Another thing I forgot to update. Swing down tire carrier. Might as some trailer gate lift springs to it to make it almost weightless. It's not too heavy right now but it's a struggle to lift it up one handed.
AssBurns BeerRunner Build Thread
- Thread starter AssBurns
- Start date
I have some good news and some not so good news. The good news is even though I have a head gasket issue, I figured out my misfire (more on this below). The not so good news is this now buys me more time for an LS swap, meaning I won't have an LS in here until I blow up this motor, or I have plenty of savings to make it happen the right way.
The problem with the misfire. I'll bring it back to the beginning after KOH.
After KOH I was driving around town picking up some tools and lunch when I hit a puddle. Immediately after I started to get a REALLY bad misfire and it was REALLY bad under load (Idled fine). I figured I had water somewhere, so I let it idle for like an hour to help dry things out with no luck, so I called a tow truck.
I got home and tested everything I could.
Spark Plugs looked fine and looked to have a good spark.
Cleaned MAF and Throttle Body (Both were filthy)
Tested all injectors
Looked for vacuum leaks
Found that my AFR sensor was not reading, so replaced that (It ran much better, even though it still had a misfire)
Replaced all intake gaskets and replaced temp sensor while I was in there.
Finally I replaced the spark plug wires and it ran great!
I did a couple trips, and on the 2nd trip I developed another misfire that started intermittently then became more and more frequent throughout the day. I got into town and washed the truck at the car wash. On the way back home it went from mostly misfiring to constant misfire. So I started with just replacing all three coil packs. Didn't help anything, but at 220k miles I figured it was time. Next was testing the injector on cylinder #3 where the misfire code was showing. It tested fine. Then I did a compression test and it came back on the lower side but nothing too bad. I think they were all around 140psi? From there I did a makeshift leak down test thing to see how bad the head gasket leak really was. I connected the compression tester hose to cylinder 3 and put about 50 psi in the cylinder while the piston was at TDC (compression cycle/valves closed). Then put a cooling system pressure gauge on the radiator to see if the radiator is building pressure when the cylinder gets pressure. Sure as shit the needle climbed up. (Thanks for the tip Kaleb. Don't know if he has an account on here) I knew it would since I've known I've had head gasket issues over the past couple years. it just hasn't been bad enough to be a real issue. At this point I felt like I checked everything I could and was just about ready to give up and do new head gaskets, when I thought about the spark plugs being a possible issue. So on Sunday I swapped plugs from cylinder #3 to cylinder #1 and sure as shit the misfire code followed. I went and picked up a $11 spark plug and the misfire went away. My guess is that the coolant getting into the cylinder when the engine is cool caused the spark plug to foul.
So good news is I'm ready to go wheeling this weekend. The bad news is a LS swap will be put on hold until I can actually afford to do it while not completely blowing my life budget.
The problem with the misfire. I'll bring it back to the beginning after KOH.
After KOH I was driving around town picking up some tools and lunch when I hit a puddle. Immediately after I started to get a REALLY bad misfire and it was REALLY bad under load (Idled fine). I figured I had water somewhere, so I let it idle for like an hour to help dry things out with no luck, so I called a tow truck.
I got home and tested everything I could.
Spark Plugs looked fine and looked to have a good spark.
Cleaned MAF and Throttle Body (Both were filthy)
Tested all injectors
Looked for vacuum leaks
Found that my AFR sensor was not reading, so replaced that (It ran much better, even though it still had a misfire)
Replaced all intake gaskets and replaced temp sensor while I was in there.
Finally I replaced the spark plug wires and it ran great!
I did a couple trips, and on the 2nd trip I developed another misfire that started intermittently then became more and more frequent throughout the day. I got into town and washed the truck at the car wash. On the way back home it went from mostly misfiring to constant misfire. So I started with just replacing all three coil packs. Didn't help anything, but at 220k miles I figured it was time. Next was testing the injector on cylinder #3 where the misfire code was showing. It tested fine. Then I did a compression test and it came back on the lower side but nothing too bad. I think they were all around 140psi? From there I did a makeshift leak down test thing to see how bad the head gasket leak really was. I connected the compression tester hose to cylinder 3 and put about 50 psi in the cylinder while the piston was at TDC (compression cycle/valves closed). Then put a cooling system pressure gauge on the radiator to see if the radiator is building pressure when the cylinder gets pressure. Sure as shit the needle climbed up. (Thanks for the tip Kaleb. Don't know if he has an account on here) I knew it would since I've known I've had head gasket issues over the past couple years. it just hasn't been bad enough to be a real issue. At this point I felt like I checked everything I could and was just about ready to give up and do new head gaskets, when I thought about the spark plugs being a possible issue. So on Sunday I swapped plugs from cylinder #3 to cylinder #1 and sure as shit the misfire code followed. I went and picked up a $11 spark plug and the misfire went away. My guess is that the coolant getting into the cylinder when the engine is cool caused the spark plug to foul.
