Rusty Wagon Rebuild

[TRAIL TAILOR]

So sad to read this Kev. I guess the best we can do to help is ORDER MORE WAGGON GEAR! Come on fellow mudders help kevin by buying his awesome products! Give tubby a scratch and don't worry the temps will drop soon.

Placed my order Friday... WHO'S NEXT???

J

 

[mtnbike28]

Sad to hear it...

Kevin,

That sucks, I am sure made worse knowing you have a nicely built 2f sitting in PA, but I doubt you would go without the power of the turbo now ; )

I hate you missed your AK trip but glad you and your folks got to go out!

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Damn Kevin, that's crappy. Well, I guess this is a good opportunity to give your motor a fresh start on life

Good luck man!

 

[IndianDoc]

OMG

Knowing Kevin ,even broke, this build will be worth watching and I am sure the performace will get enhanced as he goes. Time will tell. Sure am sorry that it had to happen now, when all the rest is looking so good. And I already have some wagon gear on order, unless he adds the windows I'm pretty loaded with wagon gear now. And I love every dang piece of it still can't get over how well packaged it is when it arrives.

 

[kevinmrowland]

So sad to read this Kev. I guess the best we can do to help is ORDER MORE WAGGON GEAR! Come on fellow mudders help kevin by buying his awesome products! Give tubby a scratch and don't worry the temps will drop soon.

Fingers crossed on the temps, I'll need to get a "real" job if I'm going to be able to pay for anything though. ;p (interviewed for one on Tuesday)
All the stuff I make costs WAY too much as it is, but once I pay for my expenses there's still nothing left to pay me. This rebuild thread so far has used all the "profit" from 4 years of being in business..... and that only covered half of it.
I've got those flip windows pretty much ready to go, but the parts list is astonishing/depressing. I've decided that from now on I am going to post the cost break-down for my products so you guys can see what the funds go to.

Sorry to hear that Kevin, engine failures suck.

On the up side, think of all the additional things you can powder coat now!

No, no powder costing, no zinc plating either, just need to get it back to where it was before.

Placed my order Friday... WHO'S NEXT???

J

Thanks Jason!
I've got your lid all ready to go, but this comment combined with IndianDocs comment here:

.....still can't get over how well packaged it is when it arrives.

Makes the next anecdote even funnier:

I just got back in (3:15pm) from my "morning" errand run. I am out of cardboard to wrap your lid up, had to run to the cardboard supplier, my damn mini truck broke down on the way there and left me stranded. Had to hike back and forth to the auto parts store and finally jury-rigged up enough of a contraption to limp home, still without cardboard.

Now I've got to get the mini truck in the garage and take that apart as well.

This whole year has been like this.

Kevin,
That sucks, I am sure made worse knowing you have a nicely built 2f sitting in PA, but I doubt you would go without the power of the turbo now ; )
I hate you missed your AK trip but glad you and your folks got to go out!

I'm saving that 2F for Amy's eventual 40 (someday...) The work involved with putting a 2F back in this truck would be astronomical anyway, can only move forward.

Damn Kevin, that's crappy. Well, I guess this is a good opportunity to give your motor a fresh start on life
Good luck man!

Thanks Johnny!

Knowing Kevin ,even broke, this build will be worth watching and I am sure the performance will get enhanced as he goes. Time will tell. Sure am sorry that it had to happen now, when all the rest is looking so good. And I already have some wagon gear on order, unless he adds the windows I'm pretty loaded with wagon gear now. And I love every dang piece of it still can't get over how well packaged it is when it arrives.

Not really, just need to get it back together in good working order, nothing to see here. The motor rebuild thread will be just that, a mechanical rebuild on just the parts that need it.
After taking the motor out I did put the final prototype test flip up window in my drivers side quarter, they are pretty much ready to go, seat box still has some details to sort, but now that I'm not on my way to AK I'll have more time to work on your parts.


KR

 

[tat2matt]

I for one think your idea of posting the costs of your products is very valid. People who don't recognize the genius and quality of your work need to see where the money goes. I feel blessed to have been able to buy your art and proudly display it on/in my truck and feel that the money I spent was minimum compared to the joy I have received from it. I'm ready for seat boxes and hope you don't sell yourself short on price. Remember business is three things. Price,quality and service if you want to succeed pick two. You have quality beyond measure and service to the nines so effin charge for it!

