Todays wrenching (4 Viewers)

[landtank]

getting the daughters 96 Camry ready for CA duty. I replaced the timing belt, tensioner, idler and both seals on the oil pump.

FYI, if you have a 90's built Toyota get in to check those oil pump seals. Her 96 had only 120k on it and they were already leaking. My budding lost his engine from one of these failing a couple of years ago.

Next up is valve cover gasket, dist gasket, plugs, cap, rotor and PCV valve.

 

[LCCRUISER]

x2!! Support Bud, he builds GREAT stuff and he's a great guy.

Seems so. I must be getting old, can't remember his last name.

 

[Sporin]

Bud Rosenberger

 

[LCCRUISER]

getting the daughters 96 Camry ready for CA duty. I replaced the timing belt, tensioner, idler and both seals on the oil pump.

FYI, if you have a 90's built Toyota get in to check those oil pump seals. Her 96 had only 120k on it and they were already leaking. My budding lost his engine from one of these failing a couple of years ago.

Next up is valve cover gasket, dist gasket, plugs, cap, rotor and PCV valve.

Your a great Dad!

Just a thought here that you might not want to spend too much on it unless it is CA emissions certified unless you are sure they won't require she register it out there after 30-60 days. If they do then the real fun will begin.

 

[LCCRUISER]

Five new Skinny's arrived today from Discount Tire Direct during the first Spring snow storm of 2011. After my triple bypass in '07, I learned you need to keep your weight and cholesterol down. These KM2's in the 255/85/16 are just over 10" section width (no one wants a large spare tire - LOL) and 33.3 tall.

Narrower tread and higher pressure means less rolling resistance. There's some technical stuff about pounds per square inch on the surface being better as well. Most Expedition rigs run tall narrow tires as well as in those Dakar rallys. I did a lot of research and discovered that the advantage of airing down tires is the longer footprint, not the width. The airing down increases the contact patch more lengthwise rather than width as the width remains pretty much constant. Plus the ability of the tire to wrap around the obstacle is a huge factor in improve traction.

Granted, I'll be giving up some onroad stability, but that would come with going from an onroad tire to a more dedicated offroad tire in any case. I'll retain my 265/75/16 Cooper's for some non-offroad road trips and the winter.

You can read Scott Brady's article about it here: Expeditions West: Tire Selection for Expedition Travel

My overall build idea for the FJC will be to keep it as low as possible and adding accessories that protect it and make it better without adding the weight of a tank. I plan on traveling to events around the country and fuel mileage is always a concern. (Hey Bob, did I mention I'm getting 20 mpg? ) The 40 will remain the goto rig for local events.

Now I want to hunt up a set of wheels to do them justice. Thinking about the TRD's, but would prefer something around 7" wide, not 7.5. FJC's are hard to fit due to the big calipers in the front.

 

[landtank]

Your a great Dad!

Just a thought here that you might not want to spend too much on it unless it is CA emissions certified unless you are sure they won't require she register it out there after 30-60 days. If they do then the real fun will begin.

I'm not sure if it's CA certified but she's driving it cross country and out there at least 6 months so I want her to be able to get back if need be. Thanks for the heads up and I'll have to look into it. I think all 96+ cars are CA compliant but will check.

 

[Krazyfj]

Pulled all the guts out of the front axle today, amazing how much bigger the r&p is than the fjcruisers, going to start the cut and turn tomorrow

 

[LCCRUISER]

Bud Rosenberger

Thanks! I wasn't close in my thinking at all.

 

[Krazyfj]

Having trouble, I'm half way through the SOA and SR on my 40, I mistakenly posted the mods on my fjcruiser for sale on the fjcruiser site before removing them from the truck. Now I got a bunch of people that want the parts, but I don't have time to remove the parts,,,,waaaaaaaa

 

[LCCRUISER]

Does that mean the FJC parts won't be available for me this weekend?

 

[green40]

Quick trip up to Cruiserparts.net to pick up some AC lines for the 80.
Now I need to motivate myself to put them in.

