Newbie - Question on Maintenance & Upgrade

[YngTLCOwner]

Hi Everyone! First off just want to say how great this website is! Very very informative. This is my first time posting and I have two questions. First, I like to know what maintenance would be required at this time being how I am at 93k miles or any suggestions on anything that should be done. I have already changed my diff., trans., and automatic fluid w/ Redline. Second, I have about $3000 that I have saved up that I would like to use on the cruiser for mods. What would you recommend at this time. I currently just have OEM lift w/ steering stabilizer. Looking into getting BFG's 315/75/16 AT tires w/ new rims. Any comments/suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks everyone!

 

[Brentbba]

Welcome officially to the site.

As most of us will tell you, especially Junk, use the search and look in the FAQ thread. There have been some great posts on this subject.

Most would also ask you what your plans are b4 commenting or helping you spend your $$$ on mods.

Have fun.

 

[e9999]

welcome!
here is what you need to do:
- save the $$
- decide on the mods you need
- send me the $$
- I'll send you the mods I think you need

HTH
E

 

[bjowett]

Good tires, even the BFG AT, and a winch will get you home 99% of the time. Welcome

 

[cruiserdan]

35 inch tires will require a re-gear to be pleasant to drive. In addition the suspension will need some more work to prevent rubbing. If you do not want to re-gear a 33 inch tire would be better. A 33 inch can also be comfortably run with your current suspension set-up.

3 G's would just about cover tires, a front bumper and a nice winch.

 

[landtank]

First and foremost would be to evaluate your front axle. If it hasn't been serviced yet then hold off spending that money til it is. There was a thread just recently where I ran down a list of common areas to look at that are more vehicle specific that you might look at besides the normal tumeup, brakes and stuff.

If you have Front and rear lockers then in my opinion the winch can wait til last.

 

[Doc]

Blow some of that money on a snorkel, not because you'll ever be in water that deep (or maybe you will...) but because they stir up such strong feelings in people, and they look totally bad ass.

 

[Brentbba]

TRD supercharger? At least you'd be able to accelerate onto SoCal freeways a little easier. hehehe

 

[Beowulf]

YngTLCOwner,

Like others have said, you haven't told us what mods will put a smile on your face. All we can do is tell you what we would do given the same situation.


If it were me...
1. Get it 100% mechanically (fluids, belts, hoses, bearings, knuckles, brakes, etc.)
2. Get some good off-road tyres. (heed C-Dan's advice. Storing a 35" spare is an issue)
3. Keep the alloys. (Paint/powdercoat them black if you want but you don't need to replace them yet.)
4. Armour (in order: sliders, xfer-skid, front, rear w/tyre carrier)
5. Rig for expeditions. Rack, OBA, lights, dual batteries, etc.

You'll blow through that money long before you finish the above list of mods.

-B-

 

[nyk438]

First get your rig checked out and running 100% since you have the money. Then I'd go for an OME lift and run 33x12.50. 35's you have to regear and you'll lose flex with them (duh). Keep stock wheels, don't need new ones yet, later on you might want to upgrade to 15x10 wheels but the stock ones work fine as beowulf said. As for protective gear, such as sliders, bull bar, skid plates and such I'd get an ARB bullbar with winch slot to start. I don't know how hardcore you are as an offroader but for me I'm starting off with the bullbar.


Thats how my rig will go already have some of the parts sitting in my garage, just need to pay my friend for his 33x1250 pro comp muds so I can mount them .

 

[YngTLCOwner]

Thank you everyone for your input. I will be using the cruiser as a dd for a couple months. After that I will have a commuter for dd and the cruiser will be for weekend fun. No major off roading. Mainly outdoors person and like to go camping and taking cruiser through light terrain. Currently, the car is lifted w/ OME suspension and shocks. I will take your advice Beowulf and get the car 100% mechanical. I have already changed diff., transf., and auto. fluid a few months ago w/ Redline Fluid.

I just ran accross a problem today w/ the air condition. Not sure what the problem is but what is happening is that either while driving or just letting the car sit while it is at least 90+ degrees outside will cause the air to stop working. The vent nor heat or air will work. Could you advice me on what the problem could be?

At this time I will just focus on getting the rig 100% mechanical then will get the other goodies. I think I will go w/ tires first (not sure on 33 or 35's yet), bull bar, kaymar bumper w/ tire carrier, and possible w/ little more savings snorkel. I will keep everyone posted and will work to get some pics up here soon. Thanks again everyone for your input.

 

[cruiserman]

No major offroading means you can save that $3k for maintenance and gas. No other mods needed, and I wouldn't bother getting 315s.

Get a factory service manual.

 

[NorCalDoug]

My suggestions:
1. (as others have stated, get all mechanicals in order).
2. 33" (285/76 R16) tires
3. Sliders
4. Front bumper (ARB or Slee)

(that's roughly $3k already, assuming you get 5 tires (MTRs) and the bumper and sliders are aprox $700 each and you spend $500 to $800 on mechanicals.

Next:
5. Rear bumper/tire carrier (Slee, Kaymar, or other/custom)
6. Snorkel
etc., etc., etc.

 

[Beowulf]

YngTLCOwner,

>> I just ran accross a problem today w/ the air condition. <<

See if this thread helps you isolate the A/C problem.

-B-