 

[wardharris]

What He Said

I feel blessed to have been able to buy your art and proudly display it on/in my truck and feel that the money I spent was minimum compared to the joy I have received from it.

x10

Truck art rocks. I'd take WagonGear over Dali or Picasso any day.

Take the job if you need to, but if you can keep WG going, don't hesitate to sell your stuff for what it is worth.

You make a difference every day Kevin.

PS: Neat thing about the new cabin is that there is an old barn with a drive-through for a boat trailer. I can park the truck under cover and see it from the kitchen, dining room and deck. My own private gallery.

 

[gregnash]

Agree with the others Kevin.... You gotta make money to survive, whether that money comes from the art that is WG and your hands or something else for the time being, that is left to be said. Believe me this economy sucks, went from a graduating with two degrees, interviewing and getting a good, high paying job to being "laid-off" after 3yrs of hard work because someone else thought my job was redundant. Then the wife got incredibly ill and spent two weeks in the hospital and over a year later still has some residual items. I had to take a 25% pay cut just to have a job that brought in money while she recovered and had insurance (thankfully they had no pre-existing clause and I was starting another position with the state).

I am slowly making my way back up that "money" ladder but feel blessed that we are both healthier than we have ever been and I have the ability to a) pay for internet to view your beautiful truck and WG products, and b) hopefully will have an FJ60 of my own (after selling my car and riding my bike to work 5days a week for the last 9 months) with enough cash left over to purchase my own first WG product and proudly display your placard!

What I am getting at is; treat life like it is Machiavellian, the ends justify the means, do what needs to be done now so that your end result can be achieved. But on the way do not forget to enjoy the journey. That is why we build these trucks right?! For the journey AND the end result.

 

[kevinmrowland]

Thanks guys. I'm just being a drama queen at the moment, back to work.

And not to worry, I don't plan to stop making WagonGear stuff, I do it 'cause I enjoy it. I do need to get a real job again, but I knew that would be the case, it's only been for the last year that I have been doing cruiser stuff full-time, and that's only because we made a choice to leave everything behind and start over in OR. Up till then I was working 3 other jobs in addition to WagonGear, which is so far from being able to support a family that it is really just a hobby.

I just get bummed about the cost of making things in America the way I demand that they be made. I care about cruisers and want to offer the best value I can to cruiser folks, bums me out when it's out of the practical price range.

Take tat2matt for instance, he is out of the house at 4 every morning, off to his own business, what, second or third one that he's started? He works hard and makes great stuff (awesome coffee for anyone who cares, and that's from a non-coffee drinker) Not to mention having worked through some serious health issues as well. He works hard for everything he has and I want to make sure folks like Matt get the most out of their cruiser purchases, makes me sick to have to charge so much.

Or wardharris, he's worked hard all his life, working with start-ups and smaller companies financial management, he's putting together his dream truck now as a gift-well-earned. He's investing a lot of time and money in it and I want to make sure I get him the best value I can.

Or you greg, you've had some real curve balls to deal with as well. Even as frustrating as this year as been I am very thankful that my wife, dog and I are still all healthy and not in the hospital (although I do have to admit that with the way my luck has been I have NOT been riding my motorcycle ANYWHERE. Anyone want to buy a cool motorcycle? that would help fund my motor....) It's pains me to hear that after all that you have to save up to be able to afford the crazy expensive stuff that I make. Just wish I could offer better deals, it's tough since the cruiser crowd is my market, and the cruiser crown are all my friends.
That's why I like what I do though.


Rather than working on the cruiser on monday night I did this instead:

So I could get my errands done and get Jason's tailgate lid out to him.
It's on it's way Jason!


You guys back in the north-east will get a kick out of this:

Had to take the sending unit out, that is the top of a 1979 gas tank, screws all just threaded right out, so nice to not be in the salt.


Got the mini truck back in working order and then spent the last two nights working on the HZ engine:

I'll go post some more info in the motor thread:

https://forum.ih8mud.com/diesel-tech-24-volts-systems/605157-advice-condition-turbo-thanks-4.html



KR

 

[TRAIL TAILOR]

Thanks guys. I'm just being a drama queen at the moment, back to work.

And not to worry, I don't plan to stop making WagonGear stuff, I do it 'cause I enjoy it. I do need to get a real job again, but I knew that would be the case, it's only been for the last year that I have been doing cruiser stuff full-time, and that's only because we made a choice to leave everything behind and start over in OR. Up till then I was working 3 other jobs in addition to WagonGear, which is so far from being able to support a family that it is really just a hobby.