 

[fogblanket]

spent the last 2 nights at my mechanics garage until 2 in the morning. Wilma lives again. I am excited but short of sleep. got some little things to finish up should get her home Sunday. the v8 sounds and runs great

 

[Krazyfj]

What parts did you want?

Does that mean the FJC parts won't be available for me this weekend?

 

[LCCRUISER]

What parts did you want?

Bumper and rock rails, we've been exchanging emails for a couple weeks. I called and left a message last Friday because I wanted to come last weekend. Is this familiar or too many fumes in the garage? Larry

 

[Krazyfj]

Hey Larry,
didn't know it was you, give me a call later tonight.
Fumes? I don't smell no fumes

Bumper and rock rails, we've been exchanging emails for a couple weeks. I called and left a message last Friday because I wanted to come last weekend. Is this familiar or too many fumes in the garage? Larry

 

[LCCRUISER]

Hey Larry,
didn't know it was you, give me a call later tonight.
Fumes? I don't smell no fumes

Hi, I need your home or cell phone, I only had the one from the office. PM me. Larry

 

[LCCRUISER]

New front HD rubber floor mats from VIP for $20

Stlill working on finding some rock rails, skid plates and a front bumper. Leaning toward the ARB bumper despite the weight and less than optimal approach angle. Only $1020 with shipping.

I ordered a set of five 16" TuRD wheels today from Wellesley Toyota. Best price around, $121 with caps and lugs. These are the shiny 6 spoke ones. Wellesley Toyota is up to 25% off for Yankee Toys members. Call Tom and mention Y/T.

Voyager:01 turned me onto Wellesley. They were less than anyone's price in the US and no shipping since I can pick them up. I just have to pay that stupid Mass tax Aftermarket wheels aren't even this cheap after you figure in the cost of center caps and lug nuts.

Unfortunately for FJC owners, all the cooler style 16" wheels are getting VERY scare. The TRD bronze fake beadlocks, black TRD's, antracite TRD's and Trail Teams Edition wheels are no longer available unless you are replacing a damaged wheel. You also have to supply your VIN so they can verify you originally had the wheels you want to order. Big Toyota Brother is watching. I wonder if this has something to do with liability issues or if they just stopped making them and are holding the remaining inventory for OEM owners?

The new wheels should look good with my new BFG KM2's - 255/85/16's. Skinny 33's.

I also ordered a Downey Toyota 3" adjustable coilover front suspension. New coils, HD Bilsteins and anti-roll bar mounts. Was less than 1/2 the price of the ToyTec and way less than the cost of the Icon. Big discounts now that Jim Sickles closed up shop. Great guy to deal with now and over the past 35 years. Look him up on eBay at thetojoman items - Get great deals on Parts Accessories items on eBay Motors!

I also removed the cross bars from the roof rack today and looking for a way to remove the rear hoop that goes from one side to another. I hate to cut that part out, but I'd like something on the roof front to back to protect the paint, but not at the expense of fuel. I can always put the cross bars on if I need to use the rack for Home Depot runs, that hoop in the back isn't good for that because it is higher than the cross bars.

The rack has more strength and adjustability than some folks seem to think on the forums as the cross bars can be adusted for length and moved from front to back. The distance between the side rails varies front to back, so you have to be able to make the cross bars longer or shorter to move them back and forth. It would have been better if Toyota made them parallel.

Buying a vehicle different than you are used to is a BIG learning curve.

Except for the ease of the floor mat installation and removing the cross bars on the roof rack, I'll be into some serious wrenching pretty soon as Big Brown starts showing up.

 

["N8"]

I say in stead of buying that arb you take your money and your truck over to kina's place and have him fab you something that will work well. I still think its amazing every time I see hill and kina drive that big blue 60 through the trail sliding the noze off of every tree at every corner! my .02

New front HD rubber floor mats from VIP for $20

Stlill working on finding some rock rails, skid plates and a front bumper. Leaning toward the ARB bumper despite the weight and less than optimal approach angle. Only $1020 with shipping.

I ordered a set of five 16" TuRD wheels today from Wellesley Toyota. Best price around, $121 with caps and lugs. These are the shiny 6 spoke ones. Wellesley Toyota is up to 25% off for Yankee Toys members. Call Tom and mention Y/T.

