New life for an old pig...

[Lucy_FJ55]

Great question! I'm still not sure.

It was late and I just could not fathom why the radiator would not fit after the rebuild. I think the new core was slightly larger and that may have made the outside frame a little wider. OR the front end of my Cruiser shrunk while the radiator was out! Who knows, but it was a real PITA dealing with it late night before I was to leave for a big wheelin' trip.

Radiator works great now! I have had issues with my radiator since I bought the rig, leaked occassionaly. After this ordeal, everything has been working great. Knock on wood...

 

[Lucy_FJ55]

Ugh- cone washers...

Ugh- anything that involves a pickle fork and a sledge...

Just about done cleaning freakin' parts...

 

[PabloCruise]

Cone washers are not so bad if you find the break in them, hammer in a machine scribe at the break.

They walk right out...

 

[Lucy_FJ55]

Thanks for the tip! They were a bit confusing/stubborn at first, but I got them all out.

 

[PabloCruise]

Thanks for the tip! They were a bit confusing/stubborn at first, but I got them all out.

Happy to help!

 

[animaldevictor]

The princess pig is becoming a Queen, keep posting pics of the bumper gabe me great ideas.


Nice built Carlos !!!

 

[Lucy_FJ55]

The princess pig is becoming a Queen, keep posting pics of the bumper gabe me great ideas.


Nice built Carlos !!!

Thanks! More bumper mods/pics soon...

Cheers, Carlos.

 

[Lucy_FJ55]

Some success, some minor setbacks.

Success:

Front axle disassembled, all parts are clean and organized. Replacing all bearings/races, gaskets, seals, etc. Installed some of Marlin's HD inner axle seals and picked up a scale to test the knuckle pre-load, etc. Pre-load was good, I feel better. Rebuilt one knuckle so far. Had time to hit my relay/tie rods with some paint. Need to figure out the Brake Eliminator Kit too. Swapped the new drag link on and am working on rebuilding the center arm...

 

[Lucy_FJ55]

Setback:

Brought my hub assembly/brake rotors in to the NAPA machine shop to have them install the bearing races and seals. I also dropped my pitman arm/center arm assembly off to have them separated. Tried with no success to beat them apart with a BFH and a pickle fork. Got tired of that and figured they could do all that and it would help a ton. While I was dropping off the rotor/hub assembly, they informed me my rotors were way too thin already to turn. Junk, I need new rotors. So I ordered some today.

Going camping... in the Subaru.

 

[PabloCruise]

Let me know how much new rotors are - I think the discs in my 40 are warped...

Have fun camping!

 

[Lucy_FJ55]

Let me know how much new rotors are - I think the discs in my 40 are warped...

Have fun camping!

I saw prices on new rotors from $35 to $135, aftermarket to OEM! Crazy difference in prices. S$R had the high OEM product and Man-it-ain't-fre had the aftermarket for $35. There were other choices in between those prices also...

 

[Pighead]

Yup, go into any Napa for 60 discs...you can get the Chinese (cheaper) or Japanese made.

 

[PabloCruise]

Yup, go into any Napa for 60 discs...you can get the Chinese (cheaper) or Japanese made.

Can I run 60 rotors w/ my 40 calipers?

 

[nuclearlemon]

Can I run 60 rotors w/ my 40 calipers?

yup. they are the same dimensions.

 

[Lucy_FJ55]

Doh!

NAPA thought they did not have any in stock. They would have been $55 each they said. I didn't think of other years that would apply at the time. So, what years would be the same for rotors? 1960'ish to about 1990'ish?

 

[PabloCruise]

No rotors for Cruisers in the 60's. They started with the discs in 1976

 

[Lucy_FJ55]

No rotors for Cruisers in the 60's. They started with the discs in 1976

Right, right. Of course. Then when do they switch designs?

I could probably ask at NAPA for an FJ60 rotor and it should fit and they may have one?! Don't cha think?

 

[Pighead]

I could probably ask at NAPA for an FJ60 rotor and it should fit and they may have one?! Don't cha think?

Exactly what I did.

 

[Lucy_FJ55]

Exactly what I did.

Good to know. Thanks!

Cheers, Carlos

 

[Lucy_FJ55]

Yup, go into any Napa for 60 discs...you can get the Chinese (cheaper) or Japanese made.

So I did that, brought them home, and they are different. In fact, went back to NAPA and checked their computer and they show a different rotor from '75-'80 (main diff- smaller diameter holes for studs) and a slightly different rotor for '80+. Of course, they do not have the '75-'80 rotor in stock. Called Man-A-Fre and had them send me rotors. They arrived today and look exactly like the rotor from NAPA- the newer style rotor from '80+. I let them know its different and they suggest I no longer have the stock setup. WTF.

So, do you/other folks make the newer style rotor work and how? Or, should I continue a search for the elusive earlier style disc brake rotors. Oh, and if anyone has a source for the older style rotors, please let me know.

I have never had so much fun with a one banana job. Love TRE's.