Oldie2007 - The Little Big Red Readers Digest Renovation, Revival, and Restoration Thread.

Just came across this thread

You're an inspiration to TW

Great work on your truck

 

A termite walks into a bar and asks "Is the bar tender here?" Phase 29 - Dad Jokes

OK, so there are no major projects right now, but life plods on, and things go wrong and need attention. Sometimes, only duct tape will solve the worlds problems, you know? Other times, you just have to think like an old fart. I am getting better at that.

So, last January (that was still THIS year?), when I got my tires, the Discount Tire guys knocked my OBDII port loose, which has extra connections to the stereo and steering wheel controls. I drive off, and notice, my head unit is FULL OF GAUGES! So, I went back and they straightened it out, and I thought that was cool. Spent a bunch of time on line with the adapter company that makes the Maestro devices, but they are in Canada, where they take pandemics seriously, so it took a long time to get to the point where they tell me to call them when I am in the truck and they will show me the magic - no computer required. I say I will wait until it isn't 100+ in the daytime; AC or no. So, anyway.....

One Saturday not long ago, I'm leaving for an errand run, and I look at the dash and see the TPMS light has stayed on. Darn, I know it can only be low air, but I figure it will be the spare, because that's how it goes. Then, I look over at the head unit, and see this!



What the heck? Why it is a TPMS display. And look, tells me the spare IS low. Well, when I stop at the store, and when I get home, I mess around with the buttons on the head, and yea, I can get and display gauges! Now, they turn out to be only what I have available, or intake/exhaust temps, and drag strip timers, and I really would have liked a Ammeter, after all the battery hassles, but I programmed some stuff in there, and now I know how to access them.




So where's the joke? Well it was the spare, so I had to dig out the lowering tool, because I can't remember whether the valve points down or not, and (I have mentioned) I don't do well getting under the truck, because it's hard to get back up! So, it points down, I could have slid under it and just hooked up the air and filled it right? OF COURSE NOT. That's the joke. There had to be a Dad solution that is much harder, and of course, I had one!

Off to Amazon, of course. I want something so I don't have to lower the darn spare or crawl under there just for air. Now, it's a new bought tire, OEM size, with no ground time at all, not an old rat tire. With my other tires on the ground, I call it a space saver spare. What do I need? I need this:

$20 2Pcs 12"/300mm Flexible Valve Stem Extenders Stainless Steel Tyre Tire Valve Stem Extension Adaptors Car Truck Trailer RV Trailer Vehicle (2Pcs 12"/300mm)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B083R95L3V/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1


So, I figure two of these will get from the valve to the bumper. I could be right, you know!



Good, now to the bumper, and behind the plate.



Moving on to GTFO my lawn, I'm pretty sure some little teen punk down the street stole my front plate; probably for the "Austin 360 Exotics" frame of the place LBR came from. Just held on with one of those hefty assed magnets, but I'm confident it did not fall off. Now, the magnets cost 4 time as much as replacing the plate, and I have a new mnemonic to memorize, but I am not going to drill and screw it on just yet. There HAS to be a Dad solution, right? Right.

Order new magnets, and used two this time. And this time, I've clamped a wire rope fed through the holes in the bumper to make it not easy to just pull off. The rope keeps it barely above ground in case I knock it loose driving, and I can also mount it up on the bumper instead of hidden down below.




So, it was only last month, I made that "cool" pod to protect the Front Cam. I should have spent the extra $1 - it died within a week of getting in the housing! So, I have all the wires, now it's just a matter of swapping one out, and adjusting the package, right. Almost. I sprung for the $1 more expensive one, from the same supplier that made my rear plate frame cam I am real happy with, and should have done in the first place. But it mounts completely different. Some duct tape is surely needed!

Backup Camera for Car, Esky Mini HD Color CMOS 170° Wide View Car Rear-view Camera with Night Vision, Waterproof Parking Camera Side/Front View Reversing Camera for Truck, Car, Travel Trailer SUV

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00H3ZN3JK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1




Make it disappearing....



And mounting the two pieces. The "guard" attaches to the mount, and the mount is slightly bent with extra holes so I can adjust the angle somewhat.



And since it got its first real cleaning and wax last week, I am throwing in this shot to prove it's really Little Big Red!


No telling what I will do to kill some time, and get outside and work on stuff! I have to replace the e-Fan controller, because it doesn't adjust to temp (but is working just fine), and I know I won't mess with suspension until spring, but WAIT, there's more!

 

Thanks guys, I'll take those compliments - serious or not!

Hi Critter!

 

I Can Hear Clearly Now; Phase 30 - Unintended Consequences of Positive Actions!

