Travels with Elmo (+Build) (1 Viewer)

[chubbybunny]

I figured its time to start documenting my experiences with and modifications of the 80 series my girlfriend affectionately calls 'Elmo.' Then again, affection may be too strong a word...

After my previous truck, an '02 single cab pre-runner Tacoma with 270k on the clock, met its untimely end with a rogue ent-like eucalyptus in Aug 2017, I decided I needed a sturdier 4x4. Something that was larger and had more mass, something with more space, higher levels of comfort, bigger engine, and yet still be a purchase that wouldn't break the bank. I needed a Land Rover! That thought lasted all of about 2 minutes after some research. The base price of the Landy's were cheap, dirt cheap. And there was a reason for that; maintenance and repair costs were sky high. Poor parts tolerances and QC issues led to lots of downtime for repairs, parts availability was dismal, and the costs of imported European parts were astronomical. I nixed that idea and decided to stick with Toyotas. Land Cruiser it was!

After about a week of relying on Ubers and hobbling around on a broken ankle, I had found this cruiser on Craigslist in Antioch, near the Bay Area in California. I was specifically searching for one that was Medium Red Pearl for two reasons; everyone seems to hate the red Land Cruisers and I just love to spite people, and second, it would likely be cheaper because of the first reason. Unfortunately this was right around the time when Mr Weekend 'Expedition' over at OverlandBound started picking up steam on his Instagram, Youtube, Website, etc. This resulted in prices for FZJ80s to skyrocket similarly to his profits for all those numbered medallions and personally signed COAs. So I didn’t get as great of a deal as I had hoped at $6k, but I still had some cash left over from the insurance settlement for the Taco. (Even at 270k miles and 15 years old, I was able to negotiate to about 70% of its initial sticker price in ’02. I’m not a fantastic negotiator; those things just hold their value that well)

This cruiser, heretofore known as ‘Elmo,’ was an un-locked, unmolested, California non-GMO, vegan, free-range raised and rust-free cruiser with 140k miles on it.

As she sat on my first day of ownership, July 2017.

I couldn’t stop smiling all the way back to my place, even after it overheated for the third time in 105F deg heat with the heater on full and windows rolled down.


I will write and post pictures as I slowly update to how it sits present day.

 

[baldilocks]

Sweet gold package! Welcome to mud..... have you an understanding of the rabbit hole you’ve just entered? Rather than Elmo your girlfriend might refer to your new mistress as the Cookie Monster where your money is the cookies.

 

[Broski]

Well I say you did good, at this point you have dbl you investment. with a 140k the base line should be about half of what most of us go through.
And you still sound thrilled after three years.

 

[chubbybunny]

Oh trust me, I am well aware of the rabbit hole. As it is, the alternative and not so affectionate nickname for Elmo is 'Side B*tch.' This becomes increasingly amusing to me when I'm working on it late at night and I get a call from the SO and she asks 'Where are you?! Why aren't you home?' and my response is always 'Just out with my side b*tch!'

At the time, I was working as an engineer for a mechanical contractor out at the Budweiser plant in Fairfield, CA. With the per diem coming in hot and quickly burning holes in my pockets, upgrades to Elmo were imminent.

As this was my first 4x4 I've modified, my first order of business was the bling; bumper and snorkel. Steel bumpers because I want to be able to push shopping carts out of parking lot spaces without damage, and the snorkel for the myriad of water crossings I'd have on my daily commute on I-80.

Ebay snorkel was the way to go, at $70 shipped. It has a slight dent in the side that never really worked itself out, but isn't noticeable unless you're looking for it. I'll take a blemish over a $250 Safari any day. Also, the template that comes with the ebay special blows donkeys. Toss that sucker right in the trash as I'm sure countless others have done, and just trace where the big ass hole goes along with the small studs.

