New guy with a white 80 series

[nickg80]

Hey guys,

I have been spending countless hours on mud since purchasing my LC a couple of months ago. Today I stumbled across a thread that linked me to this club. I was happy to find it!

I have a 1997 that is almost completely stock. Since buying it I have replaced the O2 sensors, put in a new stereo and replaced the rear speakers.

My reading has mostly been focused on what kind of maintenance I need to do to make sure the truck lasts a loooong while.

The information on this website is overwhelming! I can't tell you how long I have spent trying to figure out the best oil to run (currently using Mobil 1 0W40), the right grease for the knuckles (found a moly grease at wally world), how to flush the radiator DIY, etc. etc.

I would love to make one of the upcoming meetings and get your guys thoughts on all of this (sometimes contradictory) info that mud has to offer.

Nick

 

[BamaHeel]

Welcome!

 

[bhmmapping]

I would love to make one of the upcoming meetings and get your guys thoughts on all of this (sometimes contradictory) info that mud has to offer.

Welcome! You have the right idea. The 80 series forum is great, but it tends to overthink a lot of issues and will create a lot of unnecessary anxiety. There is a lot of combined experience in this club and it is really nice to bounce ideas and concerns off a group of people that have real world experience with almost any issue that might pop up.

For now just know that as long as it has oil, grease, coolant in it you are probably good to go. You can nitpick brands over time as you work on it but it won't make all that much difference at this point. The best thing about these trucks, in my opinion, is that they will give you ample warning before failure if you are paying attention and know what to look for. Most issues are relatively easy to fix also.

Oh, and a ratcheting 12 mm box wrench makes quick work of the running boards.

 

[nickg80]

Welcome! You have the right idea. The 80 series forum is great, but it tends to overthink a lot of issues and will create a lot of unnecessary anxiety. There is a lot of combined experience in this club and it is really nice to bounce ideas and concerns off a group of people that have real world experience with almost any issue that might pop up.

For now just know that as long as it has oil, grease, coolant in it you are probably good to go. You can nitpick brands over time as you work on it but it won't make all that much difference at this point. The best thing about these trucks, in my opinion, is that they will give you ample warning before failure if you are paying attention and know what to look for. Most issues are relatively easy to fix also.

Oh, and a ratcheting 12 mm box wrench makes quick work of the running boards.

x2 on experiencing unnecessary anxiety. Haha thanks for the subtle hint on the running boards, I had been trying to decide if i like them. They might get axed this weekend.

Do you guys do most of your own PM. Radiator flush, knuckle rebuild, etc.? If you use a mechanic, which one?

 

[jynx]

You will likely find that most of this crew likes to get their hands dirty. And yeah, over here folks tend to be a little more laid back and not so up tight about all the PM and such. Like BH said, just keep the fluids changed and keep gas in it and she will take care of you.

Good looking rig, those look like aftermarket running boards, maybe LUND, so I'd take a couple wrenches under there with you if you decide to pull them. To each his own, I still have the running boards on my 4Runner, but it's may daily and they have sure kept the rockers free from rock chips after 250k miles. If you like them, keep them, but if you plan to take the rig off pavement much at all, you will find that a rock or stump will likely remove them for you.

 

[Land Speeder]

New guy up in here flexin a White Digger! A 97 Collectors Edition at that! Score one for you!
Welcome!
Where is that deck? Can't be UAB with trees beside it? Riverchase? Regions? BCBS?

Got plenty of folks around here that can come over and point at the bolt while you turn it. Even get my elbow in to your cooler.
You're saying the right things, and we can help you spend your money!
Welcome to the sickness! Come on out next meeting!

 

[Land Speeder]

SO.... I right-click saved the pic... looked it over. This 97 looks PERFECT! Like.... PERFECT! Look at the frickin wheels! Look at the wheel wells! PERFECT! No roof rack?! No running boards?! four mud flaps?! I'm willing to bet big money this is one of the last 80's to roll off the assembly line... They were out of parts by the time this one rolled off.... Give us a manufacture month. I bet it's late.... If I'm wrong I'll let you buy me lunch.
If you're some place close to I-459... let's do lunch sometime this week!

 

[nickg80]

Hey Speeder,

Thanks for the compliments! I was pretty happy to find it. Kinda just stumbled across it on Bham CL a couple of months ago. A guy from Daphne was getting divorced and had a couple of 80s and let this one go. His buddy who sells cars in Bham took it on for him. The guy selling it knew nothing about 80s. Listed it as having a V8.

The PO put a serious trailer hitch on it and had an electronic braking system installed. I asked what he was hauling because that concerned me but apparently he was pulling a box trailer with motorcycles in it. The PO seemed to just be a gear head and wanted to install some new equipment when possible haha. It also has the carpets ripped out with rhino lined floors. I wish it was stock interior, because the liner does not do near as good a job as insulating from heat and sound. But the leathers are in really good condition.

Sorry for the delayed response. I was sick last week and busy at work. I would love be happy to meet up for lunch sometime. I have a few questions about my truck and LCs I am sure you could answer.

The deck you saw in the picture is at 6th Ave N and 18th st. I work in the Harbert Building downtown for an accounting firm. Where can I find manufacture date? One of the stickers in the door? I will look when it gets back from having a coolant flush.

Nick