Voyager:01 turned me onto Wellesley. They were less than anyone's price in the US and no shipping since I can pick them up. I just have to pay that stupid Mass tax Aftermarket wheels aren't even this cheap after you figure in the cost of center caps and lug nuts.

Unfortunately for FJC owners, all the cooler style 16" wheels are getting VERY scare. The TRD bronze fake beadlocks, black TRD's, antracite TRD's and Trail Teams Edition wheels are no longer available unless you are replacing a damaged wheel. You also have to supply your VIN so they can verify you originally had the wheels you want to order. Big Toyota Brother is watching. I wonder if this has something to do with liability issues or if they just stopped making them and are holding the remaining inventory for OEM owners?

The new wheels should look good with my new BFG KM2's - 255/85/16's. Skinny 33's.

I also ordered a Downey Toyota 3" adjustable coilover front suspension. New coils, HD Bilsteins and anti-roll bar mounts. Was less than 1/2 the price of the ToyTec and way less than the cost of the Icon. Big discounts now that Jim Sickles closed up shop. Great guy to deal with now and over the past 35 years. Look him up on eBay at thetojoman items - Get great deals on Parts Accessories items on eBay Motors!

I also removed the cross bars from the roof rack today and looking for a way to remove the rear hoop that goes from one side to another. I hate to cut that part out, but I'd like something on the roof front to back to protect the paint, but not at the expense of fuel. I can always put the cross bars on if I need to use the rack for Home Depot runs, that hoop in the back isn't good for that because it is higher than the cross bars.

The rack has more strength and adjustability than some folks seem to think on the forums as the cross bars can be adusted for length and moved from front to back. The distance between the side rails varies front to back, so you have to be able to make the cross bars longer or shorter to move them back and forth. It would have been better if Toyota made them parallel.

Buying a vehicle different than you are used to is a BIG learning curve.

Except for the ease of the floor mat installation and removing the cross bars on the roof rack, I'll be into some serious wrenching pretty soon as Big Brown starts showing up.

 

[rain76king]

I have heard nothing but good things about Wellesley Toyota, I still have the $200 gift certificate I need to use there!
When are you coming down to Mass to pick those up Larry?

 

[LCCRUISER]

Nate, Thanks for the advice! I know what you mean about having something able to bang off the trees, that's why I am considering the ARB. It has actually been crash tested, the only aftermarket bumper to have had that done. The tube bumper KrazyFJ is selling is interesting, but there's no protection between the tubes to keep branches, road salt, etc from getting through into the suspension, radiator, etc. With the FJ Cruiser there's some crush area in the frame to contend with along with the airbag sensors. Plus I don't want it to weigh a ton. I'll PM to see what he thinks and if it is something he has done. I'm not above being an experiment for a fabber who wants to put something into production either.

Bob, There's a new twist to the wheel deal. Wellesley Toy called this morning and said that these are also on stop order, which means only available individually as a replacement only. Tom is going to call Toyota Monday since there are 7 in the Boston warehouse. Now I'm leaning toward aftermarket and I can probably save a little money.

I found a neat website today. NTB, National Tire & Battery. NTB - Wheel Visualizer They have a wheel visualizer that allows you to pick your vehicle, make it the right color, lift it and add a variety of wheels to see how they look.

You can put in most any vehicle, even an FJ40. I was having trouble getting the FJ80 in there until I went to newer year then mine. The 93 came up looking like and FJ60/62. What's nice is that you can paint your vehicle you wand and lift it. Unfortunately, you can't make the tires bigger, just the wheels. However, it's still a nice visual to play with.

I want a narrow wheel and there are only 2 they have that are 16X7, white spoke and black.all the rest are 16X8. Finding a 7 or 7.5 wide wheel is tough for the FJC. I think the 8" are too wide for my 10" section width. The wheel is too exposed and there's more risk of losing a bead when aired down. I like an old school look and think the white spokes look pretty good on the yellow FJC with the white roof. I think I might even paint my silver grille surround to match. I should be well $90 a wheel including caps, lugs and locks.