Builds Reconstruction after rollover - building The Champ 2. (7 Viewers)

[93yotasr5]

Looks great! You going to have her ready for the July trip?

 

[baldilocks]

Looks great! You going to have her ready for the July trip?

I would like to. I got kind of burned out during the two weeks of cruiser from sunup til sun down getting it far enough along to take my sister from Florida to spider lake when she visited May 20. Now bumpers and sliders need to come back off so I can apply Monstaliner. I would also like to have my 3.12 T-case gears installed before I take it out again. Rushing progress takes the fun out of it.

 

[GW Nugget]

Function B4 flash.
I would say get the Tgears in 1st.
Paint can wait.
I'm just saying.....

 

[baldilocks]

Function B4 flash.
I would say get the Tgears in 1st.
Paint can wait.
I'm just saying.....

In just two easy going rubicon runs inwhich I only saw half of the trail, I have 4 bruises and the paint comes off very easy that's why I want to monstaline it before much more use. For me the Bedliner is more for function than looks. As soon as Bedliner is done I will use tubing to armor the rear quarters. No dents back there yet and I would like to keep it that way if possible. After rolling over, I'm tempted to do an exo-cage on this rig but not sure I will like that look.

 

[93yotasr5]

I would like to. I got kind of burned out during the two weeks of cruiser from sunup til sun down getting it far enough along to take my sister from Florida to spider lake when she visited May 20. Now bumpers and sliders need to come back off so I can apply Monstaliner. I would also like to have my 3.12 T-case gears installed before I take it out again. Rushing progress takes the fun out of it.

Yeah I know what you mean. you're making some great headway though. Keep it up so its ready for July

 

[baldilocks]

After two trips to Rubicon,one of which was loaded for three nights and two people, I have concluded that the OME comp rear springs (I have the 422's) have no more actual load carrying capacity than the "heavy" 863. Same diameter material just taller. My cruiser dropped about two inches with the above described load which brings me to my next post.

 

[baldilocks]

I went back in with the Slee 4" dual rate springs. They rendered one inch more lift unloaded and from previous experience, will definitely carry a Landcruiser full of your favorite people and gear like a champ. Add 800 pounds and sit level while feeling more stable.

 

[baldilocks]

Also did some experimenting with the rear pinion angle with reference to the DC joint at the T-case. Text book rule dictate zero angle at the pinion but by doing that my springs sat incorrectly on their axle perch as noted previously. I found a happy medium without cutting the spring perches off, rotating and re-welding to the axle. The DC shaft is running smooth after dropping the pinion 4 degrees.
In addition to dropping the pinion I ground a good bit off the bottom the Slee spring pig tail in order to facilitate a more complete seat on the perch. These 80's have endless possibilities.

 

[baldilocks]

Over the last two weeks an all new AC system went in along with Depo headlights adapted with Inovative Wiring adapters and Slee harness. I must say the lights are much better and the the AC is dropping ice cubes on the floor boards. Headed out to gold lake with other Mudders this weekend!

 

[baldilocks]

So my wife and I went up to participate in the Gold Rush run at Gold Lake, CA last weekend. Was a very nice time in beautiful high country with an awesome group of cruiserheads.
All went well until Sunday afternoon on the 180 mile drive home. We had just gone over Donner Summit (7300ft) and were descending when I felt like the rig was on ice. I pulls over to inspect the underside and found nothing. Three miles late while doing about 65 my left rear tire passed me!
The median was fairly clear and sloped down a good bit, enough for me to envision another rollover. The tire went about 250 yards when trees finally stopped it.
Two very nice gentlemen, who's names I can't remember, stopped to help me get it up off the ground and install the spare while my crazy, adventurous wife went to find the missing tire.
Backing plate damaged, shock mount barely rubbed but the brake disc has exstensive damage. So, I ordered up a rear axle bearing and seal kit, 6 new OEM studs and all new brake parts (rotors were toast anyway). I started the tear down today.

 

[AMMO]

Had a similar experience when I lost my drivers front due to a catastrophic wheel bearing failure....

Not fun, but glad we both kept it shinny side up.

-A

 

[suadero]

Wow, that's a heck of a thing. You're lucky indeed!

 

[dogfishlake]

I almost lost BOTH rears because dumb ass me forgot to torque them after wheel bearing service. Felt the wallow and pulled over immediately. 3 missing lugs on right and two left. Lucked out didn't hurt anything else. I'm on vacation 1200 miles from home and I brought my torque wrench and have checked 3 times after hearing stories here plus my experience.

 

[baldilocks]

I almost lost BOTH rears because dumb ass me forgot to torque them after wheel bearing service. Felt the wallow and pulled over immediately. 3 missing lugs on right and two left. Lucked out didn't hurt anything else. I'm on vacation 1200 miles from home and I brought my torque wrench and have checked 3 times after hearing stories here plus my experience.

I felt the "wallow" and pulled over to look but was more focused on my suspension parts since I had just been wheeling. I feel stupid for knowing something was wrong and then missing the loose wheel.

 

[AMMO]

Very common to look over the most basic and obvious... Been there done that!

I always best to try to work the process of elimination and check everything no matter how simple or basic it may seem.

 

[baldilocks]

Since I last posted I tore down and rebuilt the rear hubs with all new parts and replaced all brake components.
I bought a Reverse Brake bleeder and didn't have much luck with it. Maybe it was me though because the standard bleeding method did not work until I first bled the MC. I am interested in the brake pedal feel that other members report after doing away with ABS but I am sort of on the fence about this mod.

 

[baldilocks]

Ran the rubicon Labor Day weekend and managed to back into a tree at night forcing my spare tire in to the rear hatch shattering the glass. So the ole 94 that still rests in my driveway will live on in the white rhino.
I'm debating the bling wing transfer. I know it looks sort of silly but this summer I realize just how effective it is at directing air over the window to blow dust off when your back on the road.

 

[suadero]

Ugh, vacuuming a billion shards of glass is no fun. But I am in favor of replacements in other colors, just ask my maroon PS mirror.

 

[baldilocks]

Ugh, vacuuming a billion shards of glass is no fun. But I am in favor of replacements in other colors, just ask my maroon PS mirror.

Monstaliner tinted in the factory 045 white is near the top of my to do list so the green hatch won't be green for too long.

 

[baldilocks]

Man it's been a while since I posted on my own thread! After I got the AC replaced the wife wanted to hit the mountains a few times so maintenance has been on hold.
Finally, I'm prepping for the Monstaliner in factory 045 white. This cruiser had all the factory fluff so I had to plug roof rack holes and remove corrosion. I use JB stick and forced it into the bolt holes and then formed a button that I decided to leave instead of grinding it flatter.
This 80 had two tiny antenna on the roof which I removed. What was left was two 3/4" holes in my roof. I used 1/16" stainless and steel pop rivets to seal those holes off. For sealant , I just used some DAP paintable bath sealer that I had in my cabinet.
Body work is not my forte nor do I care for it so I hope to get this done soon.