Build Let's Baseline my new to me 1993 Land Cruiser

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Feldrian said:
Rule 1: Remember to clean the grinder dust out of the diff housing before assembly.
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Right. So many crevices inside that housing. I’ll probably tape over them to keep things as clean as possible.
 
Ok, after a trip to NAPA for a tie rod puller, I have some more blue towels, orange gloves so I can channel @OTRAMM and be a boss, and some flap discs in case I need more clearance.

Steering linkage is removed and I have room to give it a whirl.
F020C648-A953-434F-8EA5-5A53D02F5B61.webp

Flap disks on the bench to quietly threaten the diff and housing to play nicely together…
131649B9-AD12-4C1C-8562-157142BF121D.webp
 
PNWTreeOctopus said:
Ok, after a trip to NAPA for a tie rod puller, I have some more blue towels, orange gloves so I can channel @OTRAMM and be a boss, and some flap discs in case I need more clearance.

Steering linkage is removed and I have room to give it a whirl.View attachment 3210270
Flap disks on the bench to quietly threaten the diff and housing to play nicely together…View attachment 3210273
Click to expand...
And we all MUST comment about your choice of personal care products........

Butt....

Who gives a crap?
 
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So it’s just not slotting. So out comes the angle grinder. But instead of rushing I’ll tape up the some of the voids and seams of the housing to make getting my dusty mess out easier.

So pro tips on what not to do? I feel a little in over my head, but whatever it’s my cruiser. Assuming keep things from getting too hot, remove as little as possible and clean it out well?
 
PNWTreeOctopus said:
So it’s just not slotting. So out comes the angle grinder. But instead of rushing I’ll tape up the some of the voids and seams of the housing to make getting my dusty mess out easier.

So pro tips on what not to do? I feel a little in over my head, but whatever it’s my cruiser. Assuming keep things from getting too hot, remove as little as possible and clean it out well?
Click to expand...
Are you grinding on the housing or the differential?

Cover absolutely EVERYTHING that has an opening in a couple layers of 2" wide blue painters tape to the point everything is sealed. Only leave the exposed area you want to grind.

If there is a hole behind where you're grinding, then stuff it full of paper towels and tape over it with blue tape.

Light touches with the grinder, but as long, smooth strokes as you can do. Don't poke at it with the edge of the grind wheel. Watch the ground area and how it looks. Determine how much you think you need to take off and don't overdo it. Measure it if you can (calipers).
Don't shove the grind wheel into the work or you will gouge it.
Those flaps wheels you have are nice (not sure what grit) but the lower the number, the heavier the cut.
 
I wouldn't over think it. Jam some wads of towels inside each axle tube. Grind, remove towels and wipe down. You can get it super clean in just a few minutes. We cut, weld, grind on the axles all the time. Clean up, wipe down, paint and be done!
 
cruiseroutfit said:
I wouldn't over think it. Jam some wads of towels inside each axle tube. Grind, remove towels and wipe down. You can get it super clean in just a few minutes. We cut, weld, grind on the axles all the time. Clean up, wipe down, paint and be done!
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Overthinking is my game -- Paralysis by Analysis!
 
Holy cow, I just emerged from
The Slinky vs Dobinsons rabbit hole. I like this 3”/75mm lift idea with variable rate spring direction.

So it comes down to teal vs. black. Glad white goes with anything…
 
PNWTreeOctopus said:
Holy cow, I just emerged from
The Slinky vs Dobinsons rabbit hole. I like this 3”/75mm lift idea with variable rate spring direction.

So it comes down to teal vs. black. Glad white goes with anything…
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Dobinson is avail in black too ;)

We stock all of the Dobinson Flexi variable taper coils in black for example. let us know if we can help!
 
cruiseroutfit said:
Dobinson is avail in black too ;)

We stock all of the Dobinson Flexi variable taper coils in black for example. let us know if we can help!
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Oh I like the tropical fish look. I’ll call ya up when I finish the current project. It might be time to come visit UT again and say howdy.
 
My rig is heavy. Should be a good fit. We load it to the gills with kids, a dog and lots of camping gear. Plus all the bumper/ tools etc.
 
Update:
After a wee bit of grinding with a 60grit flap wheel, the diff slots so easily.

I started by masking the internal seams so that I could minimize the grit and shavings that could accumulate in there. I then used automotive masking and made some large wads to close off the axle housing. I also ran my little shop vac in an effort to collect any extra dust.
EB38CF3F-E7F2-42D2-8BFB-017BBC2D297D.jpeg

I then put my gasket back on the diff and used a sharpie to mark the housing where the gasket was most dinged up. I confirmed these spots on the diff as well where I could find any marks from my attempts to install it. I don’t have a great photo of this step.

I then found my best google style eye protection, hearing pro, and a face shield. I positioned my self sort of on my side and did an awkward side sit up and practiced how I would access the areas needing material removed. I fired up the trusty yellow grinder and removed the metal. I was slow and careful. It turned out fine.
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I then wiped down the obvious gross dust and grit and put the gasket on to do a test fit. It slotted nicely!
C453AAF2-7C0C-4E27-80E4-6C8948C339A9.jpeg

So when my package arrives from @cruiseroutfit with my rear bearings and a couple of new diff gaskets I should have it extra clean. I only made two mistakes. I touched the top of a stud and very luckily missed the treads with the grinder and I forgot a dust mask and I’m regretting that piece of protection was absent.

But I’ve used my angle grinder on my cruiser to modify something thing really important—for me that’s a new threshold crossed. 😎
 
One can of BrakeKleen and a roll of shop towels later and the inside is clean. Here is a shot of mid cleaning. This grit is despite masking and blocking the inner axle housing. It's just a messy process.
IMG_2541.webp

And here is how it looks now:
IMG_2543.webp


I will give it all one more wipe down before I install the differential. I know there are still some old greasy gear oil smudges in there. My new gaskets come tomorrow and a new tektron 3/8 torque wrench is in the mail too. So I'm hoping that I'll be a lot closer to driving the cruiser by this time next week. Obviously I'l keep you posted.
 
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