New cruiser owner-80 joins the fleet

[yodafrick]

Well, I've been waitin to post till we got her on the road, and as of Sunday it's official. Welcome Betty. My fiance's first cruiser and the first 80 in the family. 96, moonlight pearl (she loves that part), 137K, lockers, 3rd owner, factory serviced till now. So far I've replaced rear heater hoses, flushed rad., all new fluids, and other odds and ends. Tomorrow I'll be installing rotors and pads and a full tune up. It's fun to explore a whole new world of cruisers. Even though there are many differences, I'm surprised at how remniscent of a 60 she is.

The fun part will start soon, exploring lift, tire, etc. options. By the way, new rule- if anyone(cough, peepers) has anything for sale (cough, springs) they have to post it for at least 24 hours in the YT section before posting to our big brothers for sale section. Just kidding peepers, good things come to those who wait, and the planning stage is all part of the fun. Unfortunately, she needs tires asap, so I'll be buyin those twice. I'm thinkin AT's for now, something bigger and better later and just swap for wheelin trips. Cause although she'll see the trails, first and foremost she's a DD.

Oh yeah, one more thing- It's funny how you're attitude toward safety components changes when the absolute most loved and cared for person in your life is drivin the rig you're workin on. The brakes on my 60 have been shot for over a year and I'm doin Betty's tomorrow. And I have a line on some nice mud terrains, but I keep thinkin 'is she gonna be safe on the highway durin a torrential rainstorm with these tires'. If it were my rig, they'd already be on. As a matter of fact, I'm runnin a baldy spare on my dd mini, but that's cause I'm lazy.

 

[Wrench]

Welcome to the good side! You'll love your 80. Make sure you have an unlimited bank account these things like to eat money.

 

[zebrabeefj40]

Yodafrick,

I can hook you up with some 36x13x16 Swamper TSL's (5) on non-USA 80 series steel wheels; 4 with internal beadlocks....PM me for the price. Warning: not very cheap.

Nick

 

[landtank]

A couple of things

first, the color is Moon Glow Pearl, hope she doesn't make you sell it now.

second, where are you going with the lift? Unless it's in the 4" range, 285s will be hard to beat and they will bolt on as is with out issues.

I've got the same truck on 315s and a 4" lift that when I'm down there you can get an idea of how that setup works.

 

[yodafrick]

Thanks Chris (I think)! Luckily I've got an in at a dealership. OEM baby.

Nick-thanks for the offer, but gotta wait till they'll fit.

A couple of things

first, the color is Moon Glow Pearl, hope she doesn't make you sell it now.

second, where are you going with the lift? Unless it's in the 4" range, 285s will be hard to beat and they will bolt on as is with out issues.

I've got the same truck on 315s and a 4" lift that when I'm down there you can get an idea of how that setup works.

That decision is her's, she bought it, it's in her name free and clear. Don't think she ever will though, she loves Betty.

As far as the lift goes, ~4" prob., we're still lookin at tires for now, the budget won't allow the lift till next year. I'd like to check out your truck sometime though. Remember it vaguely from the meeting, but wasn't really studyin 80's then. For now, she's lookin at 285's.

 

[yodafrick]

So yesterday we tackled the front rotors and pads all the way around. Actually, I should say she. I showed her how do disassemble the pass. side, and said 'the next sides yours'. She said ok and with me lookin over her shoulders, had the hub off with ease.

I helped her separate the hubs and rotors, showed her how to press the new ones (which she did), use the torque wrench, and pack the hub. She even packed her own bearings!

 

[yodafrick]

With the FSM nearby, she put it all back together, both sides. The only thing I helped with was torque settings. Together we did the front pads, which she could now do herself as well.

Then it was to the rears. She got bored watching and started pullin off her running boards! She got all but two bolts removed and left em for me. To top it off, while I was doin that, I hear her askin my Dad for sandpaper. She decided the center caps were ugly and wanted to paint em black.

To say the least, we had a great day. She even offered to help me work on my 40 project. I knew I was lucky the day we met, but she never ceases to amaze me. Here's a shot of the finished project. Now off to Kina's for some sliders....

 

[Wrench]

Wow impressive! She got a single sister? ;-D

 

[yodafrick]

Sorry dude, they're taken. Nuthin like her though.

And by the way, she wanted to note that those greasy shorts are loaners from me. Next up is a nice pair of Carhartts.

 

[Wrench]

You coming to the Fall Gathering? If so are you bringing the 80?

 

[yodafrick]

No, unfortunately. We scheduled our vaca on the fly one day, and the day after we put in our requests, I realized we'd be overlappin FG. We tried fittin it in, but logistics didn't work. Instead, Betty will be haulin a canoe and our campin gear to Charleston, SC for some lazy canoe campin/ beach bummin.

She won't see the fun stuff till she's well equipped anywho. I've already got one blue and denty truck for trail fun/carnage. Really bummed to be missin out though. Kiss some rocks for me. And keep that roof clean.

 

[landtank]

That's pretty cool that you have a wrenching buddy. You might talk her into wearing some shoes though. Those shower sandals don't offer much protection and could ruin her day.

 

[yodafrick]

Thanks Man, I dig it too. I hear what yer sayin about the flip-flops, but then I'd be a hypocrite. I'm not a fart smellar sometimes.

 

[landtank]

I've battled everyone in my family about shoes. The wife especially. She got a job as a cashier and I immediately told her to get a good pair of lace up shoes. She didn't, but has them now. Same thing with my daughter and son. But the son was a little easier as he still thinks Dad knows what he's talking about. That should change in a year or so.

 

[nat88toy]

very nice 80's rule man
your lucky i wish my wife would grab a wrench and help out sometimes, she does help me when i need to bleed the breaks but its mostly her just makeing fun of me when im covered in break fluid

 

[redrustbucket]

Way better w/o running boards! Ditch those bumpers when you go to bend up some sliders while you're at it. At least the rear one.