Builds Moonshine - A Build Thread (33 Viewers)

[GLTHFJ60]

Apparently the shop that put on my exhaust last year lied to me when they told me my truck was exempt from emissions. I failed inspection for not having a catalytic converter.

In addition to that, the shop decided that my PS leak is too big, so I failed for that as well. My question is in order to replace the input seal for the steering box, do you have to remove the box or just the steering shaft? I'm hoping it's a seal like the pinion seals, but I don't know for sure. Insight?

 

[alaska60]

It is similar to the pinion seal as far as bannana job.
I was really scared to open my up.....when I finally got me new box, I decided to open the old one...it was leaking really bad out the back seal. The seal was actually pretty easy to replace. i am now porting the old one for hydro asst. I drove around for almost two years with out PS....what the heck was I thinking?????? I cant believe I drove my SOA with 35s for so long with no PS.

PS is soooooo cool to have now......I dont spill my coffee anymore.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

There are 2 seals that can fail. I guess if you know for sure it's the input and not the sector schaft, you can just replace it. The sector shaft seal is harder, and is a metal ring with a teflon ring inside of it. It's tricky and I probably would not try it again. The guys at West Texas Offroad have a good rep and for $150 I'd let them reseal and adjust the box.

The factory cats are expensive-about $450. Aftermarket cats are cheaper but don't last. Ultimately it's your call.

Good luck.

 

[alaska60]

There are 2 seals that can fail. I guess if you know for sure it's the input and not the sector schaft, you can just replace it. The sector shaft seal is harder, and is a metal ring with a teflon ring inside of it. It's tricky and I probably would not try it again. The guys at West Texas Offroad have a good rep and for $150 I'd let them reseal and adjust the box.

The factory cats are expensive-about $450. Aftermarket cats are cheaper but don't last. Ultimately it's your call.

Good luck.

I would buy the cheaper CAT and put it on once a year for your emissions test. that way it will last for years!

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Thanks for the advice guys. I've been driving my 60 without a functional PS system since I did the spring over. I guess the additional stress on the system blew the seal and since then I've just left it.

I'll test again to confirm that it is the input seal, and if so I'll just replace that seal and be on my way. If not, then I guess I'll take it off and send it to West Texas. They can port it too, right? That way I won't need to open it up again when I add ram assist next summer.

As for the cat, I'm going to go bother that shop on Wednesday and ask them what the rule is exactly. I'm pretty positive that it's just a visual inspection and I'll try to con them into giving me an inspection because they told me I didn't need it.

 

[ksrunner]

Pretty sure NY State is 25yrs old to be emissions exempt. I've held off on NY registration due to being desmogged. However, I should be good to go for NY when my tag is up. Of course....it sounds like my power steering leak might bother them at the inspection station!

Good luck!

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Pretty sure NY State is 25yrs old to be emissions exempt. I've held off on NY registration due to being desmogged. However, I should be good to go for NY when my tag is up. Of course....it sounds like my power steering leak might bother them at the inspection station!

Good luck!

Yeah, it's 25 years. This shop gave me the inspection slip and it says 84 or older. Wish the other shop told me about that last year before I did the desmog, but I'm still glad I did it.

 

[IndianDoc]

At school, my cruiser resources are limited to Kevin Rowland and I bug him too much already, I'm gonna try to hit up a junkyard tomorrow but if I can't do that, I may have to give him a call. We shall see.

Looking good dude and luck with the light.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

So to have the steering box rebuilt at West Texas offroad, is it westtexasoffroad.com or westtexasoffroadcenter.com?

Also, I may be able to afford tires before the snow flies. I would like to buy some MT/R's but I cannot find any good prices on them. Suggestions?
If not those then either BFG T/A KO's or BFG KM2's. Any with real mileage experience on those new KM2's?

 

[ElliottB]

I've had all of those tires at some point. All in all, I'd go for the KM2's. They are fairly quiet on the road and perform very well offroad. MT/R's suck in the snow but are great on slickrock and red rock. The A/T's are a very good street tire but from the looks of your 60, I'm betting you don't care about street performance.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

I've had all of those tires at some point. All in all, I'd go for the KM2's. They are fairly quiet on the road and perform very well offroad. MT/R's suck in the snow but are great on slickrock and red rock. The A/T's are a very good street tire but from the looks of your 60, I'm betting you don't care about street performance.

