Idaho run is over

[Nullifier]

Well guys for the first time in my life I have thrown in the towel on a trip. I was supposed to leave last tuesday and was a few days late trying to square up some details. Then I left and had some minor mechanical issues, I decided to limp back home since I wasn't that far. Got those things fixed and headed out sunday. Got 100 miles away again and had a front seal give out. Of course it's a toyota part and they were closed so I had to wait till monday. I got to ATL @ 12:30 am tuesday I went to change my diff fluid and discovered a radiator leak. Got that fixed hit the raod and had a a brake caliper go bad. I disconnected the line and crimped it off with some channel locks. Limped back to my inlaws in atl. Got a new caliper yesterday and got it fixed. Then discovered that the new radiator drain plaug was plastic and was snapped oof and the radiator was leaking, today and it now looks like my rear main seal has let go as well.

Bottom line is there is no way I can make SLC to pick up my wife by saturday since I have to yank the tranny and can't get a replaement plug or rear seal till tomorrow. I can't describe how depressing this is. I know there are always unknowns but at this point to try and cintinue would just be stupid IMO.

I'm just going to replace the plug in the radiator, tuck my tail between my legs and head home. I am just defeted mentally cause I have been busting ass on this truck for 5 weeks. As you all know karma is important and since mine is bad I have to just face the fact that a higher power is telling me not to go.

Thanks for all the help from those of you who spent time researching and offering technical support during the build. Hopefully next year we can pull this off. I'm now going to go through the truck when I get home and replace everything made of plastic or rubber and every damn seal on the rig, Hopefuly I will be able to make a run to baja in november for the 1000 race.

 

[Dave]

 

[bigreen505]

Sorry to hear about your multi-system failure. Unfortunately sometimes the hard choice is the right one.

 

[blupaddler]

Sorry to hear.

 

[Scott Brady]

Bummer pal...

 

[Grim Reaper]

You still in Atlanta? If you need some help or tools let me know. I'm in Marietta. My dad was a Mainframe repair man and I have an awsome set of tools! LOL..

I'm pretty set up and can handle transmission rebuilds if need be. I have a slick trick for dropping manual trannys out of Toys. If you are close I can bring my Hoist over and it will take about 45 minutes with both of us wrenching to drop it. Won't even have to take the case off to do it. Drop it in one shot.

What part are you needing on the tranny? Southern Gear over off Atlanta Road is pretty good about having parts in stock.
http://www.southerngear.com/

Marietta Raditor is the place to call for Radiators in town. They are a big time Modine Distributor. They have always had what I needed in stock if yoyu ever have that problem again while here.

Just reread it. Bad rear seal on the motor....what a pain in the butt.

Anyway offers open. I get off work at 5pm.

 

[Grim Reaper]

I am rereading these symptoms and its weird to me that you blow both crank seals like that. Have you checked your PCV valve and lines for clogs?

The other thing that may cause this sort of problem is excessive blow by.

 

[Ursidae69]

Total bummer... Sorry man.

 

[Nullifier]

Honestly it is age, my junk is 10. when i did my axle seals they were just dry rotted same as the front seal and radiator cap. The plastic drain plug on the radiator snapped due age as well. mechanically it runs fine it's just all this stupid little crap. Thanks for the offer to help with the tranny but I have a lift and a tranny jack at home so I'll replace it there. I'm also going to drop in a new clutch and get the flywheel redone while I'm in there.

Hopefully the plug will be in tomorrow morn and it will fit. I'm gonna do it toyota's lot. Just drill out the plastic shank and ez out it. Having 110 on the rig now is nice cause I can run power tools. I have just about every damn tool you could ever need on the rig, hand power and pneumatic LOL!

now what 2 do with my vacation? I mean I just dont care. you guys know what goes into a big trip and to have to make the smart decision is killing all motivation. I told the wife she should just come up here and we could head to N.C. for some paddling but she wants to go to the beach now and I hate the freaking beach. ok I'm just gonna shut up before I get even more bummed. EOR

 

[flyingwil]

What a bummer man! If you need help getting your wife an airline ticket let me know via PM.

 

[Grim Reaper]

Honestly it is age, my junk is 10. when i did my axle seals they were just dry rotted same as the front seal and radiator cap. The plastic drain plug on the radiator snapped due age as well. mechanically it runs fine it's just all this stupid little crap. Thanks for the offer to help with the tranny but I have a lift and a tranny jack at home so I'll replace it there. I'm also going to drop in a new clutch and get the flywheel redone while I'm in there.

No problem. Though it was pumping out like a cut artery and had to be fixed to make it home.

If you change your mind then www.clutchman.com. They can be out within 24 hours (often the same day) with a clutch and they will turn the fly wheel while you wait at your location. SACHS clutches. They did my 86 4Runner for $140 at my house. Just the Clutch, pressure plate and pilot bearing was $170 from Vato Zone. Still would have had to take the fly wheel to the machine shop. Did my Poncho for $160.


Too bad its not the weekend of the 20th. One of my Club mates is doing a Breast cancer Benefit run in north GA at Beasley Knob. Easy day run. With rock sliders little chance of body damage on the trails we will run.

 

[Nullifier]

Ok so last night I decided to get started on pulling the transmission. I got the seal replaced and everything put back together today. I also got the radiator drain plug fixed using a 10mm bolt with a touch of high temp rvt as a gasket. no leaks!!! :jump: Of course now my damn a/c is not working LOL. I checked the coolant pressure and it is fine I can also see a ton of it in the ispection glass so no worries there. I think the compresser is not firing so I'm going to double check the fuse after dinner.

Now to decide what to do with vaca. gotta call the wife and try to convince her to come up here soo we can go to N.C. to hit some close trails and then hit the coast for a bit. we'll see.

 

[Nullifier]

With rock sliders little chance of body damage on the trails we will run.

That doesn't really bother me. It's only sheet metal!

 

[Nullifier]

Ok so I identified the a/c problem. There is a leak in the condensor. I guess the radiator is coming back out LOL. Toyota can't get the part till tuesday go figure. Also my battery light is coming on and off today. I checked it with a meter and it looks like I need need a new one. It puts out and then stops, on and off randomly. Of course there is not an alt at a dealer anywhere in atlanta either LOL. I am going to take advantage of the alt situation and get a high out put unit shipped in.

The new goal is the wife flys up here on satuday night. sunday we load up her parents mercedes suv and head to N.C. for a 12 days. We will camp in the mountains and then head to the coast for a few days to chill on the beach.

After that drive back to atlanta and then start the drive home.

 

[flywgn]

I just picked up on this thread. Don't know how I missed it since we've been looking for you up here on the Snake.

We're really sorry that your trip didn't take place. You know the saying, "Lemons....lemonade" and all that stuff; so have a good time in NC.

We'll catch you another time in Idaho.

Allen