Triumphdog
Adventurer
Congrats on the 80. Your story kinda sounds like mine with my 4 runner. Where abouts in SD do you live?
UT_I_SKOGEN 80 series build
- Thread starter Sempertoy
- Start date
Sempertoy
Explorer
Really Aamco?
So a couple of days ago, I was out letting the cruiser get some off road action. It was the first time I have had it off the pavement. Lucky for me, it has been raining a lot here in Southern California so I encountered quite a few water crossings. The last was semi deep, I don't think it was even up to the rockers. I had a blast and was very impressed with the ability of my new cruiser.
On to the bad news. When I got it back on the road, I put it back in high and thats when I got nervous. It felt as though the transmission was slipping. Long story short, I freaked and researched all I could on mud. Then I took it to Aamco for their "free diagnosis" That was a joke, they couldn't tell me anything from an external evaluation and wanted 500 bones to drop the tranny and tell me what was wrong with it. That is out of my range to just get an idea of what is wrong so I went and picked it up, got 5 qts Toyota spec ATF, and enough Lucas synthetic gear oil to fill the diffs and t-case. At Aamco they said that my fluid was dark brown, and there were "metal chips the size of fingernails" in there I thought that was rather absurd. So I got it up on a rack, drained the fluid (looked brand new) pulled the tranny pan, (no chips to see what-so-ever) cleaned off the weird hollow cover under there.
After I got everything cleaned up, I put the OEM liquid gasket back on. That was fun. While that set for one hour, I drained and filled the diffs, fluid in the rear was very milky and smelly, center looked brand new and so did the front. I guess it would have gone for a while, but now I have the peace of mind knowing exactly when I put fluid in, what weight I put in and that I am running synthetic fluid. Here is a picture of what it looks like under the tranny plan if anyone is curious.
So on to the good news. After I got everything filled, tranny fluid put back in, I started the truck up. I drove away, it acted like it wanted to slip for about 5 seconds and the grabbed tight, after that, no issues! I took it out, ran it hard, lots of stop and go, everything I could think of and it did great! I know it isn't a major accomplishment but considering Aamco wanted $500 just to tell me what was wrong, I think I fixed it myself for under $100 including fluids for the diffs. Pat on the back for me.
On another exciting note, I am headed to Joshua Tree this weekend, going with the boy scout troop. I'm really excited because I have never been and I hear it's a cool place. There wont be much 4 wheeling, so I'll count this as the maiden "expo" voyage.
Stay tuned until next time! Pictures of Joshua Tree will follow :ylsmoke:
So a couple of days ago, I was out letting the cruiser get some off road action. It was the first time I have had it off the pavement. Lucky for me, it has been raining a lot here in Southern California so I encountered quite a few water crossings. The last was semi deep, I don't think it was even up to the rockers. I had a blast and was very impressed with the ability of my new cruiser.
On to the bad news. When I got it back on the road, I put it back in high and thats when I got nervous. It felt as though the transmission was slipping. Long story short, I freaked and researched all I could on mud. Then I took it to Aamco for their "free diagnosis" That was a joke, they couldn't tell me anything from an external evaluation and wanted 500 bones to drop the tranny and tell me what was wrong with it. That is out of my range to just get an idea of what is wrong so I went and picked it up, got 5 qts Toyota spec ATF, and enough Lucas synthetic gear oil to fill the diffs and t-case. At Aamco they said that my fluid was dark brown, and there were "metal chips the size of fingernails" in there I thought that was rather absurd. So I got it up on a rack, drained the fluid (looked brand new) pulled the tranny pan, (no chips to see what-so-ever) cleaned off the weird hollow cover under there.
After I got everything cleaned up, I put the OEM liquid gasket back on. That was fun. While that set for one hour, I drained and filled the diffs, fluid in the rear was very milky and smelly, center looked brand new and so did the front. I guess it would have gone for a while, but now I have the peace of mind knowing exactly when I put fluid in, what weight I put in and that I am running synthetic fluid. Here is a picture of what it looks like under the tranny plan if anyone is curious.