 

[chubbybunny]

If you've a discerning eye you can see from the last few pictures that I decided on the ARB Deluxe front bumper with mounting options for future winch. I had it shipped directly to the front door, which was the start of a love-hate relationship with the UPS guy. I loved it when he came by, he hated it when he had to.
The ARB is heavy when you're installing it by yourself in the street. But it is possible if you're willing to risk the hernia. My frame horns might have been ever so slightly bent, as it needed a bit of ratchet strap persuasion to slide on.

Check out those sweet peeling matte black plasti-dipped wheels.

Decided to take Elmo and the girl I was seeing out to the North Fork of the American for a swim and passed a small but very cool town.

I looked out the window and saw this sign as my overheating cruiser crested a long, steep grade on that 110 degree day. I was sure it only existed to taunt us.


A week or so later on the way to a house party before tubing and beers down the American River, I picked up the lady friend and her culinary contribution to the party: a crockpot full of kielbasa sausages. That would have been an excellent party snack, if they had stayed in the crockpot. One corner too sharp, and I've got hot dog flavored water soaked into my carpets.

After two days of that godawful smell baking in the NorCal summer sun, I decided a full strip of the interior and rented a Home Depot carpet cleaner with upholstery attachment and went to town on that carpeting. Five rounds later and the smell was much diminished, but still present. It took a further 2 boxes of A&H baking soda and about a year or so for it to be fully indiscernible. This resulted in a full transport embargo on any and all hot-dog or sausage flavored liquids in the cruiser. I suggest you adopt a similar policy.

 

[Broski]

If you've a discerning eye you can see from the last few pictures that I decided on the ARB Deluxe front bumper with mounting options for future winch. I had it shipped directly to the front door, which was the start of a love-hate relationship with the UPS guy. I loved it when he came by, he hated it when he had to.
The ARB is heavy when you're installing it by yourself in the street. But it is possible if you're willing to risk the hernia. My frame horns might have been ever so slightly bent, as it needed a bit of ratchet strap persuasion to slide on.
View attachment 2523151
View attachment 2523152
Check out those sweet peeling matte black plasti-dipped wheels.

Decided to take Elmo and the girl I was seeing out to the North Fork of the American for a swim and passed a small but very cool town.
View attachment 2523156
I looked out the window and saw this sign as my overheating cruiser crested a long, steep grade on that 110 degree day. I was sure it only existed to taunt us.


A week or so later on the way to a house party before tubing and beers down the American River, I picked up the lady friend and her culinary contribution to the party: a crockpot full of kielbasa sausages. That would have been an excellent party snack, if they had stayed in the crockpot. One corner too sharp, and I've got hot dog flavored water soaked into my carpets.
View attachment 2523161
After two days of that godawful smell baking in the NorCal summer sun, I decided a full strip of the interior and rented a Home Depot carpet cleaner with upholstery attachment and went to town on that carpeting. Five rounds later and the smell was much diminished, but still present. It took a further 2 boxes of A&H baking soda and about a year or so for it to be fully indiscernible. This resulted in a full transport embargo on any and all hot-dog or sausage flavored liquids in the cruiser. I suggest you adopt a similar policy.

I'm in, you posts are very entertaining.
The ARB front bumper is very popular. As far as a armor bumper it's one of the lighter ones and if you try to push anything more then a shopping cart it will fold up like a butter cup. That being said it looks good on you Reg.
Don't hesitate to ask on here about anything land cruiser, Like the bumper there are much stronger bumpers in the same price range as the ARB that can take a hit, lets say a dear in the road the ARB is not going to hold up and the frame is fine on your Cruiser, it's the ARB that's the issue they are notorious for being off on the mounts and they just keep sending them out like that.

 

[chubbybunny]

I'll admit, my motivations for choosing the ARB were very style motivated, as it had 'the look' I was going for at the time. Even knowing its limitations now with its subpar approach angle and relatively thin plate steel, I wouldn't call it a poor purchase. But it has served its purpose well so far, and see no reason to change it just yet. I figure it's got at least two, maybe three +50mph deer strikes left in it before it crumples to the radiator, in which case I'd go with a more tubular style, if only for fewer places for the fur to get stuck to.

