I am reminded of the Rumsfeld Matrix:
Reports that say that something hasn't happened are always interesting to me, because as we know, there are known knowns; there are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns; that is to say we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns—the ones we don't know we don't know. And if one looks throughout the history of our country and other free countries, it is the latter category that tends to be the difficult ones.
— Donald Rumsfeld
The original plan, a 1fz-swapped 45LV wasn’t far enough along to bring to SAS. It’s close though. Maybe it will be ready for SSS in October.
The diesel-swapped lx450 that was my backup plan to the LV developed a sudden hole in the pan last weekend on the I-70 off-ramp to Genesee. Likely one of the rods got melancholy and decided to depart this mortal coil. It’s back in Texas now, and a new 1hd-fte long block has been ordered.
But that means I’m down to the 1974 FJ55, on a trailer to/from Ouray/Denver. The pig is pretty new to me but I did spend some time on it to make it ready for Jarbidge, NV (PP24) several weeks ago, and it runs, steers and stops around town without issue. I do plan to go back over it (fluids, brake adjustment (still has drums), linkages, etc) Fri night and Saturday, then get up to Ouray Sunday — Friday.
I know the speedometer, horn and lighter don’t work. The front markers (in the aprons) don’t work, the second row windows don’t roll down. Maybe some of that is fixable tomorrow and Saturday. I have some parts for the above. Worst issue is that it wanted to push fuel back up the filler neck, but I think I have that fixed. The front axle does weep a bit on the DS, but, I’ll be honest: I didn’t want to tear into it when the axles are due to be replaced in about 30 days.
Maybe that breaks your rule. IDK.
There are also the known unknowns, and the unknown unknowns.
The truck suffered from a distinct lack of maintenance by the PO, so, for example, I installed a hood latch (which was MIA). I’d spotted this in the pics and had sourced one before it arrived. Same thing with the heater valve and some other parts. I replaced the rear u-joint when I found it was bad first time on the lift.
But: IDK about the actual condition of the 2F or 4-speed, transfer case or inside the axles.
I don’t plan to wheel it very hard, just very light trails. It’s also my first year at SAS, so I’m happy to hold down the right seat in someone else’s truck if that’s the right thing. I’ve not done many of these events and don’t really understand the etiquette yet.
I’m bringing tools, fluids and a few (limited) spares, as well as tow straps.
Oddly: the plan after SAS is to throw the locked/built/discs 60 axles under it with a 3” lift, (these are in GJ), and then a coil-packed 1fz-fe and 5-speed that I have in the shop, along with an 80 PS box, and a bunch of other parts (80 series MC and booster, clutch MC, 80 series PS box, Vintage AC, …) that have about 150 miles on them from a different project.
Maybe I’ll bring it back to SAS next year and run the trails with the more built rigs.
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