Zeno's Dichotomy Paradox

Alright, you've heard it before but this time it is true, the engine is almost ready to come out. I would have started the actual lifting but there were some hoisting accessories I needed, as well as some bodies.

It won't come out this weekend either since Lloyd can't make it to the garage this week and I'd rather someone who has done it before to be around. What I will be working on this weekend is taking the actual body off. I'm not sure I can hoist it up and over the engine, but at least it can be ready to come off once the engine and transmission are out.

There is always fun to have.

Project cost: $1550.00.

Cold Molasses

Progress is still ebbing along slowly. After about 3 hours I removed the front drive shaft, one bolt of the exhaust (the others are of course rusted) and all except one bolt of a subsection of the chassis that keeps the transmission in place (guess why the last bolt is still in there).

Only a few more bolts and the engine and transmission will be ready to come out . . . I hope. It will be exciting to have part of the project at home, so I can work on it when I have a few minutes in the evenings.

Project cost: $1550 (I was busted by Adam on the last post for knocking $50 off)

Rust never sleeps

So I had about 12 hours on the rig this weekend. My process is slow due to a lack of understanding and damnable rusty bolts. Well maybe it feels slow because Lloyd's jeep is like a Lego model a bolt here and there and it comes apart which in combination with his experience and skill makes for an intimidating pace. For someone tackling a first project, the jeep is certainly a great way to go.

On the plus side I am making progress and I am learning a lot, the biggest plus of all is that I don't think I have removed things that I can't put back on :). So perhaps that is all that is important for now. So this weekend (rather pathetically) I've removed the rear drive shaft, half of the front drive shaft, disconnected the shift linkage, removed the power steering system, removed alternator belt, disconnected ignition system, removed rear tires, and disconnected the AC compressor. So although visually it looks the same so I wont post a picture, 'under the hood' progress is being made.

So it appears I only have to remove the exhaust system, and engine mounts to remove the engine and transmission.

Project cost: ~$1500.00 (not counting man hours of course).

Mechanics for dummies

I found a section in my shop manual titled "How to remove the engine" :-). Not exactly a bolt-by-bolt description since they have single steps such as "remove power steering system". But I think it is good enough to get me through. Hopefully I'll be well on my way to removing the engine after my next session.

Project cost: ~$1550.

The dream

So this is how it looks now.



Just kidding, obviously. I just wanted anyone reading this blog to see the dream. There is no way I will get to that level, but you've got to dream high and be satisfied with half.

Project cost: ~$1550.

p.s. The above link comes from http://www.4x4offroads.com/toyota-4runner.html

Johnny 5 alive, no disassemble

So the process of disassembly has begun. I feel like a surgeon taking part a body to fix an ailment, except I'm wondering if I can put the thing back together again. If the rig were sentient it should be very worried :-)

Anyhow, I've got the left and right fenders, front bumper, lights, grill, both radiators, air intake system and fuel system disconnected from the engine. And after some fighting with rusted bolts (one bolt remains) I have the front seats removed, steering wheel and 80% of the interior dashboard (thanks for your help today Earl).

So now I am officially past the point of my knowledge base. But the plus side is that it doesn't look as bad as I imagined it. Sure there are a lot of hoses and wires, but the shop manual is a great companion so I'm feeling a lot more optimistic about the project. That being said, Lloyd was making fun of me for taking pictures of every hose from every angle before removal. I figure digital storage space is cheap insurance. The posted picture is a few steps behind, but I forgot to take a final picture (or the camera was out of memory :-) ).

Project cost: ~$1550.00 (bought some rusted bolt removers and a puller).