New Here - Hi from Richmond VA

[schneeflocken]

Hi everyone, I need to post a request for a mechanic recommendation, but thought I would introduce myself first!

My Cruiser is an 83 with 227K (+) miles. It's a weekend driver, but more importantly, it's a Greyhound "hauler." I work with a group that rehomes retired Greyhounds, and this rig is great for hauling hounds.

The obligatory pics are below.

Nice to meet everyone!

Deborah
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Yeah, I know... the wreath... I can't help it, it's a girlie thing!.

From last weekend... me hauling a couple of just retired Greyhounds to their new homes.

My hounds... Harvey & Jackson.

 

[Rig of Mortis]

Welcome, 1983 was a good year. (official MUD salute)

What's with the bleachers on the front of your truck?

Here's a good link for your mechanic request.

Iron Pig Off Road "79fj40moneypit" mentions below

...dogs look happy.

 

[79fj40moneypit]

Holy smokes those bumpers!! I'm coming get out of my way!! Welcome!! good lookin rig you have there. Go see lance at iron pig off road in Fredricksburg, VA.

 

[adamsclarke]

I think I've seen ths truck driving around forest hill area. I li ve down the road. hard to miss those bumpers
I'm the guy driving the big green Jeep commando.

 

[schneeflocken]

I was bracing myself for the bumper comments... bring 'em on!

The bumpers were on the truck when I bought it, and I'd planned to replace them when I could. (Look for a future post for help with bumper recommendations!) Funny thing is though, I'm starting to like the bumpers. If gas prices ever go down, I might just resign myself to keeping them.

The story is that this rig belonged to a cattle rancher in TX (2 owners back). Apparently he put these bumpers on after a run in with a bull.

(Oh, and I do live in the Forest Hill area... note the Forest Hill sticker on the back window!)

 

[adamsclarke]

Well..if you're looking for someone local that is close...try Bobbie's auto on 21st and Semmes (near the fasmart). I live on 21st street...and they do good work. I am sure the good ole' boys can do good cruiser work. I'd offer my services, but since I'm about to tackle a big job (see rust or bust build thread) I doubt I'll have time.

 

[agent orange]

Nice cruiser, ive seen a lot around here in recent months.

What kind of work do you need done? I dont know of any good shops in the area but i would be more than welcome to help you out.

BTW kudos on the greyhound rescue, its a great program.

 

[jmylie]

Welcome.

Nice looking Cruiser but I'll withhold comments on the bumpers.

I'll second IronPig Offroad. http://www.ironpigoffroad.com/about/contact.shtml

 

[Young Pete]

that's my favorite fj60 color!! that would make a nice 60 with factory bumpers...

those bumpers u have will look ok if ur in australia im guessin..

i would take the front and back bumpers though and install the stock chrome factory ones..

i have the stock bumpers im not using but its all the way in CALI....

 

[Butt Ugly Chuck]

Those are the ugliest bumpers I've ever seen! But I like ugly stuff. Welcome!

 

[schneeflocken]

Well..if you're looking for someone local that is close...try Bobbie's auto on 21st and Semmes (near the fasmart). I live on 21st street...and they do good work. I am sure the good ole' boys can do good cruiser work. I'd offer my services, but since I'm about to tackle a big job (see rust or bust build thread) I doubt I'll have time.

Thanks for the feedback. I think we may have a mutual acquaintance (Matt L.). If so, it's a small world!

Nice cruiser, ive seen a lot around here in recent months.

What kind of work do you need done? I dont know of any good shops in the area but i would be more than welcome to help you out.