After discovering Mud around that time, I decided to address some of the low hanging fruit that had been nagging me from the get go. Things like fluid changes, lighting, tree sap stuck all over the hood, and oh, that pesky, nagging overheating issue.

Fluid changes began with the oil, which was 'blacker than whale sh*t' as my grandpa still says. The oil filter was spun on so tight that even the clamping oil filter wrenches , the ones you hook an extension and 3/8" ratchet to, couldn't turn it. I ended up having to remove the power steering reservoir out of the way and drive a man-sized flathead straight through the side of the filter with not the little one, but the the BIG ball peen hammer. That provided enough leverage to unscrew it, still with a bit of effort. (Quick calc of a 2' lever puled with roughly 15lbs of force is 30ft-lbs of torque. Not hand-tight, folks! Remember when your dad told you to dip your finger in the pan of dirty warm oil and wipe a good bit on that rubber ring on the new filter? Yeah that wasn't to prep you for your first college party with girls)

Other fluid changes went without any additional drama. Except for that ungodly reek of old diff gear oil. The lady friend helped me out with that and the smell was so bad I had to throw my shirt and her out after that.

All I did for lighting at the time was change to the HIR bulbs that had absolutely glowing reviews. (Damn right pun intended) Marginal improvement.

Tree sap and adhesives were best removed with the highest strength rubbing alcohol you can get your hands on. Lower percentages just take longer. Goo Gone works moderately well with adhesive removal. Goof OFF works moderately well at taking your paint right the hell off.

Oh yeah, replaced the pads too. Green Stuff EBC 100 Series Pads. After replacement, the truck still stops. I think I did good.

After assessing and researching typical overheating issues and performing a compression check that all check out OK, I headed to the stealership. I highly recommend making friends with your local Toyota Parts counter guy (assuming gender based on metrics alone) because more often than not, they're car guys too. A little bit of shop talk, ask 'em what they drive, feign interest if it isn't a 4wd, hike your skirt, flutter your eyelashes and bam, you'd be surprised with how much markup they can knock off your tab. I purchased a new OEM radiator, fan clutch, thermostat, and a bunch of new hoses and drive belts at significant discount this way, and I didn't even have to put out! This solved the overheating issue (for now) and installed an UltraGauge to keep a closer eye on temps in the future. I moved the OBDII port from its mount and just shoved it behind the dash and ran the wire to the UG where it sits right in the bottom middle portion of the gauge cluster. That way I don't have to look at my seat belt light and if I angle it just right, I get to block the ever-present check engine light from sight completely. Win!

I also happened to visit a nice, soft spoken and tired-of-your-asking-for-group-discounts man named Luke up in Grass Valley a week or so later.....

(Another customers truck I had the pleasure of drooling all over)

 

[leonard_nemoy]

Awesome write up. You should write sit coms lol very entertaining read. To be honest I didn't think engineers could be entertaining. Only dry and bland. Keep up the good work

 

[Broski]

I'll admit, my motivations for choosing the ARB were very style motivated, as it had 'the look' I was going for at the time. Even knowing its limitations now with its subpar approach angle and relatively thin plate steel, I wouldn't call it a poor purchase. But it has served its purpose well so far, and see no reason to change it just yet. I figure it's got at least two, maybe three +50mph deer strikes left in it before it crumples to the radiator, in which case I'd go with a more tubular style, if only for fewer places for the fur to get stuck to.

After discovering Mud around that time, I decided to address some of the low hanging fruit that had been nagging me from the get go. Things like fluid changes, lighting, tree sap stuck all over the hood, and oh, that pesky, nagging overheating issue.

Fluid changes began with the oil, which was 'blacker than whale sh*t' as my grandpa still says. The oil filter was spun on so tight that even the clamping oil filter wrenches , the ones you hook an extension and 3/8" ratchet to, couldn't turn it. I ended up having to remove the power steering reservoir out of the way and drive a man-sized flathead straight through the side of the filter with not the little one, but the the BIG ball peen hammer. That provided enough leverage to unscrew it, still with a bit of effort. (Quick calc of a 2' lever puled with roughly 15lbs of force is 30ft-lbs of torque. Not hand-tight, folks! Remember when you're dad told you to dip your finger in the pan of dirty warm oil and wipe a good bit on that rubber ring on the new filter? Yeah that wasn't to prep you for your first college party with girls)
View attachment 2524164
Other fluid changes went without any additional drama. Except for that ungodly reek of old diff gear oil. The lady friend helped me out with that and the smell was so bad I had to throw my shirt and her out after that.

