Idaho/Utah Cruiserheads: Project help wanted

[Beehanger]

Calling Idaho Cruiser gurus,

Looking for some help to get to the finish line on my project. I'm a young buck who's new to cruisers and been trying to make it work in Sun Valley, Idaho. a Just did a full engine rebuild and need to get my rig baselined myself, but running into some issues in the way drive ability and diagnosing. The remaining critical items are beyond my realm of experience especialy with the time constraints I have. I've driven it around town for a week and have noticed a few larger issues that I'm needing help resolving. (see below) Been trail and error this entire time but I've realized I'm a bit above my scope with these last few tasks, and need this thing back on the road as its my daily. I have access to the shop and tools on weekends, the few guys here who knows cruisers aren't available to help me out:

mini-Projects (one weekend):
Power steering shaft spider jount swap (excessive play)
tie rods and alignment, (camber adjustment needed, deat wobble)
PS leak fix and o ring install
AISIN carb rebuild and desmog (least important)
Death wobble when driving above 30 mph
Odd drive train noises diagnosis,
Transfer case engine mount swap,)

See my earlier build thread for more context: Advice on whether I should buy a Land Cruiser - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/advice-on-whether-i-should-buy-a-land-cruiser.1227794/page-20#post-15446306

Willing to pay some for help and/or work trade. Not a bad place to have a mini land cruiser vacation either. I'm Also willing to peter the rig within 2 hours of me to Boise or Idaho falls. I would help you on these projects as you need me to, just need some mentoring for it. I'm 26 y/o and did this as a learning/growing experience, I'm just out of time to get this on the road after 2 years (it's my daily lol) Open to put putting the vehicle to Boise area or within a few hours from me, or pay for your room up here in Sun Valley for a weekend (once again I have access to tools and a shop). Phone call would definitely be better in explaining. Would be a nice mini work vacation. Call or message me for more details, I'm flexible: 2083093040

Still fighting,
Dan

 

[BurntToast]

ID- Treasure Valley Land Cruisers

forum.ih8mud.com

Might get more traction in a local clubhouse section like that one

 

[Idaho Savage]

Too funny....I saw your rig today on Main St in Ketchum and was like, damn! That's a nice 60!

I'm not qualified to offer you much help nor do I currently have a ton of time, and that's a pretty stout list you have there. Death wobble could be any number of things but I'd fix those tie rods, etc. Dialing camber and axle shims can go a long way in these things. Are your tires balanced? Start with the basics. Tie rods are really easy, FWIW. Do the carb yourself....lots of value in learning the process.

I can tell you that without a doubt, Hillside Auto on Gannett in Bellevue is the best shop in the valley, should you go the pro route. I wouldn't use a mechanic in Ketchum if YOU paid for it. Seems like you could have them dial in the steering and PS box and be done with that portion, though it won't be cheap.

There are good shops in Twin as well. Advanced Suspension is excellent and could likely remedy your steering issues and they know camber, etc really well.

Good luck!

 

[Beehanger]

Too funny....I saw your rig today on Main St in Ketchum and was like, damn! That's a nice 60!

I'm not qualified to offer you much help nor do I currently have a ton of time, and that's a pretty stout list you have there. Death wobble could be any number of things but I'd fix those tie rods, etc. Dialing camber and axle shims can go a long way in these things. Are your tires balanced? Start with the basics. Tie rods are really easy, FWIW. Do the carb yourself....lots of value in learning the process.

I can tell you that without a doubt, Hillside Auto on Gannett in Bellevue is the best shop in the valley, should you go the pro route. I wouldn't use a mechanic in Ketchum if YOU paid for it. Seems like you could have them dial in the steering and PS box and be done with that portion, though it won't be cheap.

There are good shops in Twin as well. Advanced Suspension is excellent and could likely remedy your steering issues and they know camber, etc really well.

Good luck!

That's nuts! First valley local I've met on here... too cool!

All great info, much appreciated.

What would be other basics besides tire balance? Is there anything about death wobble in the FSM??

I'll tackle what I can, and go to the pros if I have to...
Will update here, maybe I'll run into ya in town!

Dan

 

[OSS]

The only alignment adjustment on the 60 is toe-in. The distance between the front of the tire should be a little less than 1/4” than when measured at the back of the tire.

Death wobble is a symptom of loose s*** which can be aggravated by unbalanced wheels.

 

[Idaho Savage]

The only alignment adjustment on the 60 is toe-in. The distance between the front of the tire should be a little less than 1/4” than when measured at the back of the tire.

Death wobble is a symptom of loose s*** which can be aggravated by unbalanced wheels.

Like tie rods....

Edit: I'll also add I had horrific death wobble on my 40, solved via new tie rods AND axle shims.

 

[k91]

Take the front drive shaft off and see if the problem goes away, that will help you dial into what is causing the wobble.

 

[Smithtec]

The only alignment adjustment on the 60 is toe-in. The distance between the front of the tire should be a little less than 1/4” than when measured at the back of the tire.

Death wobble is a symptom of loose s*** which can be aggravated by unbalanced wheels.

Well there is castor adjustment as well, which is generally part of alignment.

 

[toy_tek]

Worn out shocks can affect death wobble too. Learned that the scary way years ago.

 

[Godwin]

Worn knuckle bearings can contribute as well as old or worn tires.

 

[Tancruiser]

Worn out shackel bushings won't help death wobble.

 

[Beehanger]

Take the front drive shaft off and see if the problem goes away, that will help you dial into what is causing the wobble.

The front driveshaft(4WD one) is already off. Haven’t driven it with it in a long time. As I recall from 3 years ago when the rig ran it wasn’t death wobbling them.

 

[Beehanger]

Worn out shackel bushings won't help death wobble.

How do I know whether to replace just eh bushings or the whole springs?

 

[Tancruiser]

No need to replace the springs just the rubber bushings in the shackles.

 

[Godwin]

The front driveshaft(4WD one) is already off. Haven’t driven it with it in a long time. As I recall from 3 years ago when the rig ran it wasn’t death wobbling them.

No death wobble, not driven for 3 years and sits on the tires, tires have aged with weight on them, now with death wobble = tires are bad.

 

[k91]

The front driveshaft(4WD one) is already off. Haven’t driven it with it in a long time. As I recall from 3 years ago when the rig ran it wasn’t death wobbling

This info was never provided in your post, which would lead most to assume, TRE’s, axle shims or tires to begin with. @Godwin is most likely correct with his assessment.