes more sense!

I love the truck.