Builds Moonshine - A Build Thread (16 Viewers)

[GLTHFJ60]

Since GSMTR I haven't done much of anything to Moonshine, but I feel that this thread needs an update anyway. In June I took her up to the western part of NC and did some camping:

On that trip she started some severe blow by out of the road draft tube, so bad that it coated the DS frame rail, rear axle and rear hatch with engine oil. I fear that the high EGTs over so long coupled with the mud bog drag stunts I pulled at GSMTR did the rings in. I need to do a compression test to confirm. *sigh*

Between the suspected rings, power steering issues and lack of AC, I've been driving my new-to-me F-550. 2004, 6.0 Powerstroke, ZF-6, 213k miles now. Flew down to Lake Worth, TX and drove her back. Current thinking is flat bed/ramp truck, but for now I built a small wood bed just to be able to use it.

I believe that the factory Dana135 rear axle has 4.88 gears, so the RPMs are fairly high at highway speed. Gets about 12mpg.

As if that wasn't enough, been working for the past 6 weeks on a 95 4Runner, converting it into a quad cab pickup with a full roll cage:

Finally got the cage finished and new d-pillar tacked in place this past weekend:

All while at the same time playing with my new tubing bender, fabricating some sliders for a HZJ75. They're 78" long

Some day I'll be able to work on Moonshine again. I need to fix the hydraulic system with a new steering pump, a new hydroboost unit, larger brake MC, appropriate proportioning valve and FZJ80 steering box. I also need to fix the AC, install an intercooler and, you know, rebuild the engine (maybe). I better just pull a @boots4 and yank the engine so I can give the engine a once-over!!

 

[woytovich]

You so crazy... (me like, me jealous)

 

[J Mack]

On that trip she started some severe blow by out of the road draft tube, so bad that it coated the DS frame rail, rear axle and rear hatch with engine oil. I fear that the high EGTs over so long coupled with the mud bog drag stunts I pulled at GSMTR did the rings in. I need to do a compression test to confirm. *sigh*

Heavy right foot also caused my 4BT to develop excessive blow by. I built a blow by tester to confirm using the info on this site:
Measuring Blow by, The Real Test For Internal Engine Condition - Seaboard Marine


Faster and easier than pulling injectors and gives an accurate indicator of engine condition,picture showing the contraption.

 

[mongoose2231]

Niceee

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Heavy right foot also caused my 4BT to develop excessive blow by. I built a blow by tester to confirm using the info on this site:
Measuring Blow by, The Real Test For Internal Engine Condition - Seaboard Marine


Faster and easier than pulling injectors and gives an accurate indicator of engine condition,picture showing the contraption.

Yup, gonna have to try that. Thank you sir

 

[Cruiserdrew]

Nice appropriate tow rig. Perfect for towing around Land Cruisers. You coming out for Rubithon next year?

 

[Mr Cimarron]

I still don't know why Ford has to have two filler necks. I hate filling up my F350.

 

[The Phoenician]

Since GSMTR I haven't done much of anything to Moonshine, but I feel that this thread needs an update anyway. In June I took her up to the western part of NC and did some camping:

On that trip she started some severe blow by out of the road draft tube, so bad that it coated the DS frame rail, rear axle and rear hatch with engine oil. I fear that the high EGTs over so long coupled with the mud bog drag stunts I pulled at GSMTR did the rings in. I need to do a compression test to confirm. *sigh*

Between the suspected rings, power steering issues and lack of AC, I've been driving my new-to-me F-550. 2004, 6.0 Powerstroke, ZF-6, 213k miles now. Flew down to Lake Worth, TX and drove her back. Current thinking is flat bed/ramp truck, but for now I built a small wood bed just to be able to use it.

I believe that the factory Dana135 rear axle has 4.88 gears, so the RPMs are fairly high at highway speed. Gets about 12mpg.

As if that wasn't enough, been working for the past 6 weeks on a 95 4Runner, converting it into a quad cab pickup with a full roll cage:

Finally got the cage finished and new d-pillar tacked in place this past weekend:

All while at the same time playing with my new tubing bender, fabricating some sliders for a HZJ75. They're 78" long

Some day I'll be able to work on Moonshine again. I need to fix the hydraulic system with a new hydroboost unit, larger brake MC, appropriate proportioning valve and FZJ80 steering box. I also need to fix the AC, install an intercooler and, you know, rebuild the engine (maybe). I better just pull a @boots4 and yank the engine so I can give the engine a once-over!!