Any lady friend that well help me change the gear oil sounds like a keeper where did you toss her I could use someone like that out in the shop. Haha

 

[chubbybunny]

@Broski I don't recall which offramp, but I'll let you know if I end up remembering later.

Warning! Beer Tangent-

Around October we completed the new Hopback process installation at Anheuser-Busch. As some may know, AB is owned by mega uber international corporation InBev, which had recently purchased rights to many smaller craft breweries like Goose Island, Ten Barrel Ale, Elysian, etc. The smaller brewery locations would still exist, but AB would be able to use their own larger facilities, after a few upgrades, to brew the microbrews. The ethics of such a large corporation owning so many smaller, local breweries are questionable, though the end result is better, stronger, hoppier beer able to be sold at cheaper, more mass produced prices, so it's really not all bad. The AB plant in Fairfield was to produce several of these hoppy craft beers en masse, but their systems were designed to produce vast quantities of beer flavored water (i.e. Bud-Light, Michelob, Natural Light, Rolling Rock, etc) in short periods of time at minimal cost. In comes the Hopback system, which allows the hops to be reintroduced after the boil which usually knocks the hop aromas out. This makes a beer with a much more floral hoppy flavor and aroma, without all the bitterness. The install of that equipment was my reasoning for being there, so once that project was complete, I could contentedly leave the facility knowing that I left it better than I found it. Hoppy beer>light beer. That's right, I said it. Beer snobs unite!

The Hopback. This room smelled like heaven and hops. But had more cockroaches than Joe's Apartment.

Back on track-

After project completion (bye bye per diem), I had requested a couple weeks off to move back down to SoCal my couple duffel bags, sweet twin-sized bed (so much room for activities!), and hordes of old car parts out of the room I was renting in Winters, CA. I ended up leaving the front bumper, rear bumper ends, and third row seats up in the guy's rafters in the garage when I left. As he was deathly afraid of the resident black widow spiders who had taken up residence there and therefore never visited the garage, I'm fairly positive he still hasn't realized he's been storing my junk for three years.

I made a quick stop a couple hours North at 4x4Labs to pick up a weld-it-yourself dual swingout rear bumper kit. This was my first experience seeing other 80s built to the 9's, which really lit a fire under my ass and gave me some great insight on what to do next. On my way back down, I decided to divert over to Tahoe and check out a brewery or two. On my way to the North shore along the West side of the lake, I looked for some off-road/fire trails to get my super swamper 40s dirty. And by super swampers I meant Michelin Radial LTs and by 40s I meant 31s. Found a neat trail with some cool rigs driving around there and decided to head on up. I made it about 200 yards on the Rubicon Trail before I realized where the hell I was. Getting passed by 3-linked truggies should have been an obvious clue that I was a bit out-classed. I I stopped by this sign on the way back and it all made sense.

I spent the night in the back of the truck in the boat launch parking lot of Fallen Leaf Lake in Tahoe to sleep off the beer or three I had at Tahoe Tap Haus. It wasn't Loon Lake on the Rubicon by any means but there was at least a gravel road or two nearby for me to feel similarly accomplished.

Fast forward to me being back in SoCal the next day and I realized that I had maybe 10 days off before I had to go back to work. I sure as hell could squeeze a couple nights camping in that time. I unloaded the cruiser, unfinished steel bumper kit and all, and threw a sleeping bag, leaking air mattress, couple propane bottles and my recent birthday gift of a Camp Chef Everest two-burner stove; 40,000 BTUs of pure testosterone. Tim Allen and my inner Neanderthal would be proud. I set off towards the mountains of Big Bear. And promptly drove right past them.