I just get bummed about the cost of making things in America the way I demand that they be made. I care about cruisers and want to offer the best value I can to cruiser folks, bums me out when it's out of the practical price range.

Take tat2matt for instance, he is out of the house at 4 every morning, off to his own business, what, second or third one that he's started? He works hard and makes great stuff (awesome coffee for anyone who cares, and that's from a non-coffee drinker) Not to mention having worked through some serious health issues as well. He works hard for everything he has and I want to make sure folks like Matt get the most out of their cruiser purchases, makes me sick to have to charge so much.

Or wardharris, he's worked hard all his life, working with start-ups and smaller companies financial management, he's putting together his dream truck now as a gift-well-earned. He's investing a lot of time and money in it and I want to make sure I get him the best value I can.

Or you greg, you've had some real curve balls to deal with as well. Even as frustrating as this year as been I am very thankful that my wife, dog and I are still all healthy and not in the hospital (although I do have to admit that with the way my luck has been I have NOT been riding my motorcycle ANYWHERE. Anyone want to buy a cool motorcycle? that would help fund my motor....) It's pains me to hear that after all that you have to save up to be able to afford the crazy expensive stuff that I make. Just wish I could offer better deals, it's tough since the cruiser crowd is my market, and the cruiser crown are all my friends.
That's why I like what I do though.


Rather than working on the cruiser on monday night I did this instead:



So I could get my errands done and get Jason's tailgate lid out to him.
It's on it's way Jason!


You guys back in the north-east will get a kick out of this:



Had to take the sending unit out, that is the top of a 1979 gas tank, screws all just threaded right out, so nice to not be in the salt.


Got the mini truck back in working order and then spent the last two nights working on the HZ engine:





I'll go post some more info in the motor thread:

https://forum.ih8mud.com/diesel-tech-24-volts-systems/605157-advice-condition-turbo-thanks-4.html



KR

I appreciate your efforts K, looks like lid will be here on Friday. Hope I can get it and install it before the wife gets home. She's been out of town all week so, I'll keep the shop locked this weekend and focus on family.

I'll let you know and post up pics on my build thread as I go..

Keep everything as is K, things will turnaround for the better. Your products are great and feel free to give anyone my contact info for a reference and PR support.. (Johhny too, along with others I'm sure)

J

 

[ndoak]

And we had a really nice camping trip.

KR

kevin what kind of camera are you using here. these shots are so great!

 

[yooper]

Wow. I broke about half the screws when I took out my 1990 FJ62 sender.

 

[gregnash]

Thanks guys. I'm just being a drama queen at the moment, back to work.

And not to worry, I don't plan to stop making WagonGear stuff, I do it 'cause I enjoy it. I do need to get a real job again, but I knew that would be the case, it's only been for the last year that I have been doing cruiser stuff full-time, and that's only because we made a choice to leave everything behind and start over in OR. Up till then I was working 3 other jobs in addition to WagonGear, which is so far from being able to support a family that it is really just a hobby.

I just get bummed about the cost of making things in America the way I demand that they be made. I care about cruisers and want to offer the best value I can to cruiser folks, bums me out when it's out of the practical price range.

Take tat2matt for instance, he is out of the house at 4 every morning, off to his own business, what, second or third one that he's started? He works hard and makes great stuff (awesome coffee for anyone who cares, and that's from a non-coffee drinker) Not to mention having worked through some serious health issues as well. He works hard for everything he has and I want to make sure folks like Matt get the most out of their cruiser purchases, makes me sick to have to charge so much.

Or wardharris, he's worked hard all his life, working with start-ups and smaller companies financial management, he's putting together his dream truck now as a gift-well-earned. He's investing a lot of time and money in it and I want to make sure I get him the best value I can.

Or you greg, you've had some real curve balls to deal with as well. Even as frustrating as this year as been I am very thankful that my wife, dog and I are still all healthy and not in the hospital (although I do have to admit that with the way my luck has been I have NOT been riding my motorcycle ANYWHERE. Anyone want to buy a cool motorcycle? that would help fund my motor....) It's pains me to hear that after all that you have to save up to be able to afford the crazy expensive stuff that I make. Just wish I could offer better deals, it's tough since the cruiser crowd is my market, and the cruiser crown are all my friends.
That's why I like what I do though.


