Blowen 87 series Landcruiser

[Big]

Ha, well here are some pics for you pic whores..
Went up to Macetown yesterday and had a blast.. only 2nd time out since actually being able to drive it somewhere.. Was very interesting..

At Butlers green checking tahs


Heading up the valley..brrrr cold



Start of low road.. had to park it somewhere



Ice there was about 40mm thick



Didnt realise there was a hole under the snow



Here is Al my good friend and you can see his whole front end is on the ice.. but it broke though when his whole truck was on it.. 50mm thick there..



This pic is for you all that really dont have any idea on how cold it gets here.. notice the white under the water... Its Ice forming under water.. thought id throw that in for you all



This is where the main town almost starts.. Lots of snow



This is a creek we go up.. lol




Now this pic is where im getting to see the real difference between my old truck and this one.. My old truck.. wouldnt have even bothered trying to climb this.. new one just walked it.. i was blown away as Al in his zuk ( lockers front and rear) only just got up it.. its about 1.5m vertical well almost..



This is when we came out and I took the low road again.. thought Id try get up.. the track was ice from top to bottom



and a short vid haha Al's a smart barsteward Slid all way back to bottom If you listen you can hear the limiter goin off..lol



Had started to make a fiew little changes to front gaurds.. not quit enough room for chains and had some rub.. Once thats done Ill post up a pic or too

cheers thats it

[NJV6]

Nice pics, given the weeks forecast, you should go in next weekend, I reckon the river will be frozen over in places. Here's a picture of me parked on top of the river a few years back, we couldn't even get out of the creek in arowtown without chains on




Oh and look familiar???

[Big]

Oh bugger.. thought i was first.. Thats some serious ice there.. AL and I have been chgatting about going to the tiger run next weekend.. that'll be interesting..lol

[Big]

Been toying with a twin setup for shocks up front but have had issue's with the rear stearing arm.. So came up with an inventive way around it This is mockup stage..

And because I have to raise the mount a bit to miss all the working bits, it'll work with a standard height shock.. which i have 2 spare beit original ones but as $$$ are low these will do for a bit to see how it runs along side the ome ones.. . Also added 30mm to the front spring height thanks to 4wdbits..to bring it all up to a nice levelk line as nose was heading south on me..

Just have to sort out the twin mounts better and possibly move the axle forward a bit and thats the front all done..
Also completed a few little things that were bugging the hell outter me, thats a big load off as all the small bits just stackup and then you cant be farked..lol

[juz]

Very cool, was up there in the weekend and said to the misus should have brought the truck up gone up to macetown.. was -8 at 10pm saturday night.

[Big]

ok have been busy with panhard top mount.. Just couldnt think of it actually having any issues at all so I went for it..
I have cut off some of the top mount and zipped a peice either side and i have dropped and moved along about 30 mm, Its 6mm plate so should be strong enough..

and

and

It is now parallel with the drag link and i have extended it by roughly 30mm to help..
Ill post a pic of it together as its fking cold in my garage now and cant be fked..
But you get the general idea of wut i've done, also makes for easy repair and keeps the cost way down.. in fact WWAY WWAY down..
Just gotta fix the pto boot.. she was a gusher..

[Big]

well been for a fat and seems ok.. still some clunking sort of noises but I'll out that down to just drive train, cv's, axle slop..
here is what I did yesterday..
Panhard and draglink parallel

and top mount mod'd it's not much but it has made a huge difference to ride

Just have to fix pto boot in cab..Make some sort of dropbox.. still working on that one.. and secure rear mud flaps.. Oh and driveshaft hoop.. think thats just about it..
Going to do some tricky stuff to pto later to make it easier etc but ill just run it like this now for a bit, Im very happy with ride ( the faster ya go the smoother it is) Just have to either hydr bumpstops or still thinking of a twin shock setup ( currently shelved because the shock mount needs to be very long and strong and I dont have that much space).. but that can wait for a bit..
ALso mod'd the nuckle plug with a grease nipple on it as I popped the seals and about 2 cups of water came out so I just filled the whole nuckle with grease and now I just have to give it a couple pumps to make sure no water.. . I hope that works as it seemed to on my 70.
Thats about it
cheerssssszzzzz

[Sadam_Husain]

Going to do some tricky stuff to pto later to make it easier etc but ill just run it like this now for a bit,

