NC LX450
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- #102
I'm really happy with how they look. I'm not happy with the output but what can I expect from Amazon cheapos. My led headlight bulbs are brighter and made the biggest improvement dollar for dollar.
The lights aren't totally a loss though. I just consider it some R&D to improve on in the future. Looking at the lights comming towards you, they make great driving lights. They are super bright, the output is just lacking. Also since they are more of a flood beam and mounted lower, they seem like they would be really useful setting up for camp or needing to do something in front of the car at night without being blinded. Sometimes to much light aimed wrong is worse than not enough.
When I started looking into adding the lights my goal was more of a lower spot beam further up the road. I'm already looking at trying to find another 80 bumper to modify to add better "thought out" lighting and seamlessly add a hawse fairlead. I've been drawing some ideas in Solidworks to be able to add a winch plate behind the bumper but not have to cut a hole for the fairlead. Think of it as the fairlead is mounted on the bumper but supported by the winch plate from behind.
Other ideas are adding cubes lights or other types of lighting where the plastic inserts are next to the tag location.
Sorry, I'm getting off topic. I'm sitting here at Grove Park a few beers in so my mind is wondering. Hopefully @JohnVee I answered your question.
JToobe
SILVER Star
I'm really happy with how they look. I'm not happy with the output but what can I expect from Amazon cheapos. My led headlight bulbs are brighter and made the biggest improvement dollar for dollar.
The lights aren't totally a loss though. I just consider it some R&D to improve on in the future. Looking at the lights comming towards you, they make great driving lights. They are super bright, the output is just lacking. Also since they are more of a flood beam and mounted lower, they seem like they would be really useful setting up for camp or needing to do something in front of the car at night without being blinded. Sometimes to much light aimed wrong is worse than not enough.
When I started looking into adding the lights my goal was more of a lower spot beam further up the road. I'm already looking at trying to find another 80 bumper to modify to add better "thought out" lighting and seamlessly add a hawse fairlead. I've been drawing some ideas in Solidworks to be able to add a winch plate behind the bumper but not have to cut a hole for the fairlead. Think of it as the fairlead is mounted on the bumper but supported by the winch plate from behind.
Other ideas are adding cubes lights or other types of lighting where the plastic inserts are next to the tag location.
Sorry, I'm getting off topic. I'm sitting here at Grove Park a few beers in so my mind is wondering. Hopefully @JohnVee I answered your question.
Inspired by your creativity......have envisioned something like these being mounted within the front bumper of my 62. I'm guessing they will also be pretty lame for light. Any recommendations on something a bit more "blow torch" like?
I run these My Hella Lights :: FF 50 mounted on the top of my ARB they are small but produce a great amount of light I don't see why they wouldn't be able to be fabbed into a stock bumper. I know they are not as "cool" as LED lights but they do a great job and havent seen too much of a draw on power.
I wouldnt get too crazy filling in the existing holes in the bumper with lights, especially with a winch. You'd be blocking a large % of the airflow access to the radiator.
I'm mocking up some 12 inch spot/flood combo LED bars into where the factory turn signals are located. Turn signal bulb signal will be combined with the parking light signal in some 3057 sockets, with 3057 led bulbs.
I'm mocking up some 12 inch spot/flood combo LED bars into where the factory turn signals are located. Turn signal bulb signal will be combined with the parking light signal in some 3057 sockets, with 3057 led bulbs.
- Thread starter
- #106
@stevezero Yes, That has been a reason I haven't filled them in yet. I was curious about the air flow. "Air Flow" was one of the many thoughts I had Monday driving around the endless curves of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Other previous thoughts are also about the turn signals. Im a fan of keeping everything looking stock"ish." I like the look of the mods only being noticed by 80 enthusiast with a double take but also still being something you could valet at dinner with out confusion. @stevezero maybe we should swap ideas and bring something to market.
As Brit dosed off asleep and I was driving, I had lot of "shower thoughts" about this topic and others.
Shower thoughts:
-Gravel roads. Driving around the curves with GPS on display, you can see small roads displayed off of Blueridge Pkwy. I could't help but wonder, where they go? What is there purpose? Why do they exist? Who can I convince to come back and explore them with me?
-Brakes. Acceleration, Deceleration, Acceleration, Deceleration, Acceleration, Deceleration, Acceleration, Deceleration, and continue this for another 45 min. I really wish I hadn't put the cheap pads on the front. My Brakes are hoTT! I can smell them and I sure am glad it isn't transmission fluid I smell.
-Transmission. I really wish I had a transmission temp gauge. My 80 has 248k on it and as far as I know the transmission has never been rebuilt. I've killed many auto transmissions in my past and the one thing common to them was always heat. It doesn't matter brand, model, or manufacture. Heat will kill them all.
-Rancho Shocks. 10 Miles in, I remembered I had Rancho 9000's on my 80. Rancho was something I ran on my truck in the 90's and early 2000's. They were a fad and people ran them because of the Rancho name with the red boots because shock boots were cool. I usually run them at a 5 but with all the curves, I ran them at a 7. This was a good choice.
Excuse the hack grammar. Too be continued...
@JohnVee @Green Hell Mustang maybe "Landcruiser Shower Thoughts" could be a thing in the back of Toyota Trails? Hmm...
As Brit dosed off asleep and I was driving, I had lot of "shower thoughts" about this topic and others.
Shower thoughts:
-Gravel roads. Driving around the curves with GPS on display, you can see small roads displayed off of Blueridge Pkwy. I could't help but wonder, where they go? What is there purpose? Why do they exist? Who can I convince to come back and explore them with me?
-Brakes. Acceleration, Deceleration, Acceleration, Deceleration, Acceleration, Deceleration, Acceleration, Deceleration, and continue this for another 45 min. I really wish I hadn't put the cheap pads on the front. My Brakes are hoTT! I can smell them and I sure am glad it isn't transmission fluid I smell.
