What Did You Do with Your 80 This Weekend?

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The cheaper stick alternatives exist, but the problem with them is the lack of mixing control. You don't have this problem with weighted liquid mixtures.
There are several options:
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and, of course,
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but...
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GORDA91 said:
My tank had a small leak about 3/4 way up. Going to try a repair first (JB weld) before going replacement route. Tank otherwise in good shape as were the straps and hardware. Going to replace fuel pump and tank gasket while in there.
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Malleus said:
That's probably not a good idea. You need to find a match between the polymer and the solvent, like this:
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Not only do you risk losing integrity in the tank if the solvent (and gasoline is not one chemical compound, it's a mixture of several), but you risk contaminating your fuel system if the solvent(s) in the fuel reduces the epoxy and it mixes with the fuel.

And then there's the ethanol consideration, or not. Many epoxies may be compatible with non–ethanol gasoline fuel or diesel fuel, but ethanol is a known epoxy solvent.

You can always try it first, in a safety experiment. Put some of the fuel you normally use in a glass container. Mix up some epoxy and paint it onto a metal substrate, then immerse that in the fuel. You'll be able to observe the reaction through the glass.
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Malleus said:
The cheaper stick alternatives exist, but the problem with them is the lack of mixing control. You don't have this problem with weighted liquid mixtures.
There are several options:
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and, of course,
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but...
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IMO just not worth the risk

Just get the replacement tank while there still available
 
Mesa Woman said:
New OEM bushings going in upper control arms/radius arms from @cruiseroutfit Front Control Arm Bushing at Axle - Fits 1990 - 1997 8x/450 Applications (SUSB60050OEM) - https://cruiserteq.com/front-control-arm-bushing-at-axle-fits-1990-1997-8x-450-applications-susb60050oem/?searchid=0&search_query=SUSB60050OEM

But first to press the old ones out…
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It’s been a busy week on the Mesa and BIG Betty got a lot of our attention!

First was adding the new bushings from @cruiseroutfit in the Leading Arms/ Front Control Arms/ Radius Arms (we never realized all the names for these arms), but they have new bushings!

Took a bigger press than what we have at home, so we visited a buddy to help press the old bushings out and heat ended up being the key! New ones slid right in without issue.

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✅ New Bushing Installed - thanks Gabe @mesa man!!

Next was a fun Saturday 3/7 of wheeling with a local 4wheelers club then we joined some friends camping and rock crawling a few hours from home. Camped out for two nights to make the most of the adventure!
Betty did not crawl; we jumped in with our friends.

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Gabe getting some seat time this adventure
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Our Crawler Buddies, Grant @Dumpolina, Shenanigans Mike and Cass
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A VERY Peaceful evening!
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and a handful of club members @krazykat69
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✅Fun Weekend of Wheeling and New Lessons Learned

But we had a little incident after an obstacle in BIG Betty and a squeeze between two trees… can you spot what happened?

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to be continued…
 
Continued...
Wheeling weekend with a local club, there was an obstacle to crawl over and then a sharp turn and a squeeze between two trees... All was well, I shut off the video, our spotter walked away and as we pulled through the trees Betty tipped so slightly towards driver side tree and POP!

The squeeze between the two trees, all looks great!
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The two trees with some rocks to climb and a slight lean...
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Our quarter side window broke… barely tapped the corner of the window… BUT good news is we have a parts vehicle we scored for $250 so we are hoping the parts window is in good shape… now we get to learn how to remove and install a side window Betty the 80!
Luckily, I purchased a FSM last Sept, thanks @smoothcruiser and the instructions are in there, our new bible!
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Our fix for the drive home. We lost our local chapter, New Mexico High Desert Cruisers, decal but salvaged a piece of it.
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We got home Sunday evening and on Monday morning Gabe and I were busy cleaning glass and learning the removal and install of the side window. Oh, and GREAT news, the parts vehicle window was perfect after some cleaning and removal of thick tint.
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razor blade and alcohol did the trick for tint removal
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Removal went pretty smooth, got to practice on the parts vehicle so by the time we got to Betty we knew what we were doing.
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FYI 1997 Lexus and 1994 Toyota are the same glass and shape BUT the Lexus has a fixed window so luckily the slide on the Lexus was the same one that popped on Betty. Phew because I was not ready to get rid of our sliding windows and that's my side of the bed!
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New window went into the frame with no issues, and we have the pink cord ready for the install into Betty.
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The install into Betty was hard but we did it, Gabe outside pushing hard on the window and I was pulling that cord with all my strength, but we eventually got it!
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✅New Side Window Installed and looks GREAT!

