My TLC experience

[bikersmurf]

Back when I used to race small catamaran sailboats, I had a trailer setup to haul three boats at a time. I think it was something like 10' 3" tall all loaded up. I always stuck a piece of tape to the dash with the height written in an attempt to keep stupid at bay.

Some days the belly button polish is outta reach, and you don't have a friend handy to help pull your head out of your ass for you.

It’s standard issue… I’m sure when the adrenaline is pumping, and someone’s life is on the line, they don’t want drivers thinking, “How tall is this rig again?”. It only takes one… and when they are $100k+, and built by former paramedics, a label is cheap insurance.

Thinking about it, medium duty rigs are much taller. Someone who usually drives one, and hops into an E350 ambulance, can now fit places they would never dream of going.

 

[sogncab]

Tuesday.

The dog and I are leaving in the wee dark hours of the morning on Monday, (Labor day). Looking forward to taking a road trip with 14k pounds, and a big ass V8 that hammers through gas faster than whaler stepping off the boat into a waddle of penguins. mmmmhhh, penguin. *I had google what a group of penguins was called. IN the water, they are a raft. ON land, they are a waddle. I didn't know that, you probably didn't either, now you're stuck with that completely useless trash of knowledge stuck in your head.

Picking up a roof top tent in Iowa. Bolting it to the gooseneck on the trailer with some help of some unistrut and a cordless bandsaw, should look plenty F-ing weird....

Monday evening, sweat to death on the west side of Denver in the RTT for the night. Wake up just in time for it to actually be comfortable. By the time I get to Denver, I should be plenty tired. I should be able to pull that 13 hour drive off in about 15 hours I'm guessing. I'm a prairie dwelling son of a dirt worshiping farmer. Them thar mountains are scary, and I don't want to be crossing them in the dark, or whilst tired.

Tuesday morning hoping to get to PRLC at a reasonable time. If I leave Denver at 5am, I might be able to get there by 10am. That would be swell. Slap the new tires on, get some introduction to the changes. Get loaded up.. Shoot the breeze with some folks, thank them for putting up with my dumb ass. Hit the road. Again.

Tuesday afternoon, head to Salt Lake City, crash at my buddies house.

Wednesday, hang out and relax a bit. I need to pick up a pile of parts from Cruiser Outfitters. Planning on hitting the Land Cruiser Heritage Museum.

Thursday. Going to go to American Fork Canyon and try not to wreck too much...
Thursday night, drag what's left of the 40 back on the trailer.

Friday morning, pull out for Lincoln Nebraska to meet up worth the previous owner. He didn't sell it because he wanted to, he sold it because he had to. I feel bad that the dude had to sell it, I've been keeping him in the loop on everything that has been going on since I purchased it from him. I bought a turd with a body that wasn't hopeless from him. Now it's about as solid as it can be mechanically. I had a pickup I still regret selling. Watching a Next Owner, (NO), harm a pickup that took you through thick and thin, took you on dates with girls thick and thin, and treated you really well for almost 300k miles, has to be akin to having to shoot your dog. ugh.

Friday evening, me and the pooch will roast to death in the RTT, (assuming its not so hot I leave it in a parking lot somewhere and get a hotel room)

Saturday morning, wake up just in time for the temperature to actually be comfortable, again, and hit the road for Home. Lincoln is about a six hour drive for me.
I've been super interested in seeing Cheyenne Wyoming on my way to Lincoln. I'm not sure why, something about it appeals to me.

Jeremiah sent me these pictures on Friday. Most of the pictures from February on in this thread were either from him, or from DJ.

The yellow apron looks retarded. But I didn't want to hack up the original, (what I assume is the original), that came on the vehicle. If I ever sell this thing, I feel like the unmolested one will have value to the next owner, (NO).
I'm reserving judgement on my bumper choice until I see it in person. That baby looks like it's WAY the frick out in front.

I decided to have both bumpers powder coated black. with the swing outs. I originally didn't like black, and was planning on painting them the same silver/grey as the wheels. Now I'm thinking black was the way to go.

TWO MORE SLEEPS DJ!!!

 

[sogncab]

Anyone see fault in transporting the tires this way? They're strapped down hard, but I've been retarded before. I'm not impatiently waiting for the next time I do the dumb.

I could put them in the back of the pickup forward of the ball, but it'll be a massive pain in the dingus to get them in and out.