-Transmission. I really wish I had a transmission temp gauge. My 80 has 248k on it and as far as I know the transmission has never been rebuilt. I've killed many auto transmissions in my past and the one thing common to them was always heat. It doesn't matter brand, model, or manufacture. Heat will kill them all.
-Rancho Shocks. 10 Miles in, I remembered I had Rancho 9000's on my 80. Rancho was something I ran on my truck in the 90's and early 2000's. They were a fad and people ran them because of the Rancho name with the red boots because shock boots were cool. I usually run them at a 5 but with all the curves, I ran them at a 7. This was a good choice.
Excuse the hack grammar. Too be continued...
@JohnVee @Green Hell Mustang maybe "Landcruiser Shower Thoughts" could be a thing in the back of Toyota Trails? Hmm...
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your shower thoughts are much cleaner than mine........
Im not sure im comfortable being in peoples' shower thoughts on this group. Specially since we were having a discussion at the last GSO dinner about ammo can heat exchagers for the trailer build's shower
And my LED integration into the turn signals will be after the head gasket job gets done. My turn signal filler apron had some damage multiplier damage done to it by the PO, so I figured I could use it as the guinea pig for the cutting and clearancing. Probably have to tack on a couple of sheet metal angles on each side to mount the lights to. They sell primed panels for 65.00 with free shipping on ebay. 045 is an easy color to spray
And my LED integration into the turn signals will be after the head gasket job gets done. My turn signal filler apron had some damage multiplier damage done to it by the PO, so I figured I could use it as the guinea pig for the cutting and clearancing. Probably have to tack on a couple of sheet metal angles on each side to mount the lights to. They sell primed panels for 65.00 with free shipping on ebay. 045 is an easy color to spray
- Thread starter
- #109
Well this isn't good...
Coming back from Asheville I noticed a small front end vibration on the highway that I could feel through my steering wheel. I parked it when I got home and checked it over the weekend. Driver side failed the 6/12 test. There was more play than a few thousandths. This could also explain why I felt like my rotors needed to be turned. Due to small case of cruiser OCD, I'm going to go through both sides and replace all serviceable parts.
The order was made yesterday. Wheel Bearings, Trunion Bearings, Front axle service kit, a set of ceramic 100 series pads. Also going to have the rotors turned. Anything else I notice will be replaced also.
The disassembly was finished last night.
Coming back from Asheville I noticed a small front end vibration on the highway that I could feel through my steering wheel. I parked it when I got home and checked it over the weekend. Driver side failed the 6/12 test. There was more play than a few thousandths. This could also explain why I felt like my rotors needed to be turned. Due to small case of cruiser OCD, I'm going to go through both sides and replace all serviceable parts.
The order was made yesterday. Wheel Bearings, Trunion Bearings, Front axle service kit, a set of ceramic 100 series pads. Also going to have the rotors turned. Anything else I notice will be replaced also.
The disassembly was finished last night.
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- Thread starter
- #111
I'll gladly accept donations.
It has crossed my mind. Ive been debating for months on adding locking hubs too.
lol, i have to put one in mine first, which will be after all the other work gets done on it. Quite honestly, id just put an aussie or spartan in the rear, and be done. no need for a locker in the front and hubs. Thats a lot of expense for a little bit of gain. If you decide you need a front locker down the road, then get a selectable (arb, harrop, etc)
- Thread starter
- #113
I picked everything up from being blasted this morning. Going to get a coat of paint on the parts and start the reassembly tonight or tomorrow.
I screwed up and ordered the inner bearings with out the race so it will be Monday before I finish up.
Update ...Did what I could before dark. Installed the passenger knuckle. I had some Red enamel from another project left over. I don't hate it.
I screwed up and ordered the inner bearings with out the race so it will be Monday before I finish up.
Update ...Did what I could before dark. Installed the passenger knuckle. I had some Red enamel from another project left over. I don't hate it.
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Wow - now that is doing it right 
Would love to know who you use for blasting in the area.
Also let me know if you need a second set of hands for anything - I have helped rebuild two front axles and watched a third . . .not really an asset as far as knowledge, but I don't think you need that
Would love to know who you use for blasting in the area.
Also let me know if you need a second set of hands for anything - I have helped rebuild two front axles and watched a third . . .not really an asset as far as knowledge, but I don't think you need that
- Thread starter
- #115
I used O'Toole's Mobile Dustless Blasting It's a husband and wife team that do everything. Turn around times are fast and they have even met me there on Sunday to pick up parts. They did several parts for me when I was rebuilding my CJ axles. My experience has been top notch and I highly recommend them!
Another cruiser guy has found them also. They were blasting a 40 hood and and sections from a hard top when I was there. He said they had just done the frame.
@weejub Thanks for the offer. I need somebody to wear this shirt with their back to me.
I picked everything up from being blasted this morning. Going to get a coat of paint on the parts and start the reassembly tonight or tomorrow.
I screwed up and ordered the inner bearings with out the race so it will be Monday before I finish up.
View attachment 1432700
Update ...Did what I could before dark. Installed the passenger knuckle. I had some Red enamel from another project left over. I don't hate it.
View attachment 1432966
With red knuckles, I suggest that your truck is now named "Boxer"
- Thread starter
- #118
Me and Brit have been calling him "Frank" since I brought him home. She hates driving him because she claims he is like driving a tank. So "Frank the Tank" was born. Frank has developed a whole backstory now and personality. He's like the best friend that has come to live with you that your wife hates but deep down cares about. Frank is always down for a good time, always ready to have a few beers, and despite his flaws, he's the one you can count on when needed.
I do like the sound of " Frank Thunderlips"
Love the red knuckles!!
