Lotrat's Budget Baja Build

Lotrat · Post by **Lotrat** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 11:02 am

Took you way too long to find that. When it comes to sweet hookups, you are the coolest guy I know. Your castle nuts are way better than MBs. Your cotter pins are tight bro!

I'm almost ready for a run. North County SD will be tearing it up this year. It my baja doesn't fall apart.

cwrisley · Post by **cwrisley** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 11:39 am

Ah, shucks Wally. Youre gonna give me a big(ger) head.

I havnt seen your thread before today. Still, looks good. Keep it up!!

Sneaks · Post by **Sneaks** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 7:40 am

Nice looking ride so far. As a fellow lo-bucker, I appreciate the barter/trade/weasel/permanently-borrow approach to car building. If I take off the $1500 I paid for my car initially, I have like $50 in it and most of that is in blades, disks and chemicals. I kinda like the look of those Super wheels on the front.

CopperBaja · Post by **CopperBaja** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 9:55 am

About time you found where all the cool kids hang out!

Looks good, nice abridged edition of the build.

Going to have to take a Ramona shake-down run soon.

We need to start a San Diego Baja Club. The REAL So-Cal club!

Lotrat · Post by **Lotrat** » Sun Oct 26, 2008 11:59 pm

So with 2 desert trips under my belt and no breaks to speak of, I figured I'd just post my latest add-on. After getting lucky on my 1st trip, I figured I'd add a trans strap. I went with the Empi 9550 after seeing the troubles some folks have been through with theirs. The only issue I had with this kit was that the long bolt for the rear strap was a little short. A quick run to Homedepot fixed it. Anyone use this kit?

Post by **Leatherneck** » Mon Oct 27, 2008 4:16 am

Any problems with it stretching?. Having the straps is a good idea, any increase in sound?

Lotrat · Post by **Lotrat** » Mon Oct 27, 2008 8:24 am

Leatherneck wrote:Any problems with it stretching?. Having the straps is a good idea, any increase in sound?

You know after installing the front strap I almost didn't install the big rear strap. Before installing it I could grab my stinger and shake the engine and trans on the rubber mounts. The front strap alone put an end to all movement. When I put the rear strap on, I didn't go silly torquing it down.

As for noise, I run a stinger so I can't tell for sure. I can feel my trans whine through the shifter though. Time will tell how good the thing is, but the install was easy.

CopperBaja · Post by **CopperBaja** » Mon Oct 27, 2008 9:26 am

Looks good! ...so when does the skidplate go on?

CopperBaja · Post by **CopperBaja** » Tue Nov 04, 2008 9:12 am

Bump.

Going out Thanksgiving weekend?

Lotrat · Post by **Lotrat** » Tue Nov 04, 2008 3:45 pm

I'm working it with the boss now...

As far as my project goes, I got a skid plate and it's sitting in my garage. Ok, it's just a big piece of metal I found by a dumpster at work.

I may put my bling belt on this week, but I hate to take it apart when it's running fine. I also need to track down a spare belt to have in my tool box.

Been having problems with my choke hanging up. I work it by hand and it's fine for awhile.

Repacked my front bearings. The drums looked new, so I left them alone when I first got the bug. The only grease in there was on the bearings. The rest of the drum cavity was dry.

The only other issue has been oil leaking out of the fuel pump. I figure I need to add a breather box, but it's odd that it just started to happen. I need to take it out to make sure the gasket and insulator are ok.

namelesswonder · Post by **namelesswonder** » Tue Nov 04, 2008 3:51 pm

Lotrat wrote:As far as my project goes, I got a skid plate and it's sitting in my garage. Ok, it's just a big piece of metal I found by a dumpster at work.

I may put my bling belt on this week, but I hate to take it apart when it's running fine. I also need to track down a spare belt to have in my tool box.

It seems like the west coast has all those nice finds...like scrap metal just sitting around. I guess I just don't get out enough though/look hard enough. I mean, I do live in a formerly industrial city.

Also, what's a bling belt? What did I miss?

Lotrat · Post by **Lotrat** » Tue Nov 04, 2008 3:54 pm

I won a major award a while back. I just haven't installed it yet.

Check it out....
http://www.shoptalkforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=121068

Post by **Hedrock** » Tue Nov 04, 2008 3:58 pm

Lotrat wrote:I won a major award a while back. I just haven't installed it yet.

Check it out....
http://www.shoptalkforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=121068

Speaking of... I do believe we are due for an update on the said Major Bling award to the said recipient

Lotrat · Post by **Lotrat** » Tue Nov 04, 2008 4:00 pm

Hedrock wrote:
Lotrat wrote:I won a major award a while back. I just haven't installed it yet.

Check it out....
http://www.shoptalkforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=121068

Speaking of... I do believe we are due for an update on the said Major Bling award to the said recipient

I still have it... I got the Scatt sand seal... Then I went on 2 desert trips. That's all I got for now.

I really didn't want to put it on so close to my 1st trips out. There is a warning about making sure the belt is tracking on the tensioner correctly. I didn't want to experiment with it yet. I do want the sand seal on, so I may just do it this week.

namelesswonder · Post by **namelesswonder** » Tue Nov 04, 2008 4:08 pm

Lotrat wrote:I won a major award a while back. I just haven't installed it yet.

Check it out....
http://www.shoptalkforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=121068

That is the most ridiculous contest ever and I can't believe I didn't see it when it was happening!