- Joined
- Sep 9, 2004
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- 12,496
- Location
- Boise - Idaho
- Website
- www.snlandcruisers.com
Builds First LC, HZJ77 Build "Kengo"
- Thread starter Blomdala
- Start date
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Do you have a PN or an extra (or two) you want to part with? It's always hot and humid where I live, and I would be interested to try that. But, it does look like a free wheel hub housing
Tried to PM you, but your in box is FULL. No biggy, I'll send you an email
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- #224
Well, it has been a wild few weeks. Lots of plans changing and surprises, but very grateful for how it’s panned out.
After doing a little testing with the hood vent, I pulled the trigger on an aluminum radiator. It doesn’t have the trans cooler, but I already have an aux cooler so that’s not an issue. I figured it’s worth a shot and I’ll keep my OEM as backup. Figment was perfect, and everything looked great on it. I kept my “drive joy” cap and got it mounted in fairly quick.
While it was out, I changed my front crank seal as it was leaking. Tracking down a good torque wrench to hit the 317 didn’t pan out, so I took it to 265, and then added a longer bar on for another good pull. Trip was coming quick and couldn’t delay having it sit all weekend waiting for a rental shop to open that had a multiplier. (Spoiler, nothing bad happened, it’s all working great!). I could not believe how large that crank bolt is lol. I also used a bit of self stick insulation foam from Lowe’s that a friend recommended. It works perfectly and was less than 20 bucks.
After that my temps were a bit lower, not a ton, but a few degrees. As we were prepping for the drive to silverton CO, I saw the temps were much cooler so I pulled the hood spacers. They didn’t do much for my temps on the high way, mainly only helped at idle.
After doing a little testing with the hood vent, I pulled the trigger on an aluminum radiator. It doesn’t have the trans cooler, but I already have an aux cooler so that’s not an issue. I figured it’s worth a shot and I’ll keep my OEM as backup. Figment was perfect, and everything looked great on it. I kept my “drive joy” cap and got it mounted in fairly quick.
While it was out, I changed my front crank seal as it was leaking. Tracking down a good torque wrench to hit the 317 didn’t pan out, so I took it to 265, and then added a longer bar on for another good pull. Trip was coming quick and couldn’t delay having it sit all weekend waiting for a rental shop to open that had a multiplier. (Spoiler, nothing bad happened, it’s all working great!). I could not believe how large that crank bolt is lol. I also used a bit of self stick insulation foam from Lowe’s that a friend recommended. It works perfectly and was less than 20 bucks.
After that my temps were a bit lower, not a ton, but a few degrees. As we were prepping for the drive to silverton CO, I saw the temps were much cooler so I pulled the hood spacers. They didn’t do much for my temps on the high way, mainly only helped at idle.
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- #225
Right during the radiator upgrade, I applied and interviewed for a job out in Denver field office for work. Just after I finished I got the call that I was accepted! This is when the train picked up steam lol. We changed some plans, did a 3 day trip to Huston and San Antonio to see nasa, Alamo, the river walk and my wife’s uncle to check off her TX list. Then back to home to pack up for the San Juan’s camping for a week with my parents and clean/ empty most the house to allow our realtor to show it while we were gone. Oh We also put an offer on a house in CO the week before so we has to fly out for inspections and all that as well. A whirlwind I tell you. We also brought the cat to CO, he was thrilled to be in the LC 
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- #226
Things were great in silverton however. Great weather, camping, and knocking out some sweet trails. On the drive from Dallas, I only filled with the engine running as we drove through the night to keep kids asleep, we finally stopped and fed them in pagosa springs, 16 hrs of engine running later LOL. I was very impressed with my little 1HZ. The engine that just keeps ticking. No hiccups. 28 years old and basic maintenance and she’s ready to roll.
the grade from Durango to silverton however was a doozy. 1st gear and keeping RPM between 2500 and 3k was the only thing that kept engine temp and EGT in a safe zone whole moving lol. It was a slow climb with that trailer And full load! But we made it!
My dad and I were able to hit many main trails including black bear pass, Imogene, engineer pass, and cinnamon pass. We didn’t do the full loop to lake city, but since I would now live only 6 hrs away I was less in a rush. The truck was a champ, never had an issue, just aired down for comfort and just just chugged right along. My dad is a master spotter and helped me not poop myself on black bear. We also were able to help fix a jeep(nothing new right?) on the trail. The guy was Australian and I almost asked him what he was thinking LOL.
Incredible trip, I don’t have all my pics yet but here are a few highlights:
the grade from Durango to silverton however was a doozy. 1st gear and keeping RPM between 2500 and 3k was the only thing that kept engine temp and EGT in a safe zone whole moving lol. It was a slow climb with that trailer And full load! But we made it!
My dad and I were able to hit many main trails including black bear pass, Imogene, engineer pass, and cinnamon pass. We didn’t do the full loop to lake city, but since I would now live only 6 hrs away I was less in a rush. The truck was a champ, never had an issue, just aired down for comfort and just just chugged right along. My dad is a master spotter and helped me not poop myself on black bear. We also were able to help fix a jeep(nothing new right?) on the trail. The guy was Australian and I almost asked him what he was thinking LOL.
Incredible trip, I don’t have all my pics yet but here are a few highlights:
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that’s it for now, it was a long drive to Denver but the cruiser and trailer are safely parked at a friends waiting for us to return this weekend to the area. We are working on getting packed and relocated, so no fun LC updates for a little bit while we wait for keys to our new(to us) home. I’m bummed I’ll not be able to make the TN 70 get together this sept, but hopefully next year, or if there is a 70 gathering in the west!
Love seeing people use these rigs for more then just trips to the coffee shop. Just cause they are old and don't have "TRD" next to their badging doesn't mean they can't do everything just as well. The trip and all the passes you did is on my bucket list to do in my 77, I was hoping I'd be the first in a 77 to do them...
Congrats on the field gig. The Denver office is a good one. Hopefully, Bill Van Beek will stop in and you can see my old 60 series that he took over and restored from when I was in NM. Bill's retired from TMS, but still does a lot of technical consultation/teaching in the Denver region.
You have done a lot of moving already in the last couple years it seems like.
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- #235
It was nice to really get out and USE it. It had no issues at all, absolute mule lol. It did get some pin stripes, I'll buff her later. Don't worry, I didn't hit ophir or poughkeepsie, but I think they can do those easily too! Plus you will still be the first HDJ77!
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- #236
Thank you! I'm looking forward to it! The field is definitely different from HQ, less secret fun new car info, but lots of other plusses. I'll definitely have to look for it and see talk with the technical trainers about him!
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- #237
It has definitely been a wild ride the last few years! This is #5 for us since I started in 2014, my wife and kids are troopers and hoping to settle a little longer this time.
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- #238
Thank you! I'm sorry I'm lowering the volume of 70s in TX! I need to quickly go through my list of hard to ship wanted parts before you are a 12hr drive away!
One of the TMMTX QE I used to deal with made the move to Plano to work in SPAD but maybe he is still working remotely. Toyota likes to move you guys around a lot for sure. At least you are getting out of Texas!
The TMMTX plant just issued a no visitors "unless essential" policy starting this week due to the covid situation here in Texas.
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- #240
Oh really? That's is quite a change I bet! Yeah HQ is still remote, delayed the return that was set for sept. I am excited to get to thinner air and closer to all our family!
I actually just registered for a training event at TMMTX for Oct 11-14 that I'm curious if it will stay on the calendar or get virtualized....if its still there I'll have to see if I can hunt you down!