Thanks agent orange... I don't want to take advantage of anyone's spare time, but I appreciate the offer! I've been driving the Cruiser for a few months, and so far it hasn't let me down. However, I'm concerned about 3 things:
1-strong fuel smell, seems like a fuel line or carb issue. I'm thinking fuel line, since the smell isn't isolated to the engine area.
2-burns oil, also some drops on the ground (where parked). It's better since I started putting in 20/50, but still a concern.
3-thermostat climbs to red on short drives. If I drive a short distance, cut the truck off and start it back up before it cools, the gauge nears red. Less of a problem now that it's cooler, but I want to get it diagnosed. Seems like the fan isn't coming on when it should.

adamsclarke... think those guys at Bobbie's could handle this list?

that's my favorite fj60 color!! that would make a nice 60 with factory bumpers...

those bumpers u have will look ok if ur in australia im guessin..

i would take the front and back bumpers though and install the stock chrome factory ones..

i have the stock bumpers im not using but its all the way in CALI....

Well, now I'm embarrassed, maybe I'll get the bumpers replaced sooner than later. I have no idea how much a job like that would cost (parts and labor). Can anyone give me a ballpark estimate so I can start squirreling some $ away?

Thanks Gentlemen!

 

[smtyblt]

I am the General manager of Iron Pig Offroad. We here at IPOR would love to service the truck for you I might even have a bumper for you HA HA HA

no worries, If you need someone let me know, Landcruisers are all we work on.

Thanks
Cam

540-361-7400

 

[agent orange]

I am the General manager of Iron Pig Offroad. We here at IPOR would love to service the truck for you I might even have a bumper for you HA HA HA

no worries, If you need someone let me know, Landcruisers are all we work on.

Thanks
Cam

540-361-7400

Dont just give cam the keys and let him go, he does terrible terrible things to wagons !

 

[79fj40moneypit]

HA

 

[smtyblt]

taken 60's where no other man dares, or something like that.

 

[Goode]

Welcome! Great color too.

Nice work with the greyts. My wife and I adopted "I'm Mandy Fly Me" about 1.5 years ago. She has been a BLAST. They are "greyt" companions!
We have her and an Iggy. Both are 4yrs old.

Nice truck!

 

[adamsclarke]

The temp problem could be a simple fan clutch that needs to be replaced. If it is fine when your at idle...you're good...if it gets hot while you idle...definately the fan clutch. As far as the temp going up when parked after a long drive...it's fine...called heat soak. As long as the temp goes back down quickly after you start....it's all good.

Bobbies can handle pretty much anything...although I have never had anything done by them since I do it all myslef...they really are good ole boys that can fix about anything..so I would think a carb problem would right up thier alley.

yeah..matt used to be my neighbor..and now lives next to my brother..small world indeed

 

[RockDoc]

Welcome aboard

What does the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers have to say about you operating that thing without a conductor? Do you give 2 long, one short and one long blast of the horn before going through intersections?

X 2 on fan clutch.

The rest of the truck looks to be in beautiful shape behind that balcony.

 

[schneeflocken]

Nice work with the greyts. My wife and I adopted "I'm Mandy Fly Me" about 1.5 years ago. She has been a BLAST. They are "greyt" companions!

Awesome, another Greyhound adopter! I saw Mandy's pics out at greyhound-data.com... she's beautiful. You can read about my hounds here.

The temp problem could be a simple fan clutch that needs to be replaced.
yeah..matt used to be my neighbor..and now lives next to my brother..small world indeed

Thanks for the fan clutch tip, I'll ask about that first. Wow, it's a really small world... Matt lives just across the street from me. I'm in the yellow bungalow on the corner. (The house with the ugly bumper truck parked in front .)

The rest of the truck looks to be in beautiful shape behind that balcony.

OK, OK, so I need to move the bumper replacement project higher in the list... can anyone tell how much I need to put away to have stock bumpers mounted (parts and labor)?

Thanks again guys!

 

[RockDoc]

You could start an thread in the Want To Buy section of the classifieds here, and have a look through the for sale and parting out sections. I imagine you could get them from people who are putting on aftermarket bumpers. I would think the cost of a pair of used ones would easily be covered by the gas savings of a month without that thing you have on the front!

Man, if you could rig the rad overflow to discharge out that front receiver, that would be the most awesome/disturbing thing ever!!