First stop-

Zion National Park

Drove to Vegas, hit St. George by dark, and camped the first night in South Campground right outside the park gates. Spent a windy night in the cruiser, but headed out early enough in the morning to beat the park gate attendant's first shift, so got in for free. Spent the morning hiking up Walter's Wiggles and up to Angel's Landing, where I promptly fell asleep on the peak and was awoken by a thieving bastard of a chipmunk jumping on my chest and raiding my pockets, much to the viewing delight of the other hikers.

Truly spectacular peaks and canyons. (no off-roading allowed)

Elmo likes the view. (the extent of off-roading in Zion. AKA 'near-roading')

I only spent the morning in Zion, as it was my second trip there, and this was but one stop in many I'd have in the next week and a half. I left East via Mt. Carmel Highway on towards Bryce Canyon.

 

[chubbybunny]

I arrived at Bryce Canyon a couple hours later, again after the park entrance gate was closed, so again, got in for free! I headed straight for the gift shop/convenience store and loaded up on some hiking snacks for the net day, some dinner for that night, and a six-pack of local beer. Three beers later, no buzz, and the realization that this was three-two beer (3.2% ABV) made me re-think my choice of destinations. Crashed relatively early that night after some stargazing, the remainder of the beer, a PB&J, half a bag of pistachios and several trips to empty my bladder. Overlanding at its finest. Screw the Skottle.

(Attention Brewers! - Now taking commissions. Send over your beer, I'll take pictures of it in cool places, and send you back the empties)

Hiked several of the loops in the canyon and felt like I was right back in Big Thunder at Disneyland, but without the pumped-in popcorn smell, screaming kids, and creepily silent walking cartoon dogs. There are a few loops inside the canyon accessed from multiple parking lots on the rim, and I recommend walking through as many as you can. Very 'other-worldy' feel to it; I highly recommend it.

From Bryce I headed out on SR-12 past Capitol Reef National Park and onto SR-24 headed East. I headed off pavement not far past the visitor center onto E Hartnet Rd right next to the Fremont River. After airing down the tires to about 22 psi, first up was a water crossing across the Fremont River, which was pretty rad considering that you had to drive upstream for about 50 yards to get to the other side. Now this is what Land Cruisers were made for! After driving back and forth across several times to earn the title of Land Cruiser Ferry (FERRY, NOT FAIRY) Elmo and I headed up one of the most fantastic dirt roads I have ever been on. Roughly an 80 miles loop and didn't see another soul. Salt flats, canyon vistas, a few random cows, sandstone spires, and several abandoned cattle rancher shacks. This place, Cathedral Valley, was truly spectacular. A campground sits at the halfway mark, tucked all the way back in, but I couldn't stay, as I had more miles to burn that day.

Slot canyon in Capitol Reef

Upper South Overlook along Cathedral Valley Road

Rancher cabin in BFE

Airing back up to 40psi for the tarmac

The loop spits you out near a collection of ranches called Cainesville. Made quick work of airing back up with my Viair 400P compressor. Inspected the truck for any loose bits (couple miles were severely washboarded out. Just hit 'em at that sweet spot around 70mph and they magically go away!) and then headed on my way towards I-70 to Arches and Moab.

 

[chubbybunny]

Rolled into Moab and was welcomed with an armada of sexy ladies. A reinforcement that my choice in vehicle was a good one.

Right outside Navtec Tours. If this ain't heaven, I don't know what is.

Stopped in for a brew at Woody's and ended up grabbing a hotel because it was late. Sacrilege, I know. Headed up Chicken Corners for an easy trail, as I was still mostly stock.

Nice overlook below Hurrah Pass

Somebody had an oopsie.

I wish I could have spent more time in Moab, as I really enjoyed the vibe in town, and the spiderweb of trails emanating out from it. Also, as I was all by my onesies, I figured it wasn't the smartest move to try Hell's Revenge and/or Devil's Hot Tub. My fancy soccer-mom 31's might not have been up to the task. I headed on up to Arches for the remainder of the day, which only had one or two off-road areas, but tons of hiking trails on which I spent the last of the daylight hours.