Remember I just redid the doors and back cubby with insulation for the stereo redo?




Well, sound is tight! Cab is quieter! And, at 60 and above, I can now CLEARLY hear the K&N howling along, and I realized this when I actually turned the stereo down. At first, I thought is was tire noise, and some of it certainly is, but I can vary the sound with throttle without changing the speed much. I thought of a few things to try, and I may still wrap the K&N tube, but that will have to be pretty articulate.
So, off to Amazon for some thermal/noise insulation. I found something that fits the bill, and I got a $10 off certificate to use on it to boot! So, for the end price, how can I NOT try it?

$19 US Energy Products - 4' x 4' Roll (16 Sqft) Car Van SUV RV Camper Vehicle Insulation Sound Deadener & Radiant Heat Barrier Mat - Automotive Lightweight Thermal Insulation

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07HPBJ7JM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

And, a few days later in the mail;


So, here we go. 4'x4' is JUST about a perfect fit. But, gee, I thought there lots more little holes I could use some of those trim fasteners? I spy only three at the base.


Not to worry - in the garage of too many project leftovers, I have a brand new package of industrial strength Velcro! That'll work.


So, unroll, and let's see how it fits. Pretty good, almost perfect on width, and extra in length.


So, use those little pins at the bottom of the hood, and some Velcro in the corners, then some more on the middle braces, and the middle section on each side.



And in the front, cut to fit the curve, and under a seal lip, three pieces of Velcro across the front. There are a couple little pieces of black tape I used to hold it in place while I cut, and I have since covered those with chrome duct tape (yes, I have that).




So, does it work Wednesday? Yes, and other days too. Now, it doesn't silence it, and I can't measure the actual frequency spectrum, but I downloaded the most popular dB meter for my phone, and my phone was mounted in the same place for both tests. Also, the numbers measured are relative to this test only, but as a comparison of before and after, it works just fine.
Driveway idle; stereo off, fan on LO Before: 70 dB Avg. After: 62 dB Avg.
65 MPH on cruise; stereo off, fan on LO Before 86 dB Avg. After: 81 dB Avg.
Subjective? I can turn down the stereo without hearing the engine noise compared to before, and that's a quieter setting for sure. If I ever have a passenger, I can have the same good, full range sound I enjoy in the RAV4 at conversation level. THAT, is $10 plus some Velcro well spent!

As always, But Wait! There's More!

 

Because I Can; Phase 30B - What to Do With Leftovers

I had about 20" x 4' leftover from the insulation that was cut off the front of the hood. Just couldn't let it sit! So, before the cold front, I decided to experiment.....

Cover off, wrap & trim to fit, tie wrap in place, cover on!




So? I haven't had it out of the driveway, and it would likely be a benefit at speed, but it took off 2 more dB average than without. I'll come back and edit the speed noise level HERE in a few days.
Just the hood: 81 dB Average, tube wrapped 80 dB Average. Not much, but it did hit just the right frequency, so better.
Will it reduce intake temps? Who knows - likely would make a minor difference, but I didn't think to use that gauge I found on the stereo head to check.
But Wait, There's More!

 

I don't see the Gulf States wheels too often, those are what my Tacoma came with. I plan on replacing them eventually with some with proper backspacing for my setup. I do like them though, I briefly entertained the idea of having them modified to suit but that would be kind of silly and expensive.

You have done a lot of great work so far!

 

No rubbing or cutting! They are nice for the pizza cutters I have on there; someday maybe I will change. Thanks much for the compliment!

 

Well, these take the longest to get. So, my budget allows this much this month. On the way to insanity phase.

 

I know what today is you pulling a fast one on us Kurt?

 

Howdy Kurt! ​

 

Howdy suh!

 

Morning John

 

It Was Time For Some AC Work; Phase Thirty Three - Or, How LBR Got Covid And Was Gone For a Month

Well, still going to be a few months before I see those shocks, and what's going to go with them, so there wasn't much in store for LBR in the meantime. Must be time for those maintenance expenses. Not a lot of excitement there, or (WARNING! Not a lot of) pictures, so how in the heck did this turn into a Phase?

It was a dark and stormy night. No, wait, it was a hot and muggy day. And it was back in March, around the end, and it was the first really hot day (before all these rains came), and I was running a WalMart errand. And, LBR didn't chill out as normal, just blowing cool air, like it's a little low. Next day is back to the 70's, and it's ice cold. Pretty sure indication I am low on Freon. So, I get into my service records, and I cannot find one mention of AC work. So, I'm thinking, it's probably a good idea to check on a complete evacuation, and inspection, with a new charge. Seems like a reasonable idea, right?

