1986 Tin Top adventure from stock

[melbakid]

I have 31x10.5 tires on 15x8 steel rims and I run 20 PSI front and rear on my Tin Top.

 

[OneBiteCannibal]

I have LT215/75R15 KO2s and I normally run 20 psi front and 25 psi rear (cargo always on board). Air down to 12 front and 15 rear for doing stupid stuff on trails.

However, when travelling fully loaded with camping gear and the so-called expedition trailer (combined weight ~3700 lbs), I run 35 psi all the way around, including the KO2s on the trailer, because the lower rolling resistance really seems to help the little 1.3 maintain highway speeds a lot better (65 mph-ish)

 

[bunruh]

I think I will try to run 18-20 psi to start, since that seems to be about the general number people run.  I won't have a lot of weight in the back right now so it should be fine.

 

[eruby]

I run 35 on the streets to a) help with mileage and b) I think the lower resistance gives me more speed.

 

[bunruh]

Took a vacation day yesterday to help with wife around the house and got a little bit of extra time, so I installed the wheels.  I really like the way it looks and sits now.  I haven't done any flexing of it yet or turning the wheel full lock to make sure everything clears, but that will be coming.  I hammered down the seam on the inside fender wells on both sides.  It knocked quite a bit of rust loose from places on the vehicle.  That is what the pile on the floor is. I weighed the difference between the 2 tires and I am about 15.2 lbs. heavier per tire with the new setup.  Not bad.  Took measurements from where I was orginally and I gained about 4" in the front and 4.5" in the rear after suspension and tires.

  I also think I found where my exhaust leak is.  It is around the number 2 header pipe where it connects to the flange.  I tried to weld up around it, so we will see if that fixes it.  Who would have guessed a $100 header from Ebay would be completely leak free. lol.

 

[bunruh]

How are you all mounting your aftermarket front bumpers on?  I attached a picture of where I think you would mount it. Just remove or weld to the eyelet brackets that are on the frame rail?

Also, my 02 sensor crapped out so i am waiting on another one to get tuning again.  I did take it out and run it around the neighborhood with the new tires.  Did some full turn locks and nothing rubs.  I'll probably be chopping off the end plates for mounting the stock bumper since they are pretty close to the tire. 

 

[Bad goat]

My sammi came with and after market bumper.   It uses spacers in between the frame rails and grade 8 bolts all the way through the frame.

 

[bunruh]

I am wanting some opinions on what the next step should be for the Samurai.  I either want to do the transfer case and put in 4.9 gears or should I put a Kaiser locker in the rear first.  With the 1.6 engine in, I really don't feel like I'm underpowered with the larger tires so I would think gearing would be fine for a bit.  I think the locker would be most beneficial first.  I'm not planning any crazy trail rides yet, so maybe a locker wouldn't be that needed either.  Just looking for thought and opinions.  Thanks.

Currently, the fueling is about right where I want it.  With the new O2 sensor, I'm not seeing that leaning out that the other one was showing.  I am running quite rich still at idle at around 12.8.  I'm already at 1.5 turns out on the idle adjustment screws so I can't turn them in any more.  I don't want to go smaller on the pilot but I might try it.

 

[Deadlight44]

Gotta be honest I have kicked the rich idle on mine... I use iridium plugs and have 10k miles on them without fouling yet and that's about where I idle is 12.5 12.8, wide open on accel I'm usually 13.5-13.8 but my wide and also crapped out AEM brand what about yours?  Mine will read for about 30 seconds then just goes wild and reads dashes, that what yours did?  Pulled my airbox and took a pic of my settings for ya.  Great build, been fun following  [red_s]

 

[bunruh]

I might just leave it with the rich idle.  It seems that as soon as i'm in the throttle everything looks good through the rev range.  My biggest concern is I'm at like 1500 ft above sea level, so the richness will only get worse if I take it to the mountains.  I guess just keep a spare set of plugs on hand.

I had an Innovative Motorsport O2 sensor that was with their display.  It just started to read full rich at 7.5 on the display all the time so I knew it was toast.  Got a new 4.9 LSU sensor off Amazon with lifetime warranty and she's good to go.

Thanks for getting those numbers for me.  Currently, i'm at 160 on the mains due to what fastspec mentioned, and it seems to be good for me.  He also suggested leaving the pilots where they were at, and I still have the pilots set at 12.5 from the factory.