Delicate Arch in Arches National Park

I drove way South that night and pulled onto a dirt road which led to a great campsite right at the base of Mexican Hat.

 

[rons1957]

Nice. Good to see someone using the 80 for a little off piste exploration.

 

[OffRoadScott]

Looks like you have had some great trips with Elmo. Looking forward to seeing more.

 

[chubbybunny]

@rons1957 My natural state of being is piste off so that's quite fitting.

Drove straight down the 163 towards Monument Valley and right as I crested the hill, I had to pay homage to my favorite long-distance runner.

Drove on up to the visitors center and spent some time walking through the exhibits. The place was pretty much devoid of any tourists so I could take my time without feeling rushed. It was windy as hell on the knoll where visitor center was, but luckily once you drop down further into the valley it mellowed out. Dropped off pavement and drove the Monument Valley Loop, which was a nicely graded, easy road. Any car except a Lambo or a stanced Honda would do fine on it. I happened upon a horse-riding tour through the valley guided by a Navajo local and his daughter. Sweet! What better way to explore between the vast buttes and prominent spires.

After the human introductions came the equine ones. My guide's horse was named 'Geronimo', which I assume was derived from the famed Apache chieftain. The daughter's horse was named 'Pontiac', which I incorrectly assumed was named after the flashy General Motors cars. The white roan I was introduced to as my own horse for the day was unceremoniously known as 'Goat Cheese.' I asked once again his name but was reassured that that was correct. Feeling like I received the dud of the herd, we set off across the valley. We rode for several hours across such landmarks known as 'Sun's Eye', 'The Submarine', 'Rain God Mesa' and 'Totem Pole.' Some of these were named relatively recently, even though my guide insisted they were ancient names, even when I questioned that the long, thin rock formation known as 'The Submarine' looked suspiciously like a breaching German U-boat.

On the way back to the corral, Goat Cheese was being a bit feisty so tried to wrest him back in line, with some added curses for good measure. The guide overhead me and said, 'Hold up. What name did you call him?'
Me: 'Piece of sh*t fat donkey?'
Guide: 'No no, the other one.'
Me: 'Oh, Goat Cheese.'
Guide: 'No no no, not Goat Cheese. Cochise.'
And that's why I can't go to Monument Valley anymore; for disrespecting the memory of the famed, fierce Apache leader Cochise by referring to him as 'Goat Cheese.'

After sending the guide off with a hefty tip and several apologies I headed out South. (He laughed it off. What else can you do to a tall lanky dude in a borrowed cowboy hat with nylon hay bale string under his chin riding a too-small fat horse. I'll admit it was quite comical) Passed some locals filling potholes in the road with unconventional materials. Green, biodegradable and naturally derived!

The roads were sh*t. Literally.

Hit the highway shortly after and watched the sunset go down for what seemed like hours as I drove past the likes of Lake Powell, Antelope Island and Big Water.

Once dusk hit I flicked on the headlights and got a nice surprise. First one, then both of the headlights burned out within minutes of each-other. This was bad, as I knew one of my high beams was out as well. I pulled off the road to check the lights just as it started to hail. Sh*t. I was still about 80 miles from Grand Junction, where the nearest auto parts store would be (Walmart, as it was the only thing open at 1AM when I rolled in). But I rolled the dice big time trusting that last light wouldn't leave me stranded and drove with one high beam on for 80 miles in the hail getting flashed by every car coming towards me. Thankfully I didn't have to utilize my backup plan of using a mini-Maglite and duct tape as a makeshift headlight. But it was close.

And that completes my first big road trip in Elmo. Now off to get it caught up on maintenance, properly baselined, 4x4Labs bumper welded up, and lift installed.

 

[cahill]

Your "Goat cheese" story had my wife and I laughing pretty hard.

 

[ppc]

Drove straight down the 163 towards Monument Valley and right as I crested the hill, I had to pay homage to my favorite long-distance runner.

