Kurt makes it easy!
Builds Zeke, the 1975 Wanderer and DD
- Thread starter 120mm
- Start date
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- Thread starter
- #142
The problem with having a lot of time between making plans and executing them, is that it's quite easy to have those plans hijacked by other ideas.
What with the upcoming move to Tennessee and all those expenses involved, I was wondering where the suspension part budget was coming out of, and then I read THIS article:
expeditionportal.com
TBH, the only issue I have with the SOA lift on Zeke is my lovely bride and my hound having trouble getting up into it. I personally think it's one of the best handling/riding Landcruisers I've ever ridden in, and I'd hate to ruin that.
The big question in my mind is "How does a SOA lift behave when towing?"
I'd like to buy a car carrier and use Zeke to tow my Mustang to Tennessee when moving, and then use that trailer later to retrieve this or that project. Am mildly concerned about the SOA affects that.
Anyone with experience towing behind a SOA equipped 55?
What with the upcoming move to Tennessee and all those expenses involved, I was wondering where the suspension part budget was coming out of, and then I read THIS article:
SOA fj55
I have been going back and forth for a long time about what to do with my fj 55. I had kind of decided to stay in the 3in lift range. But recently I decided to keep my Tacoma which will probably be used for longer trips(time wise) therefore longer distances. So my logic is I could go SOA with...
expeditionportal.com
TBH, the only issue I have with the SOA lift on Zeke is my lovely bride and my hound having trouble getting up into it. I personally think it's one of the best handling/riding Landcruisers I've ever ridden in, and I'd hate to ruin that.
The big question in my mind is "How does a SOA lift behave when towing?"
I'd like to buy a car carrier and use Zeke to tow my Mustang to Tennessee when moving, and then use that trailer later to retrieve this or that project. Am mildly concerned about the SOA affects that.
Anyone with experience towing behind a SOA equipped 55?
Kurt at Cruiser Outfitters has a response in that thread and says it tows just fine.
- Thread starter
- #144
Well, at the very least, that kicks the can of replacing the suspension down the road. Once established in TN, I will revisit the idea of lowering the rig.
Maybe by that time I will be complete with my 80 series radius arm and coilover design. You can rob that from me if you like. You can set your ride height where ever you want and I estimate that after sourcing the arms and custom coilovers and sway bar im only in it for $1500. We will see.
- Thread starter
- #146
Dang, I want to see that. I'm planning on pulling Zeke off the road as soon as time and money allow and fixing a bunch of things anyway.
RUSH55
SILVER Star
Put some steps on it and leave it. Some nice, well thought out slider/steps. Leave it SOA! Whoever did the work did an excellent job!
My .02
My .02
- Thread starter
- #148
Well, we found a nice house in Clarksville, which is new construction in a great location. It has a 2 car attached garage, and the shop will go in, in the back yard, right after occupying it after the 1st of the month.
I broke down and gave Zeke to my mechanic, who is replacing the clutch pack, and redoing the rear main seal as well as the oil pan seal. No pictures, but Zeke should be ready for the big trip to Clarksville on the 1st of August.
Once we get settled, I'll look into fixing the carburetion issues/going TBI and dealing with the rust. I pack up my metalshaping and welding equipment tonight.
I broke down and gave Zeke to my mechanic, who is replacing the clutch pack, and redoing the rear main seal as well as the oil pan seal. No pictures, but Zeke should be ready for the big trip to Clarksville on the 1st of August.
Once we get settled, I'll look into fixing the carburetion issues/going TBI and dealing with the rust. I pack up my metalshaping and welding equipment tonight.
RUSH55
SILVER Star
Great to hear the update!
Been wondering...
Been wondering...
- Thread starter
- #150
I got Zeke back from the mechanic on Friday, and spent Saturday getting the timing/carb adjustments just right. And then I put Zeke to work.
- Thread starter
- #151
Well, the builder's walk through went well on Friday, and I flew back to Des Moines yesterday.
What I didn't tell anyone, is that I drove my 1967 Mustang Convertible, named "Daisy" down on Thursday. 10 hours in a convertible with a hopped up '95 5.0L roller motor with a cam and headered straight pipes and a Toploader 4 speed with a race kit will take the stuffing out of anyone.
Lela wasn't excited that she wasn't going along. Ended up having to kennel her while I was gone so she'd have other dogs to play with.
Tomorrow she gets to ride along, as we pull a trailer from central Iowa to Clarksville, mainly along secondary roads, because 2F. I had to go 15" on my drop hitch just to get the trailer somewhat level.
There's my prospective route. If anyone along the way want to be part of my break down plan, just drop me a note.
What I didn't tell anyone, is that I drove my 1967 Mustang Convertible, named "Daisy" down on Thursday. 10 hours in a convertible with a hopped up '95 5.0L roller motor with a cam and headered straight pipes and a Toploader 4 speed with a race kit will take the stuffing out of anyone.
Lela wasn't excited that she wasn't going along. Ended up having to kennel her while I was gone so she'd have other dogs to play with.
Tomorrow she gets to ride along, as we pull a trailer from central Iowa to Clarksville, mainly along secondary roads, because 2F. I had to go 15" on my drop hitch just to get the trailer somewhat level.
There's my prospective route. If anyone along the way want to be part of my break down plan, just drop me a note.
- Thread starter
- #152
Zeke all hooked up to the trailer and ready to roll....
She looks ready! Good luck and have some fun.
WarDamnEagle
SILVER Star
Safe travels. At least it's all downhill. 
- Thread starter
- #155
Zeke and I made it! Over 600 miles of really bad back roads, and even a 6 mile stretch in Illinois of unimproved dirt. Thanks Google Maps!
No problem, though, because I drive an Iron Pig.
Pretty scenery in Kentucky coal fields.
At the new home. Need to build shop though.
In the process of driving there, I manage to destroy the dash wires when they caught on the steering knuckle, so I have that to fix now.
No problem, though, because I drive an Iron Pig.
Pretty scenery in Kentucky coal fields.
At the new home. Need to build shop though.
In the process of driving there, I manage to destroy the dash wires when they caught on the steering knuckle, so I have that to fix now.
- Thread starter
- #157
Today I finally had a break from unpacking, so was able to fix the broken wiring. Figured out how to remove the four screws and had to drop the steering column to get the dash out. Figured out which wires went to which instrument, found where they came out of the loom and reconnected. Now everything works. It's still a spaghetti mess, wiring wise, and I need to get the horn working, esp driving in traffic around here.
Then I opened up the tailgate, as my rear window motor is racheting pretty bad, and needs help getting it up.
Then, I did a survey of the body, and found the body cancer I need to fix first. Nothing horribly scary, and I will put all that metalshaping equipment I own to work.
Then I opened up the tailgate, as my rear window motor is racheting pretty bad, and needs help getting it up.
Then, I did a survey of the body, and found the body cancer I need to fix first. Nothing horribly scary, and I will put all that metalshaping equipment I own to work.
RUSH55
SILVER Star
All the usual suspects.
- Thread starter
- #159
Once all the boxes are unpacked and the house is sold in Iowa (still waiting on closing) Fixing Zeke is going to be my full time job. Or at least as "full time" as I'm willing to get. Still have to deploy in October for my second 4 month tour in Afghanistan.
RUSH55
SILVER Star
Full time use the s#*t out of it until then. When you take it down to make these repairs, it’ll be down for awhile. Take the time to enjoy it and your family. I’m sure 4 months in Afghanistan must seem like an eternity!
