To get legal I had to put new headlights on it (sourced from Cruiserparts.net), stick some extra reflectors on the front bumper, and new tires. Sadly I had only just discovered Mud while I was waiting for the truck to come over, and I hadn’t read yet that 285s will fit with no lift. I put 265 Toyo Open Country A/Ts on it, and that’s really my only regret because I have to wear them out before putting 285s on, and they’re lasting quite well. Anyway, the place that did the inspection said it was one of the cleanest imports that they had inspected, and gave it a clean bill of health.
It came stock with some fun stuff:
· Console fridge with ice maker
· CDL switch
· Diff locks
· Turbo timer
· Body mounted swing-out tire carrier
· Big lights up front
· Nice suede-look cloth seats
· Rancho 9000 shocks
· Compass & altimeter mounted on the ceiling
Since then I’ve gotten to know the truck pretty well. I’ve done a bunch of PM stuff:
· Changed the fateful BEBs. The #1 and #4 shells were quite bad.
· Changed diff fluids
· Changed t-case fluid
· Changed tranny fluid (at the same time as installing the trans cooler)
· Coolant Flush
· Rebuilt rear calipers & new pads (apparently dragging rear brakes can be good for a 1mpg + difference in milage. Oh my!)
· Replaced a couple u-joints in the rear shaft
I’ve gotten a few mods done, and have more waiting in the wings. So far I have
· Built sliders (I’m a ticketed welder, so building stuff is right up my alley)
· Modified a hitch from the ’91 pickup to fit this truck. Tucks nicely under the bumper too
· Wired 7 prong trailer plug, including charge line with solenoid for the trailer battery
· Wired brake controller
· Installed a heavy duty tranny cooler for towing the 18’ travel trailer we had bought
· Installed Alpine CD/MP3/Ipod deck
· Installed 4 new door speakers
· Installed 10” sub with amp
· Installed 3” turbo-back straight exhaust
Next up:
· I’ve started a new rear bumper. So far the rear bumper caps are off, and I’ve been taking measurements and making sketches. Actual work should start in the next week. I’m leaving the rear cross member in, so it will be a two piece unit. Probably make a swing-out for a bike rack. I have the stock body mounted tire carrier, so I don’t need one of those.
· Spring spacers are coming soon. I currently don’t have the $$$ for a 2.5” OME lift, so I think I’ll space the rear up about ¾, and the front 1 ½. This is mainly to offset the weight of some of the stuff I’m building for it.
· Front bumper maybe. Something one-off, but might look like a cross between an ARB and a Shortbus. Or maybe it will look like something else entirely, guess you’ll have to wait and see.
· Roof basket. This is on the longer list.
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Got the cooling issues sorted out now though, and no lasting ill effects from the excess heat
and kids
