Builds Project Bush Cricket... (3 Viewers)

[jesus888]

But TODAY (more specifically this WEEKEND), it’s time to get the cooling system put back into Project Bush Cricket and see what else doesn’t work???

So we started with finishing up the PHH project (with misc new pieces that we found to be in need of replacement along the disassembly phase)… we ended with getting EVERYTHING off, so now it’s time to put back new stuff. Aside from a lot of tight spaces and zero leverage for 2 x 5’4” dudes, everything went smoothly…

 

[jesus888]

Then came all of the cooling system, again lots of painful clamps and a couple times taking the fan off and on to get everything in there right. We ended the night basically with everything buttoned up and ready for the battery/radiator fluid and bring this girl up to temperature. That’s for tomorrow morning. Looking forward to it. This rig hasn’t driven under its own power in 4 years, so hoping to get it running so I can address a few other things…

• New leak on the drivers side floor board (need to research that sunroof drain I suppose)
• Acquired newish OEM bumpers front and rear that’ll be replaced
• Interior wood trim needs to be removed/panels cleaned
• Interior seats need new leather/foam… I have a place I want to go get a quote from
• Probably gonna remove/replace the carpet, I’ve seen the forum member that has OEM fitment carpet, gotta dig that thread up
• I have the 33” BFG A/T mounted on the FJ Cruiser Steelies that need to be installed… got the 1.5” spacers in a box waiting for that…

That’s all for now… hoping tomorrow by lunchtime to have this girl running… fingers crossed.

 

[jesus888]

Woke up early in anticipation…
Oil and filter change
Coolant addition
Changed windshield wipers
Changed cap and rotor
Checked to make everything was tight

Turned the key and she fired right up. Checked the brakes on the way outta the driveway and took her for a spin, first around the block and then to go get fresh gas…
She runs smooth and bringing her back to my place to fix lots of the small stuff that’s been keeping me up at night! And then the interior………..

 

[jesus888]

A little more progress today…
Step 1: Remove the side steps… this rig has newer stock-ish suspension under it and I have a set of 33” BFG A/Ts on FJ cruiser steelies going on, to keep it mild, so no need for the side steps.

And about 45 min - 1 hr later, they were gone. If anyone in the Atlanta area needs some side steps, they’re yours

 

[jesus888]

Step 2: I recently posted on the Landcruiser FB page looking for OEM bumpers and I was in luck, someone from Knoxville, TN reached out and had some good condition, recently painted bumpers that he let go for a reasonable price. Not looking for aftermarket as of yet so these fit the bill…
There’s definitely some scratches and dings but it’s a HUGE improvement, so I’m excited.
I’ll be replacing the rear bumperettes maybe this week and installing the front mud flaps shortly thereafter…
If anyone can help with the clips for the bolt holes, that’s be great!

 

[jesus888]

I had 15 minutes this evening and made a trip to the hardware store this afternoon, and fixed the floppy mirror that’s been plaguing my driver side…
I swear when it would fold in while driving, outta my peripheral vision it looked like something was about to slam into me from that side, so happy to have that issue corrected, and soooooo easy!

 

[FMC80]

Nice job getting the rig running! 4 years sitting is a long time

 

[jesus888]

Nice job getting the rig running! 4 years sitting is a long time

Thank you… it’s been sitting under my ownership for about 7 months but the buddy I bought it from said it was sitting in his garage a one of his rental properties since the overheating issue started back in 2017. Glad to have her back on the road after so many years though!

 

[jesus888]

Tonight was more of get-the-ugly-out and I am pleased to announce that there is no longer any sticky wood grain in Bush Cricket. It’s a small step but wow the difference.
Most of it came off with some heat and a nylon trim tool. I tried the WD-40 and a rag trick with the sticky but honestly most of it came off with the heat. I cleaned the areas with some diluted simple green and a rag but I think the door buttons panels are gonna need more than that to match the rest of the doors… I’m open to suggestions.

 

[jesus888]

And a few more pics…

 

[TYM4FUN]

Goof Off

 

[FMC80]

Lookin good dude. Double down on goof off or goo gone

 

[jesus888]

Anddddd the rear bumper corners are replaced with pieces that match the front bumper slightly darker color. Not minty, but one less dent!!

 

[FMC80]

Looks so much better doesn’t it? Great job dude

 

[jesus888]

Looks so much better doesn’t it? Great job dude

It's dirty... but YES... it looks a lot better! She's not being built for a beauty contest but I sure don't mind having a few less obvious dents (that I didn't put there)...

