PabloCruise
SILVER Star
Where in NW Iowa?
Builds Zeke, the 1975 Wanderer and DD
- Thread starter 120mm
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- #122
Storm Lake ish
PabloCruise
SILVER Star
Jinkees, small world!
I dated a rather charming young lady from the Kimballton/Audubon area. A very nice woman...
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- #124
NW Iowa is heavily Scandinavian, and despite its low population, is well known for its charming females.
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- #125
Got one more picture in before the snow.
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- #126
It's been a couple years, so time for an update.
I guess I can say I lied about never being a government contractor again. A couple months ago, I got one of those offers I can't refuse.
It's a four month on/off contract wrenching on MQ-9 Reapers in Asscrackistan. I never thought I'd get to use my A&P license again, but here I am.
My wife and I are also looking to move to the Clarksville area in North Tennessee to be nearer to kids and potential grand kids.
I should be back in a bit under two months, and once moved, Zeke will go back onto the to-do list. Since I've driven the wheels off it since my last post, I am looking at pulling him off the road and doing a thorough redo.
More later....
I guess I can say I lied about never being a government contractor again. A couple months ago, I got one of those offers I can't refuse.
It's a four month on/off contract wrenching on MQ-9 Reapers in Asscrackistan. I never thought I'd get to use my A&P license again, but here I am.
My wife and I are also looking to move to the Clarksville area in North Tennessee to be nearer to kids and potential grand kids.
I should be back in a bit under two months, and once moved, Zeke will go back onto the to-do list. Since I've driven the wheels off it since my last post, I am looking at pulling him off the road and doing a thorough redo.
More later....
- Thread starter
- #127
Zeke reimagined:
Last summer, my wife and I responded to the Tornado that hit a local town. While there, we realized we made a mistake in bringing her RAV4 and an axe. I'm good with an axe, and it came in handy, but we would've benefited from a rig like Zeke, with a deployment module on a trailer with a variety of things that would've helped with our efforts there.
But first, Zeke needs to be baselined, much like I did with Marjan, my Series 80, only more thoroughly.
My goal is to address every speck of rust, replace all the rubber bits, including body bushings, and pull the doors apart to restore function.
I still haven't exchanged the grease in the birfs, so that is also something I'll do before moving to TN.
Just before I deployed again, I installed DUI ignition, because my original system took a dump immediately after attending a metal-shaping class in Wisconsin.
I think next up will be an AFI.
After that, undo the SOA lift, sell the tires, and go with stock-ish looking steel wheels and pizza cutter tires on a moderate SUA lift. Both my wife and dog will thank me.
Air conditioning is still on the "to do" list. Personally, I grew up without it and don't need it, but my wife wants it.
It will pry get new paint, based on the metal I can see that needs replaced, but will stay green. Probably a satin finish like I did with Marjan.
I have a new MIG welder, and have been developing skills working on other projects, so I will rig a professional solution to carrying fuel cans and my spare outside of the vehicle, to open up space.
Last summer, my wife and I responded to the Tornado that hit a local town. While there, we realized we made a mistake in bringing her RAV4 and an axe. I'm good with an axe, and it came in handy, but we would've benefited from a rig like Zeke, with a deployment module on a trailer with a variety of things that would've helped with our efforts there.
But first, Zeke needs to be baselined, much like I did with Marjan, my Series 80, only more thoroughly.
My goal is to address every speck of rust, replace all the rubber bits, including body bushings, and pull the doors apart to restore function.
I still haven't exchanged the grease in the birfs, so that is also something I'll do before moving to TN.
Just before I deployed again, I installed DUI ignition, because my original system took a dump immediately after attending a metal-shaping class in Wisconsin.
I think next up will be an AFI.
After that, undo the SOA lift, sell the tires, and go with stock-ish looking steel wheels and pizza cutter tires on a moderate SUA lift. Both my wife and dog will thank me.
Air conditioning is still on the "to do" list. Personally, I grew up without it and don't need it, but my wife wants it.
It will pry get new paint, based on the metal I can see that needs replaced, but will stay green. Probably a satin finish like I did with Marjan.
I have a new MIG welder, and have been developing skills working on other projects, so I will rig a professional solution to carrying fuel cans and my spare outside of the vehicle, to open up space.