I added the bungee net. Mostly because I've owned it for a really long time, and have only used it a handful of times. I need to justify storing it for so long.

 

[DangerNoodle]

Tuesday.

The dog and I are leaving in the wee dark hours of the morning on Monday, (Labor day). Looking forward to taking a road trip with 14k pounds, and a big ass V8 that hammers through gas faster than whaler stepping off the boat into a waddle of penguins. mmmmhhh, penguin. *I had google what a group of penguins was called. IN the water, they are a raft. ON land, they are a waddle. I didn't know that, you probably didn't either, now you're stuck with that completely useless trash of knowledge stuck in your head.

Picking up a roof top tent in Iowa. Bolting it to the gooseneck on the trailer with some help of some unistrut and a cordless bandsaw, should look plenty F-ing weird....

Monday evening, sweat to death on the west side of Denver in the RTT for the night. Wake up just in time for it to actually be comfortable. By the time I get to Denver, I should be plenty tired. I should be able to pull that 13 hour drive off in about 15 hours I'm guessing. I'm a prairie dwelling son of a dirt worshiping farmer. Them thar mountains are scary, and I don't want to be crossing them in the dark, or whilst tired.

Tuesday morning hoping to get to PRLC at a reasonable time. If I leave Denver at 5am, I might be able to get there by 10am. That would be swell. Slap the new tires on, get some introduction to the changes. Get loaded up.. Shoot the breeze with some folks, thank them for putting up with my dumb ass. Hit the road. Again.

Tuesday afternoon, head to Salt Lake City, crash at my buddies house.

Wednesday, hang out and relax a bit. I need to pick up a pile of parts from Cruiser Outfitters. Planning on hitting the Land Cruiser Heritage Museum.

Thursday. Going to go to American Fork Canyon and try not to wreck too much...
Thursday night, drag what's left of the 40 back on the trailer.

Friday morning, pull out for Lincoln Nebraska to meet up worth the previous owner. He didn't sell it because he wanted to, he sold it because he had to. I feel bad that the dude had to sell it, I've been keeping him in the loop on everything that has been going on since I purchased it from him. I bought a turd with a body that wasn't hopeless from him. Now it's about as solid as it can be mechanically. I had a pickup I still regret selling. Watching a Next Owner, (NO), harm a pickup that took you through thick and thin, took you on dates with girls thick and thin, and treated you really well for almost 300k miles, has to be akin to having to shoot your dog. ugh.

Friday evening, me and the pooch will roast to death in the RTT, (assuming its not so hot I leave it in a parking lot somewhere and get a hotel room)

Saturday morning, wake up just in time for the temperature to actually be comfortable, again, and hit the road for Home. Lincoln is about a six hour drive for me.
I've been super interested in seeing Cheyenne Wyoming on my way to Lincoln. I'm not sure why, something about it appeals to me.

Jeremiah sent me these pictures on Friday. Most of the pictures from February on in this thread were either from him, or from DJ.

View attachment 3105284


The yellow apron looks retarded. But I didn't want to hack up the original, (what I assume is the original), that came on the vehicle. If I ever sell this thing, I feel like the unmolested one will have value to the next owner, (NO).
I'm reserving judgement on my bumper choice until I see it in person. That baby looks like it's WAY the frick out in front.

View attachment 3105285

I decided to have both bumpers powder coated black. with the swing outs. I originally didn't like black, and was planning on painting them the same silver/grey as the wheels. Now I'm thinking black was the way to go.

View attachment 3105286


View attachment 3105287


TWO MORE SLEEPS DJ!!!

I saw it today, when I dropped a rig off for JP and started putting up the new shop. Sorry I'll be missing you, I have a bunch of classes that day

 

[sogncab]

I saw it today, when I dropped a rig off for JP and started putting up the new shop. Sorry I'll be missing you, I have a bunch of classes that day

That's alright bud. Glad I was able to meet you when I dropped it off, and I appreciate your efforts.

I'll be back through I'm sure. I told J when I win the lotto, we're shoving a 6BT into a sweet 80. I'm sure he's praying I don't.

I told Chandra he only got the cast off so he could kick me.

 

[bikersmurf]

Tuesday.

The dog and I are leaving in the wee dark hours of the morning on Monday, (Labor day). Looking forward to taking a road trip with 14k pounds, and a big ass V8 that hammers through gas faster than whaler stepping off the boat into a waddle of penguins. mmmmhhh, penguin. *I had google what a group of penguins was called. IN the water, they are a raft. ON land, they are a waddle. I didn't know that, you probably didn't either, now you're stuck with that completely useless trash of knowledge stuck in your head.

