I've been driving the truck for a bit this weekend and I haven't had any issues.

In an effort to trouble-shoot I disconnected the ground leads on the engine block one by one, trying to start the engine after disconnecting each one. It was able to fire up with only one of the four grounds connected, but it was sluggish. Nothing like the strong-starter but no fire behavior I was running in to before. So I don't think the problem was any of the ground connections on the block. The search continues.


I've started doing more serious research on SAS. I've got a front axle hub-to-hub secured from a friend's parts truck. I'd like to start rebuilding it soon. I was hoping to spread out the cost, but it looks like most SAS kits include the parts needed for the axle rebuild so I guess I'll end up getting it all in one chunk after all.

I keep forgetting about a diff with locker, bigger tires, rear springs, and custom driveshaft. It keeps adding up in $$$.

 

Do it!! Check my sas thread im in the process now so any ?? let me know.

 

I read through the first half of your thread so far. Great information in there! Thanks for the heads up. Subscribed.

Here's the link for everyone else: https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f152...in-sas-277050/

 

Wooot! She gunna be SASsy! Lol

Sorry I've not been able to chime in on your drama/gremlins.... ....Been extremely overwhelmed on my end. Glad you have great peeps on it with ya. (To be totally honest, I didn't even know that you had this electrical problem until right now.)

 

Oh, have you been busy with something, Mark?

 

sorry to hear about your running issues...

I have a couple questions. What did you use to add support to your soft top? I've seen other set ups on here, but nothing up close. Also, did you ever get the leaking fuel damper replaced with the bolt? Mine was leaking and I replaced it, but if it ever fails again I'd like to know a cheaper fix.

Thanks

 

Theres links to making a inexpensive bikini top,i myself would like the killertoytop.

 

Yea, I've read how to make the cheap top with the YJ bikini top, and have checked out the KTT and some others. I was referring to the support bar that has been added to the roll bar to support the middle of the soft top.

 

Ahhh i see.

 

The killertoytop is the one I want to buy. Seems the best for the money.

 

I'll be doing the YJ top, but wanted to see how someone mounted a support to the roll bar and what material was used to support the middle of the soft top.

 

That support bar was supplied with the top kit from Wabfab. It bolts in to where the shoulder belt mounts go on the roll bar.

 

My drivetrain has felt sloppier and sloppier, so I just now finally got under the truck to check my driveshaft u-joints. The u-joints look fine, but something's up with the diff. This doesn't seem like a normal amount of play. (The transmission is in neutral)

 

not sure if its normal but I just checked mine and its got at most half as much play as yours

 

Thanks for taking a look at your's, it's helpful to have the comparison. I'm not sure what causes this kind of slop.

 

I dropped the driveshaft to look at the pinion nut since it's easy to see without a ton of work. It was fine. While I was under there I engaged my front hubs and checked the front driveshaft... it has the exact same play. So, I guess this is just how the Spartan lockers are and I've gotten used to the tight differential in my car since I've been working on it so much lately.

 

I finally put together this video from a two-day Hidden Falls trip back in December. There's a good mix of my 4Runner and some seriously built rigs.

 

Ocell, I didn't go back to read, but when you installed the lockers did you measure the backlash? That measurement is essentially how far the ring gear moves before contacting the pinion teeth...so excess backlash I think would affect how much rotational slop is in your diff flange.

 

Hey Ocell, it's been a bit over a year since you bought your bumper. Have you used it for any recovery? How's it holding up? Just curious I'm kinda in the market for a bumper. Thanks.

 

I didn't check the backlash. I worked very carefully to put everything back in exactly as I had removed it, hoping that the backlash would stay the same. Maybe that's not how it works?