Builds Stretched 1-Ton FJ40 (11 Viewers)

[DangerNoodle]

Can't be tight if it's a liquid

 

[Mike Shull]

I got my Land Cruiser back from the shop today and the air-conditioning is blowing ice cold air! I stopped for fuel and someone came over and asked me if I had a slip yolk eliminator kit installed. I told him that it wasn’t a jeep and that it didn’t need kits to eliminate weak components. Perhaps I was in a grumpy mood. Ha. We still talked for 30 minutes.

 

[Ditcherman]

I got my Land Cruiser back from the shop today and the air-conditioning is blowing ice cold air! I stopped for fuel and someone came over and asked me if I had a slip yolk eliminator kit installed. I told him that it wasn’t a jeep and that it didn’t need kits to eliminate weak components. Perhaps I was in a grumpy mood. Ha. We still talked for 30 minutes.

He probably just saw the sway bars and assumed….

 

[clrussell]

I got my Land Cruiser back from the shop today and the air-conditioning is blowing ice cold air! I stopped for fuel and someone came over and asked me if I had a slip yolk eliminator kit installed. I told him that it wasn’t a jeep and that it didn’t need kits to eliminate weak components. Perhaps I was in a grumpy mood. Ha. We still talked for 30 minutes.

If you get a chance post some ac line pictures.

 

[Mike Shull]

He probably just saw the sway bars and assumed….

Yes he did, and he wanted to know if I have upgraded those with disconnects.

If you get a chance post some ac line pictures.

You bet…though they are buried. I’ll snap a few pictures tomorrow.

 

[clrussell]

Yes he did, and he wanted to know if I have upgraded those with disconnects.

You bet…though they are buried. I’ll snap a few pictures tomorrow.

No rush. Thank you!

 

[Mike Shull]

No rush. Thank you!

Here are a few. They moved my fill port to behind the headlight as the area around my compressor is too tight to connect the machine.

 

[Mike Shull]

Success!!!! I will put some paint on there to sturdy it back up.

 

[Mike Shull]

Ready for assembly

 

[Mike Shull]

Shakedown #2 was a success! We went to Bill Moore Lake today, which is pretty close to Spring Creek so it gave us similar terrain as a few weeks ago with better scenery.

It was HOT today, which really put the Cruiser to the test. The PSC assist is amazing, and the cooler and remote reservoir kept the fluid from boiling over. The steering is a lot more precise and stable on the road, and it has more than enough power for me off road. We had a coil spring come out of the coupler so I will need to add a bit more preload. Other than that I am pretty much ready to hit the road to Creede.

The AC works VERY well! It sure does make the engine run warmer. We hit 227 climbing hills with the AC on high and the LS seemed to like that temperature. It didn’t overheat like my 383 did at that temperature.

 

[Broski]

Shakedown #2 was a success! We went to Bill Moore Lake today, which is pretty close to Spring Creek so it gave us similar terrain as a few weeks ago with better scenery.

It was HOT today, which really put the Cruiser to the test. The PSC assist is amazing, and the cooler and remote reservoir kept the fluid from boiling over. The steering is a lot more precise and stable on the road, and it has more than enough power for me off road. We had a coil spring come out of the coupler so I will need to add a bit more preload. Other than that I am pretty much ready to hit the road.

The AC works VERY well! It sure does make the engine run warmer. We hit 227 climbing hills with the AC on high and the LS seemed to like that temperature. It didn’t overheat like my 383 did at that temperature.

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Looks like it flex’s well

 

[Mike Shull]

Looks like it flex’s well

No doubt. I haven’t found a rock large enough to make the tires lift but it seems like the suspension is working like it should. It’s fun to drive. Those pictures are of my friend giving it a go.

 

[Ditcherman]

Looks awesome Mike!
Just noticed the antenna, what radio and antenna are you running? I have some baofengs to get by for now but worried about hearing them, would love a HAM/GMRS combo but don't think that exists.

 

[Mike Shull]

Looks awesome Mike!
Just noticed the antenna, what radio and antenna are you running? I have some baofengs to get by for now but worried about hearing them, would love a HAM/GMRS combo but don't think that exists.

Thanks! You can get a dual band radio. I have one but I haven’t installed it yet. I have a Rugged Radio RDM-DB. The antenna is from Alamosa Antenna and it is tuned for UHF, which is what I plan to use to communicate with GMRS/FRS radios. I don’t have a VHF antenna yet, and I won’t get one unless I start volunteering for search and rescue.

I’m new to amateur radio so check your facts. I had some help from Rugged Radio to pick the right unit for my use.

Rugged RDM-DB Dual Band Mobile Radio - Digital and Analog - UHF / VHF

The RDM-DB powerful digital mobile radio delivers digital technology for superior, clear communication using digital technology. The difference between signal quality in analog vs digital is huge. While both an analog & digital radio will transmit over the same distance, the digital radio will...

www.ruggedradios.com

 

[Mike Shull]

Thanks! You can get a dual band radio. I have one but I haven’t installed it yet. I have a Rugged Radio RDM-DB. The antenna is from Alamosa Antenna and it is tuned for UHF, which is what I plan to use to communicate with GMRS/FRS radios. I don’t have a VHF antenna yet, and I won’t get one unless I start volunteering for search and rescue.

