Build Project Pikachu: 1977 FJ40

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cstav86 said:
Cruiser friend on mine took his family over to Boquillas last new years and they loved it. Not a good look to be shaking down tourists when that’s who keeps your town alive. How bad was the shakedown?
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It was bad enough that it clearly shook him up, and he's very level-headed. They wanted all of his cash, but he was empty handed after our 3-margarita lunch and tipping the guys with the boat and donkeys.

The restaurant owner also made a comment about having to pay off the "bad guys" that afternoon after they closed up for the day. We had several people following us around the whole time and looking around corners at us. It felt like they were very much part of a communication network. It was odd.
 
As we get older we realize not being hurt is a good outcome from that. And now everyone there has a story to tell. Sorry that happened but thank you for sharing the adventure.

In the 90s when I was a kid someone upper level where my dad worked mistakenly crossed the Texas border while hunting. He was held hostage by “police” and the family extorted several hundred thousand over several months before he returned. I think a senator had to get him out.

Your garage shop looks like a dream to us cruiser heads. If you ever get bored and would like to share I would probably steal some ideas from. I’m hoping to build a shop on the side of our house to give my wife the garage back in the next few months.
 
alabamatacomaguy said:
As we get older we realize not being hurt is a good outcome from that. And now everyone there has a story to tell. Sorry that happened but thank you for sharing the adventure.

In the 90s when I was a kid someone upper level where my dad worked mistakenly crossed the Texas border while hunting. He was held hostage by “police” and the family extorted several hundred thousand over several months before he returned. I think a senator had to get him out.

Your garage shop looks like a dream to us cruiser heads. If you ever get bored and would like to share I would probably steal some ideas from. I’m hoping to build a shop on the side of our house to give my wife the garage back in the next few months.
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I can't imagine being held hostage in Mexico. Have been there quite a few times over the years, from the pre-cartel days of Acapulco to the Baja Peninsula, and I've pretty much come to the conclusion that the place is hopelessly corrupt. I was surprised that a place as tiny and remote as Boquillas is the same as the others. It's a shame because it's really a beautiful and diverse country.

Thanks, regarding the shop. It's a 30 x 40 with heat and a 4-post lift. That's about all a car guy needs in this world! This size is big enough the comfortably fit two ATVs, a side by side, and 4 cars (assuming one is stored on the lift). Heat is a must up here. AC would be a must where you are.
 
30-mile cruise this morning. Perfect day for it.
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Been a tough couple of weeks for the West. One of my favorite spots in Utah is engulfed in what is called the Babylon Fire.

The cycle of nature is wonderful, but sure is a hard pill to swallow sometimes.

These pics were all taken in 2023 in the current perimeter of the fire. Hoping some of the forest survives. I've gotten confirmation that the historic Scorup Cabin is gone.

Thankfully, life and property aren't as threatened in this particular fire. Others are much worse from that standpoint.

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Tech question.

I’ve decided to remove the ole ratchety Aussie locker in the coming months and go back to stock. I kept all of the original spider gears when I installed it back in 2018/2019. How difficult is it to go back to stock? I don’t recall whether I had to use any extra thrust washers the first time.

Or is it easier just to throw in a new third member?
 
cbmontgo said:
Tech question.

I’ve decided to remove the ole ratchety Aussie locker in the coming months and go back to stock. I kept all of the original spider gears when I installed it back in 2018/2019. How difficult is it to go back to stock? I don’t recall whether I had to use any extra thrust washers the first time.

Or is it easier just to throw in a new third member?
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Assuming you have basic tools and decent knowledge.

It’s about an hour and a half swap. It’s really straight forward and I did not require any extra shims.

You can do this through the diff cover without removing the 3rd
 
cbmontgo said:
Tech question.

I’ve decided to remove the ole ratchety Aussie locker in the coming months and go back to stock. I kept all of the original spider gears when I installed it back in 2018/2019. How difficult is it to go back to stock? I don’t recall whether I had to use any extra thrust washers the first time.

Or is it easier just to throw in a new third member?
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What, other than being “ratchety” is cause for removal?

I’ve been toying with the idea of installing an auto locker at some point, so just curious to hear of people’s experiences.
 
RevISK said:
What, other than being “ratchety” is cause for removal?

I’ve been toying with the idea of installing an auto locker at some point, so just curious to hear of people’s experiences.
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I am curious what @cbmontgo experience was also. But I removed my Aussie as well. For me it was not only the ratchet noise when turning(it was really loud) but, I would also get a good jerk/bind a lot of the time when it would release on a corner. It was just an uneasy jerk in a corner I didn't like it. I have since installed Eaton E locker. It is way nicer to have it selectable for sure.
 
RevISK said:
What, other than being “ratchety” is cause for removal?

I’ve been toying with the idea of installing an auto locker at some point, so just curious to hear of people’s experiences.
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I have you can have. My 40 with the LS was not safe to drive with the Aussie locker. When it was still 1f it wasn’t bad. Just annoying.

Mine would click and unlock then BANG in a parking lot then it unlocked. It was not even remotely smooth operating. But it worked great. In a longer wheel base it might be fine.

I honestly thought about putting it in the front of mine later. But not sure that’s a great idea
 
fjdiesel said:
I am curious what @cbmontgo experience was also. But I removed my Aussie as well. For me it was not only the ratchet noise when turning(it was really loud) but, I would also get a good jerk/bind a lot of the time when it would release on a corner. It was just an uneasy jerk in a corner I didn't like it. I have since installed Eaton E locker. It is way nicer to have it selectable for sure.
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This exactly.

I'd rather lean in to using my winch more if it comes down to trails that are that tough.

Small things too, such as having to use a different gear oil for that diff. Also doesn't sound very professional grade when the wife is riding with me to lunch on July 4th and we make a tight turn into Sonic and it sounds like an NTSB report is about to be filed.
 
Lunchbox lockers are cheap and effective. They increase the vehicles capabilities immensely off road. They click, clank, and crunch and screw up handling on the blacktop. There's a learning curve to get used to. On hard acceleration the right rear will squat and slightly pull the right and on deacceleration the left rear will slightly raise and pull to the left, or something like that. On tight slow turns it will be jerky on hard pavement, on turns going from one street to another and pushing the clutch in to coast a bit in the turn you will get feedback thru the driveline. Putting thr trans in neutral eliminates the feedback. I ran one for about 10 years b4 installing a Detroit Locker. The Detroit is much more refined and handles so much better. I recently installed a lunchbox on my street friendly 40 because I had one on the shelf. It will be swapped out this winter for a Detroit or an ARB.
 
I hear you, ran both an Aussie & Lock-Right in various 40s, while amazing off road they just leave a lot to be desired on-road. ARB is the way to go (what I’ve got), but have heard good things about the Auburn Limited Slips. Worth checking out as a middle ground, you’ll hate the open-open the first time you realize how much that lunch box has been saving your ass 😆
 
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