DISCLAIMER: NO DISREPECT OR COMPLAINT ABOUT EITHER OF THE SHOPS MENTIONED, OR THE GUYS DOING THE WORK IS INTENDED. NONE.

Now, there is no place here in town I trust, nor in San Marcos. I don't want to go to Austin (this time). But look, our little oil change place has new owners, it's clean, and they have a web-site that says they do. But, they don't. But they guy there tells me that the Valvoline place he used to work in Sequin does it, ASE tech, and reports the work in CarFax. So, I give them a call; they can, and so I head down. And, there it is. It's actually another aftermarket business, behind the Valvoline place, but for this work, it's part of the Valvoline service.





I'm liking this place because there is a putting green out front! Which, I promptly forgot about. I meet Brian in the back, tell him what I want, and we pull it in. Five minutes later, he comes inside and asks me "why?". I explain that since it's 70* today, AC is cold, but it won't be when it's 90. And, as long as someone with the technology has it, I might as well have it cleaned out and made new. He did say "if it ain't broke....", but I said I have colonoscopies too, so I should probably make sure it's all good, being old and all. So, off to hook it all up, and do the operation he goes. Pretty soon, he's done, and yes, it was 1.2 pounds low. And at spec, something "old" might give way - which is what intended to find out anyway. So it's running good, we discuss the eFan, and he asks if it runs all the time with AC, and I say, not at the moment - I have to fix the wire at the relay (I left it off the last fix, because it was flaky and winter....). "Want to keep that compressor cool". Only $156 for everything - I'm OK with that. Note this date: April 6.

Now, I've got nothing but country highway between there and home, and on the couple errands I have to do. And that AC is COLD again. I'm happy, and on the following weekend, I did into the wires to find the "better connection" to a real AC wire - not the relay. I'm getting things cleaned up, and checked out, and decide I will go underneath to find the wire I want. Well, it's connected to the Clutch Speed Sensor on the bottom of the compressor. I unbolt it, and then decide that there is just not enough slack to tap the fan wire there, so I put it back in, and go back up top to look some more. So, turning truck on and off, tracing the best wire....Now, I don't have my hearing aids in when working outside in the heat, but the noise was something like "POPBOOM", and something stunk. Nothing obvious is laying in the driveway, so I start it up, and I get warm air, and the AC light blinks. Wonderful.

Now, I probably would have saved two weeks if I hadn't read "helpful" TW thread about how some folks "fixed their AC" by changing the cabin filter and such, and if I hadn't decided to order the Sensor I took off and waited for it to arrive. But, it's sort of a rule - I touched it, I probably broke it (I didn't, but that's the rule). So, I tried anything I could find while I waited. Clutch will not turn - compressor free wheels on the belt - just warm air and blinky light inside. While I was under the truck, I inspected some of the "leaky, grease covered" suspension parts that San Marcos Toyota told me were "dangerous!" Here's some pix....





The part finally came, and down I went to replace it. Guess what - no difference. Even Rex is disgusted with my effort so far.





Well, shit. I call Brian and tell him what has transpired, and can he check to see where the problem is? Sure, no problem, all the work is warranted. So, I run back down there, and he brings it in and inspects it. Actually, I have all the Freon still in there, but it appears the compressor is exploded inside, and what might have stunk was the clutch rubber burning up. He offered up that if it was JUST the compressor, he could fix it, but if the evaporator or any dash part was bad (and it usually is), he did NOT do in dash work anymore. He recommended a shop just North of Sequin, Chris' Auto Repair, and gave me his card. ASE, said he does real good work. So, I give him a call, and I can get in to have him look the following Monday. It's now April 22.

The shop has a functional web-site, is a CarFax registered place, and in fact had 50 positive reviews on CarFax. Didn't have a negative one anywhere, and all work comes with Three year warranty - which is three years longer than anything else on the truck! He does NOT use reman parts either. So, I think I will be happy again, and Carol comes with Rex and the car so I can drop it off. Clean shop, nice guy, and even the Honey Pot is up to date! Monday, April 26.




Tuesday, April 27, I get a text from Chris with an estimate. $1,435 for new Compressor, Evaporator, and fill and all labor. Do it! Do I need to give you a charge card? "No, when the bill comes, you pay then". Cool, the parts should be there Wednesday, and my expectation is that it should be done by Thursday. YAY! I don't hear from him, and on Friday, I got busy, and forgot to call or message, so I sent a text after 5. Get on the website, and realize he is closed Saturday and Sunday, so my bad. But I really thought he would have called. Oh well, got work to do around the house that weekend anyway.

