Scope creep! What just happened? Tell me your story, dont act like it didn't happen...

[tattoo80]

In a recent unfolding of events with the 80 series LC, i was thinking, this is something every or at least most LC owners must experience.
I would love to hear the war stories about scope creep for your projects. Whether it was a must have or want to have scenario.
Where did it start and how much did it snowball into?

Without posting a small book here, I'll admit the inspiration for this question came from a simple bypass hose that was in need of immediate replacement.
Well, lets back up to being on the side of the road because a raditor hose blew a hole and left me stranded. Looking at the radiator, i could probably use a new one and lets change these main hoses, thermostat, mismatched clamps, and belts. Ok, with the belt updated, i broke the bolt for the AC tensioner, so just add that to the order with Toyota.

With that shiny new radiator, i need a electric fan for sure! Now the coolant system is running great, until shortly thereafter, the bypass coolant hose off the head/block blew a hole and needs to be changed immediately!
In the process of removing the intake manifold, i broke the connector on the rear knock sensor, so I went cheap ther and got two new knock sensors with corresponding wire harness.
While i am here, might as well change the hoses to and from transmission for oil to travel safely to the oil radiator.
You know, while starting to put it all back together, the injectors are right here , so I'll just get a kit to replace all the o rings, especially since i changed the fuel filter on the bottom side of the manifold. Now we have a new fuel filter, injector re-vamp, so i might as well look in the tank, right?

Hmm, since i am tearing out the carpet cause everyone loves the sound and heat sticky stuff for the interior, and this carpet is toast, lets look at the fuel sending unit because my gauge always has marked EMPTY.
Yikes! after seeing the condition of the hangar , sending unit and inside of the tank, i am researching ways to clean the tank. Naw, just going to buy an aftermarket tank if this one is easy to drop. Dropped the tank this morning thinking what the heck, i just busted a radiator hose and here i am replacing the fuel tank!

So I went from a busted hose to a new radiator and along the road to a new tank.
I hope to get this all back together in the next week or so. This has recenly become by DD, so not much getting out lately.

Now, whats your scope creep story?

 

[manofthewoods]

In a recent unfolding of events with the 80 series LC, i was thinking, this is something every or at least most LC owners must experience.
I would love to hear the war stories about scope creep for your projects. Whether it was a must have or want to have scenario.
Where did it start and how much did it snowball into?

Without posting a small book here, I'll admit the inspiration for this question came from a simple bypass hose that was in need of immediate replacement.
Well, lets back up to being on the side of the road because a raditor hose blew a hole and left me stranded. Looking at the radiator, i could probably use a new one and lets change these main hoses, thermostat, mismatched clamps, and belts. Ok, with the belt updated, i broke the bolt for the AC tensioner, so just add that to the order with Toyota.

With that shiny new radiator, i need a electric fan for sure! Now the coolant system is running great, until shortly thereafter, the bypass coolant hose off the head/block blew a hole and needs to be changed immediately!
In the process of removing the intake manifold, i broke the connector on the rear knock sensor, so I went cheap ther and got two new knock sensors with corresponding wire harness.
While i am here, might as well change the hoses to and from transmission for oil to travel safely to the oil radiator.
You know, while starting to put it all back together, the injectors are right here , so I'll just get a kit to replace all the o rings, especially since i changed the fuel filter on the bottom side of the manifold. Now we have a new fuel filter, injector re-vamp, so i might as well look in the tank, right?

Hmm, since i am tearing out the carpet cause everyone loves the sound and heat sticky stuff for the interior, and this carpet is toast, lets look at the fuel sending unit because my gauge always has marked EMPTY.
Yikes! after seeing the condition of the hangar , sending unit and inside of the tank, i am researching ways to clean the tank. Naw, just going to buy an aftermarket tank if this one is easy to drop. Dropped the tank this morning thinking what the heck, i just busted a radiator hose and here i am replacing the fuel tank!

So I went from a busted hose to a new radiator and along the road to a new tank.
I hope to get this all back together in the next week or so. This has recenly become by DD, so not much getting out lately.

