Builds Wilson's FJ80

[Godwin]

I felt a lot more comfortable driving the truck yesterday and actually relaxed a bit. Luckily I only had to drive through one nasty band of the hurricane.

Had my first kinda evasive driving move yesterday when a huge turtle @Godwin could have identified moved out into the road. Truck did fine, and we avoided him. Based on the truck's feedback, I also realized that I am probably being overly cautious, which helped my confidence.

Couple days here then we're off to the Outer Banks.

Only a few possibilities, common snapping turtle, river cooter, or northern red-bellied turtle. Common snapper easy to identify, rough shell, long neck, long tail. The other two are close in resemblance and you have to look close to separate them. Glad you missed hitting the turtle.

 

[Godwin]

I felt a lot more comfortable driving the truck yesterday and actually relaxed a bit. Luckily I only had to drive through one nasty band of the hurricane.

Had my first kinda evasive driving move yesterday when a huge turtle @Godwin could have identified moved out into the road. Truck did fine, and we avoided him. Based on the truck's feedback, I also realized that I am probably being overly cautious, which helped my confidence.

Couple days here then we're off to the Outer Banks.

Now you need an "I Brake for Turtles" bumper sticker

 

[Catskills]

Only a few possibilities, common snapping turtle, river cooter, or northern red-bellied turtle. Common snapper easy to identify, rough shell, long neck, long tail. The other two are close in resemblance and you have to look close to separate them. Glad you missed hitting the turtle.

Def not a snapper.

Me too. Woulda ruined my day.

 

[Catskills]

Predictably, Katie (our kiddo) and I made it to the Outer Banks without an issue.

Let's leave the 80 here. Hundy can stay out in the rain.

 

[Catskills]

I've been putting this off for awhile.

Onur and I are getting a divorce and he is on his way to AZ to start a new life there.

 

[Catskills]

In my effort to be out of the house while he was packing, I went to Yankee Toys' Fall Gathering in NH this weekend.

Had some issues with the truck last week, and probably would have taken the 100 but it is getting body work done from an injury sustained at Coal Mine Cruiser Classic. Anyway, my truck wouldn't start/weak start. It's actually been this way since May, but intermittently and haven't figured out the issue yet. I took it to a shop I used to use all the time, Stone Ridge Tire, and Joe assured me I needed a new alternator. So, new alternator.

On the drive to NH, it made a godawful noise. Popped the hood and couldn't see what it was, and of course when it happened I was in the mountains with no service.

Kept driving until I had service, then called my buddy at the event, who put me on speaker so the Iron Pig guys could weigh in. They assured me that as long as there wasn't a vibration to accompany the noise, I should keep driving and they'd come and get me with a trailer if I didn't show up when they expected me to be there.

They quickly diagnosed the issue once I rolled in. A pin from the newly installed alternator worked its way to the fan.

Once they were under the hood, they also saw my brake fluid was low and leaking, so they addressed that as well.

 

[Catskills]

Headed out on Friday to enjoy some Class VI roads, and of course the 80 was a joy to drive. As per usual, there are no pics of me driving, but I took lots of pics, mostly of the HDJ81 in front of me.

And my pup Lucy, who went wheeling for the first time and loved it.

 

[Catskills]

In NH I still had an issue with the truck not starting on Thursday night. Stopped trying, then once I tried again it started right up.

Mystery remains.

 

[Catskills]

On Saturday, I went out on Class VI roads again, this time following Dean @TheCarMaster40 and his dad @dr_dobro in Dean's Lexus.

It was nice to be out with friends, and @dr_dobro is an excellent spotter so it was a really relaxing day.

 

[FMC80]

Looks like a great time with great friends and surrounded by great scenery. Love the fall colors even more when there are cruisers everywhere. Just looks natural.

 

[Catskills]

And nice to make some new friends too!

@NeverGiveUpYota

 

[Catskills]

One other thing I need to say about Cruiser people. It was a really unnerving drive with that racket under the hood especially when I didn't have service, and 10:30 at night, etc.

And I love this damn truck so much and was so worried that driving it was going to exacerbate the issue...

I came into camp and at one point there were so many guys under the hood I couldn't even peek in there.

Pretty amazing group of people.

 

[Catskills]

Gorgeous trails...

And then it was back to reality...

 

[Catskills]

Today I swung in to tell Joe what happened to the alternator his guys installed, and he said they were repairing one that had the same issue, that he was really sorry, and to bring it in for a new one as soon as the 100 is done.

So nice when people stand behind their work.

 

[dr_dobro]

Great pictures! Good times and priceless memories for a lifetime
@TheCarMaster40 : Dean

Note, Best of luck for two great people of this forum !

 

[Marco Lau]

Today I swung in to tell Joe what happened to the alternator his guys installed, and he said they were repairing one that had the same issue, that he was really sorry, and to bring it in for a new one as soon as the 100 is done.

So nice when people stand behind their work.

I dont understand...what do you mean by a pin work itself loose and made it to the fan?

 

[Catskills]

@Marco Lau I'll take a pic of it tomorrow. Not an OEM alternator and clearly defective.

 

[OGBeno]

I've been putting this off for awhile. Because it sucks and I avoid talking about it.

Onur and I are getting a divorce and he is on his way to AZ to start a new life there.

This is true. And unfortunate. And…. A lot of things.

That said, the 80 in good hands…. A true Cruiser woman is hard to find.

 

[bkfj40]

Sounds like a great trip with the 80 ! Glad Ironpig and others were able to look over the alt. I haven’t seen Lance in ages - good dude!

I would wonder what your fuel pressure is when you are having issues starting? Maybe get a fuel pressure gauge to have on hand Kris. My friend had a 55 long ago that had an issue starting that was hard to diagnose, once the fuel pressure was checked, it was easy to determine that it was the fuel pump on a TBI 350. Different engine, but same issue as hard to diagnose in the field.

Hope you’re doing well! Looks like the new pup had a blast wheeling.

 

[Catskills]

I dont understand...what do you mean by a pin work itself loose and made it to the fan?

You can see where it slipped out and the goopified mess to keep it from going further. Lance's original tape fix only worked until I was on a super long downhill.