First car, lx450! (1 Viewer)

[Brindleboxer]

Awesome, yeah the one on cruiserteq's site for the kit is super helpful as well because he has a pretty explicit parts list (outside of the kit) that's definitely overkill on some stuff. Just gotta get two small jack stands for the diff plus all the grease but other than that just waiting on my new rotors.

Think I'm not gonna do the diff gasket, mine is pretty fine and I'll probably regret it later but I don't have it in me right now haha.

Honestly, you have put a ton of work into this rig so far. Don't fix what isn't broke and enjoy before the Winter really hits there. Not sure where in WY you are but there aren't really any places that are sheltered from what most people would consider harsh weather and sketchy roads.

@cruiseroutfit (Cruiseroutfitters) is awesome and can get parts out to you quickly, even in Wyoming, so I would order the base kit they offer. I f you open it up and find you have wear on parts, reach out to them and they can get you parts fast without to much project downtime.

When you talk to them, have them add the socket for the rear axle nut, same as the front but is notched so you can use on either axle. This socket is not commonly stocked in most auto parts stores and dealer if they have one want way to much.

 

[tug123]

Honestly, you have put a ton of work into this rig so far. Don't fix what isn't broke and enjoy before the Winter really hits there. Not sure where in WY you are but there aren't really any places that are sheltered from what most people would consider harsh weather and sketchy roads.

@cruiseroutfit (Cruiseroutfitters) is awesome and can get parts out to you quickly, even in Wyoming, so I would order the base kit they offer. I f you open it up and find you have wear on parts, reach out to them and they can get you parts fast without to much project downtime.

When you talk to them, have them add the socket for the rear axle nut, same as the front but is notched so you can use on either axle. This socket is not commonly stocked in most auto parts stores and dealer if they have one want way to much.

Agreed, knuckle rebuild, new tires, then I'm done and ready for winter. I honestly don't think there's a single place in Wyoming that isn't sketchy in the winter haha.

I already ordered they're awesome, it arrived in like 2 days. I will add that to my list, probably order anyways, I had no idea. I already have a front axle nut but that's a great thing to have. I'm assuming you're referring to this? That's one strange looking socket. Or the "dual use" socket here?

 

[Brindleboxer]

Agreed, knuckle rebuild, new tires, then I'm done and ready for winter. I honestly don't think there's a single place in Wyoming that isn't sketchy in the winter haha.

I already ordered they're awesome, it arrived in like 2 days. I will add that to my list, probably order anyways, I had no idea. I already have a front axle nut but that's a great thing to have. I'm assuming you're referring to this? That's one strange looking socket. Or the "dual use" socket here?

I bought one that had notches to clear for the rear but work just as the second one you linked. Maybe they aren't available anymore, @cruiseroutfit do you still carry the socket I'm referencing? I will feel horrible if I got it from another now defunct outfit from here but it could have happened since I have their poster for the front axle rebuild.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

I bought one that had notches to clear for the rear but work just as the second one you linked. Maybe they aren't available anymore, @cruiseroutfit do you still carry the socket I'm referencing? I will feel horrible if I got it from another now defunct outfit from here but it could have happened since I have their poster for the front axle rebuild.

That is the "ToolsRUs" version socket. We've made a bunch and I've had a personal one for a decade or more but I can't recall if we ever sold them as such. We certainly can make them. Otherwise we sell the 54mm socket and the FF socket

 

[mudgudgeon]

Per all projects, thought maybe I'd do front reman'ed calipers too, then might as well do front soft brake lines. No point in doing calipers and not doing the brake lines, right? This adds up quick.

Brake hoses are one of those things, until they fail when you really need them, hoses are easily overlooked.
And not a huge expense if the rig is a long term prospect

 

[mudgudgeon]

This makes a lot of sense, I knew for front and rear lockers but I didn't know it was that bad for center as well. Only did it for a solid 30 seconds so not too worried, but also checks out for why snow is okay too.

At slow speed, for a few seconds? don't lose sleep over it.
Not too different to using the CDL or diff locks in rocky trails.
Cruiser stuff ain't made of crystal glass

 

[tug123]

Brake hoses are one of those things, until they fail when you really need them, hoses are easily overlooked.
And not a huge expense if the rig is a long term prospect

I think I'll probably do an overhaul later, rear rotors + calipers on all + new hoses but that will probably be spring. My brakes are actually surprisingly solid but I'd like to do an overhaul either way.

 

[ZackR]

For your knuckle job be sure to get a ton of paper towels and brake cleaner, it's a messy one! The first side will take a while as you figure it out, the second side will go a lot faster. I did mine six years ago but it still brings back memories.

Before you start stop by a self service car wash and clean off the whole area. Soak the caliper bolts in penetrating oil in advance, those can be tough to remove.

 

[tug123]

For your knuckle job be sure to get a ton of paper towels and brake cleaner, it's a messy one! The first side will take a while as you figure it out, the second side will go a lot faster. I did mine six years ago but it still brings back memories.

Before you start stop by a self service car wash and clean off the whole area. Soak the caliper bolts in penetrating oil in advance, those can be tough to remove.

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Sounds good, I had to leave town so it will be pushed off a little while, will probably be very cold when I do it, but that can't be helped.

Only thing I forgot was new snap ring for the diff to birf connection and I thought new cotter pins, but looks like you didn't remove the tie rod ends? See conflicting information on whether or not I have to remove that. If I'm swapping birfs (likely a myth but why not) I guess I have to do both at once anyways.

 

[mudgudgeon]

With the right tool, it only takes a minute or two to remove tie rods.
It's far easier to have them out of the way

 

[duece71]

Paper towels, did someone say paper towels!

I've posted this video before but I like how Ryan goes through the steps. It will also let you know what to have on hand when starting a knuckle rebuild. There is also a chart/poster that shows the front knuckle parts breakout and the torque values, located in this thread Front End Rebuild and Torque Specs - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/front-end-rebuild-and-torque-specs.1346931

Hope this helps.

There is also a really nice knuckle poster from Joey….got it before AWE went completely sideways.

 

[banjo1981]

Any updates? Still running nicely?

 

[tug123]

Any updates? Still running nicely?

Eh, had to leave town after my mom got sick, won't be back till March maybe. So it's just sitting in my garage hopefully not becoming a rats nest.

 

[tug123]

Finally back! I forgot how well it drives.

I think I have everything for the knuckle rebuild, totally forgot about that, may end up doing that this weekend. Only other thing is a kind of wheezing from the exhaust on acceleration, I'm fairly convinced its from when I replaced the O2 sensors. Thorough cleaning and new gaskets should solve that hopefully.

 

[BTLSHP]

There is also a really nice knuckle poster from Joey….got it before AWE went completely sideways.

Somewhere there is a printable version. I hung with with painter's tap over each wheel well when I did mine.

 

[tug123]

Somewhere there is a printable version. I hung with with painter's tap over each wheel well when I did mine.

This looks like the best quality I can find, think it's it.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/attachments/cb-80-poster-png.1475604/

 

[BTLSHP]

This looks like the best quality I can find, think it's it.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/attachments/cb-80-poster-png.1475604/

I found the one I used. Might be a tick more useful with torque figures, IDK

 

[tug123]

View attachment 3882830
I found the one I used. Might be a tick more useful with torque figures, IDK

Ah yeah the torque values are good to have

 

[Brindleboxer]

Tug,

How did the knuckle rebuild go?

 

[tug123]

Tug,

How did the knuckle rebuild go?

Have not done yet, dropped down to the 30s this weekend so will probably wait a week till it warms up. Might be missing one or two parts though gonna make sure I have everything today.