Now what broke? repairs, mods, need help etc.

[Gwagg]

I hope this UCA joint was causing all the clunking up front. I pulled the LCA but the bushings and ball joint seemed fine so I left them alone.

2hrs later.... damn I must of pulled on the ABS sensor wire when I pulled off the LCA, my dashboard lit up like a Christmas tree. going to have to do some electrical troubleshooting tomorrow night.

 

[CruiseOrlando]

It's always something, isn't it?

Justin and Danny got the whole head gasket fixed, only to find that the key won't turn in the ignition anymore... .ack!

 

[Bret]

Sounds like the cruiser gods want a sacrifice... need to go break something on the trail.

 

[dannyp]

that truck is spitting in our face as much as it can.

 

[Gwagg]

From what I have read it is common to throw a code after a lift because of a "steering angle sensor". My steering wheel is not dead on and I had plans on a alignment after this work. The steering feels a little odd but I left off the swaybar and the coil overs are not cranked down, I am hoping that is it. Don't know how I could have impacted the steering.....

 

[dannyp]

did you replace that same ball joint on both sides? I'd think having one new tight one and one not so tight may have a little to do with it. I know it's not directly steering related but it does play a part in holding the whole wheel assembly in line.

 

[Gwagg]

I replaced both Upper Control Arms

 

[dannyp]

nice. longer for the lift?

 

[Gwagg]

Adjustable for bigger tires coming to an FJC sometime soon

 

[dannyp]

nice. see u in Tennessee

 

[Gwagg]

Almost done

Next up-
Alignment
CV boot clamp replacement
Install front away bar and relocation bracket
Bang out skid plates and reinstall
track down oil leak
oil change

Nothing like waiting till the last minute.

 

[CruiseOrlando]

No wonder you aren't coming up till Wednesday!!!

 

[Gwagg]

One of my skid plates has been the bane of my FJC for over two years. I have, beat it, pressed it with the weight of the FJ, modified the spacers but the exhaust always finds a way of rattling against it. Today I laid a pice of angle iron across it put my jack on the angle iron and jacked up the FJC creating my own 2 ton press. I then tack welded the angle iron eliminating the natural bowing that I can not beat out. Yes my welding skills are equal to a 2yr old with a paint brush but no one will see this work.

My bigger problem is running 34" tires while following you nuts on your 36" or larger tires.

 

[dannyp]

so far I knew I messed up my driveshaft so I got one from Austin I broke out my tail light again got one from Austin. I broke a stud off my third member so that will have to be pulled and put new stud in. while i
I'm in there I'll need an axle seal. I'm dripping gear oil from my rear driver side brakes. I'll do the bearings too as it hasn't been done since I've had the truck. first I have to do a Honda odyssey tech session for the wife. already have all the parts, new ball joint s cv axles springs all the way around struts up front and take it for alignment then maybe she will be Ok with my cruiser wrenching. after the rear axle I HAVE to re seal my transfer case especially now that i beat the snot out of it on the trail then drove 600 something miles home with the rear shaft out. and the front wipers on my knuckles are letting a little more grease out than I'd like. so I'll be busy getting back to square 1.

 

[Bret]

Best part is you don't have to do any of it on the trail!

 

[FL cruiser]

now that i beat the snot out of it on the trail then drove 600 something miles home with the rear shaft out.

600 miles. That could be a record

 

[dannyp]

I finished the wife's van with no issues. I promised I'd clean up the garage so I went out to move the cruiser to give myself room to drag all my crap out to organize. it's the first time I'vestarted it since the day after the trip and iit's got a damn knock. sounds up top to me and to justin too. tomorrow my mechanic buddy is bringing the stethoscope to give me a third opinion. looks like another head job is in my near future.

 

[dannyp]

Sounds like the cruiser gods want a sacrifice... need to go break something on the trail.

they should be appeased for a little while.

 

[Bret]

Sounds like it was a good trip! Now the save funds to repair phase kicks in....

 

[dannyp]

yep. wheel hard. break, fix, repeat. some of you guys have had your rigs totally apart multiple times so I'm still earning my stripes. I'm gonna get a whole motor from Austin with a good head and bad crank bearings. take that head to the machine shop since mine clearly has something wrong. then I'll have a bad head and bad lower end to slowly rebuild a totally rebuilt engine for "next time". I've had valve clatter since I got the truck so I've babied it until this trip. I made the mistake of changing oil brands before the trip and then when we spent 4 hours winching carter up that hill I took a different way up the slimy wet clay hill red lined for at least 2 minutes to avoid the winch so I'm thinking that I broke a valve spring or something..