I've sold the Rear Lift kit, for quite a bargain. I guess the opportunity to sell a custom item like that doesn't come up all the time so I just sold it for what I could.
The transmission I sold is not being used, but I received word that the engine has been rebuilt and installed (mated to a manual transmission), and the current owner is very happy with its performance. I enjoyed hearing that news, it's nice to know that it is being used.
So all I have left to sell is the 1985 Toyota Pickup front Axle. Good axle for anyone doing a SAS.
I still haven't touched the small rust spots on the Xterra, I should get to that soon. My wife is going away for work soon, perhaps that is a good time to work on it.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Engine and Transmission Sold
I managed to sell the engine and transmission. Got a dismal $350 for them but I'm glad they are getting used, and I'm glad to have it out of my relatively small garage. All that leaves me with is a 5 inch rear lift kit and a 1985 Toyota Pickup front axle.
The bumper and hitch are mounted on the truck they look great. I decided there wasn't enough rust to bother fixing, so on Lloyd's suggestion I coated the whole area with Rust Check spray and then put the bumper back on. With all that stuff off I had access with the spray that I would not have had otherwise. I would like to post a picture soon.
The next task on the list is to fix the little paint chipped spots. There are about 6 of various dimensions all around the car ranging from ball point pen tip to the other end of the ball point pen. Should be pretty easy to fix, my only concern is that one of the spots is not a paint chip, it is rust under the paint, I worry that this is a case where the rust is not actually surface rust. Technically speaking I think you are supposed to cut the area out, but that seems intense for a tiny little spot.
The bumper and hitch are mounted on the truck they look great. I decided there wasn't enough rust to bother fixing, so on Lloyd's suggestion I coated the whole area with Rust Check spray and then put the bumper back on. With all that stuff off I had access with the spray that I would not have had otherwise. I would like to post a picture soon.
The next task on the list is to fix the little paint chipped spots. There are about 6 of various dimensions all around the car ranging from ball point pen tip to the other end of the ball point pen. Should be pretty easy to fix, my only concern is that one of the spots is not a paint chip, it is rust under the paint, I worry that this is a case where the rust is not actually surface rust. Technically speaking I think you are supposed to cut the area out, but that seems intense for a tiny little spot.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Recharge the AC and Rusty Bumper
Here is a non-stock photo of the new truck.
My desire for a project has never really abated. But now I am picking on things that I can actually handle, I think.
The AC was not quite cold but from what I understand that happens often enough after about 4 years. The refrigerant eventually leaks past the O-rings and gaskets. One simple needs to add refrigerant, a process called recharging the AC. I was going to take it into Canadian Tire for about a $130 job, but Princess Auto had kits on sale today for half price so I figured I would give it a shot for about $35. It turns out to be very easy, I went from knowing nothing about topping up refrigerant to completing the task in 15 minutes with helpful instructions from http://xterra101.com/airconditioning.htm. The hardest part was knowing when the compressor is actually running (this is when you measure the refrigerant pressure. Once you find out which device on the network of modules on the belt system the compressor is then you've got it.
Since the vehicle is new to me and I need a hobby, I've got it in my head to routinely make the truck in better condition hence at infinity ending at a mint truck. The current weak link in the trunk is a not too bad rear bumper:
I've removed it and the hitch. Paying for sand blasting and painting was $135, I'll try to get it back on the truck soon and post a pic. But first I'm trying to decide if I should paint the chassis under the bumper with POR15, it is barely rusty but since I have the bumper and hitch off maybe it is worth it ... Hmmm I'll have to think about it some more.
So I guess this weeks addition to the cost is -$100 (how much I saved on AC charging costs) + $135 for the sandblasting and painting, so an additional $35 this week.
Project Cost: $10,535.
My desire for a project has never really abated. But now I am picking on things that I can actually handle, I think.
The AC was not quite cold but from what I understand that happens often enough after about 4 years. The refrigerant eventually leaks past the O-rings and gaskets. One simple needs to add refrigerant, a process called recharging the AC. I was going to take it into Canadian Tire for about a $130 job, but Princess Auto had kits on sale today for half price so I figured I would give it a shot for about $35. It turns out to be very easy, I went from knowing nothing about topping up refrigerant to completing the task in 15 minutes with helpful instructions from http://xterra101.com/airconditioning.htm. The hardest part was knowing when the compressor is actually running (this is when you measure the refrigerant pressure. Once you find out which device on the network of modules on the belt system the compressor is then you've got it.
Since the vehicle is new to me and I need a hobby, I've got it in my head to routinely make the truck in better condition hence at infinity ending at a mint truck. The current weak link in the trunk is a not too bad rear bumper:
I've removed it and the hitch. Paying for sand blasting and painting was $135, I'll try to get it back on the truck soon and post a pic. But first I'm trying to decide if I should paint the chassis under the bumper with POR15, it is barely rusty but since I have the bumper and hitch off maybe it is worth it ... Hmmm I'll have to think about it some more.
