Better to hear the valves than burn them. Just go stand next to a running Cummins for 5 minutes, you will never hear valves again.
What have you done to your Land Cruiser this week?
- Thread starter IH8MUD
- Start date
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I put my skid plate on today. I h8 putting it up 'cause it's heavy. Used to be I could hold it up with one hand and run in the bolts with the other. These days I can barely lift it and drag it where I need it. It's 1/4" and it's big. I persevered and found that with enough ratchet straps I could move the world. I've used these same straps to hold up the transmission when I pulled the engine so I have experience. It worked perfectly of course. Now the soft underbelly of the Pig is pretty well armored again.
Get er dun any way you can. Maybe one of them harbor china tranny jacks ($130) on wheels. Some where near the center of the skid plate drill and tap a 3/8 hole. Drill a clearance hole in the foot of the jack. Finger tight bolt the plate to the jack. Roll the assembly under the rig. Use a 3/8 up to 1/2 converter attached to your air ratchet/drill-driver and hoist the plate in place.
My skidplate is a beast too. You have given me an idea! Thank you.
Also just put mine on 30 min. ago. Plywood under a wheeled hydraulic jack makes it an effortless operation!
That looks nice. Clean.
Fitted some new 285/75/16 nittos as part of rubithon prep. Ran out of time to finish my power steering installation. So I’ll be running a manual 60 steering box instead. Final reinforcing of the step/slider bars tomorrow and install my skid plate. Then pack up to start the 1000mile drive to that part of California on Monday afternoon
That is the only way I could get the stock plate in place. 2 rotator cuff problems limit the strength ..so does getting older but the jack was ideal
Thanks…… I don’t get that often (even at home) - think I’ll bookmark!
Here in the Southern Gila Forest, Coors banquet beer is the #1 beer garbage we pick up... followed by brass casings and Modelo. In that order.
This ties into what I often say here living rural…never see “my” beer thrown on the side of the road.
Used an oil extractor shoved into my fuel line to check for leaks and immediately found a pinhole leak right before my sedimenter. All of the rubber lines had become hard as a rock since its been sitting for 5 years so they all got replaced. Did the same test and fresh fuel came flying out and onto the floor so we know suction is good!
Going to clean the sedimenter and put everything back together.
Also fixed the wiring goblin going to the alternator with a proper connector. The previous owner had it twisted together and the bundle taped. It started smoking after a couple cranking attempts.
Moved onto the new side markers that only have two wires (body mount serves as the ground) while the harness has 3 wires. Hazards and blinker aren't blinking though so I need to check the relay for that to make sure it's working.
Going to clean the sedimenter and put everything back together.
Also fixed the wiring goblin going to the alternator with a proper connector. The previous owner had it twisted together and the bundle taped. It started smoking after a couple cranking attempts.
Moved onto the new side markers that only have two wires (body mount serves as the ground) while the harness has 3 wires. Hazards and blinker aren't blinking though so I need to check the relay for that to make sure it's working.
An odd thing happened yesterday that I'd like to hear opinions on:
The 40 had been parked for several months and not driven very much for the last year or so.
I fired it up and was driving on a surface street and needed to brake hard for a stoplight.
Since putting on the tall 33" tires I was used to needing more distance and pressure on the pedal for braking,
and this time I really stood on it. There was a loud 'pop' and two wheels (I think) locked but the truck slowed pretty well.
I didn't see any leaks and the braking actually seemed better, though now it's pulling a little to the right.
I should mention that I replaced all 8 cylinders and linings about 6 years ago and have put well over a thousand miles on them.
Thoughts?
The 40 had been parked for several months and not driven very much for the last year or so.
I fired it up and was driving on a surface street and needed to brake hard for a stoplight.
Since putting on the tall 33" tires I was used to needing more distance and pressure on the pedal for braking,
and this time I really stood on it. There was a loud 'pop' and two wheels (I think) locked but the truck slowed pretty well.
I didn't see any leaks and the braking actually seemed better, though now it's pulling a little to the right.
I should mention that I replaced all 8 cylinders and linings about 6 years ago and have put well over a thousand miles on them.
Thoughts?
Drums? Pull them off and look. Adjust if needed.
Pistons might have got stuck in their bores. Things get rusty. Probably a good idea to check the bores of the wheel cylinders.
That is the first thing I thought, too. Consistent with the 'improved' but uneven braking.
Ackcruisers
SILVER Star
If the new wheel cylinders were in an air tight package (as they should be) then I would rule out rust. As we know, the drum brakes take a while to adjust.
IMHO wheel cylinders these days have issues. The threads on the bleed nipples leak if you use a vacuum bleeder (Permatex Aviation Type 2 B will work). The shoe slot in the adjuster needs filed out to fit the shoes, and the slot is milled straight across (cheaper) than on a slant that helps keep the shoes centered. Lastly they don't use enough red read rubber grease in assembly and no anti-seize compound on the adjuster threads.
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If @flee is running the same 6 year old brake fluid, and it's been sitting, there's likely enough moisture absorbed into the fluid to make the cylinders stick a bit from not moving. Brake fluid is unfortunately hygroscopic and these are not perfectly sealed systems, which can also cause a squishy pedal.
This is a valid statement. I get complacent from living in a pretty arid environment and haven't flushed in years but I will before I hit the trail!