What have you done to your Land Cruiser this week? (14 Viewers)

[Solace in Solitude]

I really appreciate your input, Mark!!

At the risk of sounding like a skinflint customer, I'm not so concerned with the the rear tires smacking the fenders, because I have BOSS air bags on the back... they took the place of the rear bump stops... right now, they only have 15 psi...

I would, at least, double that when going off-road... I adjust my bags up, when I air my tires down... I adjust my bags down, when I air my tires up... (I also brush my dogs when I air back up... that keeps the yelling to a minimum when we come in the door).

I made that rule to allow me to be sure I don't take the garage door header out because 44 is too high... and to keep Dianna's dander down. Exception: When leaving on a road trip, I adjust the bags up or down, based on how much gas I have in the aux tank.

It would have taken about 80psi to hit the header with the old tires... it will take about 40-50psi now... I haven't had time to suss it out yet.

Regarding the drift... 44 was terribly dangerous when I bought her... she drifted worse than a sleep-walking drunk with vertigo... the tie and relay rods wouldn't allow me to adjust the toe-in properly. CDan sourced me new rods and TREs... the rods were threaded 1/4" more... I only needed an additional 1/8" to make it perfect.

The drift I referred to earlier, is associated with roads that have grooves to prevent slippery-when-wet... she doesn't drift from lane to lane, like she did when I bought her... just slightly to left and right... not frighteningly and only on those 'grooved' roads... and, again, I'm not sure it's worse than it was, on those roads, but I'll find out when I have more time to drive her.

I originally debated 16" vs 15" rims... then 7" vs 8"... it ultimately came down to my desire to NOT have to run a spacer... the 15x8s were the only 'cheap' wheels I could find that had the correct bolt-pattern, with 3.50" backspace. In this environment, I've never aired down below 15psi... I doubt I will go that low with these KM2s... more likely 18psi or so.

I really like the way the tires and rims look on 44... but, I want to be safe...

Do you feel I need extended bump stops on the front?

Do you have any other concerns I should keep in mind?

Thanks!!

 

[65swb45]

A picture's worth a thousand words. This troopie was here Friday. He's obviously got more clearance. And he obviously had a dent in the fender from the tire hitting. HE ASKED ME for the bump stop extensions.

 

[carreta]

Nice troopie

 

[Solace in Solitude]

I can't see where he had a dent, but I take your word for it.

Was the dent on the rear fender?

44 has been dented there as well... before I bought her.

But, my air bags function as an extended bump stop... I can also raise her an additional 2.5", by adding air.

Since I don't have bump stops on the rear... the air bags replaced them... I'm going to forego adding extensions.

If it bites me, you'll be the first I tell.

But, thanks for the info!!

 

[65swb45]

Sorry I don't have a close up; the dent is in the top lip of the front fender.

 

[Michael B]

I was at the body shop today dropping off my frame for paint and snapped this pic of my bed being test fit with the new floor.

 

[RWBeringer4x4]

Well.. I'm not sure. I'm so broke right now it's not even funny... so nothing in the short term sadly. I have been putting together a 2FE for it for the last year or so... I was aiming to save some money up over the summer and start it in the winter. Now I'm just going to do the same, but not have the cruiser to enjoy until I'm ready to start. Right now, I'm realistically thinking the 40 will be down for quite a long time. Which sucks bad, I had it dialed in lately and was really happy with how everything was working. OH well.. at least when I'm done it will have a Toyota drivetrain again more then likely.

I feel your pain...I've been saving for the better part of a year to pull and rebuild the driveline on my 40...and even then, I'll probably wind up sticking with the 283 to save a few bucks, even though SBC's are so cheap new! I've been driving it in the meantime, but now I've got the rear harness out trying to track down why my tail lights stopped working...So in the garage it sits...

Cool to hear you will be going to a 2FE though - that's always been one of my favorite setups for these trucks. If you're missing something in particular to keep things moving, let me know - there's no shortage of rust-buckets over here on the east coast, so I might be able to snag something off a parts rig locally and ship it out to you.

Any idea what caused the small block to torch?

 

[65swb45]

I was at the body shop today dropping off my frame for paint and snapped this pic of my bed being test fit with the new floor.

View attachment 1271528

You know, I do believe that's the first time that angle has ever been captured on film.