I’m new to amateur radio so check your facts. I had some help from Rugged Radio to pick the right unit for my use.

Rugged RDM-DB Dual Band Mobile Radio - Digital and Analog - UHF / VHF

The RDM-DB powerful digital mobile radio delivers digital technology for superior, clear communication using digital technology. The difference between signal quality in analog vs digital is huge. While both an analog & digital radio will transmit over the same distance, the digital radio will...

www.ruggedradios.com

Some of the information above may be incorrect and I am speaking with a different representative at rugged radio as I type this. Standby and don’t purchase anything based on what’s written above.

 

[Mike Shull]

Rugged Radio has pretty amazing customer service. Although the RDM-DB does have frequency capabilities that span Ham, GMRS and FRS, they come pre-programmed with unique business channels used in the racing industry and they do not include any pre-programmed frequencies for ham, GMRS or FRS. I bet that @matzell will be able to provide better information in that area? I was told that the FCC does not allow radios to come pre-programmed to transmit on both ham and GMRS/FRS frequencies. Although the radio that I purchased is capable of transmitting on those frequencies, you cannot program those channels with the handheld itself and I would have to program it using a computer and software.

It looks like @Ditcherman was right. Thanks for sharing that above. Your comment made me double check my logic.

 

[matzell]

Shakedown #2 was a success! We went to Bill Moore Lake today, which is pretty close to Spring Creek so it gave us similar terrain as a few weeks ago with better scenery.

It was HOT today, which really put the Cruiser to the test. The PSC assist is amazing, and the cooler and remote reservoir kept the fluid from boiling over. The steering is a lot more precise and stable on the road, and it has more than enough power for me off road. We had a coil spring come out of the coupler so I will need to add a bit more preload. Other than that I am pretty much ready to hit the road to Creede.

The AC works VERY well! It sure does make the engine run warmer. We hit 227 climbing hills with the AC on high and the LS seemed to like that temperature. It didn’t overheat like my 383 did at that temperature.

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Great example of the sway bars at work, keeping you level.

 

[matzell]

Rugged Radio has pretty amazing customer service. Although the RDM-DB does have frequency capabilities that span Ham, GMRS and FRS, they come pre-programmed with unique business channels used in the racing industry and they do not include any pre-programmed frequencies for ham, GMRS or FRS. I bet that @matzell will be able to provide better information in that area? I was told that the FCC does not allow radios to come pre-programmed to transmit on both ham and GMRS/FRS frequencies. Although the radio that I purchased is capable of transmitting on those frequencies, you cannot program those channels with the handheld itself and I would have to program it using a computer and software.

It looks like @Ditcherman was right. Thanks for sharing that above. Your comment made me double check my logic.

I am not too up to date on radios. I have a few of the Boafangs (sp) for rec wheeling. I have a 50w radio in the race car and hand helds but it is not the same, may be uhf or vhf. I am usually the monkey behind the wheel. If I am on the radio, I am not winning! lol

 

[Mike Shull]

Great example of the sway bars at work, keeping you level.

Thanks. I’m quite impressed with these bars. It takes a large amount of lean out of the equation.

I am not too up to date on radios. I have a few of the Boafangs (sp) for rec wheeling. I have a 50w radio in the race car and hand helds but it is not the same, may be uhf or vhf. I am usually the monkey behind the wheel. If I am on the radio, I am not winning! lol

Haha! Let someone else do the communication and keep your eyes on the road!

 

[Ditcherman]

Rugged Radio has pretty amazing customer service. Although the RDM-DB does have frequency capabilities that span Ham, GMRS and FRS, they come pre-programmed with unique business channels used in the racing industry and they do not include any pre-programmed frequencies for ham, GMRS or FRS. I bet that @matzell will be able to provide better information in that area? I was told that the FCC does not allow radios to come pre-programmed to transmit on both ham and GMRS/FRS frequencies. Although the radio that I purchased is capable of transmitting on those frequencies, you cannot program those channels with the handheld itself and I would have to program it using a computer and software.

It looks like @Ditcherman was right. Thanks for sharing that above. Your comment made me double check my logic.

Oh yea, my blind squirrel has a broken clock! Or something.

My understanding, as someone who has their general license but has never “gotten into” it, is that dual band refers to 70m 200cm, or vhf/uhf. Or uhf/fm. I think. Every single time I ask a ham who’s “into it” a simple question my eyes glaze over.
“Me push button you hear” is kinda my speed and it always gets too complicated for me after that.
Also my understanding, is that the Baeofengs and what not are so unregulated that they are capable of being programmed with everything from FRS to GMRS and all the Ham general frequencies. The new baeofengs might not be able to do this.
Any reputable manufacturer does not allow their radio to cross bands like that, I was told.

I’d like a radio that doesn’t need chirp to program. GMRS looks pretty simple though.

Chirps not hard if you need it, I mean I did it.