Picking up a roof top tent in Iowa. Bolting it to the gooseneck on the trailer with some help of some unistrut and a cordless bandsaw, should look plenty F-ing weird....

Monday evening, sweat to death on the west side of Denver in the RTT for the night. Wake up just in time for it to actually be comfortable. By the time I get to Denver, I should be plenty tired. I should be able to pull that 13 hour drive off in about 15 hours I'm guessing. I'm a prairie dwelling son of a dirt worshiping farmer. Them thar mountains are scary, and I don't want to be crossing them in the dark, or whilst tired.

Tuesday morning hoping to get to PRLC at a reasonable time. If I leave Denver at 5am, I might be able to get there by 10am. That would be swell. Slap the new tires on, get some introduction to the changes. Get loaded up.. Shoot the breeze with some folks, thank them for putting up with my dumb ass. Hit the road. Again.

Tuesday afternoon, head to Salt Lake City, crash at my buddies house.

Wednesday, hang out and relax a bit. I need to pick up a pile of parts from Cruiser Outfitters. Planning on hitting the Land Cruiser Heritage Museum.

Thursday. Going to go to American Fork Canyon and try not to wreck too much...
Thursday night, drag what's left of the 40 back on the trailer.

Friday morning, pull out for Lincoln Nebraska to meet up worth the previous owner. He didn't sell it because he wanted to, he sold it because he had to. I feel bad that the dude had to sell it, I've been keeping him in the loop on everything that has been going on since I purchased it from him. I bought a turd with a body that wasn't hopeless from him. Now it's about as solid as it can be mechanically. I had a pickup I still regret selling. Watching a Next Owner, (NO), harm a pickup that took you through thick and thin, took you on dates with girls thick and thin, and treated you really well for almost 300k miles, has to be akin to having to shoot your dog. ugh.

Friday evening, me and the pooch will roast to death in the RTT, (assuming its not so hot I leave it in a parking lot somewhere and get a hotel room)

Saturday morning, wake up just in time for the temperature to actually be comfortable, again, and hit the road for Home. Lincoln is about a six hour drive for me.
I've been super interested in seeing Cheyenne Wyoming on my way to Lincoln. I'm not sure why, something about it appeals to me.

Jeremiah sent me these pictures on Friday. Most of the pictures from February on in this thread were either from him, or from DJ.

View attachment 3105284


The yellow apron looks retarded. But I didn't want to hack up the original, (what I assume is the original), that came on the vehicle. If I ever sell this thing, I feel like the unmolested one will have value to the next owner, (NO).
I'm reserving judgement on my bumper choice until I see it in person. That baby looks like it's WAY the frick out in front.

View attachment 3105285

I decided to have both bumpers powder coated black. with the swing outs. I originally didn't like black, and was planning on painting them the same silver/grey as the wheels. Now I'm thinking black was the way to go.

View attachment 3105286


View attachment 3105287


TWO MORE SLEEPS DJ!!!

 

[sogncab]

ROAD TRIP!

Left a little before five this morning. West of Des Moines and about an hour away from the dude at Roost Tents.

Cruise set at 72mph and pulling 10.4mpg on this first tank, which I'm super happy with.

 

[sogncab]

The RTTT looks pretty at home on the gooseneck

 

[sogncab]

Man, Colorado has some beautiful scenery. Some of it is hot as hell desert wasteland too. I got off I-70 in Glenwood Springs and dropped south on a two lane. Fricking amazing to a kid from the prairie.

After 42 hours from leaving home and 27 hours of windshield time, I arrived at my buddies house in Salt Lake City.

 

[sogncab]

Bummed around SLC today. Stopped at Cruiser Outfitters to pick up a pile of brake parts to convert mine to the 84 up rear drums.

Hit the Land Cruiser Heritage Museum. Makes me want a 70 that much more.

Even spotted another 40 going the opposite way on a city street. I can count the number of 40's I've seen in the wild on one hand in Minnesota.

Initial impressions of the 2.8. Narrower powerband than I was expecting. If you don't drag out the previous gear long enough, and it falls off the turbo, yer screwed. I just need to learn how to drive the thing. On boost, plenty of go.
It vibrates at idle more than I anticipated. I've already started to ignore that, so it can't be that bad. LOL
Those are the only negatives I have to say, so not too bad.

