The White Dragon (91 FJ80)

how do you like the ARB front bumper want to get an aftermarket bumper for my Taco and was leaning towards an ARB.

 

It's really well made and stout for a commercial bumper. I like the looks of them on Taco's.

 

I thought it would look pretty good just wasn't sure how well they were built.

 

I was looking at these for my upcoming set in a month, what do you think of them after riding on them for a few months?

 

Missed this post somehow. I'm still in love with them. For the terrain around here they are very nearly the perfect tire. During the episodes of freezing rain we've had I kind of wish they had a softer compound and more sipes, but I was still able to climb steep grades and pass cars spinning their tires, trucks in the ditch, etc. On pure wet ice I don't think there are many tires that perform well. In snow they work fantastic, almost to the point you get a false sense of security. I like them in mud, seem to clean out well and just keep pulling. They do awesome in the rocks and don't seem to chunk at all. The benefit of the slightly harder compound is that they will last a very long time. I would buy them again. I put Cooper ST Maxx's on the duramax (it's more of a pavement princess) and also on my work truck and those tires are more of an 80 on 20% off road tire. Compared to the STT Pro's on the cruiser, the ST Maxx are like racing slicks in the deep snow/mud, but they are quiet on the highway and have a higher load rating for towing.

 

ARB air lockers suck.

1) The front locker was puking oil out of the solenoid. Then it just stopped working (I suspect a leaky O-ring) That means the axles come out....again. This is like the third or fourth time I've had the front axle apart.

2) The compressor went tits up. Should I replace it with a Viair or Puma, or stick with an ARB? To be honest, I haven't been airing down as the ARB I have now would take 5 minutes or more per tire to go from 15-30psi. It would be nice to be able to air down again. I'm considering mounting the replacement compressor in the cab, maybe it will last longer. The current one is under the hood.

On an unrelated note I can't believe this thing still runs. I have whomped on it in the dirt for 90% of the time I've had it with zero serious issues. -40F to 120F, it just starts and goes where you point it.

 

I'm really happy with my ARB dual man.... plus it's easier to connect to your lockers if you keep ARB.

Also, Toyota's are the shit lol. I love hearing that, glad it's working how it should!

 

Ended up fixing the ARB compressor I had, and bought a portable Viar for airing back up at the trailhead. Also did all new gaskets, water pump, power steering pump, pressure hose for power steering, and coolant/radiator hoses. The timing cover gasket was LOUD EXPLETIVES followed by busted knuckles. It's done though, and for the first time since I've owned it, she will idle for twenty minutes and not leave a drop of any liquid beneath her! Judging by the caked on mess on the frame, she has been leaking oil for many years before I got her.

 

I just did the front main which wasn’t bad at all compared to what everyone said, oil pump seal which I was most concerned breaking the Phillips head off and the water pump. I’ve got the rebuild kit for the power steering pump but not sure how bad it is. I’ve read a few write ups but they weren’t all that great. How bad was it to rebuild?

 

I think you have the 1FZ right? Well, on the 3FE motor the power steering pump is only half rebuildable. My bearings were shot, and they are not replaceble so I had to buy a whole new pump. It kind of whines like a ford even though I've ran the steering wheel back and forth about 100 times. Hopefully it's just air that will work out...

 

1FZ, mines only a seal kit but I want to try and rebuild it since that’s the only thing leaking under there now. My Ranchero whined bad when I replaced it a long time ago and stopped after a week of driving it. Not sure if these have a bleed valve or not.

By the way, Fuck that pesky heater hose.

 

hey username [OP]Fluffer...i messaged you or started a convo!

 

Fixed the front locker. Broken X-ring. Also put a new driver side spindle on. The original one was worn juuuuuust enough to allow the outer bearing race to spin on it, which ate the thrust washer and would loosen the wheel bearing even though the nut never moved. Took me a while to figure that one out. Did new wheel bearings and inner axle seals while I was at it.
Do you know why mechanics get paid so much? Because they're worth it. I'm tired.

 

Also it was not just air. Had to warranty that pump and get a replacement. It doesn't make any noise.

 

New boingers. It rides much better now, and sits level instead of being stink bug.

 

Got a new ZR2 diesel. The Land Cruiser will be for sale as soon as I get it cleaned up. I love it like family and would drive it to Alaska tomorrow (and it would make it!) but it doesn't make sense to just let it sit when another family could be enjoying it.

 

I've wanted a small diesel pickup since I first drove a Hilux overseas. There are hundreds of posts on this site alone begging for one. Here it is. The best part is selectable lockers front and rear. It is not a powerhouse. I'm pretty sure the White Dragon would outrun it in a drag race, at least in the 1/8 mile, but it gets it done and sips fuel. The dealer said they are only on the lot a few days and sell quick, so maybe Toyota will see that and bring us some diesel goodness in the states. We've been hearing that rumor for twenty years and it hasn't happened though. The suspension is surprisingly good. You know me, usually the shocks are the first thing in the trash. It could use some hydraulic bumps, but really genuinely awesome factory suspension. 90% as good as a Raptor.

 

Sold! For the first time since 1998 I do not own a single Toyota product. Weird.

 

Oh I'm sure it's temporary. The first time my new chevy so much as hiccups I'll be screaming bloody murder and trading it in to Mr. T. again. If they had a new rig with lockers and a diesel I'd be driving it.

 

Ooh another 80 owner, one of us, one of us