Blue77FJ40
SILVER Star
Check out Jim C’s bump method with the tranny in 4th. Muuuuuch easier.
What have you done to your Land Cruiser this week? (57 Viewers)
- Thread starter IH8MUD
- Start date
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Vossie
#thecrazycruiserman
1st coat of primer going down, nice to not have to worry about the panels rusting now. Now will finish the build, get it running, then strip it all back down and spray it properly
I see a lot of people rebuilding there knuckles.
Why? What goes bad, or rather what upgrades do people do?
Axle seals leak, and you get birfield soup.
firefighterjed
SILVER Star
I suppose that the reason you see a lot of people doing it is because when we do it, it’s miserable, and misery loves company. So we all post when we do it so others can feel the pain and send cosmic good vibes of support and understanding. Lol.
My motivation to undertake this project is threefold.
First is economy. I’m getting terrible mileage and when it snowed the other day I had the sensation that there was more rolling resistance in the front end than there used to be and the back was trying to pass up the front. Squirrley driving. Replacing front wheel bearings will eliminate that as a cause.
Second is steering. The steering knuckle bearings tend to wear in a depression in the race with the wheels oriented in a straight forward position. This can give the feeling of a detent or return to center. I wanted to smooth up the steering.
Third is the giant mess of grease and gear oil that has begun to accumulate, mostly on my drivers knuckle and flings onto my beautifully powder coated wheel. Not to mention the escape of critical front axle lubrication. I want things to be clean and new again. This is one big step in that process.
These rigs are old! The steering knuckle is a wear and maintenance item that needs to be done periodically. Now is my time.
So is this something that you will do once in a lifetime kind of thing?
Edit: I know this will vary person to person, but how long does it take to rebuild them? Will I be dedicating a weekend to it, or will it be a few?
Skreddy
SILVER Star
“I suppose that the reason you see a lot of people doing it is because when we do it, it’s miserable, and misery loves company. So we all post when we do it so others can feel the pain and send cosmic good vibes of support and understanding. Lol.”
So am I the only one that kind of enjoys a good knuckle rebuild?
So am I the only one that kind of enjoys a good knuckle rebuild?
I can do a knuckle rebuild in about 5-6 hours, depending on how stuck things end up being.
firefighterjed
SILVER Star
So is this something that you will do once in a lifetime kind of thing?
Now, I’m in the deep cleaning phase, because I’m going to paint everything and make it look new before I reassemble it.
Here’s my timeline.
Day 1: An evening of learning and wallowing in grease as I tear down the first one.
Day 2: go to the store for more rubber cloves, paper towels and a gallon size tub of grease…. Tear down the second side with remarkable ease, now that I know how it’s done. Clean, clean, clean. Mask and paint.
Day 3: assembly and celebration (hopefully. Ask me tomorrow)
I’m no pro, but I have most of the right tools for the job. Took me about 4 hours to tear down the first one and get it cleaned up enough that I could reassemble if looks didn’t matter. Second one took just a little more than an hour to tear down.
Now, I’m in the deep cleaning phase, because I’m going to paint everything and make it look new before I reassemble it.
Here’s my timeline.
Day 1: An evening of learning and wallowing in grease as I tear down the first one.
Day 2: go to the store for more rubber cloves, paper towels and a gallon size tub of grease…. Tear down the second side with remarkable ease, now that I know how it’s done. Clean, clean, clean. Mask and paint.
Day 3: assembly and celebration (hopefully. Ask me tomorrow)
If you plan on changing out the trunnion bearings you will need a centering tool which are pricey. I have one that I could loan out with a $300 refundable deposit.
firefighterjed
SILVER Star
Thanks for reaching out. A local cruiserhead has already lent me the centering tool
Most of my parts are clean. Paint is next.
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You don't really have to (even though it probably is best), as long as you keep the shims in place and don't confuse them. I've never had a problem with it.
Skreddy
SILVER Star
No pics of the cruiser, but put about 100 more miles on it round trip to go visit my dad; loaded full of car seats and all. Freeway around 70mph and no issues; 1 hand on the wheel and all. Even hit 80 passing a truck with gravel.
Clubtroy
SILVER Star
Finally got it down to frame and powertrain. Hit it with many gallons of degreaser and then a once over with the power washer. Now to get the T-case off and replace all gaskets and seals. Paint the engine and frame off to blast and paint...I'm $14k in and still at this phase. OEM parts are outta sight!
Please come do mine! Haha. I have all the parts but I can't find the time part yet....
What for that red block is also 2”?
Decorated its cave with unused pieces from its donors.
Red Block in a harder version of the OEM "pucks" same size Only the chassis upper black pucks are 2 inch^^What for that red block is also 2”?