So I guess this weeks addition to the cost is -$100 (how much I saved on AC charging costs) + $135 for the sandblasting and painting, so an additional $35 this week.
Project Cost: $10,535.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
2003 Nissan Xterra
Bought a 2003 Nissan Xterra on the weekend. Great shape and a pretty decent price. I'll post a real pic later, but this is a stock picture (except mine is black).
It has some bells and whistles like a super charger, 300W stereo, hitch, low mileage ...
I'm hoping to do a 2 inch body lift on it, pretty cheap ~$250 and seems easy enough. Have a look at the instructions. Doesn't seem too bad. Though I'm being tentative (some lessons learned from last project). Of course it will wait till the vehicle is paid off and my wife is happy enough :-/
Project Cost: $10,500 (including last project).
It has some bells and whistles like a super charger, 300W stereo, hitch, low mileage ...
I'm hoping to do a 2 inch body lift on it, pretty cheap ~$250 and seems easy enough. Have a look at the instructions. Doesn't seem too bad. Though I'm being tentative (some lessons learned from last project). Of course it will wait till the vehicle is paid off and my wife is happy enough :-/
Project Cost: $10,500 (including last project).
Death
The project is dead.
For reasons to be posted later, I have no space available to work on it nor the technical expertise to see it through. Probably bit off more then I can chew anyway :-( I guess you live and learn.
I have re-obtained about $500 for the headers, $750 for the front suspension, $200 for steering pump and tires and $150 for returned unused tools.
Need to sell my refurbished engine, rear suspension and front axle to make a little more money back (hopefully $1500 more back). My wife is so understanding.
Project Cost: $4500.00
For reasons to be posted later, I have no space available to work on it nor the technical expertise to see it through. Probably bit off more then I can chew anyway :-( I guess you live and learn.
I have re-obtained about $500 for the headers, $750 for the front suspension, $200 for steering pump and tires and $150 for returned unused tools.
Need to sell my refurbished engine, rear suspension and front axle to make a little more money back (hopefully $1500 more back). My wife is so understanding.
Project Cost: $4500.00
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Its a boy
Last week I put on some of the brakets for the front suspension which also needed some frame patching and the front axle was dissassembled.
The engine has all of the pistons in.
Lloyd and Annika have given birth to a healthy boy, Tallon. Congratulations to them!
Obviously that means I'll be doing the next few weeks alone. Over the next few weeks I would really like to the have the suspension brackets in place, the front axle rebuilt, the chassis sand blasted and the engine completed. If anyone ever feels like dropping in for a day of work feel free to email me. Payment is a ride in the finished product :-)
Project Cost: $6100 (new pistons cost about $300).
The engine has all of the pistons in.
Lloyd and Annika have given birth to a healthy boy, Tallon. Congratulations to them!
Obviously that means I'll be doing the next few weeks alone. Over the next few weeks I would really like to the have the suspension brackets in place, the front axle rebuilt, the chassis sand blasted and the engine completed. If anyone ever feels like dropping in for a day of work feel free to email me. Payment is a ride in the finished product :-)
Project Cost: $6100 (new pistons cost about $300).
Monday, June 16, 2008
Its Christmas in June
All my parts have arrived. 10 boxes of stuff from Trail Gear. They include front and rear suspension, front axle gears, and headers.
The chassis is ready to receive the components of suspension that need to be welded on. The next step after that is sand blasting.
Project cost: $5800.
The chassis is ready to receive the components of suspension that need to be welded on. The next step after that is sand blasting.
Project cost: $5800.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Time to Fight Entropy
The maximum state of disorder has been reached and now it is time to put stuff back together. The engine has the crankshaft back in and the chassis is ready for welding on the brackets for the new suspension.
Project cost: $5800.
Project cost: $5800.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Welding
Not much to report, I've been welding in the nicks and groves that resulted from the IFS removal. Kind of dull picture and story wise, but very interesting work. Welding is a lot of fun.
Project cost: $5800 (All new suspension (front and back), Downey header, and Axle rebuild kit).
Project cost: $5800 (All new suspension (front and back), Downey header, and Axle rebuild kit).
Friday, May 16, 2008
Axle
Got my new front axle today. It looks pretty damn tough, I managed to get one of only two years of Toyota trucks (1984 and 1985) in which the axle was reinforced with a truss. I'll post a picture soon.
Project cost: $2930.00 (return the Oxy-Acetylene Torch, getting a plasma cutter instead).
Project cost: $2930.00 (return the Oxy-Acetylene Torch, getting a plasma cutter instead).
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