So on to the good news. After I got everything filled, tranny fluid put back in, I started the truck up. I drove away, it acted like it wanted to slip for about 5 seconds and the grabbed tight, after that, no issues! I took it out, ran it hard, lots of stop and go, everything I could think of and it did great! I know it isn't a major accomplishment but considering Aamco wanted $500 just to tell me what was wrong, I think I fixed it myself for under $100 including fluids for the diffs. Pat on the back for me.
On another exciting note, I am headed to Joshua Tree this weekend, going with the boy scout troop. I'm really excited because I have never been and I hear it's a cool place. There wont be much 4 wheeling, so I'll count this as the maiden "expo" voyage.
Stay tuned until next time! Pictures of Joshua Tree will follow :ylsmoke:
NM-Frontier
Explorer
I'm always glad to see people take care of stuff like this them selves and not wast money at a big national chain. Your on your way to knowing your cruiser now!:sombrero:
Sempertoy
Explorer
Really? I thought it looked almost brand new! It wasn't dark or murky at all, it looked almost exactly
The same as what I filled it with. Either way it seemed to do the trick
Schattenjager
Expedition Leader
If you like water crossings (and who doesn't?) be sure to extend your diff breather hoses! Simple, cheap, and good peace of mind. Also - did you replace the brass washers for the drain and fill bolts on the diffs? Reusing them can allow leaks and ingress due to them getting chewed up at a microscopic level during tightening. Or so I have been told...
Good work!
Good work!
Sempertoy
Explorer
I guess AAMCO took all those fingernail-sized metal chips out for you during the inspection. Did you thank them?
HA! I should call them back and say thanks! They must keep a jar filled with those around the shop and then show them to a customer, kind of like fools gold or something
Yes that is on my list! I just couldn't resist with all this new rain here in SoCal, it was a rare opportunity, but I think I learned my lesson. I did not replace and bolts or washers on the diffs. I cleaned off the magnet on the bottom bolts and then cleaned the threads on the bolt and diff hole, lubed them with lucas and put them right back in. Did the same process on my Tacoma and it seemed to work fine, I'll give you a report if I notice any leakage.
Sempertoy
Explorer
No more light guards
Well I had a couple extra minutes today while waiting for my buddy to get to the gym, so I pulled the tail-light guards that came on my truck. I took a before and after shot of them. I know I will get harassed, but I think they looked better on? I'll take some input, but remember this, my wife said that she liked them and I am trying to do anything I can to get her to like the truck, so they may just go right back on :xxrotflma
on
and off
Well I had a couple extra minutes today while waiting for my buddy to get to the gym, so I pulled the tail-light guards that came on my truck. I took a before and after shot of them. I know I will get harassed, but I think they looked better on? I'll take some input, but remember this, my wife said that she liked them and I am trying to do anything I can to get her to like the truck, so they may just go right back on :xxrotflma
on
and off
TangoBlue
American Adventurist
I recall your old Tacoma and you took it on the trails from the pictures you showed.
Will you ever take the 80 off road? Then you already know the answer. Leave them off or wait for even more body damage to occur when they trail takes its toll.
My Tacoma's rear quarter panel armor almost always returns with a little bark and it's mounted to the frame. Those lens guards are mounted to thin sheet metal... you know what will happen even if you're careful.
Will you ever take the 80 off road? Then you already know the answer. Leave them off or wait for even more body damage to occur when they trail takes its toll.
My Tacoma's rear quarter panel armor almost always returns with a little bark and it's mounted to the frame. Those lens guards are mounted to thin sheet metal... you know what will happen even if you're careful.
Sempertoy
Explorer
Yes, this will definatly leave the pavement. I know I should leave them off and I probably will.. hopefully some kickout sliders will save the lens covers
P.S. Tango, where is your build thread?