Rather than working on the cruiser on monday night I did this instead:

So I could get my errands done and get Jason's tailgate lid out to him.
It's on it's way Jason!


You guys back in the north-east will get a kick out of this:

Had to take the sending unit out, that is the top of a 1979 gas tank, screws all just threaded right out, so nice to not be in the salt.


Got the mini truck back in working order and then spent the last two nights working on the HZ engine:

I'll go post some more info in the motor thread:

https://forum.ih8mud.com/diesel-tech-24-volts-systems/605157-advice-condition-turbo-thanks-4.html



KR

Thanks man... has definitely been a trying year for us but we are determined to come out on top. The thing about saving for great products like WG is that I KNOW that is made with quality and thus the extra price tag is well worth the time to save. Hell my budget for a 60 went from $5k a year and a half ago to the current $2k so I am being picky about what ones I go after (in the mean time still having fun test driving those I can )!!

Like Rocky said, It's about how hard you can GET HIT and keep getting up. As long as you keep getting up, just get up. Never stop getting up!

The community will always support you and the great products from WG, sometimes the support from members may be a little smaller than others (just depends on what our wallets/ significant others can take) but we will always support great products.

 

[wardharris]

Good Work, Fun and Money - the eternal struggle

KR -
Most WagonHeads work hard for what have. This is a great community and I am proud/humble to be a small part of the tribe. I wouldn't be here without a lot of other good people and their help.

Or wardharris, he's worked hard all his life... KR

Who sold you that line of BS? I just get points because I am older/grayer.

 

[Leitrum3]

Sorry for the lack of updates, I've been kinda bummed with a broken truck in the driveway and temps pushing 100* here.

So, motor = no good.
Last year we decided that since August here in OR is way too hot for our liking that we would save our pennies, take the month off and drive to Alaska.
Instead my wife flew up there last week and I'm stuck here in the heat.

...

I'll cross-post this in the diesel section thread here:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/diesel-tech-24-volts-systems/605157-advice-condition-turbo-thanks.html

And that will be a motor-rebuild thread now.
KR

Even though I sold my BJ60 a few months ago and have an 80 now, I've been following this thread for a long time. The direction this has all taken does not make me happy at all (especially considering I'm a new 1HZ owner)! When I first got my 80 project with the 1HZ practically dropped in and abandoned, I was trying to find some parts and called Beno. He proceeded to tell me the story of a guy back East trying to rebuild one of these and was having a hell of a time tracking everything he needed down stateside. Perhaps he just didn't know the MUD community or who to ask. Anyway, I wish you the best on the rebuild and I'll keep reading here and in the diesel section.

Also, I was just in Eugene last week and I wish I'd seen that you were still around, I wanted to check out the tailgate lids first hand since I'll probably be in the market for one soon! I'm sure you have your hands full for a while, but we're traveling for the next month or two and may come back through. I'll send you a PM then if I get the chance. Good luck!

 

[simpleweed]

Great pics....looks like alot of fun!!!

 

[GLTHFJ60]

That gas tank pickup makes me angry. I remember when your pickup rotted through and mine rotted through on my drive down from NY to NC. IH8SALT!!

Good thing we both moved out of that crap

 

[kevinmrowland]

Thanks all, like I said, drama queen time, temps are falling and I'm getting work done now.

I appreciate your efforts K, looks like lid will be here on Friday. Hope I can get it and install it before the wife gets home. She's been out of town all week so, I'll keep the shop locked this weekend and focus on family.
I'll let you know and post up pics on my build thread as I go..
Keep everything as is K, things will turnaround for the better. Your products are great and feel free to give anyone my contact info for a reference and PR support.. (Johhny too, along with others I'm sure)
J

I hope so too J. No rush though, your tailgate wont change over the weekend, you are a good man to walk away from the shop for the weekend.
If I did that my head would still be there so it wouldn't do any good.

And thanks for the reference, that's how most of this stuff moves anyway, hell, Johnny is practically my official PR guy.
The demand is there, it's just a matter of folks being able to save enough and then making sure the price covers the cost in the end.

kevin what kind of camera are you using here. these shots are so great!

Trusty old Cannon XTI, I was playing with night shots on a tripod. I don't have a remote switch though so the longest exposure I can do is 30 seconds.
Still fun, but no star trails with such a short exposure.

Wow. I broke about half the screws when I took out my 1990 FJ62 sender.