Nah I cant wait that long ya better tell us what your schemeing

[Big]

Going to do some tricky stuff to pto later to make it easier etc but ill just run it like this now for a bit,

Nah I cant wait that long ya better tell us what your schemeing

[Big]

well I been tidying up some stuff with heading out over the last couple weeks and finding little things that need adjusting.. as you do
Lastest mod is moving the front axle forward to help with approach angle and bigger tahs.. drilled the hole 33mm forward( was suppose to be 35mm but you get that )
Started making a drop bracket and was about half way through and could see it working out well, when I thought wtf am I doing this when I have caster plates already
So I did this

It was easier to do and effectively stronger then drop brackets as Im just using the factory mount.. Ill fill in the hole where it use to be after I make sure we good to go..
Things left are pto boot... (changes are a a foot )
PTO oil.. getting Elf reductelf 680, have spoken to them and its a winner It should make it behave
Might need a front driveshaft spacer now as its about 30mm too short but Ill check that out over the next few days.
Sun visors..
umm think thats it..
Oh and maybe some tahs for our winch challenge..Might have to borrow some
Thinks thats it..Next major thing is pto
cheers

[Big]

well not much to update but i've taken the startor motor out again as it was playing up.. put a new plunger in..cleaned up the contacts, siliconed all the fking holes as it had a cup of water in it but im sure now its electrical problem.. working on that bit..
After all the modds to front end that Ive done, my navi thought we better go for a thrash and im like OMG this is what I was hoping for.. goes fking good now.. not bashing the chassis under speed, flexing like I wanted..so.... Now the shopping lists grows..
um should have said wish list..
Lockers x 2
ET's x 5 with beadlocks..internal ones
Oh we weighed it too.. very happy with its weight.. 870kg rear(c ould be heavier here), 1300 front, total 2170 with me in it 1/2 tank gass,and some gear so pretty stoked really.. Still to add pick, spade, fire stuff...um.. maybe a few little things.. almost ready for certing..
Front driveshaft is all sorted now too..with the front axle moving 30mm and changed the front part of the slip bit to 3rd so now has no play and more in the spline means it's great.. It was a bit dodge before as there was a lot of side ways play and I could see it just turning to custard.. should be sweet now.
Got our setup of the winch challenge coarse next weekend so will give it a thrash through that so I hope the Bighorns can cope
thats about it..

[Big]

Wee bit of an update, FIxed winch as I broke off the plug welds that held the drum on trying to winch up a small hill setting the coarse for our winch challenge .
Truck goes unbelievably well compared to my old girl.. But as we have been setting up the stages most weekends I have broken something..
Last week was double cardon + winch, weekend just gone, winch again... hopefully its all sorted and will run ok.. driveshafts for it need a serious balance.. but it will happen once it stops breaken..
anyway here's a small vid climbing one of the stages, doesnt really give any idea how step it is but it is and i was blown away getting up as I'd broken my winch before then and only way up was being pulled and im not like that..

Just need simexs or silverstones to really make a difference and oh working on a lsd rear end too so should make a big difference too..
more later
cheers

[Big]

well bit of an update..
Have installed my new flash oil cooler thanks to DirtyDog and it should keep my power steering from boiling as it has the last few times out making the WC site.. I have also covered in the wheel archs to stop mud and water from entering the engine bay and I suspect that the heat levels are at an all time high due to lack of air flow first timne for that.. So in the mean time I have lifted the bonet.. Oil cooler on PS so should be sweet.. Will take a couple pics when she's clean so you can see whats been done.. Almost fully finished, just a drive hoop and number plate light and thats about it..
Also replace my plastic airlines with truck air brake hose.. kept popping them off when they get warm..lol 150 psi is a little high when warm..lol
Redone all the air side of things and now no leaks and stable..
Re did pto shafts as I kept breaking it.. also broke off the shaer pin off the main wormdrive so have imprevised there and moved the shearpin location.. also with fixing it, Im now running 1 shaft and works sooo much better and smoother.. Cant think of anything else ..
Pics to follow
cheers

[Big]

well bit of an update.. well repairs really..
Blew a tah off the rim today hitting a rock at pace.. thought id fked it but seeing as it was about 6.30pm and was dark couldnt see buga all..
Took us a bit to ge tthe high lift out and jack it high enough to put my spare on.. but we got there in the end..
drove up to the road pumped up the tahs , said our good byes and headed off home.. NOW this is when things get a little haywire..
felt very weird to drive so took it real slow..
Bert radio'd me askin you ok..? I said something weird up.. so we took a stop along side the road to have a ganda..
Well one of the bottom kingpin bolts has snapped off..

