AdventureTaco - turbodb's build and adventures

Nice write up & Well done sir.

 

You may remember I joined this forum just to read your trip reports; they never disappoint. Ever think of collecting them into a coffee table book? Also - have you ever charted your 'hang on, i have to get out and grab a photo' in terms of additional time required to go anywhere? As a travel voyeur I so-greatly appreciate you doing that. We don't have adventures like this in Europe; making me eager to get back to the states, frankly.

 

So, if you already took up the space where the spare tire lived when it rolled off the lot, why not mount the shocks diagonally? Like, keep the bottoms mounted where they are on the axle but move the tops in closer to the center of that crossbeam.

 

Decreases the lever ratio on shocks and because it's at an angle makes it trickier to tune.

No real advantage to doing that with 10" shocks as the leaf packs cycle 10" no matter what.

It can be handy Todo that to shorter shocks or longer shocks to kind of force them to work there.

But either way, a more vertical shock is going to give you more control and work more effectively than an angled one.

 

The more centered you move the shocks, the less stability you achieve. It's a balance and typically application based.

You can achieve similar results by tilting the shocks forward or backward and not loose the stability.

There's also this.

 

Thanks. I'm still learning what the options are for the 1st gens for the eventual day where I have some spare cash around and start upgrading again.

 

I feel I've asked this before, but how much did those ADS rear's run you?

 

Thanks and glad you're enjoying! I've thought about getting some photobook made, but I just can't see how it'd be feasible with all the pictures - just too much overhead for me to get printed without having a good publisher and advertising, etc. Plus, I think we're a niche here on TW...not sure there's a big enough audience for my mediocre stories to make any money with it .

As far as time taking photos...I'd say that on average, we're out of the truck for 50% of the time. Sometimes it's a lot less, but sometimes there's a small hike or viewpoint where we spend a bunch of time. Really, enjoying the experience and surroundings is why I (we) do it, so that's a great balance I think! In fact, just got back from a trip where we did maybe 3 hours of driving and 3 days of on-foot exploration. ...Now, to get it written up.

Sorry for the slow response, been out . I think this was pretty well covered by @Blackdawg and @desertjunkie760. Thanks guys

I hesitate to give specific prices here just because they'll likely change over time, but I sent you a PM.

 

I've Delayed Long Enough - Changing the Spark Plugs
December 20, 2018.

I don't know why, but I've been super nervous about changing my spark plugs and wires. So nervous in fact, that I've had the plugs and wires in the for eight months (since April) gathering dust and taunting me to install them.

Now, I know I shouldn't have been nervous - after all, I've changed my timing belt, water pump, and associated components. I've completely overhauled my suspension multiple times. Heck, I've even welded on the truck a handful of times.

But still, for some reason, pulling the plugs out of the engine and making sure the new ones were inserted correctly was daunting for me. But with winter here, and another 35K miles on the truck this year, it was time to suck it up and git 'er done.

The parts I'd gathered were relatively straight forward. The 5VZFE uses dual electrode plugs, so I picked up six new Denso 3194 K16TR11 plugs, and a new set of OEM spark plug wires (19037-62050 ).

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And of course, the only tools necessary for the job were a 12mm socket, a 5/8" spark plug socket, a plethora of extensions, and my ratchet.

I got started on the passenger side since it seemed easier to access. Doing one cylinder at a time, I would remove the plugs on the ignition coils, and then remove the 12mm bolt holding in the coil in place. Then it was simply a matter of removing the spark plug with the socket (which I never realized had a special rubber holder in it until I did the job! )

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The plugs I pulled out were definitely used, though I have no idea really whether they needed replacing. I made sure the new plugs were gapped correctly (0.043") before installing and torquing them to 13 ft-lbs; then re-seating the coils and torquing the bolts to 69 in-lbs.

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Passenger side done, it was time to move to the driver side. This went just as easily, with some careful unbolting and pushing-out-of-the-way of various vacuum tubes and wires - even the rear-most plug came out relatively easily with 18 inches of socket extensions!

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All six plugs replaced, it was time to tackle the wires. This turned out to be even easier than the plugs, since the new wires were pre-clipped into the various clips that hold them to the timing belt cover. I pulled out the old and inserted the new, and I was done!

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Definitely not a hard project at all - just another example of how we can build things up in our minds to be more difficult than they really are, and why it's good to tackle these kinds of projects because they build up our confidence in being able to successfully work on our whatever interests and intimidates us in life!

 

Nice! Big question, anti seize on the spark plugs or dry?

Also, this is my favorite spark plug socket, swivels, and magnetic (i prefer this than the rubber ones)

 

I guess your rubber o-ring in the spark plug socket wasn't as tight as mine. I lost my socket deep in there and had to improvise to keep from losing it off my extension... I can't find the photo now, but I ended up wrapping duct tape around the top of the socket and spiraled up on the extension.

Also, you made a good choice getting OEM wires, the Bosch ATM 09444 ones I installed only lasted 25,912 miles before the high voltage from the coil packs were shooting through the plastic/rubber insulator to the head rather than going through the spark plug.

 

What a great story. You truly have a gift.

 

Don't know about @turbodb but I always use antiseize on the plugs and recommend it. Steel threads going into an aluminum head.

 

No, if they're brand new plugs they are already coated. Reinstalling used ones yes, it's recommended. But take into account that you will over torque them when using antiseize.

 

Already coated with what? I've never seen new plugs coated with anything out of the box.

 

http://ricksfreeautorepairadvice.com/anti-seize-spark-plug-threads/

 

Interesting. And no offense but advice I will continue to ignore.

 

^^^

 

The debate rages on lol

 

None taken. I've never lubed any of mine and it hasn't presented a problem yet, regardless if it's been reused or not.