Builds GW Nugget's Family Haulin Lx450 build (3 Viewers)

[Dan C]

Great looking LX, and what a journey you've had this year. Awesome rebuild log! Subbed....

 

[GW Nugget]

Thanks... I hope this logged jurney will help future people from making costly mistakes. Let's face it. The people that own these 80s is because the have a family. We don't have money to throw away. Every dollar matters.

 

[GW Nugget]

I'm beginning to understand the value of balanced flex. I put longer shocks on the back thinking this would make things better but it didn't, it actually increased more body lean or roll. It was said maybe here, I've read so many threads... that limiting the back will force the front to flex or work sooner. Here is a pic showing more body roll after increasing more rear flex than front. Since 1st pic I removed my front bump pucks after the 1" body lift. End results was 3" more up travel & less body lean or roll. I am now a big believer in a body lift for the 80 series & not bump stopping front travel.

My next move to increase front down travel is to lower the aft rear of the control arm via MAF drop brackets. Think about it... it's just basic geometry. Look @Apounder... he is a perfect example of a bunch of flex by lowering the rear aft of the control arm.

 

[half k cruiser]

Are you saying your getting more articulation with or without the spacers ?

 

[GW Nugget]

Without bump stops.
I removed the bump stop which allowed more uptravel or articulation only after I made more fender room via the body lift.

 

[GW Nugget]

Sliders installed & painted.

Lexi received her last major purchase of the season... the rock sliders are on & ready to go sliding.
I got a really good deal with them welded on with no paint. So, today I taped her up & painted them with the Dupli-Color Bed Armor. I'm hoping the bumpy texture will help with the family getting in & out without slipping.





I got the blog stickers on today also. Big family trip coming up this week. I'm really looking forward to getting up into the mountains where there are trees & fresh air. Now that the T gears are in & sliders on this sould be a more relaxing trip in the rock limo.

 

[GW Nugget]

8 day Sierra National Forest family adventure

We just got back from an 8 day Sierra National Forest family adventure. Lexi didn’t miss a beat pulling a loaded 6 X12 box trailer & family up the 6% to 11% at times grade on Hwy 168 to Shaver Lake. We went on to Huntington Lake & camped 3 days there. From there we visited Mono Hot Springs, Edison Lake, that's as far East as you can go up unless you walk. On the way back we found the
North end of the Dusy Ershim Trail.

We also hiked up to Rancheria Falls. The falls where barely running due to the drought. It's sad. Here is a pic of Huntington Lake & how bad the drought is here in Cali. The smoke is from the Rough Fire South of us at Hume Lake area.
No really, we had a great time. The plan was to attend the High Sierra Poker Run that was canceled due to smoke etc. A bunch of friends did the Swamp Lake trail anyways on Saturday. On Sunday we did the Bald Mtn trails. I didn't get many pics of Lexi wheelin, but I'll share what I have, most of my pics are kids ruining around having fun being kids... That's the important stuff, the kids. The green 80 is @thebrassnuckles rig.






The 315 Cooper ST Maxx tires really gripped the rocks good. The guys made a lot of commets about them doing so well. Wish Lexi had a set of 37s though. Lots of deep holes out there compared to 18 years ago. These trails are getting tore up from bigger rigs. 37s are the new 35s...
I almost forgot, the Marlin T gears where absolutely incredible, this has been the best purchase for my sluggish Lexi. It just creeped over stuff I had to mash the gas pedal over last trip up there.
​

 

[bhsdriller]

Nice....looks like a good time
My shaver plans fell through because of the fire, but doesn't look like the smoke was too bad afterall?

 

[GW Nugget]

fyi, I have owned those rancho shocks before, IMO I did not like them, I kept them on the highest firmest setting as anything else was sloshy like you mentioned. If I were you I would set them to firmest and then adjust from there. HTH

Now that I have had enough seat time with these Rancho RS900XL shocks I agree. The low speed valving is way to fast for the coiled spring 80s. I had them on my 40 & loved them, but on my Lexi they slosh right left till I feel quiesy. The adjustable high speed works great, the harder you hit pot holes & bumps the better they work. These would be a good prerunner shock. But a terrible for coiled spring crawler shock. I don't recommend these for the 80 series rigs. I shot this video out of frustration, I don't know if I should reach out to Rancho to help or call it a loss & just get some other types of shocks. My stockers that I threw away where better than these. In the vid the high speed settings are 8 front & 7 rear.

