Builds Putting the rust demon at bay (3 Viewers)

[archie73]

At the end of February I’m heading back down to Sand Hollow for a bit of training and wheeling. I’ve gotten pretty lucky weather wise on wheeling trips and i don’t know how long that’ll last. About 5-6 years ago I bought a Bestop soft top off someone in Boise. Then I threw it in storage until I needed it. Then I never wanted to spend a nice warm day putting the top on- I mean who wastes a nice day putting a soft top on, when you could be out enjoying your cruiser... Add to this that I don’t drive it during the winter for fear of corrosion.

So I cranked the heat up help the top get malleable and set about installing the bows. AND finding the bits and pieces scattered around the garage. Couldn’t find the windshield bracket for the door frame. Made some.

Couldn’t find the connectors for the bows. Made some. While digging in the scrap bin, I found the connectors. While getting the top out I found the windshield brackets (& a mouse nest). That’s how long term storage goes I guess. I added some bicycle inner tube under the brackets to protect the paint. The HiLift and brackets came off the back of the cage. The homemade mirror bracket came off the drivers hinge- probably going to spring for the oem mirror arms now. The struggle is real.

Anyway, it’s on. It fits pretty good. Stretching it was fun, hopefully, I don’t have to do it again soon. Maybe I’ll install a heater. Hahahahahahaha

This did get me to do some panel adjustment. The panels were pretty far out of alignment from trail riding. They are better now. Not show quality, but I did get rid of the overbite in the hood. While I was tightening bib fender bolts, I noticed this-

Having the steering box firmly attached to the frame is probably important. It’s Remedied. I ran out of time to do a thorough torque check on the rest of the truck. Tomorrow…

 

[archie73]

With softop and doors on I was in need of a new side mirror solution. The old ones I had fabbed up to slide over the door hinge when the doors were off (always). So I bit the bullet and bought the factory arms and mirrors. While the arms seemed a bit pricey, the mirror heads were shockingly in line with what I would have paid for a comparable Trucklite unit. The mirror is a bit smaller than I’m used to, but I’ll get used to it.

 

[archie73]

There’s a lot bigger things to work on and the ev f100 is constantly stealing time, but I did this anyway. When I put the cruiser back together after the frame off paint job, I never put the grill back on the cowl vent. I couldn’t find remember the clips that likely allowed the screws to hold the grill back in. Since I’m this far from oem, I didn’t feel bad about an upgrade.

We have a Rivnut tool at work, but I figured I could handle four inserts by hand. Painted a couple of the old oem screws and we were back in business.

Paint on the screws is a little off, but it should cure to same color. Little victories are good too.

 

[knuckle47]

@archie73 im glad you commented, after @Chungas Revenge mentioned your build, I was searching around to see if you had any photos. Sure looks close to yours in color…nice truck

 

[archie73]

@archie73 im glad you commented, after @Chungas Revenge mentioned your build, I was searching around to see if you had any photos. Sure looks close to yours in color…nice truck

Another pumpkin!!! I used a color formula on CCOT site, since I couldn’t find the Toyota formula. I’m jealous you have a 45. Always wanted one and 55 and LV and….

 

[Mike Shull]

Another pumpkin!!! I used a color formula on CCOT site, since I couldn’t find the Toyota formula. I’m jealous you have a 45. Always wanted one and 55 and LV and….

I want an FJ28 . You had better add that to your list, too.

 

[archie73]

I want an FJ28 . You had better add that to your list, too.

That is pretty cool too. Funny thing is I don’t like troopys- they have weird proportions to me. 60s are neat. 80s look like a beast offroad, but lost the cool factor in terms of looks. The rest of the US market I just don’t know…

To each their own

 

[Mike Shull]

That is pretty cool too. Funny thing is I don’t like troopys- they have weird proportions to me. 60s are neat. 80s look like a beast offroad, but lost the cool factor in terms of looks. The rest of the US market I just don’t know…

To each their own

I agree with you. Most people would be against this but I’d bob the back by 20” or more, link it, and modernize the heck out of it while keeping the original feel. 33” all terrain tires. LS3. 6spd auto. Etc. it would replace our 4Runner.

 

[archie73]

Feels good to be back in St George. Drove down yesterday.

Just in time to miss a massive snowstorm. And another on the way Thursday. Not here- 60 deg and a little wind.

Nothing to crazy yet just tooling around above the lake.

 

[archie73]

Well it’s sad Sunday again, gotta find a solution to this problem…

At any rate, it was another good trip. Did a little work, some mountain biking on gooseberry and enough wheeling in sand hollow. But you guys don’t want to hear about the first two…

For whatever reason we seeemed to be focused on Sliplock and John’s trails this time. The first night we had an hour to kill, so we played in area below the water tanks before the sun set. Nothing crazy, I just wanted to ease back in to it.

Next trail we went to Sliplock and I was doing fine. The cruiser was doing its thing- creaking and groaning up the trail. When we got to the spot I tipped last year, I was working my way up the obstacle (wall to the left and ledges to the right) I thought I had a good chance. Then the front driver tire came up in a rather unsettling way. After a brief discussion, we hooked up to the bronco and pulled the frontend back down. In retrospect, it took only a couple minutes to get in a better position, but my leg was doing jumping jacks holding the brake pedal by the time I was able to drive out of it. Best news no harm was done to person or truck, I got a good adrenaline rush out of it though. (I’ll add a pic if I get the video from my buddy).

