Knewstance 1998 Restoration/Build (2 Viewers)

[Exiled]

Amazing what some love and elbow grease can accomplish....nice work!

 

[CBeckFJ]

god, This and @FxFormat 's builds are inspiring me to fix my truck and get it road legal.

 

[FxFormat]

god, This and @FxFormat 's builds are inspiring me to fix my truck and get it road legal.

Takes a little bit to get started but once you do it’ll be so satisfying that you can’t stop.

 

[knewstance]

It is satisfying to see the progress. In the process of doing the timing belt and other things right now. Pics to follow in addition to hopefully a success story.

 

[knewstance]

Lol @ my cheater bar... Gotta use what you have, right?

Also I rented this pulley holder from Orilleys. It worked pretty well but I'd suggest a higher grade bolt (had to buy them from Ace).

 

[trdcorolla]

Lol @ my cheater bar... Gotta use what you have, right?

Also I rented this pulley holder from Orilleys. It worked pretty well but I'd suggest a higher grade bolt (had to buy them from Ace).

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I just bought those socket adapters from HF!

 

[knewstance]

How did you remove the fake wood vinyl?

I used my motorcycle tire iron to pull the stuff off then finished it off with some goof off to remove the residue.

So I was using a really small screw driver to pull this wood grain of... Did about 50% of it that way but every once and a while I'd get a nick. This is a tire iron for a motorcycle. It is working great due to the shape and not being so sharp!

It may be unconventional, but it does work!

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[knewstance]

Hey, looks good man... What a score! Don't worry about that eroding seat foam; you can build that back up with Hobby Lobby Foam (1 inch and 1/4 inch thicknesses), 3M Adhesive spray, and an electric carving knife.

My wife did not want the LC when we got it. She loves it now. Actually, we have had offers to buy it while running around. When she mentioned she had a LC at her job, some of the guys there asked to go see it. She thought that was cool. Plus, it stands out among all the Expeditions in our family.

Good to hear! My leather from Lseat should be here Monday. So that will be my project as I find time in the next week or so.

 

[knewstance]

Accessing the AC compressor bolts that also hold the fan bracket. I highly suggest this method of removing the oil filter.

I didn't realize how small my oil pan was. I've been so used to working on 4 cylinder cars for such a long time.

All in all, the timing belt looked pretty good. Only 2 spots starting to fray like this. Glad I'm getting it done. Last recorded change was about 130k ago.
I didn't notice any leaks on the water pump and all pulleys were working well. Regardless they were all replaced.

 

[knewstance]

New crank and cam seals. Take note and don't be like me! Break these bolts loose BEFORE you removing your timing belt. It was almost impossible to hold these pulleys still while getting enough leverage to break the bolts loose, more pics to follow. I ended up using a pulley holder but it did not have such a great time.

New crank seal

It was definitely time for some camshaft seals!

This method of removal was a snap. To reinstall the new seals, I used a pair of pliers and a hammer. I put the rubber handle of the pliers on the seal and taped it into place all the way around until it was seated deep enough.

 

[knewstance]

The aftermath of torquing the crank bolt... Luckily I still have 2 bolt holes in the pulley!

In hindsight I should have found some much higher grade metric bolts.

And the timing belt all lined up on the crank. Helpful tips, do not install the tensioner until you have your belt lined up on the crank and both cams (obviously do not remove the pin until everything is 100% ready).

 

[knewstance]

And I have to give credit to my main source of information. This YouTube video is an excellent walk through of a timing belt and water pump change. I've used this step by step, he even goes through the torque specs on each bolt. Super helpful.

Tear Down:

Re-installation:

 

[knewstance]

Timing belt, water pump, seals, ect are all complete. It was scary to start after having it apart, but everything looks and sounds good!

Time to go for a ride!

 

[knewstance]

Leather for my seats came in last week. Started up at school this week and found out how much time med school really takes up. Wow.

Anyways approximately 1/4 of the way through. This took about 2.5 hours and I even had an extra set of hands for part of that. Hoping I can get faster otherwise this is going to take me weeks to finish.

I am adding 1/2" foam to all front/outward facing surfaces to give a little extra cushion.

Anybody have any helpful upholstery tips? (Especially tips for getting the arm rests back on?)

 

[TEXAS 57]

The arm rest actually go on pretty easy. You can steam the existing foam with a garment steamer and it swells back up. I found the arm rests to be a little loose after installation. I put the armrests and the headrests in the oven at 175* for 30 min with a steel bowl filled with water (for steaming). They shrank right up.
After a Houston summer all of the seats have lost any remaining small wrinkles that were left.
I too built up the driver seat with an extra 1/4” foam. Looks good! Keep it up!

 

[FxFormat]

I gotta do my driver’s bottom leather, do you use a hog ring pliers to attach it?

 

[TEXAS 57]

If you warm the leather up it will also be more pliable. Just keep massaging and working the armrests in.

 

[TEXAS 57]

I gotta do my driver’s bottom leather, do you use a hog ring pliers to attach it?

Yes, get decent ones ($20 range) not the cheapest ones.

 

[knewstance]

I gotta do my driver’s bottom leather, do you use a hog ring pliers to attach it?

I've been using these and they have been working well.

https://tinyurl.com/yd8gh399

 

[knewstance]

Got my seats finished, I'm happy with how they turned out. Just need to figure out what to do for my center console.

Wheels and tires are next on the agenda along with some paint correction.