Now we need a new NMHDC decal! @Poupon @pappy :doh:
 
Had to work out of town for a week and then a bit over 2 weeks in NZ, so dropped my truck off at Commonwealth 4x4 our local cruiser specialist for some work while I was gone. I had a bad electrical problem that was blowing the dome/stereo fuse constantly - the truck was idling way too fast, still had some coolant leaks after we changed a few hoses, wouldn’t run at temp in cold weather, the HVAC was struggling, needed PS pump replaced, snorkel installed and a pile of other stuff. I am in a hurry to get it ready for turkey season - so turned the guys loose on it.

Below was all taken care of and seems to have fixed the majority of my problems. Still have a small leak in rear main seal, need a couple tiny exhaust holes welded up, install my new speakers, replace rear window motors and regulators, etc. I guess there will always be a to do list, but I think I am in good shape for the spring anyway.
What was done -

Sensor wires for AC compressor and oil sending unit fixed

IAC valve cleaned

lower radiator hose connector pipe replaced

Throttle position sensor replaced

snorkel installed

Power steering pump replaced

Idler pulley replaced

New tie rod ends

Side cover gasket replaced

Thermostat replaced

AC bracket idler bearing replaced

A number of coolant hoses replaced

Wired light bar

Dome fuse short fixed

Head unit with wireless CarPlay installed on its own circuit

Front window runs replaced (fixed them)

Shift override module replaced

AC/heat blower motor relay replaced

new fan clutch and removed a radiator pusher fan PO installed wrong

Personalized my horn button with my Mbogo logo.

The idle is down to 650-700. Steering feels great.
The HVAC is working great now and engine temps running correctly. Amazing how little things like having dome lights, stereo working properly, heat and cool, not worrying about engine temp, and proper idle make driving it a much more pleasurable experience.

Gonna clean the engine bay up and do a few interior/cosmetic things this weekend and then drive it a couple months. The guy overseeing my project said he wouldn’t hesitate to get in it and drive from KY to CA right now, so feeling pretty good. Fingers crossed.

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ERG80 said:
Made a little more progress on the QPM and subwoofer. I bought a DPI marine 9x15 access hatch to access the wiring back there. DPI Marine Flush Series Hatch 9" x 15" - https://www.dpimarineinc.com/DPF915
Hatch Idea stolen from @chap79

I will eventually paint the hatch to color match.

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Finished the project. Two six inch subs in the box behind the second row seats. Their box is camouflaged with the seat covers. color matched the deck hatch. Also put some 3.5” infinity speakers in the back headliner.

Time to work on my kids playhouse again.

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Repaired gas tank (JB Weld tank weld) and installed new fuel pump. Time will tell how permanent on the repair. Also installed new Toyota shocks front/rear and OME 2861/2862 springs. And ARB front bumper. The bumper was a bitch. Wouldn’t line up with the frame horns. I tried to use a winch strap to get things to line up but was at the limit where I was concerned it was going to break and give me a new face. Took it to local body shop. They said frame horns were fine, had to open up the slots on the bumper a bit. Also had to ream out the mounting holes on the bumper because they were too small for ARB’s own bolts. Pretty lame about the quality control issues. Cost me a couple hundred bucks. If anyone in Houston wants the stock bumper (painted moonglow) it is free to a good home just message me. It is in good shape. I’ll get around to posting in the Texas forum eventually
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GORDA91 said:
Repaired gas tank (JB Weld tank weld) and installed new fuel pump. Time will tell how permanent on the repair. Also installed new Toyota shocks front/rear and OME 2861/2862 springs. And ARB front bumper. The bumper was a bitch. Wouldn’t line up with the frame horns. I tried to use a winch strap to get things to line up but was at the limit where I was concerned it was going to break and give me a new face. Took it to local body shop. They said frame horns were fine, had to open up the slots on the bumper a bit. Also had to ream out the mounting holes on the bumper because they were too small for ARB’s own bolts. Pretty lame about the quality control issues. Cost me a couple hundred bucks. If anyone in Houston wants the stock bumper (painted moonglow) it is free to a good home just message me. It is in good shape. I’ll get around to posting in the Texas forum eventually View attachment 4102485View attachment 4102491
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Bumper looks great
 
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