Now, whats your scope creep story?

You DON'T want to know. No point in making a grown man cry

I work(ed) in project management; if you want to sound impressive, try this in front of colleagues (saying it real fast IS required).
Scope Creep
Feature Creep
Creeping Elegance
Tweek of the week

 

[Delta VS]

NST as "scope creep", only "wellll, while I'm in therrrrre..."

 

[tattoo80]

those are not very exciting stories, gents. thanks for the replies though.
I guess i am the only one that does this!

You DON'T want to know. No point in making a grown man cry

consider it therapy. just tell a smart part of one of the stories. I'm sure there are several.

i am reading a post about the nice guy who paid 30K for an LC with all kinds of issue. I overpaid also, and have done enough to be upside down on this build already. but alas, i shall continue will less regard of $$ and for the love of the 80!

 

[NeverFinis]

i am reading a post about the nice guy who paid 30K for an LC with all kinds of issue. I overpaid also, and have done enough to be upside down on this build already. but alas, i shall continue will less regard of $$ and for the love of the 80!

And then just you disliked my post on that very thread where I posted the VIN.

I post the VIN to inform any future buyer of potential issues to look out for. You know, like the issues you are facing now.

Welcome to ih8mud.

 

[mudgudgeon]

In a recent unfolding of events with the 80 series LC, i was thinking, this is something every or at least most LC owners must experience.
I would love to hear the war stories about scope creep for your projects. Whether it was a must have or want to have scenario.
Where did it start and how much did it snowball into?

Without posting a small book here, I'll admit the inspiration for this question came from a simple bypass hose that was in need of immediate replacement.
Well, lets back up to being on the side of the road because a raditor hose blew a hole and left me stranded. Looking at the radiator, i could probably use a new one and lets change these main hoses, thermostat, mismatched clamps, and belts. Ok, with the belt updated, i broke the bolt for the AC tensioner, so just add that to the order with Toyota.

With that shiny new radiator, i need a electric fan for sure! Now the coolant system is running great, until shortly thereafter, the bypass coolant hose off the head/block blew a hole and needs to be changed immediately!
In the process of removing the intake manifold, i broke the connector on the rear knock sensor, so I went cheap ther and got two new knock sensors with corresponding wire harness.
While i am here, might as well change the hoses to and from transmission for oil to travel safely to the oil radiator.
You know, while starting to put it all back together, the injectors are right here , so I'll just get a kit to replace all the o rings, especially since i changed the fuel filter on the bottom side of the manifold. Now we have a new fuel filter, injector re-vamp, so i might as well look in the tank, right?

Hmm, since i am tearing out the carpet cause everyone loves the sound and heat sticky stuff for the interior, and this carpet is toast, lets look at the fuel sending unit because my gauge always has marked EMPTY.
Yikes! after seeing the condition of the hangar , sending unit and inside of the tank, i am researching ways to clean the tank. Naw, just going to buy an aftermarket tank if this one is easy to drop. Dropped the tank this morning thinking what the heck, i just busted a radiator hose and here i am replacing the fuel tank!

So I went from a busted hose to a new radiator and along the road to a new tank.
I hope to get this all back together in the next week or so. This has recenly become by DD, so not much getting out lately.

Now, whats your scope creep story?

So, you did a little maintenance?

 

[tattoo80]

And then just you disliked my post on that very thread where I posted the VIN.

I post the VIN to inform any future buyer of potential issues to look out for. You know, like the issues you are facing now.

Welcome to ih8mud.

yes i did. i understand why you posted the vin. can we not have a difference of opinion?
like for example, posting disingenuous welcome messages. I wouldn't do that either.

 

[tattoo80]

So, you did a little maintenance?

i guess since you ask, i just updated the radiator hose.

 

[Cruisers and Co]

Oh man, has @shellb have a story to tell

 

[PIP]

The last 25 years have just been a series of consecutive side quests for me.

 

[Marvelicious]

I guess my perspective might be a little different than some because I spent the 90s hanging around with guys who ran body shops and occasionally did restoration work. Many of the rigs they were restoring were newer than the newest 80 is now. These bad boys are 30ish years old, they're going to need some work.