I know! I've done that many times, I have a box with stainless replacements I always put in instead, at least with the diesel you can heat the bolts a bit to break them free, the rusty gas tanks are almost a lost cause.

Even though I sold my BJ60 a few months ago and have an 80 now, I've been following this thread for a long time. The direction this has all taken does not make me happy at all (especially considering I'm a new 1HZ owner)! When I first got my 80 project with the 1HZ practically dropped in and abandoned, I was trying to find some parts and called Beno. He proceeded to tell me the story of a guy back East trying to rebuild one of these and was having a hell of a time tracking everything he needed down stateside. Perhaps he just didn't know the MUD community or who to ask. Anyway, I wish you the best on the rebuild and I'll keep reading here and in the diesel section.

Also, I was just in Eugene last week and I wish I'd seen that you were still around, I wanted to check out the tailgate lids first hand since I'll probably be in the market for one soon! I'm sure you have your hands full for a while, but we're traveling for the next month or two and may come back through. I'll send you a PM then if I get the chance. Good luck!

If you come back through let me know, we are right off 5. You can take a look at the inside of the HZ.

Great pics....looks like alot of fun!!!

That's the spirit!

That gas tank pickup makes me angry. I remember when your pickup rotted through and mine rotted through on my drive down from NY to NC. IH8SALT!!

Good thing we both moved out of that crap

Even though its nice, it still makes me angry as well. I'll tear into something and start swearing, "these f-ing bolts thread right out! I didn't even break any! These durn spoiled brats out here have no idea what it's like to work on an rusty old truck.... grumble grumble grumble...."
I think I would be a very different person, or at least a different type of builder. if I hadn't had to deal with rusty parts up till his point in my life.

It really makes me not want to go back.
ih8salt for sure.

....Who sold you that line of BS? I just get points because I am older/grayer.

Ok, we all just tolerate Ward since he is old.

Thanks man... has definitely been a trying year for us but we are determined to come out on top. The thing about saving for great products like WG is that I KNOW that is made with quality and thus the extra price tag is well worth the time to save. Hell my budget for a 60 went from $5k a year and a half ago to the current $2k so I am being picky about what ones I go after (in the mean time still having fun test driving those I can )!!

Like Rocky said, It's about how hard you can GET HIT and keep getting up. As long as you keep getting up, just get up. Never stop getting up!

The community will always support you and the great products from WG, sometimes the support from members may be a little smaller than others (just depends on what our wallets/ significant others can take) but we will always support great products.

It's the only reason I keep doing this stuff (other than the ADD) because the "community" just continues to impress me.
Good luck greg, lets hope we can do some business soon for both our sakes!

KR

 

[gregnash]

Trusty old Cannon XTI, I was playing with night shots on a tripod. I don't have a remote switch though so the longest exposure I can do is 30 seconds.
Still fun, but no star trails with such a short exposure.

I have an old 20D that is FINALLY starting to have a few issues here and there (mainly batteries are draining quick, even the newer ones), so hoping I can grab a new EOS-M in the future with the EF/S Adapter! Seriously, check out www.sterlingtek.com they make aftermarket stuff for a lot of cameras and my dad and I have had great luck with their batteries and chargers. I think they sell remotes too for pretty cheap. Hell I got 4 new batteries for my 20D for $35 shipped to me, the Canon ones cost about that much each.

It's the only reason I keep doing this stuff (other than the ADD) because the "community" just continues to impress me.
Good luck greg, lets hope we can do some business soon for both our sakes!

KR

Thanks, I am stoked to get out and grab it and get her home. Definitely will be grabbing one of your tailgate lids in the future (probably one of the first mods). Got three large dogs that we take to the park and throw the ball for on the weekends and I have to say the little storage area in the wife's Highlander that we have the throwers and multiple balls in is a lifesaver! Don't know if you realized but your site used to have a hyperlink on the 60/62 Tailgate lid area but the hyperlink seems to be gone so you cannot see pictures of the lids unless you look at the 80/100 series ones (the link for the latches works though).

 

[TRAIL TAILOR]

K, my lid just showed up. Thanks for the care you took in packaging it. WOW, i think I'll be able to install it faster than i could unwrap it.. HA!

Here's a shot boys.. YOU ALL KNOW YOU WANT ONE... It's just money, so come on and get to ordering...

Thanks again Kevin. I'll post up the install on my build thread.

J