TangoBlue
American Adventurist
Sempertoy
Explorer
Got me Mr. T
Well this morning I was on duty. So there I was at 5 a.m. with not much to do but sit in my truck at the shop and wait for the work Christmas party to kick off at 11.
I decided that there had to be something that I could do on my truck while I was sitting there, no need to wasted time! I decided (the temperature helped) that I would work on something inside the truck. I started pulling out my center console because my shift selector doesn't light up when it is supposed too. I recently developed this things with having all my lights working at all times, maybe because in my Tacoma they would just randomly go out without me knowing for months, and a light buld is such a cheap easy thing to fix, yet you still get to work on your vehicle. So there I am rearing into this mess
Only to find my lightbulb after some searching.
I took it over to the gas station/parts shop and they tried to match something up to it. It didn't work, so I ordered the light and tiny green cap from the local Toyota Dealer. 4 bucks for that tiny bulb!
I got my center console back on and kind of cleaned up. There was a multi port 12v extension mounted under the change tray, I took it off and will mount it somewhere else. Also the aux hook up port was right by my right knee while driving, not only did it bother me, but the cord always got tangled up so I moved that too. You can't see it in the picture and that's the point.
Last ''mod'' for the day, I found a sweet place to put my mini surefire. ( I found this thing in the dirt while I was deployed)
Well this morning I was on duty. So there I was at 5 a.m. with not much to do but sit in my truck at the shop and wait for the work Christmas party to kick off at 11.
I decided that there had to be something that I could do on my truck while I was sitting there, no need to wasted time! I decided (the temperature helped) that I would work on something inside the truck. I started pulling out my center console because my shift selector doesn't light up when it is supposed too. I recently developed this things with having all my lights working at all times, maybe because in my Tacoma they would just randomly go out without me knowing for months, and a light buld is such a cheap easy thing to fix, yet you still get to work on your vehicle. So there I am rearing into this mess
Only to find my lightbulb after some searching.
I took it over to the gas station/parts shop and they tried to match something up to it. It didn't work, so I ordered the light and tiny green cap from the local Toyota Dealer. 4 bucks for that tiny bulb!
I got my center console back on and kind of cleaned up. There was a multi port 12v extension mounted under the change tray, I took it off and will mount it somewhere else. Also the aux hook up port was right by my right knee while driving, not only did it bother me, but the cord always got tangled up so I moved that too. You can't see it in the picture and that's the point.
Last ''mod'' for the day, I found a sweet place to put my mini surefire. ( I found this thing in the dirt while I was deployed)
Sempertoy
Explorer
BROWN TRUCK DELIVERY!
Just as I was writing my last post, there was a knock at the door and I answered to see a small brown box sitting there addressed to me! It was from CDan!
I got my parts that I ordered three days ago from new mexico. Not bad!
Top left; Valve cover gasket, spark plug seals, OEM spark plugs
Bottom left; Dizzy ''O" ring, throttle body gasket
I can't wait to put these in! Hopefully I have time next week, at least for the Dizzy ring. It is supposed to be a 5-10 minute job. I'll let you all know!
Just as I was writing my last post, there was a knock at the door and I answered to see a small brown box sitting there addressed to me! It was from CDan!
I got my parts that I ordered three days ago from new mexico. Not bad!
Top left; Valve cover gasket, spark plug seals, OEM spark plugs
Bottom left; Dizzy ''O" ring, throttle body gasket
I can't wait to put these in! Hopefully I have time next week, at least for the Dizzy ring. It is supposed to be a 5-10 minute job. I'll let you all know!
brussum
Adventurer
Toyotas are notorious for ground problems as well. Many of the lights in my 4Runner wouldn't work until I cleaned up the ground connection. If the bulb is definitely burned, then so be it, bit a ground may also be an issue in some cases.
Enjoying watching the build. Keep it coming!
Enjoying watching the build. Keep it coming!