Next it was onto John’s trail. I was in groove hear and were joined by some razors. They did what razors do and skittered up obstacles in a full throttle kinda way. We plodded along at our pace and I was feeling my groove. Until I realized I was loosing my power steering. By the time I got to the last section, I knew I better bail out as steering at slow speed was difficult to impossible. At times a simple maneuver was requiring a three point turn. I watched my friends from the ridge before we turned back down.

In a desire to save time, I drove straight to Hurricane to get a new pump. All the while I was running scenarios of what it might be other then the pump- something to do with the locker? Something in the box? Linkage? But I was able to turn as long as I was going over 10–15mph with my tires at 18psi, so I kept with the pump assumption. The parts store provided the pump an fresh juice, so I was back to the house to start pulling the pump. This was interupted by and elk dinner and another trip to get a pulley puller/installer kit. And through some moaning and cursing I had a new pump installed. Amazingly quiet now. I had pulled the pump out of the junkyard when I did the LS swap, it worked for a couple years I guess.

Next day was rinse and repeat. We had another guy join and we were back to the same areas. This time we hit hardtop alley. This has a bonus line up a nearly vertical wall. The jk on 40’s gave it a shot and stopped in a similar position as what I had the day before. I got to return the favor by winching his front end down so he could safely climb out of the position he was in.

From there we continued on the right trail. First you crawl over a tight notch and then it’s up a wider notch. Turns out the notch is a bit wider than my track. Ended up testing the strength of the Aqualu sill. Quite stout it turns out, I lost some paint, but the metal is straight. ( The jk returned the favor and anchored my winch to get me out of the spot).

 

[archie73]

Last day of wheeling ended with this scenario-

The bronco came down on his fender, which sent the radiator into the mechanical fan. The place it came to a rest was a bit precarious, so we pulled winch again and brought it up to the top. Luckily, we found a long downhill track to take us to the bottom. I pulled him to the water tanks while someone else grabbed a trailer. Certainly put an end to the wheeling for us.
Next day was a bike ride in the morning and getting ready for the drive home. No complaints there.

Made it home to 2’ of fresh at the house.

We were getting reports from those at home of the snowstorm last couple days. They weren’t exaggerating, it’s a mess. Roads were messy the closer we got to home, but manageable if you kept it slow. It was tricky getting the trailer into its winter spot as the plow must of been rushed when he was here last.

Cruiser is tucked back in now.

Outside of the missing paint I don’t have a whole lot to repair this time. So I got that going for me….

 

[archie73]

Weather has been nice enough (sometimes) to drive the cruiser. There were a couple days that were even nice enough to pull the soft top. I don’t imagine it will be back this summer!!

So now we’re back top pounding pavement and the other day I had low brake pedal. The point where the pedal actually produces braking force is mostly to the floor. The stopping power is adequate, but far from desirable. Checked the fluid- a touch low, but not the issue. Vacuum line looks good. Pumping produces the desired effect, but problem returns on the next application. This all led me to a stuck caliper. Got out the BFH and “tapped” the front calipers on both sides. Just enough to unstick the offending piston. And it’s all better now. For now….

So this has me thinking about replacing the calipers. More to the point: what calipers do I use? Currently, I have mini truck knuckles, vented rotors and, I think, 4runner calipers/pads. Said calipers had to have the fins ground down for my rims to clear. When I did the swap, it was the hot swap on the LCML. It’s worked well, but I guess I’m wondering what the current hot swap is for calipers?

 

[CruisinGA]

do you have rear drum or disk? What you describe sounds like rear drums that are out of adjustment.

I got tired of adjusting drums and went to 4wheel disk. Same full pedal every time, no adjustment.

 

[archie73]

do you have rear drum or disk? What you describe sounds like rear drums that are out of adjustment.

I got tired of adjusting drums and went to 4wheel disk. Same full pedal every time, no adjustment.

Same here, when the cylinders in the rear gave up the ghost I switched to @Poser ‘s kit. Great upgrade. And I’m sure it was tapping the fronts that fixed the issue.
On the Flipside, I have no complaints with the 4runner (80’s??) calipers. More so, I’m wondering if I should be considering something else.

 

[CruisinGA]

ah missed the part about tapping the fronts.

I am also running the IFS 4runner front calipers. That plus poser's kit, FJ80 master cylinder and tandem booster from Cityracer has me stopping 37's better than it stopped 29's when brand new. Unless someone knows something I don't I'd go back with the 4runner calipers again

 

[archie73]

ah missed the part about tapping the fronts.