That's the thing, I want something that's a good offroad tire with good road manners and longevity. If the MT/R's suck in the snow, then I don't want them.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

I may be in the minority, but I have had great luck with MT/Rs. They are the best all around tire for a street driven truck that still goes off road. I've had 3 sets and am about to buy another for my 60.

Also have run a bunch of BFG MTs (old style) that were noisy as anything on the street and absolutely sucked in the rain. Almost dangerous in my opinion.

I have also had terrific luck with BFG ATs and am running a set now on my FJ62. Its a very good compromise and works in most situations except mud. Actually, nothing really works in mud. Maybe a dedicated mud tire like a swamper but I don't have enough experience in mud to say.

All MT tires suck in the snow. It's just the nature of it.

 

[brokenparts]

I had MTR's on my old dodge and didnt really care for them... They wore pretty quickly too. I'd look into some of the less aggressive style Pitbulls.

 

[EOE_overland]

Also, I may be able to afford tires before the snow flies. I would like to buy some MT/R's but I cannot find any good prices on them. Suggestions?
QUOTE]

Just make sure you don't skimp! I don't want any off brand hand-me-downs . Just about the time my 33s wear out, you'll be looking to move up to 44s??

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Just make sure you don't skimp! I don't want any off brand hand-me-downs . Just about the time my 33s wear out, you'll be looking to move up to 44s??

Nah, gotta keep it road worthy and I don't think 44" meats qualify. 39", definitely

 

[GLTHFJ60]

I may be in the minority, but I have had great luck with MT/Rs. They are the best all around tire for a street driven truck that still goes off road. I've had 3 sets and am about to buy another for my 60.

Also have run a bunch of BFG MTs (old style) that were noisy as anything on the street and absolutely sucked in the rain. Almost dangerous in my opinion.

I have also had terrific luck with BFG ATs and am running a set now on my FJ62. Its a very good compromise and works in most situations except mud. Actually, nothing really works in mud. Maybe a dedicated mud tire like a swamper but I don't have enough experience in mud to say.

All MT tires suck in the snow. It's just the nature of it.

I hear you. I wish I was able to have 2 sets of tires but my budget is limited so I need to compromise. I want something that's aggressive for when I go offroad but something that's well mannered on road and performs in the snow. For those duties I've read that the BFG KM2's are the best bet.

I had MTR's on my old dodge and didnt really care for them... They wore pretty quickly too. I'd look into some of the less aggressive style Pitbulls.

If they wear quick then I'm gonna stay away. They are a bunch more expensive than the KM2's.

Thanks for the advice guys!

 

[Cruiserdrew]

Just for the record, MTRs do not wear quickly. I've got 40k on a set on my 80 that are not at the wear bars yet. That's great for an MT that has been to Moab 5-6 times and Death Valley X6, Anza Borrego X3 Mojave X2 etc

I just was in a friend's 80 last night with 42k on a set and he was remarking how well they held up.

It is pretty normal for MT tires to wear faster than regular tires.

For snow use, I don't think any MT is going to make you happy.

Usually if tires wear quickly, the wheels they were run on were too narrow, or they were chronically under inflated.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Just for the record, MTRs do not wear quickly. I've got 40k on a set on my 80 that are not at the wear bars yet. That's great for an MT that has been to Moab 5-6 times and Death Valley X6, Anza Borrego X3 Mojave X2 etc

I just was in a friend's 80 last night with 42k on a set and he was remarking how well they held up.

It is pretty normal for MT tires to wear faster than regular tires.

For snow use, I don't think any MT is going to make you happy.

Usually if tires wear quickly, the wheels they were run on were too narrow, or they were chronically under inflated.

I try to be as careful about my tire pressure as I can. With my CO2 tank, I check my pressure whenever I make a trip that is 30 miles or more.

I agree that while a MT style tire won't be the best snow performer I think the KM2 will be ok, based on what people have been saying. If it isn't good or I feel I could make it better, I'll get them siped.

 

[me_tu05]

Rigs lookin good man.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Rigs lookin good man.

Thank you! Hopefully I'll be rolling on some new shoes soon.