Builds The Trail Snail Build | Above Average Overlandish

[half k cruiser]

You must have good taste !

 

[SmokingRocks]

Got the revised front winch plate in from Luke @4x4labs and was able to get started on my bumper build finally! Here a several pictures of tonights progress. And a shot to show my piss poor welding skills, I will say however that this lincoln mp210 on gas is fun! It makes me look like a better welder than I think I am.

 

[MrMoose]

Getting the old girl ready for moab 2016

Really upset I'm gonna miss CruiseMoab this year. Probably more upset than the fact I won't be home for the holidays.

I'd like to get out to CO or Moab in late 2016, but for sure, the Whale will return for CruiseMoab '17.

 

[SmokingRocks]

I'm actually not sure I will be able to swing it. With the new job and new expenses with living up here, plus all the work that I need to do to the old girl before she's ready.

Oil leaks everywhere, and the steering box has recently decided that it looks better with the fluid on the outside of the case rather than inside of it. Plus I must have not pre-loaded the rear bearing that I replaced as it is making noises, and the rear parking brake pads that I spent so much time fixing for last years CM have become useless. I'm thinking they got greased when the bearing went.

 

[MrMoose]

I feel your pain. Gotta reseal the transfer case and get a transfer case skid since I beat the crap out of it on a club run in NY.

And a new exhaust. I keep breaking mounts after that run on Chinaman. Time for a sweet ricer setup lol

 

[SmokingRocks]

Yea here is how I achieved my legendary exhaust note.

Step 1: Buy Land Cruiser from an idiot who "customized it"
Step 2: Notice that the exhaust has been chopped, leaks and is lacking cats
Step 3: Do absolutely nothing about it... (Until the government forces me to)

Voila! 3 simple steps to a "tuners" exhaust set up!

 

[MrMoose]

I'm gonna try something a bit different. Not that yours isn't classy... But ya know. lol

 

[SmokingRocks]

getting there. The bar needs some modification before it'll fit.

My welding has gotten better, could've slowed down a bit here, or turned up the feed.

 

[SmokingRocks]

Bumper done.

I am going to have to rework the brace bars for the stinger since I had to cut the driver side one off and notch the passenger one to fit the Zeon 12.

 

[JohnnyOshow22]

Nice job, really looking forward to seeing it in person! Good luck getting the ignition switched over for this weekends trail run.

 

[SmokingRocks]

Thanks! I just drove 9 hours round trip and got the keys!

 

[SmokingRocks]

Rock Lights look blue through the camera.

Both girls getting some together time in the heated garage.

 

[Sambosuda]

Looks good. I'm starting mine soon. Just got my recovery points. Looks like people put them in similar locations. Mine look different tho.

 

[SmokingRocks]

Next round of enhancements has begun in preparation for Cruise Moab 16'

• Got my HAM license!
• New header back exhaust with a Y pipe Magnaflow cat (we'll see if thats enough to get it to pass emissions) and a magnaflow muffler
• Rebuilt rear drive shaft splines and U joints
• Front drive shaft out for rebuild, splines and U joints (FSM says this should be 90 degrees out of phase? I guess that makes sense because the offset?)
• Replaced front crank and oil pump cover gaskets / Seals
• Replaced all knuckle studs
• Replaced ARB air line in front locker (copper failed)
• Will delete AC radiator because AC system is of no value to me
• Replaced Engine Mounts
• Resealed lower oil pan
• Modified temp gauge to show actual temp
• On Order: KOSO temp gauge
• On Order: Front control arm OE bushings
• On Order: Front Caster Plate
• On Order: Panhard bushings
• On Order: Man-a-fre adjustable UCA's (to correct pinion angle)
• On Order: replacement radiator (broke the nipple off mine when doing the coolant and thermostat change

I have noticed that both of my pinion seals are now starting to leak? I have been inside the rear pinion and replaced its seal but not the front one. I am thinking that the incorrect DS angles have cause vibrations which damaged the seals?

Lower Oil Pan Reseal

Old Engine Mounts

New tail pipe, may get cut back after emissions.

New muffler and rebuilt DS mounted the the Tcase of my A442

Single 2-1 Magnaflow cat. I am skeptical of this being enough to pass the CO emission... I think I will put the 33's from my other cruiser on it for the test... We'll see.

 

[2KCruiser]

Should pass with that with no problem. I ran a single 3" High Flow Random Technology cat and it passed with flying colors.

 

[SmokingRocks]

Did some electrical work. Added a rear fuse box, hatch lights and wired up my water pump to a rear mounted switch.

 

[JohnnyOshow22]

You weren't joking when you said you had been busy... I like the rear hatch lights. Need to do that to mine

 

[SmokingRocks]

Haha yea I've been getting after it.

I have weld in adjustments for my panhard rods, new bushing for my front control arms, man-a-fre adjustable upper control arms coming and a new radiator enroute.

Been trying to get some PM done that I should have addressed a while ago.

 

[Sambosuda]

Question on your labs bumper. How did you go about getting measurements to cut and fit the stinger?

Thanks in advance.

 

[SmokingRocks]

Since it was a kit most everything was cut to a point where it came together without modification. The bar however, was a hand cut piece and just needed to be notched more by me. So I just had most of the bumper finished and did the bar last. I placed it on the bumper then marked with a soap stone where I thought I needed to notch each side to. By starting out only notching small amounts at a time I was able to finally get it to fit.

It is important to only cut out small amounts each time because it is much easier to re-cut than it is to add material.