 

[GW Nugget]

Need help, I can't help it, It's really bad, I'm completely submerged in this... I'm loosing sleep & constantly carry my phone around reading 80 series subjects & build threads on the mud forum. Is this what they call "The Addiction"?

Thanks to @baldilocks I have aquired a set of the MAF drop brackets that I have been writing talking about. They where very simple to put on with a we bit of filing they slid right in. The 1st thing I noticed is they measured out to a 2.5" drop rather than the assumed 2" by the name of them. Once on the road I noticed a big difference in road manners. It's a more relaxing feel & Lexi turns much better. The rear seems to follow the turn rather than want to lift up & come overy the top. A stiffer sway bar in the rear I think would help this also.
That was the bonus. Now for the main reason I got these was to hopefully increase down travel, well it did by two more inches. The shocks were only ext. to 26.5" now they are going 28.5"

They definitely don't hang down as bad as the 3" MAF brackets. I'm still using my yellow caster bushings.

Now I need some of those 50mm Slinky coils. They have a free height of 24" that's 4" taller than what I have. 851s are 19" with the 1" spacer, that's 20" of free height.

 

[Apounder]

Somehow I have not seen this thread until now! Love it man, keep up the good work! Time for some 37's lowering the rear of the radius arms is highly recommended by myself at least!! I also always run a rear sway bar currently an extended stock bar but getting rid of it and putting in a currie anti rock torsion style sway bar once I figure out all of the mounting for the custom application.

 

[GW Nugget]

Somehow I have not seen this thread until now! Love it man, keep up the good work! Time for some 37's lowering the rear of the radius arms is highly recommended by myself at least!! I also always run a rear sway bar currently an extended stock bar but getting rid of it and putting in a currie anti rock torsion style sway bar once I figure out all of the mounting for the custom application.

Thanks @Apounder . I think once you get that Currie anti rock in, there will be a rash of installs starting with me.

 

[1973Guppie]

I had the 9000's on my 40, the adjustability IMO was pointless. I always kept them on the firmest level setting. If I set them lower the truck would rock and sway like a wet noodle. Overall have not been a fan of rancho stuff.

 

[GW Nugget]

Well, it looks like I found my 1st oil leak, it's coming from that hex allen thing. I haven't research it yet. But it looks like a easy fix next oil change. The size looks like a 14 mm maybe?

 

[1973Guppie]

hmmmmm, I would look higher up, maybe the fuel pump cover, a common leak.....

 

[1973Guppie]

spray it all down real well with castrol purple degreaser and wipe it clean. Then let it dry and run it, the leak will show it's ugly head.

 

[jcardona1]

Well, it looks like I found my 1st oil leak, it's coming from that hex allen thing. I haven't research it yet. But it looks like a easy fix next oil change. The size looks like a 14 mm maybe?
View attachment 1138327 View attachment 1138328

Have you checked it while running? Mine's been parked for a few months, but I started a massive leak in this area too. I ended up changing the front crank and oil pump cover seals. Working on a few other things so I haven't started the truck yet, but I'm hoping that fixed the leak.

 

[ToyotaDon]

Yes, probably oil pump seal. Let me know if you want me to get the parts for you. Also look for the replacement screws; used to be able to get them from the guy who sold PHH kits, but I think he's gone.

 

[GW Nugget]

Yes, probably oil pump seal. Let me know if you want me to get the parts for you. Also look for the replacement screws; used to be able to get them from the guy who sold PHH kits, but I think he's gone.

Hmm, well there is a lesson be learned if it is the oil pump seal. I have it & decided not to put it in while in the HG change. I will clean it up good & go from there. Thanks for the replies folks...

 

[jcardona1]

I ordered everything from Cruiser Parts. Here's the part numbers: