I don’t plan to take it apart again. If something happens I’ll build another motor. I don’t feel like I need them since I’m not running boost or forced.
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What have you done to your rig today?
- Thread starter HoneyBadger
- Start date
actually made time today to work on the GX a bit, crossed off a small list of dash mods...
- replaced the stock 12v outlet with a dual USB that's on all the time
- changed my wiring to my 2 dashboard chargers making one on all the time, the other switched by relay.
- swapped positions of the CDL switch and Downhill Assist switch... moving that up under the ashtray next to the seat heater switches, so CDL can be easier to reach and right next to the t-case shifter. Was pretty easy, just had to extend the DH assist harness.
- swapped ham radios. out with the FT-7800, in with the new (to me) FTM-400.
I found it easier with the nav completely removed..
- replaced the stock 12v outlet with a dual USB that's on all the time
- changed my wiring to my 2 dashboard chargers making one on all the time, the other switched by relay.
- swapped positions of the CDL switch and Downhill Assist switch... moving that up under the ashtray next to the seat heater switches, so CDL can be easier to reach and right next to the t-case shifter. Was pretty easy, just had to extend the DH assist harness.
- swapped ham radios. out with the FT-7800, in with the new (to me) FTM-400.
I found it easier with the nav completely removed..
dan1554
Rising Sun Member
Found out why my steering was so sloppy. Front LCA bushing.
dan1554
Rising Sun Member
Here's another. It's nice when the fixes are obvious.
Gnarboots
Brand New
I managed to get a spot for Cruise Moab this year so that's been the kick in the pants I've needed to get my 80 back on the road (and try and be more active in the Rising Sun community). Last fall I found out my head gasket was bad and it's been out of commission since then.
Finally took the time the over the past two weekends to get it replaced. I picked up a used head a few months ago off a mud member, had it cleaned up and checked out by Gunn Automotive so that when I pulled the old head I had one ready to go. Did a lot of "while you're in there" stuff while I had it apart. The full job took me two weekends and every weeknight in between. One of the bigger jobs I've undertaken on my rig. Learned a ton, ran into plenty of issues but nothing too bad. I imagine if I did it again it would take half that much time.
Bottom end looked.. fine. Some scoring but nothing bad enough to think it would have a catastrophic failure any time soon. My 80 has 300k miles so I would have loved to do a full rebuild of the 1FZ but just didn't have the budget for it right now. Really just wanted to get it back on the road.
I got it all put back together about a week ago, fired it up, and it's been running great. I've babied it for ~200 miles so far and haven't had any major issues. Still a lot of little things to take care of on the truck, but I'm stoked to be able to bring it to Moab! See everyone at Jack-It night. I'll be bringing a membership application for the club, I've been meaning to get to a club meeting and apply for membership since doing the Kingston run last summer. Been lurking in the forums too long haha.
Finally took the time the over the past two weekends to get it replaced. I picked up a used head a few months ago off a mud member, had it cleaned up and checked out by Gunn Automotive so that when I pulled the old head I had one ready to go. Did a lot of "while you're in there" stuff while I had it apart. The full job took me two weekends and every weeknight in between. One of the bigger jobs I've undertaken on my rig. Learned a ton, ran into plenty of issues but nothing too bad. I imagine if I did it again it would take half that much time.
Bottom end looked.. fine. Some scoring but nothing bad enough to think it would have a catastrophic failure any time soon. My 80 has 300k miles so I would have loved to do a full rebuild of the 1FZ but just didn't have the budget for it right now. Really just wanted to get it back on the road.
I got it all put back together about a week ago, fired it up, and it's been running great. I've babied it for ~200 miles so far and haven't had any major issues. Still a lot of little things to take care of on the truck, but I'm stoked to be able to bring it to Moab! See everyone at Jack-It night. I'll be bringing a membership application for the club, I've been meaning to get to a club meeting and apply for membership since doing the Kingston run last summer. Been lurking in the forums too long haha.
rover67
Rising Sun Member
Gotta love the sketchy press setups. 
Trying to put an 80 series steering box in my 62 with the trail tailor coil kit. I know people do it, but I don't know how... nothing is fitting. Would you notch the spring tower or cut a new mount in the frame? I've gotta be at least 3/4" away from the mount holes.
Lastresort576
Hard Core 4+
Pulled my 80’s cdl actuator out today to hopefully clean up and refurbish. I’ve also been working on making a mount for a fan to go in front of my condenser. So far it’s going well. Just need to figure out the rubber mounts for it. And yes I’m more or less copying the lcp mount.
Brucker
Hard Core 4+
Not mine, it's a client's, but I have a lot invested into this one and these are the types of projects that make my heart happy.
Got the barn find '54 Chevy 3600 together and running and she PURRS! Refreshed 235, 12 volt conversion, aluminum radiator, power disc brake conversion, new plumbing all around, etc. Client just left after one last walk around before I deliver it this week. Been a heck of push the last 4 weeks, but the smile on my client's face made it all worth it.
Got the barn find '54 Chevy 3600 together and running and she PURRS! Refreshed 235, 12 volt conversion, aluminum radiator, power disc brake conversion, new plumbing all around, etc. Client just left after one last walk around before I deliver it this week. Been a heck of push the last 4 weeks, but the smile on my client's face made it all worth it.
Parksnwrecks
Rising Sun Member
- Joined
- Feb 7, 2025
- Messages
- 13
MDH33
Hard Core 4+
Getting the Stout ready to pull out of winter storage and making room in the shop to start some body work on the 40. 
Edit: Stout started right up and I took it for a spin around town. At least one of my old Toyotas is running!
Edit: Stout started right up and I took it for a spin around town. At least one of my old Toyotas is running!
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should be firing up in about 30ish min.
Still need to get the second battery installed and clean up, tuck the wires away.
Still need to get the second battery installed and clean up, tuck the wires away.
Parksnwrecks
Rising Sun Member
- Joined
- Feb 7, 2025
- Messages
- 13
That looks great! Who's the manufacturer?Tore off old plastic bumper, and kinda sorta maybe slapped a steel bumper on there.
Plastic gone:
And steel on:
jeffcon
Rock Stacker
- Joined
- Mar 16, 2024
- Messages
- 39
Haha, I took a gamble on being the "guinea pig" on this one, since I've found one other post across the whole internets.
"Vijay" or {insert other interesting brand name}. I didn't want to spend multiple thou$ands on a rear bumper really. So found this one for about $600.
Heavy in a good way, thick steel, good welds. Interesting--but not bad--mounting method (mounts to frame with 4x 10.9 grade bolts where the tie-down points would be) in addition to being secured with 6x 10.9 hitch bolts to OG OEM frame. Aka.. it's not going anywhere, and will definitely take a beating for me to protect the truck overall.
It runs. Valves are a little noisy. Need to look at re-setting them.
View: https://www.instagram.com/p/DIIOZcstPjM/?igsh=ZGFjaXMwa2drcHF5
View: https://www.instagram.com/p/DIIOZcstPjM/?igsh=ZGFjaXMwa2drcHF5
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IH8RUST
Lifted
I'd probably try to make a plate that tied both bolt patterns together. 4 through holes that bolt to the frame, then 4 threaded holes to bolt the steering thing onto. It would push the location out say 1/2" from the frame (presuming 1/2" material) but would get it done. I don't know if things would still bolt up ok but lmk if I can help with that.
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also did a cosmetic change to my front Dissent bumper... I had these skinny cheap amber lights installed, and those "dot" lights.. never really sure what the dots were supposed to do, and they quit working a while ago anyway. So I decided to make new plates for the bumper to get rid of the dots and add in some square Rigid fog lights I had laying around. To save time/money I just had 2 of them cut flat, then I pounded the tabs out with my bench vice... they're the same part, just the tabs go in different directions left & right.
Before (also before I put the amber things in):
Old plates:
new plates:
fit check:
painted.
Before (also before I put the amber things in):
Old plates:
new plates:
fit check:
painted.
