Build GW Nugget's Budget Daily Lx450 build

[GW Nugget]

I picked up some very needed items from CruiserParts.net plus took the bushings of my Rancho shocks & replaced the sway bar bushings.

I can feel a definite difference in the anti sway department... she handles a wee bit tighter in the turns now.
Every little bit contributes to the total end result.
This reassures me to keep replacing the old tired 20 year old bushings.

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[ToyotaDon]

I made some more progress on Gary's front radius arm bushings last week.

The axle end wasn't a big deal, since they were aftermarket parts, but the frame end bushings gave me a bit of trouble.

First one from the frame end took about 8 tons of pressure.

The aluminum pressing tool sustained some damage, making the next one more difficult.

I actually left it overnight with about 13 tons on it, then realized the next day that using the tapered side of the tool had just expanded the bushing. This required flipping the whole thing over and trying it from the other direction.

 

[ToyotaDon]

Looking back, I probably could have used the old bushing from the other arm, but instead I checked around the shop until I found a brake lathe adapter that was the right size.

The problem was, the shoulder on this tool prevented it from going all the way through.

The aluminum tool had to be cleaned up with the grinder, then "pressed" into use again, LOL.

Finally! Here's the two arms sitting bare, just needing to be cleaned up a bit, then new bushings pressed in.

 

[GW Nugget]

Thank you so much... I didn't know how much of a pain that is to do.
~~~~~~~~~
I had a awesome time this weekend up on the mountain with Donal @ToyotaDon & his two boys.... @TheBlueMelon pics & vid to come. Good times definitely.

 

[Enders]

I've got a 12 ton press coming in tomorrow for the wife's wheel bearings and for my bushings. I'm just wondering if heat would have helped with those frame end bushings?

 

[1973Guppie]

I have a 15 ton press, I tried once and could not even get my OEM bushings to budge. I am wondering if I should just take em to a machine shop and have them press them in? I hate press work, just freaks me out all that potential energy.....

 

[2fpower]

I found that taking a hole saw with really aggressive teeth - wood bit (do this outside as it will smoke up) and cutting out the rubber, then sawzall through one of the sides is a pretty quick way to get them out.

 

[Tallyho74]

Just did the OEM bushings on my 1995 when switching to the OME suspension. Used a 50ton press and the Slee Bushing tool. The gauge was between 18-20 tons before one of them budged. Most let go right around 8-10 tons of pressure.

 

[GW Nugget]

I have a 15 ton press, I tried once and could not even get my OEM bushings to budge. I am wondering if I should just take em to a machine shop and have them press them in? I hate press work, just freaks me out all that potential energy.....

I found that taking a hole saw with really aggressive teeth - wood bit (do this outside as it will smoke up) and cutting out the rubber, then sawzall through one of the sides is a pretty quick way to get them out.

Just did the OEM bushings on my 1995 when switching to the OME suspension. Used a 50ton press and the Slee Bushing tool. The gauge was between 18-20 tons before one of them budged. Most let go right around 8-10 tons of pressure.

@jcardona1 just did a short vid on his bushing pressing adventure.... I was stressed just watching...

 

[GW Nugget]

MoonLight Madness 2017

I had all these grand thoughts of writing up a great entry about our trip but life & time just slips bye.
So here is the quick & dirty entry... Donal @ToyotaDon & I finally where able to go wheelin together & it so happened to be the same weekend as the MoonLight Madness Event on Bald Mountain near Shaver Lake, CA

We where able to pre run the loop Friday the day before the other 400 rigs got there the next day. I counted a total of six 80 series rigs up there that weekend.
I had a great time, I slept in the back of the Lx for the 1st time, it work out pretty good.​

 

[GW Nugget]

New Trail Gear winch plate

Here it is... I don't have a winch yet so I mocked up a battery pack. I need to also mount a power steering cooler somewhere??? There is a lot of room on the plate so why not? The plate is 50lbs.

I'm not done, its a work in progress...




I will cut down my bumper a bit more then bolt it on top of the winch plate.

 

[GW Nugget]

Well...... its on there, that plate could sure be a bit shorter by about 4". I'll snub it up when I get a winch.

 

[Lumpskie]

Looks good! Any story behind the highlift jack bar or is it just resting on there?

 

[GW Nugget]

Looks good! Any story behind the highlift jack bar or is it just resting on there?

Thanks.
It's bolted behind the license plate. The rest is inside rig. I need to find a better home for it.

 

[GW Nugget]

4x4Him.com Rock Hopper Roundup 2017

We had a blast hanging out with the 4x4Him Club (4x4Him.com) at their 11th annual Rock Hopper Roundup.
The family had such a great time they want to go next year.
I'm hoping this will be a annual trip for us.
We made a night run to the tower on Friday night then on Saturday we choose the Red Lake Run for lunch. @ToyotaDon showed up just in time. It took 8 hours to get there & back.
At base camp they had a bounce house, dinner & a evening movie.
All together it was a great trip.
Also to mention there was a good showing of the 80 series, four in all.

 

[GW Nugget]

Also to mention there was a good showing of the 80 series, four in all.

 

[GW Nugget]

Posting up a oil change for documentation...
5,000 mile oil change at 189,050 with Mobile1 10W-30 High Milage & Moble1 oil filter. Last changes were 184,054 & 179, 020 before that was every 3K with non synthetic.

 

[GW Nugget]

How I did my 80 series floor heater bypass

I found a leak below the Lx last week & knew immediately it was one of the floor heater hoses finally giving way. It also proves the heater valve is leaking bye. I've suspected to be since the passenger side floor has been unusually warm this summer. I've seen this bypass done by many on ih8mud.com so it was a easy fix. Steve @baldilocks just did it on his "White Rino" & was well documented... thanks Steve.

I even did a silly vid so all can see just how easy it is to complete the job. Granted leaning over the engine bay is never easy & even a pain, I mean its a one banana job. Just one more thing, since I have body lift I did not loose but a little antifreeze.
Hope this helps. Enjoy
Later.


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[GW Nugget]

I made some more progress on Gary's front radius arm bushings last week.

The axle end wasn't a big deal, since they were aftermarket parts, but the frame end bushings gave me a bit of trouble.

View attachment 1485397
View attachment 1485401

First one from the frame end took about 8 tons of pressure.

View attachment 1485406

View attachment 1485407

The aluminum pressing tool sustained some damage, making the next one more difficult.

View attachment 1485408

I actually left it overnight with about 13 tons on it, then realized the next day that using the tapered side of the tool had just expanded the bushing. This required flipping the whole thing over and trying it from the other direction.

Don, I'm thinking that I need to direct ship you one of those press adapters from Slee or Wits End. Would this help your endever or do you have the correct size to press tool for the new bushings?

 

[ToyotaDon]

I have the right size to get it back together. The first one I tried to do ended up stuck partway in. I pressed it back out, but it appears a bit deformed. I may have to get you a new one. The biggest issue for me now is making the time to get back to it.