I am also running the IFS 4runner front calipers. That plus poser's kit, FJ80 master cylinder and tandem booster from Cityracer has me stopping 37's better than it stopped 29's when brand new. Unless someone knows something I don't I'd go back with the 4runner calipers again

I’m definitely not opposed to getting another set or just one for that matter. They stop my 35’s just fine. Just didn’t know if there was a better option. I guess I’d want it to not have to monkey with adapters either. I’m picky like that…

 

[archie73]

I did a thing…

It was impulsive and may turnout to be a bad idea in the long run…
I’ve been looking for used beadlocks in a 6 lug pattern for a couple years. All the ones I’d click on are for Broncos. I was willing to trip down to Salt Lake City for the right deal. When a buddy sent me the ad for these I couldn’t resist. Price was good enough and they were ten months mites from my house. Rubber is kinda small.

Woman had them on a gmc, so should fit with a wheel spacer. I don’t think they’ll be my daily setup, more along the lines of a dedicated wheeling tire. If they hold air, maybe they’ll go into regular use. I’m neutral to the look, I don’t love bling and they look painful to shine. Fortunately, I don’t believe in washing cars.

Gotta find some 35’ meats for them tho, so it might be a bit before they go on the cruiser. The pictured rim is in need of a couple inserts. Theoretically these aren't to hard to replace…. Now I just need some free time to play with them.

 

[archie73]

On the second to last day of our roadtrip, my son got a call from the neighbor. He said we had a small bear in the house. He shooed it out of the house and did some basic cleanup. Got home late the next day and started cleaning. Unwanted, but the dog has made bigger messes.
Next day I take the truck down to the garage to unload the gear and who do I see? A 50# cub wallowing in the trash pile it had made for it self. When I saw me, it hid under the 59 ford. I hit the garage door opener and got back in the pickup- not wanting to wrangle with mama bear. I leaned into the horn for bit. I couldn’t see the other door from my angle so I didn’t see it leave, but we were pretty careful before going in.
Mine is not the cleanest garage, but it not this bad…

Notice the bottom of the door. When it knock the cans over, the door was effectively blocked from opening I’m not sure how long it was in there, but we cleaned up 8-10 piles of scat

Most of it was just mess fortunately, but that doesn’t mean he didn’t cause any damage. This is the bench seat from my 59 ford. It wasn’t perfect, but it was useable.

I have no idea what he got out of doing this, but he tore the weather stripping off one of the soft doors

And here is his parting gift- some wall art. I’m guessing he was looking for a way out at this point.

 

[archie73]

So still nothing mechanical happening around here. Outside of a host of rattle and squeaks, it’s running pretty well. Fingers crossed.

Wife’s been driving it more then me, so when she called at work and asked “what the most important thing in my life was?” I said the cruiser, figuring something bad had happened. After getting over me not saying her or the kid, she dropped that the cruiser had popped out of gear when she parked at the house. See, we live on a hillside and the house is at the top of the driveway. The driveway has a nearly 90 deg turn, which is where the garage sits. So my immediate assumption was that it had rolled down to the 75’ and imbedded itself in the garage. She countered “no it’s just on the hillside. At kind of a funny angle..” she sent me a picture. That’s a releaf.

I tell her to put it in low first and it’ll walk itself off the hillside. She’s to nervous to do that, she’s afraid it’ll cause damage.

When I got home it fired right up and walked off the hillside. Honestly, I’ve had it in much worse situations. She’s back to driving it while I’m at work…

No tech, but I felt like posting something and I’ve been to tied up to do anything for a bit. I have a lead in some swampers for the beadlocks I bought last month, but they’re a drive and I don’t have the time…

 

[archie73]

So I finally had some time to play with the beadlocks. First I had to get the old tires off the rim. One rim had some broken bolts and the tire was mounted traditionally. I let the pros unmount it since I don’t have any tire tools. $10 well spent.
This left me with three Beadlock style mounted tire. Not quite as easy as the yt videos show, but I got it with the death jack.

With a little help from the wife I got the backside bead off the rim. I’m hoping the next two tires get easier.

So now I have two rims ready to mount- except one has 6 broken bolts. I set up the drill press and drilled each out. Feeling good about my progress, I decided to try an easy out. Many of you already know what happened. I don’t know why I tried, I have never much luck. I was gentle. $&@?$&. I hate those things.
The other five drilled out perfectly. They took the tap (in the steel insert) easily. So I have 23 out of 24 bolts holding the ring on, until I find a way to get the not-so-easy-out removed. The remaining 23 holes had their threads chased.

A deal on some 37 IROKs came up that I couldn’t resist.
They’re far from new but for $250 for the set I figured I could test out the size. I have read that the more competitive crawlers actually prefer the tire to be “broken in.” These will be strictly for wheeling trips, I still have the 35” Yokohamas for street and light wheeling

So if we all remember grade school geometry, the new 37’s are 1” larger radius the old 35’s. Drooling….

CLASS!!! PAY ATTENTION!!! EYES FRONT!!!
So if the old tires “sometimes” made contact, then what will the new tires do ? That’s right Jimmy- rub more. So what do we do about that? That’s right-more lift! But what kind of lift ? Links and coilovers are out of reach right now- both time and money wise. SOA is possible, but unlikely if I’m thinking of linking someday anyway. New taller SUA springs seem even less prudent. Bodylift? Possible and the most likely .

Next wheel spacers!!!
(Not trying to annoy the purists, but I passed oem and loooonnnggg time ago)