So good news is I'm ready to go wheeling this weekend. The bad news is a LS swap will be put on hold until I can actually afford to do it while not completely blowing my life budget.
Did some wheeling this weekend. I also changed fluids and valve stacks in my rear shocks for a firmer valve stack. Thanks @ShockSurplus for getting me the valves I needed. It definitely helped quite a bit. I think I still need a little more rebound dampening, and more high speed compression dampening. In the rocks it feels pretty good, but in the fast stuff it still needs a touch more high speed compression. The small and medium stuff feel pretty good right now, but I notice the bigger stuff I hit my bumps a little quicker than I'd like, so I think I'll take one of the bottom shims from the old valve stack and add it to the compression side for a more progressive feel. The rebound might be a tad too soft too, but I will mess with compression first to get a better understanding of how things are effected. I need to get my own nitrogen tank to make this more convenient, instead of constantly borrowing my buddies tank. Front shocks are still way too soft. I bottom out way too easy still. I need to add a secondary shock at some point. Some 8" bypasses would be nice if anyone finds a good deal on a set, let me know.
On 4th of July @Hd3rdgen, @opt_offroad, Peter in a SAS'd 3rd gen, and I ran Motino Wash. It was a pretty fun trip and the only thing that broke was Jason's rear axle shaft on his 8" rear axle. It was on the last obstacle and he was high centered. I'm not completely sure how the shaft actually snapped, but it was loud as shit. He had to get towed home since his wheel bearing couldn't take the load.
Saturday I made a trip out to Johnson Valley to hang out with some of my "Go-Fast" prerunner friends. It was an absolute blast. We had some badass trucks out there with us. My buddy just finished his TTB Bronco that is on front and rear bypasses. That thing is pretty fun.
There was an I-beamed toyota pickup on coilovers and bypasses front and rear. That little thing is impressive for only having a 22re and 35" tires.
Danny Gianini was there with his I-Beam Silverado with 600+ HP turbo LS motor, 40's, and fully built. Jesus that thing is fast, and makes big whoops look small.
We had a fully built F-150 and Titan out there too. I didn't see the Titan doing much, but the F-150 was flying through the whoops off of Boone Rd making it look easy.
There was also a 1st gen 4runner that had LT. We were the slow guys in the group. We kept our own pace and still we able to be fast enough that the fast guys didn't have to wait up too much.
That was a super fun trip. The weather out there at night is perfect. We wheeled until about 1am and then boozed at the camp fire till about 3am. We woke up and went on a morning run, then packed up and headed home. I could definitely do more of those trips. Nothing broke that I know of yet. I think my tie-rods are bent though. Gotta check, but those I think bent before this trip.
I'll try to get some pics and vids for you guys.
On 4th of July @Hd3rdgen, @opt_offroad, Peter in a SAS'd 3rd gen, and I ran Motino Wash. It was a pretty fun trip and the only thing that broke was Jason's rear axle shaft on his 8" rear axle. It was on the last obstacle and he was high centered. I'm not completely sure how the shaft actually snapped, but it was loud as shit. He had to get towed home since his wheel bearing couldn't take the load.
Saturday I made a trip out to Johnson Valley to hang out with some of my "Go-Fast" prerunner friends. It was an absolute blast. We had some badass trucks out there with us. My buddy just finished his TTB Bronco that is on front and rear bypasses. That thing is pretty fun.
There was an I-beamed toyota pickup on coilovers and bypasses front and rear. That little thing is impressive for only having a 22re and 35" tires.
Danny Gianini was there with his I-Beam Silverado with 600+ HP turbo LS motor, 40's, and fully built. Jesus that thing is fast, and makes big whoops look small.
We had a fully built F-150 and Titan out there too. I didn't see the Titan doing much, but the F-150 was flying through the whoops off of Boone Rd making it look easy.
There was also a 1st gen 4runner that had LT. We were the slow guys in the group. We kept our own pace and still we able to be fast enough that the fast guys didn't have to wait up too much.
That was a super fun trip. The weather out there at night is perfect. We wheeled until about 1am and then boozed at the camp fire till about 3am. We woke up and went on a morning run, then packed up and headed home. I could definitely do more of those trips. Nothing broke that I know of yet. I think my tie-rods are bent though. Gotta check, but those I think bent before this trip.
I'll try to get some pics and vids for you guys.
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It’s a little bit of a PITA but I can live with it. I wanted something with more strength and good clearance, so that was priority over convenience. I bought a lift gate spring that I’m going to try to add to the carrier to make it easier to lift. That’s the biggest pain in the ass part. My wife can’t lift it by herself really, so I need to make it lighter using a spring.