“I'm pretty tired… I think I'll go home now.”

 

[chubbybunny]

Once I was back home in SoCal, I was able to at least start to weld up the 4x4Labs dual swingout bumper. My little Lincoln 180HD MIG welder did the trick just fine. This was probably one of my first larger and more complex projects to weld together, so I took my time. As in, I probably spent 3 times as long as a more competent person would with a welder. I figured it was a win-win getting the weld-together kit over the already completed bumper; saved a big chunk of change, and increased my skills with the MIG. There really is no substitution for practice.

Prepped for a dual-battery install by purchasing a passenger-side battery tray from the dealer (~$80 I believe) and then fabbed up a relocation bracket for the windshield washer bottle. Used 1" x 1/8" steel flat stock. Fancy. I may even paint it eventually.

.

Took a quick trip to Joshua Tree for the day. Took the Southern route in, off-tarmac and through a wash. Much more interesting and cheaper way to get in than the front gate.

But seriously, if there's a well defined path/road here in the park, I'll take it. Definitely not cool to blaze your own path and cut through the desert. It's not like the East Coast where the forest swallows any trace of your presence within a season. What happens to the desert surface STAYS on the desert surface for decades. There's even mule paths that were used 100 years ago still visible snaking through the valleys. Keep the off-road fun for Johnson Valley, only a few miles North. These dry deserts really are fragile ecosystems.

Ordered a new set of springs and shocks, front and rear.

Shocks: Front - OME Nitro 60018
Rear - OME Nitro 60020
Springs: Front - ARB 2850 Heavy
Rear - ARB 2863 Medium

Before:

After:

Looks like I'm driving on roller skate wheels now. Stinkbug club!

Found a used Warn 9.5Ti winch on craigslist for $400 that seemed too good to pass up. Picked it up, and tried to slap it in. Didn't quite fit as the motor housing interfered with the ARB bumper. Shimmed that puppy out about 3/8" with some plate and it dropped right in! Not without the help of about 3 ratchet straps though because that sucker is HEAVY when you're trying to lift it into place by yourself. The control box I mounted to the one of the light tabs on the ARB bumper for now, as there weren't any other suitable options at the time. I'll fix that later on.

Next up: Sonic's best friend, KNUCKLES!




I'm going to need way more shop towels.

 

[chubbybunny]

Knuckles:

Step One: Go straight to Costco and look for the 18 pack of blue shop towels. Buy a whole pallet.
Step Two: Brakleen is meant to be used as you would use Lysol on a new friend during COVID. Liberally.
Step Three: Dig out that bag of clothes you planned on donating to Goodwill for a measly tax write-off and wear those rags one last time. They'll be trash after this.
Step Four: Disassemble and get grease everywhere. Clean everything thoroughly and try to remember where everything goes back. Reassemble.
Step Five: Undo everything that you just did because you don't remember if you put that paper gasket in the right way. Reassemble. Remember to push the lock tabs down on the wheel bearing nut retainer. Or you'll be doing Step Five again. Not that I would know.
Step Six: Wait to test drive tomorrow because you sure as sh*t shouldn't be driving after all the Step Sixes you're having.
Step Seven: Nurse that hangover and drive the b*tch. Congrats.

First time these knuckles have been apart since the factory.

Pack it in there, boys. Technique is important; have the older guys give you some pointers. She'll thank you later.

A week or so later drove out to Red Rocks right outside Vegas for some climbing. February weather was perfect for getting some solid pitches in.

I won $4 at video poker in a gas station right outside the park. Cashed out and rode that high for the next few days. I was a winner, man!

Being from California I had never seen rust before, so I decided to leave the rear bumper this beautiful patina color for the next, oh, year or so. Paint is just too mainstream nowadays, you know?

 

[rons1957]

You got that right. Just went through that knuckle rebuild process myself. Finally replenished my stash of blue Costco shop towels. In the modern age is there anything more valuable than those blue shop towels? I can see them becoming a form of currency in this post apocalyptic covid world.