Builds My New Project

[WarDamnEagle]

Okay @RUSH55 since I didn’t get one of your gas tanks for Christmas, I decided to drop my tank (again) and force a 3x15 Holley Hydramat through the stock tank sender hole. I think I should have built a new tank. It may have been easier. Fishing tubing anc fittings in a piece at a time and trying to connect it all while looking through a 2 inch hole and breathing gas fumes for hours was not really all that fun.

I had to fab this piece three times before I could get it in place. This is v1.0 and I didn’t take any additional pictures as I progressed. This one ended up too tall. V2.0 positioned the Hydramat at a rise off the bottom of the tank. V3.0 I had to get creative with my tube bender and after 4 90-degree bends it was close enough. I needed something like a 1.5 inch 280-degree bend radius and with the cheap 90-degree loaner tool it took an alternate design.

Hopefully I can take a decent trip without starvation and filling the tank before it’s half empty now .

I applaud your ability to still type coherent English under the circumstances.

 

[NikP]

My 55 seems to be getting much more winter driving than I anticipated. From summer raft getter to now winter ski shuttle.

The feet really get cold with metal floorboards so I took care of that with a DynaDeck purchase. Rubber layer on top and sound deadening foam below. Seems to be good stuff.

 

[PabloCruise]

Looking good! ^^^

Did you ever carry out your plan to rebuild spring packs using 60 lift springs inter-mixed w/ 55 springs?

 

[NikP]

Looking good! ^^^

Did you ever carry out your plan to rebuild spring packs using 60 lift springs inter-mixed w/ 55 springs?

Yes look near post #753.

Happy with the result. I basically took the 60 spring and cut the bushing loops off and bolted entire spring to 55 bushing loop spring.

 

[PabloCruise]

Swapped out front springs today by taking the leafs from a FJ60 2-in lift front and mating leafs to the FJ55 top spring.

I didn't get out for a test drive. Just dropping down off jacks it shows my height about 1 inch higher than before I started. On the rears I'm thinking about keeping the entire Old Man EMU spring by cutting off the eyes on the ends and removing the portions that have a curve.

For the fronts I swapped in all the leafs from the new EMU spring except the top spring to retain the stock bushings.

Ill keep you posted once I do some driving.

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Found it! Looking forward to reading about this...

 

[MacDaddyRabbit]

Found it! Looking forward to reading about this...

Found it! Looking forward to reading about this...

I'm taking NikP's lead and doing the same on the rear of my 77.. Removed the rear packs and discovered two broken leaves, thankfully not the long ones. Will report back when done.. Thanks NikP..

 

[DTC72]

@NikP does DynaDeck have an adhesive layer like DynaMat? What size did you buy? Did you also do the cargo area or just the front and rear seat areas?

 

[NikP]

@NikP does DynaDeck have an adhesive layer like DynaMat? What size did you buy? Did you also do the cargo area or just the front and rear seat areas?

No adhesive layer. Functions as a removable mat. I bought the Dynadeck 72in x 54in roll through Summit Racing. That size only has enough to cover the front and rear seat areas. I took a trip north into the mountains for some avalanche training and my feet were much happier than with my bare floor.

 

[NikP]

@MacDaddyRabbit here's the picture of my spring so you can see the alignment wrap with the original 55 leafs.

 

[MacDaddyRabbit]

@MacDaddyRabbit here's the picture of my spring so you can see the alignment wrap with the original 55 leafs.

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Looking good..

 

[NikP]

All this daily driving and my Griffin radiator decides it's going to leak now. Pooling on the bottom sill so it's not obvious where it's coming from. Well, crap.....

 

[scrapdaddy]

Wow, Griffin is a good radiator from what I've read.

 

[RUSH55]

All this daily driving and my Griffin radiator decides it's going to leak now. Pooling on the bottom sill so it's not obvious where it's coming from. Well, crap.....

Wot happened?
How old is it?

 

[NikP]

Wow, Griffin is a good radiator from what I've read.

I thought so too. I read lots on the Interweb about them leaking. Age is a bit misleading since it was installed in 2016, but I didn't put any miles on it until the last year. It made it about 6000 miles. I haven't been able to determine where the leak is yet. It's not obvious and appears to be on an internal area on the drivers side. Wherever it is, my guess is it won't be an easy fix.

I'm debating the next step. Just buy another or remove it and spend time tracking down the issue. I doubt I can find a rad shop near me that will do anything with aluminum. My gut says all roads lead to just buying another. If so, I'll buy a Champion Radiator this time since it comes with a lifetime warranty and should bolt right in.

 

[scrapdaddy]

I'd try reaching out to Griffen and let them tell you they'll fix it or pound sand. I know what you're saying about when you bought something and when you actually used it, so it goes with a long build.

 

[RUSH55]

Even so, 5 years ain’t sh*t, and if they can’t build a radiator any better than that they’re not worth using.

 

[WarDamnEagle]

I have an aluminum Champion in my 55. PO installed and I still have the original radiator that was pulled. My plan at the moment is to go back with a re-cored original but that plan could change. Option 2 is to keep the Champion but have it powder coated black. I just can't take that much bare aluminum under the hood that isn't sitting on top of the engine.

 

[bobm]

Ole Red has a Champ . So doesnt the 66 Ford .

 

[samc2447]

@FJ60Cam makes a radiator for the 55 in both stock and LS form LINK

 

[RUSH55]

So doesnt the 66 Ford .