 

[jesus888]

Adding a few items that I've purchased, some are installed and some are coming...

BFGoodrich		5 x 285x70x17 BFG All Terrain K02	$1,324.76	$0.00	1	$1,324.76
ACC		Interior Carpet Kit	$394.20	$0.00	1	$394.20
Toyota		Front and Rear Bumpers	$150.00	$0.00	1	$150.00
Toyota		Front Mud Flaps	$75.00	$0.00	1	$75.00
Gamiviti		4 gears and 2 caps - Front Seats	$65.00	$0.00	1	$65.00
Ace Hardware		Misc Bolts / Nuts for Side Mirror	$4.65	$0.00	1	$4.65
Escape Gear		Front, Rear, and Third Row Grey Seat Covers	$630.00	$0.00	1	$630.00
CRC		White Lithium Grease	$10.24	$0.00	1	$10.24
Bora		1.5" spacers	$87.00	$0.00	4	$348.00

My Driver floor was wet, so I went ahead and pushed some string trimmer line down the sunroof drains and made sure those were clear. I did notice that the driver side had a lot of misc yard debris covering the hole, so that's been removed. I'll pour some water up there later this week and see if it drains properly.

I installed the front and rear bumpers, and I also fixed the driver side mirror, so those are done.

Both front seats don't move fore and aft, so I went ahead and purchased 4 rotors and 2 plastic caps from @gamiviti so when those show up, I guess I'll be pulling my seats to do that work. That's also what the white lithium grease is for (along with everything else I can put it on - like the sunroof mechanism).

I've been going back and forth about what to do with my front seats, they are in need of some help. The Driver's side has tears in it, and the passenger side looks pretty rough as well. I finally landed on high quality seat covers instead of new leather upholstery, which I ordered today... I think after reading all of the threads about seat covers, Escape Gear gets some high praise, so that's what I went with in Medium Grey (100% cotton). This also mean, I'll be pulling the interior out myself and replacing the carpet, which I'm not looking forward to (not pulling the carpet, but mainly melting holes for the different cutouts needed). I'll probably put some sound deadener down while I'm in there, but I'll worry about all of that when the time comes to do the work.

Also, I'd like to get the front mud flaps on but I need to get some of those OEM toyota clips that the screws screw into... gotta figure out where to get those, must be easier than getting from Toyota.

I have a couple other things that I want to do, but I'm still waiting on the buddy that I bought the rig from to get me the title so I can register/insure/drive this thing legally, mainly to my preferred mechanic shop, to install the 1.5" Bora Spacers that I purchased along with the 33" BFG A/T on FJ Cruiser Steelies on the rig, along with replacing all of the dif/transmission/transfer case fluids (don't care to do any of that myself) AFTER I pressure wash all of the years of gunk off the bottom of the rig... that way I can have fresh fluids AND see if any more leaks show up or if it's just 25 years of buildup on the bottom...

Still on the drawing boards of what needs to be handled are probably new speakers, installing a carplay head unit, eventually re-fitting 2 of the fender flares that seem to be detached in a couple spots, and cleaning the headliner, which is FILTHY...

 

[clx16]

A lot of people have good luck just cleaning the carpet. Mine came out looking new and it was gross. Also you might just find the caps on your see have spun out and just need to be adjusted back in and made to keep from spinning around. I had pretty good luck and was cheap. Doing a great job. Glad you saved it.

 

[jesus888]

A lot of people have good luck just cleaning the carpet. Mine came out looking new and it was gross. Also you might just find the caps on your see have spun out and just need to be adjusted back in and made to keep from spinning around. I had pretty good luck and was cheap. Doing a great job. Glad you saved it.

“caps on my see have spun…”

I know that was autocorrect, what did you mean to say?

And as far as the carpet, I 100% agree with you but since I’m gonna take it out and do some sound deadening and also because in the grand scheme of thing the cost of new carpet isn’t exorbitant, I went ahead and got it… but definitely considered just cleaning…

 

[jesus888]

Ok Step 0.25 of this interior project…
So since I have the seat gears are on order and I want to be ready for those coming in,
I decided I’m gonna go ahead and remove the front seats and slowly but surely 1hr at a time disassemble the interior so I can continue the “project”… so today I started.

 

[clx16]

Haha wow yeah autocorrect.. so there are the little white caps that adjust the play on the gears. If the spin in and out with the gears, in place of staying properly adjusted. The gears lock and your seat won't move. Adjust them back and find a way to keep them from spinning back out.