Builds Project Overland (2 Viewers)

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Alright, I know I am getting behind with the photos. I'll get some updated shots as soon as I can. I finally got the windshield installed so I have been able to put some miles on it. I drove it to day about 200 miles round trip and it did pretty well. My oil pressure gauge isn't working, so i think I may have a bad sender. It was also running a little warm on the highway. Cruising at about 70mph the temp would creep up to about 2/3rds. Granted, it is in the high 90's today, but this engine is cold blooded. Before I never got it above 1/2 unless I was climbing a mountain, and even then it would barely get to 5/8's. I suspect the radiator is a little stopped up. it's the only thing that's different than before. I also noticed a few pin hole leaks, so it needs to be replaced anyway. Otherwise, it runs great!
 
It looks like the cooling problem ended up being the temp sender. There are two senders on a 2F and I guessed the wrong one the first time. I swapped it out for the other and the gauge now reads normal. I am going to replace the leaky radiator anyway, and then I'll take it on the highway to test it out.

I also finally welded up the front shock towers and rear sway bar bracket to wrap up the suspension work. Handles like a dream now! For the shock towers I started with the ford F-250 towers, cut them down about 4 inches and the notched and bent them in two places to keep the shocks mounted vertical and avoid an outward rake which also required trimming the inner fenders. I am very pleased with the way they came out and I got a couple inches extra travels to boot.
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The rear sway bar is 27mm, so I had to fab up some new axle brackets.
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VTCruiser,

When/if I get my 60 in the next year or two, you can fix it for me!

NICE rig you've got going here, and thanks a lot for sharing all the info and photos! I'm not a 60 guy (yet), but a lot of the stuff you're doing, I never would have thought of... and that could be worth a lot to any Cruiser owner looking to breath new life into an old rig - 60, 40, 55, or 80.
 
thanks for the kind words guys!

I am now back in VT so I have been busy unpacking and visiting with the family. But the cruiser did GREAT on the way home. No issues what so ever, and I averaged about 21 mpg! I also found out a good way to break in springs is to load them down with 800lbs of payload and drive it 900 miles. Sits pretty level now...!
 
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Some pics! Some pics! Sweet build, almost exactly what I am planning, so now I can just copy you :D
 
diggin the pics...is that the same area you took the first pics of the old hj when you got it?

ahhhh, still remember that purple tinting and sweet brown tube bumper. at least the bumper is still there, ha ha.


hope home is treatin you well, say hey to nobu and annie for me.
 
Lewis said:
Some pics! Some pics! Sweet build, almost exactly what I am planning, so now I can just copy you :D
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X2 for me...

Thank you so much for this thread it has been very enjoyable. I like that you posted the build summary with links on the first post. Great overland expedition rig.

What are the rest of your plans. The rear storage, RTT, etc.
 
Thanks guys! I am glad some people have found it helpful. This is just phase 1 of the build, which covers the "infrastructure" of the truck. phase 2 will be the mods and accessories for expedition. Now that the body and chassis are solid, I can turn my attention to the the engine. I need to calculate the exact mileage, but the 1HZ is right around the 100k mark and is due for some maintenance. I'd like to replace the BEB's as a precaution before I get a turbo which will be the next purchase. I may consider replacing/upgrading the clutch as well when the turbo is installed. After that, I'll work on recovery bumpers, armor and camping accessories. I'll leave my storage drawers for now, but if I go with a rooftop tent, I'll probably replace them with a full-height cargo system.
 
Great thread. I really admire all your work.

Have you had the chance to use your headlight washers? Do they really clean the headlights?
 
knorrena said:
Great thread. I really admire all your work.

Have you had the chance to use your headlight washers? Do they really clean the headlights?
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No I haven't, the reservoir was busted and i haven't gotten a replacement yet. I suspect they'll l work fine though for rinsing off mud, especially if you spray them before the mud dries.
 
Wow Gehn, Riding in your rig this last weekend I knew you put some serious work into it, but not this serious. Really impressed. Good hanging out and fishing too. Gonna try to make it down at least a few times before the season closes. Will have to hit the waters again, maybe get you into some good lil wild vt brookies.
 
GreenMtnTaco said:
Wow Gehn, Riding in your rig this last weekend I knew you put some serious work into it, but not this serious. Really impressed. Good hanging out and fishing too. Gonna try to make it down at least a few times before the season closes. Will have to hit the waters again, maybe get you into some good lil wild vt brookies.
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Thanks man, glad you made it down. Good luck with classes, and let me know when you have free weekend.
 
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