And then we noticed the other 3 were loose as..

So I had to drive about 15km home real slow so my front wheel wouldnt fall off..
got home and took these pics so there is a little to fix.. but epic day again..
If anyone has a better fix then I'd take the advice gladly as I can see this being a problem later on..
Lucky the bolts were loose and ot stretched or pulled through the threads.. that would be a pain in the backside.. so.. anyone got a spare
lol
Nothing else really.. well hope not anyway.. later all and see those coming to our WC this weekend on the day..
Ta Ta..

[Lawrence]

Common issue, you need to keep an eye on them.

[evyauto]

Central 4WD has them on the shelf for memory

[QUADRACER]

Yeah mine come loose also, they need checking every good outing

[Danjr]

I ordered ARP magnum studs out of the states. About $100 for a set. I haven't fitted them yet but they're slightly longer so should fit a couple of nuts on them. They've also got a hex head so can be tightened in. Being longer though they may get caught on rocks easier but are supposed to be stronger. If i can I'll also look at getting some dowels put on the housing or something to take the stress off the studs a bit.

Or you could go all out with a high steer kit from the states which has the six shooter studs. I think Cruiserspares ordered one for his project (http://www.offroadexpress.co.nz/Forums/ ... 18&t=30896). But they're pricey. It's a shame Trailgear don't do one at a reasonable price like they do for the Tacoma.

[Big]

Yea i hear ya, But what im going to do is locktite them in to stop them from coming loose and then do the same to the nuts.. IUf its a major then ill come up with something else

[Sadam_Husain]

Yea i hear ya, But what im going to do is locktite them in to stop them from coming loose and then do the same to the nuts.. IUf its a major then ill come up with something else

yep a bit of loctite helps I only loctite the studs the nuts seem to stay tight and the studs come loose, once the studs start loosening and you tweake the nuts up the studs keep on winding back out untill you take it all apart and wind the studs right back in nice and tight with a bit of loctite. Both my cruisers have always done it

[evyauto]

5 more midnights to get her ready Fulla

[Big]

5 more midnights to get her ready Fulla

Knuckle fixed.. just pto shaft UJ's now fking around on me and front driveshaft AGAIN...grr gonna hiff it after this... Mind you.. doesnt help when ur bunny hopping up the hill eh
Also loctite studs in so we'll see how that goes..
cheers K

[evyauto]

new tyres?? http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/car-par ... 750630.htm

[Big]

new tyres?? http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/car-par ... 750630.htm

MATE....

[Big]

Well, must be ma birffday
These turned up


X 5
and I have some lights going on this weekend.. about 20000 lumens worth + a HID kit when it turns up..lol not much else at this stage..
cheers

O also thread name change as Im set on it being called a 87 series cruiser

[NJV6]

Good stuff!

[Big]

Well got my lights all rigged up and looking pretty cool really..
Switched and with only like 8 amps across the lot, easy..anyway here is a pic with them on

and off from the back

with the HID kit in the front there is a total of 22000 lumens but affective lumens, who knows.. Goingh to head out later in the weekend to setup the headlights as they are way off.. so just about everything is ready for some serious action..
Will get a pic of it with it's new feet on..

Laterzzz K

[Big]

As promised.. pic or 2 of the new feet

and

and

finally

Just have to adjust lighting when it's night time and setup front lights also.. but fkme they're bright..
more later, Had to let all the bloody tahs down to get it into the garage now..
Oh.. does anyone know if you can get a power steering rebuild kit for the ol lexus ones..? mines leaking like a mofo and I don't want to toast the alternater.. as I rebuilt that not too long ago..lol

[juz]

Looking real Good! way better with the new rubber bands!
Did you space the back of the bonnet up?

[Taz]

Looking real Good! way better with the new rubber bands!
Did you space the back of the bonnet up?

x2
Whole truck has really taken shape now.

I noticed that bonnet too. May have missed a post but you been having heating problemos man?

Good to see you got the kids involved by helping you stick those numbers on