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Sorry I don't have a close up; the dent is in the top lip of the front fender.

Thanks Mark. I'll look into it and see what I see... but, it will be the last part of June before I can get to 44. We're leaving in the morning for a week of camping at 9200' in Utah... then a run down to the wonderful Imperial Valley and on up to Bullevarde, CA, for a family reunion...

A week at 9200' and then a visit to the hell that is my birthplace (El Centro, CA)... when my windshield is covered in suicidal insects and the air is perfumed with the smell of fresh cow manure, I know I'm home again...

 

[hairy_apple]

I feel your pain...I've been saving for the better part of a year to pull and rebuild the driveline on my 40...and even then, I'll probably wind up sticking with the 283 to save a few bucks, even though SBC's are so cheap new! I've been driving it in the meantime, but now I've got the rear harness out trying to track down why my tail lights stopped working...So in the garage it sits...

Cool to hear you will be going to a 2FE though - that's always been one of my favorite setups for these trucks. If you're missing something in particular to keep things moving, let me know - there's no shortage of rust-buckets over here on the east coast, so I might be able to snag something off a parts rig locally and ship it out to you.

Any idea what caused the small block to torch?

Not a clue what caused it. Great news is that it is NOT blown up. Compression test today and It was 170 in all but 2 cylinders at 150.
So short term going to replace the carb and distributor and rewire what needs to be done and hopefully I can bring her back to life quickly.... the thought of no 4x4 all summer was very depressing.

 

[65swb45]

Not a clue what caused it. Great news is that it is NOT blown up. Compression test today and It was 170 in all but 2 cylinders at 150.
So short term going to replace the carb and distributor and rewire what needs to be done and hopefully I can bring her back to life quickly.... the thought of no 4x4 all summer was very depressing.

I rescued a carb fire like that for one of the guys in our local 4x4 club years ago. Same deal. Replace a few melted parts, douche out the carb, see if it'll run, and take it from there. Got it running and him safely home (this happened 200 miles away )

truck was still running fine when we kicked him out of the club the next month. After putting out his fire, and spending several hours getting his rig running again (he was in shock) I handed him a bill for $12 at our next club meeting for getting my fire extinguisher recharged. He refused to pay it.

 

[bikersmurf]

I rescued a carb fire like that for one of the guys in our local 4x4 club years ago. Same deal. Replace a few melted parts, douche out the carb, see if it'll run, and take it from there. Got it running and him safely home (this happened 200 miles away )

truck was still running fine when we kicked him out of the club the next month. After putting out his fire, and spending several hours getting his rig running again (he was in shock) I handed him a bill for $12 at our next club meeting for getting my fire extinguisher recharged. He refused to pay it.

I'm shocked, what a prize. The guy doesn't deserve to own his truck. You shouldn't have to think, "Should I just let it burn?"

 

[tmarx]

Packed her for a 10 day trip to the Kalahari, which starts in the morning

 

[JohnnyC]

adjusted the valves... replaced the valve cover gasket... beat down the cover to make it flat on top because the old steel bends in a tad when compressing down the nuts

no pics.... you'll have to take my word for it that i actually did this

 

[desert land]

A picture's worth a thousand words. This troopie was here Friday. He's obviously got more clearance. And he obviously had a dent in the fender from the tire hitting. HE ASKED ME for the bump stop extensions.
View attachment 1271446

Mark that Troopy is awsome! Do you have any other pics, I would like to see how he did roll cage. Mine won't be here for a couple weeks, but needs lots of love!

 

[65swb45]

Mark that Troopy is awsome! Do you have any other pics, I would like to see how he did roll cage. Mine won't be here for a couple weeks, but needs lots of love![]

Sorry I don't. I was focused on tuning up the engine. He did however share that the cage was made by Proffits. I noted that the cage had a frame tie in under the wheelwell by the rear quarter panel. That's all I can tell you about that. Cool setup on the non US 2F. First time I'd seen the post 79 intake with no EGR port.

 

[bellaire35]

Took the doors and soft top off. Slapped the bikini top on and took some buddies for a tour of Costa Rica.

 

[bellaire35]

A few more

 

[airon23]

Purchased it! Yeah baby I'm back! It's been too long.

 

[Uzjgaspowered]

Purchased it! Yeah baby I'm back! It's been too long.

Pics or didn't happen!