September POTM - FJ55TLC

[scrapdaddy]

Hey @J Mack , what did you use for the top steering arm? Sorry for clogging up your thread Craig.

 

[J Mack]

Hey @J Mack , what did you use for the top steering arm? Sorry for clogging up your thread Craig.

Target carrier

It turns out the Taco that the rear came off had been hit... I sent the link to him and he is wishing he had a lathe.

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[PabloCruise]

Yep, got some great pictures. Until I crashed it. I ran over 70 miles of the Kokopelli Trail and was going to camp at Dewey Bridge campground. I was pretty far off the beaten path and the sun was going down so I was glad to finally come upon a nice, freshly graded road. I was in fourth gear about 50 miles per hour and didn't see a 2 foot deep cut in the road until it was too late. The truck was at least a foot off the ground. I broke the left front knuckle and bent both front leaf springs. Tire camber on the left is way out and toe is very bad. I managed to limp it back into Colorado at Grand Junction, which was over 60 miles. Front tires are about gone. Tomorrow I will find a way to get it home.
Yes, Bob, I got it on video. There will be pictures.

Wow, this is crazy.
Glad to hear you are okay Craig.
I wonder how bad the damage, wondering if you bent the front housing?

 

[PabloCruise]

Got Craig to his rental car this morning. He apparently has a transport lined up later today to get the Pig home. Interesting night in a sketchy motel. I'll let him do the details. Front tires give a whole new definition to "smoothies."

Really cool you were able to help him out Jim!

 

[PabloCruise]

Hey @J Mack , what did you use for the top steering arm? Sorry for clogging up your thread Craig.

I was wondering the same thing!

 

[fj55tlc]

I wonder how bad the damage, wondering if you bent the front housing?

The housing is fine. When I built it many years ago I made trusses for it that go from steering ball end to steering ball end.

 

[fj55tlc]

It was a good day to ditch work and go for an adventure with my youngest.

Boreas Pass

Pennsylvania mill on Cinnamon Gulch

Peru Creek

Georgia Pass

 

[scrapdaddy]

Back on the road or off road!

 

[BloodyMGT]

It was a good day to ditch work and go for an adventure with my youngest.
View attachment 3378965
Boreas Pass
View attachment 3378970
Pennsylvania mill on Cinnamon Gulch
View attachment 3378976
Peru Creek
View attachment 3378977
Georgia Pass

Good Looking Rig!

 

[riderjgs]

Nice to see those front wheels parallel again!

 

[fj55tlc]

You can't keep a good pig down.

 

[PabloCruise]

You can't keep a good pig down.

What was the after-action report? Just replace the springs?
Any damage to the mounts?
Did you go Alcans?

 

[fj55tlc]

I had Old Man Emu springs that I removed a leaf from and installed. New trunion bearings and off we went. Of course, new tires too. Which I was thinking about anyways. No other damage. I am looking into it installing some active bump stops when I get a chance. Maybe next time it goes on an unplanned flight the damage will be less.

 

[fj55tlc]

 

[bobm]

I had Old Man Emu springs that I removed a leaf from and installed. New trunion bearings and off we went. Of course, new tires too. Which I was thinking about anyways. No other damage. I am looking into it installing some active bump stops when I get a chance. Maybe next time it goes on an unplanned flight the damage will be less.

I got my 80 Yota airborn 6 ft to bottom of tires, dual KYBs up front and a Downey axle truss a d still bent front axle . Bought used unit hub to hub $300.00 back on road again . Great job Craig, glad no one got hurt

 

[fj55tlc]

Thanks, Bob. After I got it back together I checked the alignment. Still spot on. Can't say that about these new trucks. Drive them around the parking lot and the alignment is out again.

 

[fj55tlc]

The local TLCA chapter, the Colorado Land Cruisers, had it's annual show today.

The only FJ55 of course, but also the oldest cruiser there. It won't best in the off road category.

 

[bobm]

WON

 

[fj55tlc]

Yes, and was tied for 1st in the peoples choice and most body damage categories. Ultimately I could only win in one category. Not bad since there were only four categories.

 

[fj55tlc]