Finally got the opportunity to do my first project at the new house. So glad I finally got my garage setup and ready for projects right away. First thing I figured out is I was reaching for tools I don’t own. I’m used to doing projects in my dads garage where I have access to all his tools as well as my own. I realized I didn’t own any deep socket sets. (I have a bunch of random ones but like only 1/2 complete sets). So ran to harbor freight and grabbed some 3/8” and 1/4” deep sockets. I’ll eventually put these in the BeerRunner when I upgrade).
I think I’m going to just go straight to cutting everything out right away and force myself to finish before Dusy Ershim. A few things that are needed to be done:
1) ABS Delete
2) Battery Relocation
3) Engine Cage
4) Core Support tubes for radiator, headlights, fenders and grill.
5) New extra high clearance bumper.
6) Skid Plate
7) Swap Coils for extra weight during Dusy Ershim
8) Alternator
9) Pack for trip.
Today I started with the ABS delete. First I pulled the old lines. I just took some small bolt cutters and cut the old ones out of the way, saving enough room for the rear line at the ABS module. Next I put in the two main front lines. It took a little massaging to get it in there. Went from the wheel side of the passenger side line and finagled the rest behind the heater hoses and some electrical lines. After that I bent and cut the other lines I had to fit with the two front lines at a T fitting to the MC line. The rear line was cut and flared to connect to the proportioning valve then to the MC. I still have to bleed the brakes and test/tune it, just gotta remember to bleed brakes tomorrow and remember to keep an eye out when I go to drive it.
I think I’m going to just go straight to cutting everything out right away and force myself to finish before Dusy Ershim. A few things that are needed to be done:
1) ABS Delete
2) Battery Relocation
3) Engine Cage
4) Core Support tubes for radiator, headlights, fenders and grill.
5) New extra high clearance bumper.
6) Skid Plate
7) Swap Coils for extra weight during Dusy Ershim
8) Alternator
9) Pack for trip.
Today I started with the ABS delete. First I pulled the old lines. I just took some small bolt cutters and cut the old ones out of the way, saving enough room for the rear line at the ABS module. Next I put in the two main front lines. It took a little massaging to get it in there. Went from the wheel side of the passenger side line and finagled the rest behind the heater hoses and some electrical lines. After that I bent and cut the other lines I had to fit with the two front lines at a T fitting to the MC line. The rear line was cut and flared to connect to the proportioning valve then to the MC. I still have to bleed the brakes and test/tune it, just gotta remember to bleed brakes tomorrow and remember to keep an eye out when I go to drive it.
So for battery relocate. I need to figure out a good way to secure the battery while still keeping it protected. I haven’t really seen any battery boxes that would mount easy anywhere in the cargo area while still being strong and fully covered. Any ideas, last thing I want is something or someone to short out on the battery posts, or the battery coming off the mount and flying through the air into someone.
Step 1) buy wood working tools
Step 2) build cargo drawers
Step 3) incorporate hidden battery box into cargo drawers
Honestly that’s a great idea. Idk why I didn’t think of that. The only thing with a drawer system is that it will only be temporary until I build a cage and rear shock hoops down the line. I actually already have a decent storage system but drawers would be tits, even if it’s only temporary
Then you can incorporate another more functional battery box when you do the hoops and cage.
Committed now. Pulled the winch, lights, battery, and core support last night. I didn’t realize how much wiring is actually attached to the core support and fenders. There’s a ton of random shit.
Pulling the core support I just drilled out the spot welds (whatever was left of them) and used tin snips to trim and finagle it all out. Tonight I’m going to cut the fenders off and maybe the bumper if I have time.
Speaking of bumper, I’ll be selling the bumper and skid if anyone is interested in it. Not willing to ship though. I figured I’d post here first to let you guys get first dibs.
Pulling the core support I just drilled out the spot welds (whatever was left of them) and used tin snips to trim and finagle it all out. Tonight I’m going to cut the fenders off and maybe the bumper if I have time.
Speaking of bumper, I’ll be selling the bumper and skid if anyone is interested in it. Not willing to ship though. I figured I’d post here first to let you guys get first dibs.
Itaro
Seriously, FJB
- Joined
- Oct 5, 2018
- Messages
- 13,115
Got a little more progress tonight. Inner fenders are cut out. Pretty easy stuff. There is so much wiring. I pulled some of the added stuff like the light harnesses and winch lines/controller box. Tomorrow I’ll try to get things clean up a little to make tube work a little easier. Bumper is coming off tomorrow. I’ll try to get things cut as clean and tight as possible for the next user. Shits filthy. I’ll hose it all off and clean things up before I get started on fab work.
I can always rig up the radiator and battery and still drive it?
I’m out for the count for a few weeks at best. I was supposed to go to the river with my brother Labor Day weekend but had to bail so I can finish this pile before Dusy. Kinda bummed to miss a river trip but Dusy is priority right now.