-Highway speeds aren't an issue. My 2F was tired and struggled to hold 60mph.
-It ran super cool today. I think the highest temp I saw was 186º. It was 106° in SLC today, and I didn't leave town. So that's super impressive. I think PRLC has the cooling dialed in really well.
-Noise is really good. Loud enough it's there, but not too loud. It sounds like a mean Jetta TDI to me with the larger displacement.
-I only held it WFO a couple of times and not for long pulls or higher rpm. Once it spools, it's got great go.

Great upgrade. I'm curious what I get for mileage, but I won't have a good indicator of that until the engine is broken in, and I get home.

My trailer is just a web of straps and crap being held down.

I dig the wheels. I was apprehensive, but I think they look great. Good stance, I like the tire size. No offset issues, no spacers.

I also really like the front bumper.

 

[DangerNoodle]

I guess you got all your sleeps in, LMAO.

I love the 2.8. Awesome little engine!

Glad you are enjoying it so far!

 

[sogncab]

I guess you got all your sleeps in, LMAO.

I love the 2.8. Awesome little engine!

Glad you are enjoying it so far!

Was that your rig parked out front? That thing looks great in person.

 

[DangerNoodle]

Was that your rig parked out front? That thing looks great in person.

Was it Nardo Gray? If so, probably.

 

[sogncab]

Was it Nardo Gray? If so, probably.

Ooh man, I was all over the place mentally. Loading stuff, talking to people, wondering what the dog was getting into.

Thursday was fun. Had a small power steering leak which cut things a little short, then it magically stopped. Which is way worse, it'll be that much harder to figure out the leak now.

Got scared on one trail and turned around. I don't have the crawling skills to not bash the crap out of my cruiser. I want challenge, not repairs. Also one vehicle, so I didn't have much of a safety net. Better safe than sorry.

After finding out we were leaking, went back down the mountain, got some power steering fluid, topped it off, and it wasn't leaking any more. Decided to drive up to an overlook west of SLC where you can look down into the world's largest copper mine. Freaking crazy. I thought my ex girlfriend had a big hole, turns out she's second place.

 

[sogncab]

The R2.8 is a real sweet heart. A little peaky. It falls off the turbo and you're a gear too high, you're screwed. But I got better and dragging or the previous gear long enough, and it pulls great.

In low range, it'll idle along extremely well. I was super happy with it there. Some places, everything was so bumpy, I was thinking it'd be nice to have a hand throttle, where you want engine speed just above idle, but it was super hard not to be jerky with the throttle because of the bumps.

I'm so glad to have my toy back. I'm eastbound on the interstate in Wyoming at the moment. Lots of miles to cover.

 

[sogncab]

Got the Rigid 6" lights mounted on the front bumper.

Made a template on the cnc to drill the six holes for the lights. Rigid has 3 mounting holes in the mounting bracket, but they only supply 1 bolt each. That seems stupid. Plus they're odd ball carriage bolts.

They need some adjustment, and proper wiring. They are stupid bright.

The front bumper face is raked back 4.8º.

According to the internet, driving lights should be aimed down 1½ inches at 25', (or 300")
With a little trigonometry, we can know that in degrees. ATAN(1.5/300)=.286º

So I need a shim. One that is basically 5.1º
After four test cuts to get the shape right, I cut a final.

Turned out tits.

I need to whack a couple of holes yet, and I'll be able to get these mounted. I'm hoping the next deer bursts into flames before I actually hit it.

 

[sogncab]

CRAP!

I just realized, I added the two angles, I needed to subtract.

That's alright, I'm not in love with the material I cut these from. I think plastic will be better. I'll get some black UHMW. I need to order some up anyways to make some bushings for my swing out pins.

 

[1MAC]

CRAP!

I just realized, I added the two angles, I needed to subtract.

That's alright, I'm not in love with the material I cut these from. I think plastic will be better. I'll get some black UHMW. I need to order some up anyways to make some bushings for my swing out pins.

Flip the spacer over?

 

[sogncab]

Flip the spacer over?

It needed to be 4.8º minus the .29º. I added it.

We'll see what happens when I get them mounted. Chances are it'll be too high though.

Easy enough to cut another one

 

[tlaporte]

“Math is hard.” - Barbie

Seriously, though, I love the use of it. The “when am I ever going to use this (math) in real life?” question has come up a few times at home recently. I love this example!