I think a lot of people buy these with fantasies about "legendary Toyota reliability" meaning they can just drive it. Then they have an issue or two and find their way to Mud. Suddenly, they get tagged by some of the absolute purists insisting that if they don't buy everything (up to and including their oil) direct from a dealership, their legendary, reliable Toyota will be rendered little more than scrap metal in short order. (No, I'm not disputing that Toyota parts are good) The next thing, they're pricing out the cost of "baselining" a 30 year old car with a quarter million plus miles and wondering wistfully about that first gen Mazda Miata or CRX they always wanted, thinking maybe that project will be cheaper.

My general advice: drive 'em warts and all for a bit before you decide to dive into the deep end. See if it's true love, or just a passing fling before you sell a kidney for the part budget.

 

[Devils Paw 80]

yes i did. i understand why you posted the vin. can we not have a difference of opinion?
like for example, posting disingenuous welcome messages. I wouldn't do that either.

If somehow you're sure it's disingenuous, might as well dislike that post too.

Scope creep: It hasn't happened.

Well, OK it did. I bought a new regulator and motor for my driver's door window a couple years ago because mine was working poorly. Procrastinated on replacing for a year. Once I got into it, decided to fix the two rear door windows since neither of them worked well either. Also one of them needed a new door lock actuator. Oh, also replaced all door speakers while the doors were apart. Operation fix driver's window became Operation work on ALL doors.

 

[reklund5]

Well... Here are 'before' and 'current' photos. That should about tell the story of my scope creep. What started as "just fix what is wrong" sorta snowballed. Check my "black hole" thread for the whole story.

 

[ikarus]

oh yeah. Slow windows -> pulled the doors apart -> let's replace all the motors, regulators and runs -> might as well get new speakers -> and new door card panels -> don't forget sound deadening -> my old exterior door trim is falling apart, let's replace that -> while those are off I should fix the failing clearcoat and mismatched body panels -> might as well do it right and do a glass out paint job -> since I'm pulling the glass this will be a great time to redo the headliner and interior -> I could use a new sunroof while the headliner is down -> don't forget I've been meaning to do a manual transmission swap so this is a perfect time to do that while the interior is out -> great time to fix my cracked dash -> while the dash is out I need to clean out 25 years of Japanese smoke and grime so I'll restore the HVAC boxes and install a new evap core

and here I am. I have self control though. I'm not pulling the engine. or maybe i should

 

[reklund5]

and here I am. I have self control though. I'm not pulling the engine. or maybe i should

Why stop now? Do it!

 

[ikarus]

Why stop now? Do it!

Mainly I ran out of money! I want to get the IP rebuilt, new injectors, bigger turbo, reseal things and clean it up.. if I get $10K in a christmas bonus or something I totally will. haha. I'm just a few bolts and a harbor freight engine hoist away from yoinking this thing

 

[StinkyPig]

Scope creep definition in my world:
Identifying and repairing the aftermath of hiring an "expert" to fix, repair or maintain one of my vehicles because I did not have time to do it. Then determining I did have time to do it because I was so PO'd I spent good money to pay someone else to F it up. If you want it done right...
Ok, now my blood pressure is up...whiskey please!

 

[reklund5]

Mainly I ran out of money! I want to get the IP rebuilt, new injectors, bigger turbo, reseal things and clean it up.. if I get $10K in a christmas bonus or something I totally will. haha. I'm just a few bolts and a harbor freight engine hoist away from yoinking this thing

View attachment 4017477

spend the money on the china freight gantry crane. It's the best way to pull a cruiser drivetrain.... Do it!

 

[PIP]

spend the money on the china freight gantry crane. It's the best way to pull a cruiser drivetrain.... Do it!

I'd put forklift above rolling gantry myself.

 

[reklund5]

I'd put forklift above rolling gantry myself.

I would too, however the gantry lends itself to more confined garages/shops a little better sometimes. I have forks for my tractor and still prefer the gantry for my limited space...

Either is a better option that the old cherry picker tho!