What Did You Do for Your Van Today?
- Thread starter feetforbrains
- Start date
My plan is to weld up a front hitch receiver and winch mounting plate to my bull bar, then look at fabricating a hitch mount tire carrier.
Nenw
Well-Known Member
Is there enough integrity to the bull bar and its mounting points to actually use a winch? I just mounted an fts hitch and i’m already looking to modify bc of how it mounts to the frame/body.
Well, I'm sort of following the images posted by the amazing Kellyn! His design looks quite sturdy and not impossible to fabricate. Plus, matches the aesthetic that I'm looking for.
jeffery
Active Member
In an attempt to eliminate a rear end clunk on hard cornering, I replaced sway bar end links. After doing a lot of searching around and cross referencing after market sellers, I ordered Moog K9545 Stabilizer Bar Link Kit. They are slightly longer, and are also much beefier looking. Seem to work fine.
I also tried to replace the bushings with these from Russia: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MU46T0M/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 -sold on amazon and ebay. If anyone is considering, they DO NOT fit. The ID is much larger and did not fit tightly around the bar at all, so the old rubber ones went back on.
I also tried to replace the bushings with these from Russia: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MU46T0M/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 -sold on amazon and ebay. If anyone is considering, they DO NOT fit. The ID is much larger and did not fit tightly around the bar at all, so the old rubber ones went back on.
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silverstate
Member
Finally got the 2.5" side exhaust done.
This could be the $300 talking but I really think I've got an improved low end, a bit quicker throttle/turbo response - seems to 'breath' easier now, and even possibly a (very) slight engine temp decrease. Also a side benefit is that I can now readily hear the turbo spinning up and down. I'm a weirdo, I like that stuff.
This could be the $300 talking but I really think I've got an improved low end, a bit quicker throttle/turbo response - seems to 'breath' easier now, and even possibly a (very) slight engine temp decrease. Also a side benefit is that I can now readily hear the turbo spinning up and down. I'm a weirdo, I like that stuff.
Gardenerguy
Active Member
I'm looking to get my exhaust done in a month or so. I'll be interested to see how it affects my rig. Thanks for the post.
Krazykraut
Active Member
I got my side exhaust a year ago and the only downside is: in city driving, it’s loud. Driving alongside some concrete barrier, building or other hard surface, the sound is reflected straight back at my right ear, so much so that I keep that window closed on my commute. Not a big deal in the country, where our vehicles belong anyway, but it bothers me a little bit.
Fuel consumption and performance did stay the same.
- Fabian
Todays chores were repairing floorboard holes on the driver's side. I don't have a welder and it's been years since I've done any MIG work, so I did it the shade tree mechanic way... seam sealer and pop rivets.
I'm also in the process of replacing the oil filler cap with a performance screw-in breather/filter... I'm taking pics in the hopes it works out and is worthy of sharing.
I'm also in the process of replacing the oil filler cap with a performance screw-in breather/filter... I'm taking pics in the hopes it works out and is worthy of sharing.
Replaced the rear leaf spring shackle bushes (4x MB584530 and 4x MB584531). Discovered that new bushes are about 1/2" too long and a *very* loose fit in the spring eye, but when you tighten the shackle bolts the bushes crush down and swell out to a beautifully tight fit. You end up with a rubber bush that's locked into the shackle eyes, but is also easy to change.
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Is that just 8x MB584530?
Whoops! The second number should be MB584531. The top bushes are longer than the lower bushes.
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NYCMIKADOZ
Active Member
Do you have pix?
Swapped out my old 2 gauge (now have one available without gauges if anyone needs)
For a shiny "newly used" 3 gauge from Coombs Country Autos (Also have the thermometer ([unknown condition] from the three gauge available)
So, I could add a DM-6 MultiGauge and bunch of PLX Devices items for EGT/AFR/Coolant Temperature/Boost/Voltage/Oil Temperature/Oil Pressure/Seat cushion pressure...
Was more of a project than expected and I still have two sensors to finish(oil pressure and temperature) but it’s working as needed. But happy with the results so far.
For a shiny "newly used" 3 gauge from Coombs Country Autos (Also have the thermometer ([unknown condition] from the three gauge available)
So, I could add a DM-6 MultiGauge and bunch of PLX Devices items for EGT/AFR/Coolant Temperature/Boost/Voltage/Oil Temperature/Oil Pressure/Seat cushion pressure...
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bikerjosh
Well-Known Member
Thinking boost and afr probably a bigger deal for initial tuning, versus daily observation. I mounted a digital gauge in my 87 4wd Toyota cargo van for water temp, oil pressure, and volts(didn't really care about volts) , since these are typically the two that oem gauges never move until it too late.
My water temp gauge seems to work reasonably well, and the oil pressure idiot light works fine. I get that it might be nice to be able to monitor those things for "trends" so that you can catch things earlier... but who really pays that much attention? And if it's a multi guage with most things hidden, how are you actually monitoring them (other than "idiot lights"/alarms)?
TBH, IDT there's a lot to be gained from "tuning" these engines... there are gains that can be made, quite a bit actually if you're really willing to push boundaries (i.e. 25psi boost, aftermarket injectors, etc, etc). But they come at a cost, the more you tune it for better performance, the more likely you are to blow/burn it up; and the more you're going to have to monitor those things much more closely... NTY.