new toy

[fourtrax]

well i guess i'm back into some wheeling again now, Diggty rode over to ashville with me so i could look at a 94 fjz80. almost didn't get it the right rear brake was stuck and slightly smoking after a 2 mile test drive. there was no way it was going to make a 220 mile trip back. The PO stated he just had the brakes replaced. i almost walked away but figured it was a good starting point. I called around but wasn't able locate any parts and it was after 6pm anyways so the dealer was closed. I had a few tools in the car so i decided to take a look at the brake. tore it apart and the piston was dirty and had some pitting. brake fluid looked like it have been there from day one 240k miles ago. bleeder was completly plugged. it was clear the calipers hadn't been bleed in a long time. so after some time with some 600 grit sand paper, brake fluid, and some luck i was able to get everything back togeather and working enough to make it home. other then not getting back to raleigh until 315am the trip was uneventful.

The short list for maintenance
had to fix the sunroof front drains.
put a belt on the compressor, yeah, the A/C works now.
used some JBweld to fix the mirror mounting bracket. no more shaking.
took the 3rd row seats out.
hooked up the wiring harness on the kaymar rear bumper. i guess 5 brake lights are enough.
ordered an aussie locker 1 week back order.
ordered some parts to rebuild the brakes, 2 week backorder.
driver window switch need looked at, it work when it wants to.
need to find a winch. i am guessing something north of 9500lbs
i still have to replace some fluids. I hope the oil in the diff's were changed at least once in the last 14 years.

anyway I hope to be ready for some wheeling with you all soon.

 

[MarcoPolo]

Great lookin rig there. Sounds like your off to a great start

and welcome to MUD

 

[cruiser4life]

Awesome, good looking 80. Welcome -

You just bought one of the best made vehicles in the world, a little TLC will go a long way.

 

[uzj100]

Sweet 80. WHat kind of roof rack is that?

 

[little_joe]

Very nice score fourtrax! Welcome to the madness.

 

[jfz80]

Congrats!!! and nice head start w/ the ARB and Kaymar. X2 on the rack ? looks like an arb almost.
Window switch: try cleaning the contacts in the switch....perked mine right up.

come up to the wheeeeee with us on OCT 24-26th if you can....you got the ideal rig.

 

[fourtrax]

Thanks for the feedback..

uzj100....
there is a plate on the rack that reads "Outback Products" (i think). other then one of the hinge pins for the sunroof access being broke it is in good shape and seems well built.

jfz80.... will do, they had bestbuy install a stereo and speakers in the door, i am betting they didn't get something plugged in all the way. But i have some contact cleaner so while i am in there...

The PO throw in a set of almost new (still measure 16/32" of tread) 275/70/16 BFG AT's as well. Hopefully i can sale them for enough to get a winch, if not a good start on one.

 

[fj40z]

Awesome find! Youre gonna love the way the white color doesnt show pinstripes or scratches.

 

[fourtrax]

Some of my parts came in. So i rebuilt the front brake calipers today. still waiting on the rear pistons but it is stoping better then it was and the front brakes aren't dragging like they were. I also got an email saying my aussie locker has shipped. So I might get my short list done before the 26th which will be good knowing that most everything is working as it should. Looking forward to hitting some trails soon.

 

[fourtrax]

well my aussie locker was waitng for me in the garage when i got home, so out came the tools, i managed to pull the 3rd member and get the locker installed (everything was in spec). I will pickup a new gasket tomorrow and if it dosen't rain button everything back up. my rear brake parts should also be delivered tomorrow so it looks like everything i have to have done will be done by this weekend.

 

[fj40z]

I was just talking this evening about how this was going to be my next purchase as soon as I can free up some cash. How was the install?

 

[fourtrax]

i skimmed through the Aussie instructions then re-read the HOW TO that "Hayes" did and it was a peice of cake. i used the jack to support the 3rd member (it's a little on the heavy side) as i lowered it down. i double checked the clearences and was done in short time. I forgot to order a gasket for the axles and the diff, so i will swing by the toyota shop tomorrow and hope they have them in stock. i think there is a kit (all 3 gaskets) for about 11 dollars.

 

[fourtrax]

So, I got all the needed gaskets and buttoned the rear axlw back up. My rear brake parts came in and I rebuilt the calipers last night. bleed them this morning and took it out for a spin. It is nice to finally have brakes on this beast... The locker appears to be working well and has some good street manners heard very little clicking in turns, and it will hook up if your in the throttle during a turn. I wasn't able to get to my o2 senors to replace them without breaking out the torch so I guess I will be giving henry's muffler a call monday to set something up.

Overall I think i'm ready now.. But, 1st it is time for a

 

[jfz80]

Congrats on getting all the necessary stuff done first.....and in good time. cheers.

 

[fourtrax]

went to henry's muffler today (spoke with donald, real nice guy), Donald wasn't able to get the o2 sensors off so he called me we discussed options, and he referred me next door to an auto shop. They gave me a fair price, but said it could be more if they ran into problems. So they called me back a few hours and told me they had ran into some issues and broke a few studs and they only got one side done and it would be double to do the second one. ouch.. so i told then to go for it. Donald calls back a few more hours later and said they were finished and asked me if i still wanted the muffler replaced we talked agreed on a price and I ended up getting a flowmaster 50 and keeping the resonator in place. when i got there it was still on the lift and donald showed me the work that was done to the o2 sensors (more about this in a minute) and also his work on the muffler. Donald did a good job and told me that if i didn't like the sound of the muffler come back and he would exchange it free for an equally priced product or allow me to upgrade only paying the difference. I thought this was pretty cool. and was happy about that. so far i like the sound.

RANT....
Back to the work on the o2 sensors (keep in mind my wife claims i have OCD) the mechanical work was good. but it was the little stuff that i had correct when i got home. The auto shop broke 3 of the 4 bolts holding the heat shield around the cats and just left it hanging with one bolt. I figured they did this trying to remove the down pipes from the cats. I was just under there yesterday and there was nothing wrong with the heat shield. Donald pointed it out to me as i walked up to the truck and offered to remove it or weld it back togeather. I opted to leave it alone and stopped by the hardware store and picked up some stainless hardware and bolted it back on correctly. The problem that really pissed me off was the zipped tied the unprotected wires from the outward o2 sensor directly to the rocker panel where they were already rubbing metal. and the little plastic cable stand off was not even 2 inches away just waiting to be connected. this is why I hate letting someone work on my vehicles.

Henry's muffler: "A+"
raleigh car care: "C"
I gave them a "C" cause if i hadn't noticed the zip tie while fixing the heat shield i would have been replaceing another expensive o2 sensor in the near future.

i guess i am ready cause i am out of money now.

 

[strong_toy]

need to find a winch. i am guessing something north of 9500lbs

If you're still looking for a winch. I saw a 10k Ramsey on Craigslist for $150...
10,000 pound Ramsey Winch

If it pulls ok, then that is a steal.

 

[fourtrax]

thanks i will call about it.

 

[btcox]

Want to sell me the Kaymar to get some spare cash?

 

[fourtrax]

na, i think i will keep it a bit longer, besides i just hooked the light up on it.

 

[Yo_Han]

Congrats on the new crusher fourtrax, she looks sweet!