Hell, I wish I knew you were headed to Lake Worth, I would have met up with you and had some beer. I've been in that part of Texas for some training the last few weeks and will be headed back again. Keep us updated on Moonshine, I still don't know how you can drive her without AC .

 

[woytovich]

Here's a project for you Johnny:
1998 Toyota 4 Runner for parts or project

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Nice appropriate tow rig. Perfect for towing around Land Cruisers. You coming out for Rubithon next year?

The plan is to do either Rubithon or Moab next year. Not sure I can swing both. If I had to pick, which one would you do?

I still don't know why Ford has to have two filler necks. I hate filling up my F350.

It has two filler necks because it can hold 60 gallons of fuel!! I love it!!

Here's a project for you Johnny:
1998 Toyota 4 Runner for parts or project

Find me a first gen. Doesn't have to run (or have a motor at all for that matter) but it does have to have a clean title and be rust free.

Hell, I wish I knew you were headed to Lake Worth, I would have met up with you and had some beer. I've been in that part of Texas for some training the last few weeks and will be headed back again. Keep us updated on Moonshine, I still don't know how you can drive her without AC .

I know, I thought of you, but I was trying to squeeze in the whole trip in a weekend. Flew into DFW at 1pm, left Lake Worth with the truck at 5pm, made it to Tuscaloosa, AL that night, then back to Durham the next day. Next time my man.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Heavy right foot also caused my 4BT to develop excessive blow by. I built a blow by tester to confirm using the info on this site:
Measuring Blow by, The Real Test For Internal Engine Condition - Seaboard Marine


Faster and easier than pulling injectors and gives an accurate indicator of engine condition,picture showing the contraption.

Hey @J Mack, those tests say that it's supposed to be done at 100% load. How did you load the engine sitting still, ride the clutch?

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Have also been using Moonshine to fell trees at my house. Line off the winch to a tree helps make sure I don't fell anything on my house.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

The plan is to do either Rubithon or Moab next year. Not sure I can swing both. If I had to pick, which one would you do?

Depends on what you like. If you want to disappear on a wheeling trail with great scenery and camping for a week, Rubithon. If you want more of an "event" with available restaurant food, exotic scenery, and an elbow to armpit campground, then Moab. Either way, you should do both but they are very different events.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Depends on what you like. If you want to disappear on a wheeling trail with great scenery and camping for a week, Rubithon. If you want more of an "event" with available restaurant food, exotic scenery, and an elbow to armpit campground, then Moab. Either way, you should do both but they are very different events.

I want to wheel Moab at some point, but I got to experience that event in 2012. Sounds like if I plan to do one, it'll be Rubithon.

Time to get my ducks in a row.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

What's the repower plan for Moonshine? Another diesel? 5.3? Weird epidemic of 4bt problems.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

What's the repower plan for Moonshine? Another diesel? 5.3? Weird epidemic of 4bt problems.

Gotta confirm the issue first. If I need new rings, what I'd likely do is an "in-frame" where I just replace the pistons, rings and head gasket, possibly put a 7mm injector head on while in there.

I really need an intercooler as well. That would help preserve the motor.

It's only money, right?

 

[J Mack]

Hey @J Mack, those tests say that it's supposed to be done at 100% load. How did you load the engine sitting still, ride the clutch?

I have a buddy that works for a Cummins repair shop and they do the same test without loading the engine and that how I did mine, I can't find a link to the Cummins version so I posted this one for you.

 

[Bama4door]

Johnny, those sliders you built are sweeeet!! Nice job!

 

[boots4]

If I need new rings, what I'd likely do is an "in-frame" where I just replace the pistons, rings and head gasket, possibly put a 7mm injector head on while in there.

You probably are including bearings (mains, rods, piston) on your list. If not those don't cost much and are easy to do with it actually in the frame.

If I can swing it I'd like to do Moab next year. And then connect back up with Andy and do another Dusy run.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Replaced the power steering pump on Moonshine two nights ago. Gear driven power steering on the cummins, so the gear has to be pulled off, then the pump removed from the bracket, then reinstalled. Old (left) next to new (right).