 

[bunruh]

So not much has been new. I decided to do some more basic maintenance items on the vehicle. I got a new set of brakes for the front and the rears. The front rotors were shot and were a huge pain to get off. I can only assume they are the original and most other owners said screw it and just threw pads on it. Got the new rotors installed along with new pads. Made sure to antiseize the backside of the rotor where it mates so if I ever have to replace these, it won't be as tough. I also got a whole new drum and all the springs and pads and such but have not had time to get to them. I can only assume they are in the same condition. Never hurts to have new brakes though. Definitely helps with the new stuff on the front.

On another note, I did some interstate driving for the first time after installing the new tires and with the new motor. Being I have the older transmission, I definitely lost my 5th gear. I could hardly keep 70 at WOT. I was pushing a good headwind, but if I was in 4th gear it revved higher but I could maintain and somewhat accelerate. I have been playing with calculators and am thinking that I should do 4.9 TC gears and even with that, I think that shifting from 4th to 5th with my transmission still drops me a little too low for 5th to be useful. So I think a combination of 4.9 TC gears and a possible swap to a later transmission will do the trick. Anyone want to swap transmissions with me?

 

[bunruh]

Not too much new. Battery was struggling to start on some of the mornings as it got colder here. Battery sticker was from around 2009, so it had a good run. Decided to upgrade to a bigger battery and AGM style. Also, made some new power and ground cables from the battery. I plan on adding a couple circuits and these terminal clamps are awesome and so is the cable. Company is KnuKonceptz if interested. They have some good priced stuff.
Also, with the weather getting cold, I ordered some new main jets as it was running lean through the powerband. Stepped up from 160's to 170's. Helped out quite a bit. Still might need to go up a little more or play with the idle circuit screws.

 

[redidbull]

When you tried to get the rotors off, did you put bolts into the 2 threaded holes in the rotor? Usually just pop off. Nice looking rig. Jim

 

[bunruh]

When you tried to get the rotors off, did you put bolts into the 2 threaded holes in the rotor? Usually just pop off. Nice looking rig. Jim

I did try to use some bolts to push it off, but they just stripped out as I tightened them. They were rusted out on those holes pretty bad.

 

[bunruh]

Something not build related. So awhile back I built a little house frame for my daughters bed. Now that she is older, she wanted to have a bunk style bed so I decided we could loft it. Made some rails and extended the legs and made a ladder. Gave it as an early Christmas present. She has loved it and has been wanting to do everything in it. Gave it some "ground effects" as well.

 

[bunruh]

Minor updates. Had a pretty bad oil leak coming from the front of the engine. Ended up changing out the camshaft seal and the front crankshaft seal. I am guessing since the motor had been sitting for quite a while before I put it in, that the seals are just worn out. I think my rear main is still slightly leaking but I will replace that at another time. After all that, I finally got around to getting the rear brake drums done. I got the old drums resurfaced and new pads and springs installed. The main problem with my rear brakes was that the e-brake wouldn't do anything. I could pull the lever but it would engage the brakes at all. Someone had put new pads in at some point and they actually didn't look bad, but replaced them anyway. The linkage for the e-brake though was completely seized up. Took quite a bit of penetrating oil and some tools and effort to get it to free up. Now the e-brake will hold when pull up, so pretty happy with that. Also, I had some caliper paint laying around so I decided to do some painting.

 

[melbakid]

Took a vacation day yesterday to help with wife around the house and got a little bit of extra time, so I installed the wheels. I really like the way it looks and sits now. I haven't done any flexing of it yet or turning the wheel full lock to make sure everything clears, but that will be coming. I hammered down the seam on the inside fender wells on both sides. It knocked quite a bit of rust loose from places on the vehicle. That is what the pile on the floor is. I weighed the difference between the 2 tires and I am about 15.2 lbs. heavier per tire with the new setup. Not bad. Took measurements from where I was orginally and I gained about 4" in the front and 4.5" in the rear after suspension and tires.

I also think I found where my exhaust leak is. It is around the number 2 header pipe where it connects to the flange. I tried to weld up around it, so we will see if that fixes it. Who would have guessed a $100 header from Ebay would be completely leak free. lol.

I'm really liking the new tire and wheel combo!!