Monday, May 3, I called the shop in the AM, and get a recording from the wife (who does the phone and office work)..."We will be closed indefinitely due to a family emergency. We will call you back as soon as someone returns to the shop." Well, that can't be good, and my FIRST thought is someone has Covid! Left a text message next day that went unanswered. Wednesday, I called and the recording had been changed to "serious illness in the family". During the next week, I called and wished them the best for "whatever" and could anyone please just drop me a note? No responses, I'm trying my best to put on my "have some faith in people" face - I really doubt I'm getting shafted, but I can't do a darn thing. A week or so passes....

Thursday, May 13. I call the shop in the AM, and I get Chris! Man, I am glad. Yes, he literally got stricken in the middle of pulling parts on my truck. His mother got it, and gave it to his wife, kids, and mother-in-law. Yes, the whole freaking family, and my truck got Covid!!!! He had just been released by the Dr. Wednesday, and had spent 3 miserable days in the hospital really wondering if he was going to make it. He's a young, healthy looking guy too! So, he says he's getting back on my truck, and we expect that Friday I can come and get it!

Friday, I haven't heard from him, so I call at the end of the day. Truck is giving him all kinds of issues; it won't stay in cooling mode - knocks itself out of it after a couple minutes. He will come in Saturday, and Sunday if he has to. I get lectured on my aftermarket stuff. He jets called to the hospital, because his MIL passed. He gets still more parts (AC switch in dash), and SUNDAY, he calls to let me know he's isolated it to my eFan!! If it's disconnected, AC all works find. If he connects it back, AC doesn't work. Guess what - rip it out! Monday, he orders and gets a new fan clutch and blade - I told him I would get a shroud if not in stock for him. End of the day, he calls to tell me it's done, my eFan is in a box in back, and I can come and get it tomorrow!!! He shows me a "ground path at the temp gage" that seemed to be where the problem was - I'm not completely understanding since the fan has been in there since fall 2017 without issue - but I'm not arguing what works and what doesn't!

Tuesday, May 18. SIX weeks since I started this fiasco of a "simple upkeep" item. Only cost $1,800 for everything, and he left off a lot of labor I know he went through. And, add in the $70 for the new shroud I got. But, in the wet LBR is home! With a new, OEM clutch fan. And a spare eFan for me to get rid of.....





Now, one would think that's the end of the story, but WAIT, there's more! Right in this story! In all the troubleshooting, he had disconnected all the accessory wiring, stripped a battery terminal connection and left a lot of strands kinked out of the terminal, knocked my accessory +12V terminals off the extra relay box, and left the stereo fuse tie wrapped to a harness. If I didn't know all he went through to make it work right, I'd have been a little more upset. But none of that is stock, so that certainly makes it harder to work on from his standpoint.





So, while I am waiting for the shroud; replace the battery terminal (I had a spare from when I had stripped one!), clean up the accessory wire connection, and re-epoxy, and remount the stereo fuse.





Now, you all know it RAINED and was seldom hot the whole month of May, so I was a little worried about the AC temp, and thought it MIGHT need a little more Freon, and I know he'd be glad to see me. I stuck a tester on to see.....



And last, the shroud came! I forgot from the eFan install, how much fun this was. Have to take the blade OFF, then slip the shroud over everything. Then, use that two inches of clearance to tighten the blade back up!






And now for the true test, does that shroud make enough difference?



YES! Yes, it does. And so, Thursday, May 27, 53 days later; this is in the books. Dang.
And, I don't know what it will be between now, and when I finally see suspension parts; but WAIT, there's more!

 

Dang Kurt sucks about LBR interesting enough my clutch fan finally gave up the ghost today on my way home.

 

What were the symptoms that made you notice it - hopefully not overheating.. like could you spin the fan by hand with very little resistance after the motor was at temp? I am wondering how long my original one on my 4 banger is gonna last..

 

Well at idle the water temp would go from 185-191 really quick that’s normal giving the temp today. However the trans temp went from 160 to 178 just at a stop light in 5 min the cooled back down at cruising speed.
The fan free spins also by hand and noticed ac wasn’t as cool at idle.

 

I would GIVE you my fan, but the shroud won't fit. I do NOT understand what caused it to suddenly cause it to "interfere" with the pressure sensing parts of the AC, but - like I said - cool is better!

 

Once at temp, that fan should be spinning, and I was always reluctant to "stick something in there" and see if it's really hooked up. When cool, yes you can spin it. A new clutch is only $89 or less for OEM, and is "simple" to replace.

 

I appreciate it Kurt but that was a freak thing that happened with it from reading your post.

It always spun but I stuck a rolled up magazine in it and it stopped spinning but it’s all taken care of now I swapped the clutch with a Napa part along with the belt and thermostat. AC blowing colder than ever now.