Build My first '40 and the venture

[OlYellr]

Made it down to the Valley Hybrids Cruiser Show & Swap.

Got to meet a bunch of people, put faces to names, and spend a day many Land Cruisers. Always a good time.

Managed to score a dash pad for a friend, and I came home with an OEM fender that was already sandblasted and ready for its next chapter.

Big thanks to @DuckBone. He reached out a couple days ago and reads this thread! We were both going to the show, and he offered to bring the fender along.

Always one of the cooler parts of this hobby when a thread turns into a conversation, which turns into meeting people in person, which somehow turns into parts changing hands in a parking lot.

Great meeting you @DuckBone and thanks again for bringing the fender!

Noticed this truck from Nebraska- looks like they scored a project. Saw them and they when I realized where from, could not find them.

 

[thatcabledude]

 

[OlYellr]

View attachment 4149681


View attachment 4149683

Still need to make it right with you.

Gnary Tacos at SAS this year? All you can eat and drink

 

[DuckBone]

Always glad to help a fellow Cruiserhead when they’ve come up short

Good to meet you and thanks to Georg and the Valley Hybrids team for putting on an awesome event!

 

[thatcabledude]

View attachment 4149750
Still need to make it right with you.

Gnary Tacos at SAS this year? All you can eat and drink

Oh heck man.. We’re right! That fender served it’s purpose perfectly. And free delivery lol. It’s funny.. like you, I toted around and moved that thing a bunch. Never noticed until I was bolting it up! I thought I had too many beers or something for a sec

Gnar… drool

 

[OlYellr]

No Tech…

160 Lbs of ice for drinks tonight

 

[OlYellr]

I’m throwing a ping pong and Champagne bash. (Beer too). To meet neighbors here

Coal is starting to get ready for grilling too

 

[clrussell]

Damn you’re the cool neighbor

 

[Pighead]

I might travel a fair bit to be your neighbor...

 

[Plains Cruiser]

I want to be your neighbor.

 

[OlYellr]

Damn you’re the cool neighbor

don't spread that rumor (I have a reputation to protect)

 

[clrussell]

Still over here waiting for cookout report.


Side note- I’ve thought about being that neighbor. Then remembered I don’t like 99% of the general public

 

[OlYellr]

Small detail update… but one of those things that makes the truck feel less tired. Picked up new wiper arms, blades, and all the little associated bits (nuts, caps, etc.).

Interesting little observation—the hardware has changed over time. The old setup used a separate nut and washer, while the replacement setup integrates that together.

Not exactly a performance mod, but after years of sun and weather the originals had definitely entered their faded retirement era.

Funny how replacing small stuff suddenly makes the rest of the truck look older. Not flashy… but I’m a fan of not having wipers look like they’ve been on the truck since disco.

I know Ian went a different direction and I think used Tacoma arms (if I remember that right - Was that on Norman or Paul @RevISK ?).

I adjusted valves too and it was really hot over the weekend and wondering if I was having vapor lock on "The 80". (Strange how around here Interstate 80 is "The 80" - as in "I took 'The 80' to Grass Valley." - to me, they took an 80 Series to Grass Valley. The nuances of different places.) Anyway, still working the math on vapor lock or not. Heading back to NE to see Fam and also wrench with @solomrus and @solomkor and come back with more stuff as I packed in haste to get on the road with Yellr and forgot stuff.

 

[RevISK]

Small detail update… but one of those things that makes the truck feel less tired. Picked up new wiper arms, blades, and all the little associated bits (nuts, caps, etc.).

View attachment 4160439


Interesting little observation—the hardware has changed over time. The old setup used a separate nut and washer, while the replacement setup integrates that together.

View attachment 4160440



View attachment 4160442

Not exactly a performance mod, but after years of sun and weather the originals had definitely entered their faded retirement era.

View attachment 4160443

Funny how replacing small stuff suddenly makes the rest of the truck look older. Not flashy… but I’m a fan of not having wipers look like they’ve been on the truck since disco.

View attachment 4160445

I know Ian went a different direction and I think used Tacoma arms (if I remember that right - Was that on Norman or Paul @RevISK ?).

I adjusted valves too and it was really hot over the weekend and wondering if I was having vapor lock on "The 80". (Strange how around here Interstate 80 is "The 80" - as in "I took 'The 80' to Grass Valley." - to me, they took an 80 Series to Grass Valley. The nuances of different places.) Anyway, still working the math on vapor lock or not. Heading back to NE to see Fam and also wrench with @solomrus and @solomkor and come back with more stuff as I packed in haste to get on the road with Yellr and forgot stuff.

Yo…
They were 4 Runner wipers on Paul, the 62. A great upgrade. I don’t know what wipers are an upgrade for a 40, probably hitting a bird at a relatively high speed?

 

[solomrus]

you have no idea what you're walking into. cue the smedley laugh.

 

[knuckle47]

@OlYellr Crazy but… I took Route 80 today to avoid this crap…

 

[OlYellr]

Went to PCM swap/show in Petaluma yesterday- then off with the two group to camp at the beach.

Been addressing some Knick-knacks around YELLR. If I can find where I put my motivation pills, will rotate tires and start packing trail spares etc for CO trip today.

 

[OlYellr]

Took Yellr back up into the Tahoe National Forest, north of Nevada City, for another shake-down run before Colorado in a few weeks.

The bumpity-bump bumps confirmed everything is still attached. Always a reassuring milestone.

Spent part of the day looking for places that no longer exist and long-forgotten cemeteries—trying to mark where history once stood before nature reclaimed it.

Speaking of things that no longer exist… I also managed to find the end of the road a couple of times.

I found myself on a very narrow road (an uphill grade needing 4-low) when mostly up saw a huge tree across - executed what I’m generously calling a 317-point turn. Really hated the manual steering for that (the limited room didn’t help)

Reward for the journey.

Today will be making sure nuts/bolts are tight etc. pack FSM etc, and general packing as I plan of hitting the road in less than 2 weeks

 

[OlYellr]

SAS 10 – Friday 31July

Well…here we go again.

One year later, the truck is pointed east this tome. Left Sacramento this morning after picking up Dave, climbed up Highway 50, crossed Tahoe, and we’re making our way toward Moab.

Packing is always an adventure. One tote has beer. Another has gear oil, motor oil, grease, and assorted fluids. Apparently both the truck and I have hydration requirements. Hopefully neither one of us leaks.

Tahoe never disappoints. Doesn’t matter how many times you drive through it, you still find yourself slowing down to take “just one more picture.”

Made our obligatory stop at a brewery in Carson City. Good beer, good company, and enough Americana on the walls to keep you wandering around. One sign reminded us that breweries have been solving life’s problems—or at least helping people believe they have—for a very long time.

Truck’s running great, spirits are high, and the playlist has already gone from classic rock to ’90s country to “who picked this song?”

Next stop…Utah. We several gas stations to visit first.

SAS 10 is officially underway.


Oh yeah solving life’s problems via Americana (Some advertising campaigns have remarkable staying power)

 

[OlYellr]

Get out of the city- get some fresh air

I’ll trust the post cards I guess.

Today and maybe tomorrow morning will be Moab and trails. Then head over