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- #128
I see on AFI's website, they give you the option of ECM or non-ECM kits. Personally, I don't know if my DUI is compatible with ECM or not. If not, is anyone running non-ECM AFI kit, and if so, how good does it do?
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- #129
I talked to Jesse at AFI, and I have decided to go with a non-ECM controlled DUI distributor.
While it is technically less responsive, it is an easier install to let the DUI control the spark.
While I'm told the ECM may "wake up the engine", Zeke's engine is peppy enough to do everything I want the way it is. What I want out of fuel injection is the elimination of a fuel bowl, along with a better idle and less fuel smell.
While it is technically less responsive, it is an easier install to let the DUI control the spark.
While I'm told the ECM may "wake up the engine", Zeke's engine is peppy enough to do everything I want the way it is. What I want out of fuel injection is the elimination of a fuel bowl, along with a better idle and less fuel smell.
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- #130
Besides the fuel injection, the only other deal killer with Zeke, is undoing the SOA lift.
Both of the ladies of my life object strongly to the step up, and frankly, I do not use the lift. At all. 99% of my driving is OTR with only occasional green laning or trail driving.
I'm thinking I want to end up with a light lift, if at all. I like the look of this rig, or even slightly lower:
I have one stock steel wheel that came with my spare, but I will be in the market for a stock "looking" steel wheel with skinny tires. No hubcaps. Any suggestion on sources for affordable steelies?
My rig has had a "cut and turn" to both axles, I believe, so will need to undo that, and I either need the springs re-arched or replaced with new. I will admit that is the part I'm most sketchy about and will be researching the how-to.
Or, if some helpful soul would link me to a good thread that shows how, I'd be grateful.
Both of the ladies of my life object strongly to the step up, and frankly, I do not use the lift. At all. 99% of my driving is OTR with only occasional green laning or trail driving.
I'm thinking I want to end up with a light lift, if at all. I like the look of this rig, or even slightly lower:
I have one stock steel wheel that came with my spare, but I will be in the market for a stock "looking" steel wheel with skinny tires. No hubcaps. Any suggestion on sources for affordable steelies?
My rig has had a "cut and turn" to both axles, I believe, so will need to undo that, and I either need the springs re-arched or replaced with new. I will admit that is the part I'm most sketchy about and will be researching the how-to.
Or, if some helpful soul would link me to a good thread that shows how, I'd be grateful.
I would call Kurt @cruiseroutfit and talk to him about his OME springs, Cruiser Outfitters
Several of us here have installed them and they sound exactly like what you’re after, good chance your cut and turn will be ok with the new springs but once you get them installed it’s a quick check to confirm.
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- #132
Awww, man... Now I have to decide between the 3" light or heavy duty....
I need to see what other FJ55s look with this kit....
Just buy the heavy, it's the same kit with one extra spring that's easy to remove but gives you options if you decide you need or want it.
Give us a call, we can walk through your build, plans, uses, tires size, etc and setup the best kit for your needs.
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- #135
Be advised this needs to wait a couple months until I get home. But will do.
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- #136
You know, I was under the impression that OEM FJ55 wheels were really expensive and made of unobtainium.
Boy am I wrong:
Toyota Land Cruiser 1969-1984 FJ40 15 Inch Steel Wheel Set of 4 & Hub Caps OEM | eBay
Maybe I WILL go with hub caps.
Boy am I wrong:
Toyota Land Cruiser 1969-1984 FJ40 15 Inch Steel Wheel Set of 4 & Hub Caps OEM | eBay
Maybe I WILL go with hub caps.
On my cellphone and copy paste doesn't work for me but poke around my build thread and I have a few photos of when I installed mine.
You can also check out.
The Warthog - 1977/73 combo
Lots of photos from different angles and similar tires and wheels to what you are looking for
We (Cruiser Outfitters) stock them too! We can match that price and ship them on a pallet with a suspension
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- #139
We (Cruiser Outfitters) stock them too! We can match that price and ship them on a pallet with a suspension
Well played sir, well played. I see that some are listed as "disc brake wheels" and others are not. I have front discs, so assuming I need some of those.
Yes, Disc wheels will fit on any disc or drum Toyota axle (4x/5x/6x Series) however the old original drum wheels (no longer available new) won't fit on a front disc brake for example. Anything you buy new will fit.
