Builds The Trail Snail Build | Above Average Overlandish

[SmokingRocks]

Front Radiator blew a hole in the bottom of the coil. Looks like something got smashed into it, perhaps it was a chunk of ice. Or maybe I damaged it while replacing the crank seal without knowing it.

Anyway I was lucky it blew right as I was pulling into the garage. I already had a new radiator on order so I jumped into the install last night. Got 80% done, ordered a new Toyota thermostat to replace the autozone special thats in there and removed the AC coil to increase airflow to the radiator.

Finally I installed my KOSO slim gauge, I feel like I may have over driven the tap some which worries me. The sender unit was a little loose until I got it all the way in and I used teflon on the threads not RTV. Hoping I don't have an issue, but I plan on carrying coolant, a bolt and my tap kit with me in case I need to plug a hole. Finally I installed my FJ82 LED rear tail lights.

 

[SmokingRocks]

I did a coolant change earlier this month and broke the upper tube off the radiator (after I was warned repeatedly about it ) So I drilled the hole and tapped in this air fitting, let it set up with the JB weld and it did a good job holding.

When I saw steam I thought the fix failed, to my surprise the fix was fine issue was at the bottom of the radiator. Maybe a rock or chunk of ice got in here? Hell with my luck it could've been a bolt that I left sitting atop the radiator. Whatever it was it looks like the fan dragged it across the core.

Out with the old!

In with the new

 

[DHwreckage]

rig is looking good, i dont know where you are in Colorado but did you get flack while smogging it with only 1 cat?

 

[SmokingRocks]

Was going to do that tomorrow hopefully..... Need to swap on my buddies 31" tires. When I took my other one in they just did a quick peek to see if it had cats. IDK what they will say honestly.

 

[SmokingRocks]

Replaced all front control arm bushings with OEM in preparation for caster correction plates. What a pain in the ass.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Replaced all front control arm bushings with OEM in preparation for caster correction plates. What a pain in the ass.

It is so worth the trouble. No more herding sheep.

 

[SmokingRocks]

Yea I was getting really tired of it tracking al over the place.

 

[SmokingRocks]

Guys and gals I am in search of some suggestions.

I have a 60" hi-lift that use to mount to the top of my bull bar on my old slee. Since that option doesn't exist with my 4x4 labs bumper I have been trying to figure out where to mount it. My rear tire carrier is to tight to the hatch to run it behind that like the 4x4 rear bumper does.. I don't have a roof rack right now and am contemplating mounting a larsen 2/70 VHF-UHF antenna on the roof so I don't want to put something up there that will weaken the signal.

The other option is to mount the antenna on a fender up front (not ideal) and get a roof rack... Thoughts?

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Guys and gals I am in search of some suggestions.

I have a 60" hi-lift that use to mount to the top of my bull bar on my old slee. Since that option doesn't exist with my 4x4 labs bumper I have been trying to figure out where to mount it. My rear tire carrier is to tight to the hatch to run it behind that like the 4x4 rear bumper does.. I don't have a roof rack right now and am contemplating mounting a larsen 2/70 VHF-UHF antenna on the roof so I don't want to put something up there that will weaken the signal.

The other option is to mount the antenna on a fender up front (not ideal) and get a roof rack... Thoughts?

How often to you use your hi-lift?

 

[half k cruiser]

How about under the tire, on the swing arm, towards the outside instead of the inside.

 

[SmokingRocks]

How often to you use your hi-lift?

Its been deployed from its mount maybe twice this last year, used only one of those times. But I've been lucky enough to not lost a bead yet.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Its been deployed from its mount maybe twice this last year, used only one of those times. But I've been lucky enough to not lost a bead yet.

You can disassemble it and attach the main bar under the 2nd row to seat brackets. I carried one that way for several years. I see very little use for a hi-lift anymore.

Curious what does loosing a bead and hi-lift have in common?

 

[SmokingRocks]

How about under the tire, on the swing arm, towards the outside instead of the inside.

I'll have to look at that more closely to see if it's a possibility. I have looked at that bumper a lot and not sure of anyway I could attach it that I would like. I am leaning toward mounting the larsen 2/70 on the fender on an NMO mount. While less ideal I know that I traverse too many heavily wooded trails to have a roof mount other than a mag mount. Doing some research.

 

[SmokingRocks]

the Hi-lift is sometimes is the fastest way to get the truck up to reseat it.

 

[Juan Munoz]

How much louder is it with new cat and muffler? Does it drone?

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

the Hi-lift is sometimes is the fastest way to get the truck up to reseat it.

Yep one of the few things its good for until it bends in half

 

[SmokingRocks]

yea they are dangerous pieces of equipment, but occasionally helpful.

How much louder is it with new cat and muffler? Does it drone?

Anything is better than what the previous exhaust was. PO had removed cat and had a crapy muffler that I 'customized' by smacking it with rocks. So it is better from my point of view, louder than stock for sure and its a bit raspy (no different than previous exhaust) thinking of adding a resonator.

 

[SmokingRocks]

Took off my rear brakes to inspect why my parking brake stopped working. I suspected that my bad wheel bearing sprayed grease all over my shoes and that assumption appears to be correct. I also may have over packed them when I put them back in.

The shoes are completely saturated with greese, so 38 bucks and I've got some new ones on their way.

 

[SmokingRocks]

Here is a teaser.

 

[lcwizard]

Yep one of the few things its good for until it bends in half

It's also good for knocking the user's teeth out and gaping head wounds or rendering the unsuspecting unconscious when they slip..... ( seen it )