Hey all, happy new year. Hopefully, it will be the year we get out of this funk.
Well, it looks like after 170,000 miles, the head gasket finally gave up the ghost. With those miles, just fixing the head gasket is kind of lipstick on a pig I think. The rest of the engine will still be worn. Time to get a fresher engine. Reman = $4000.00, JDM = $1000.00, JDM it is unless anyone has a fresh VG33E lying around
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My idea was to get a swap at JDM of San Diego. Anyone done business with them or have another idea or someone you recommend to do the install?
Also, here's an update on my buildout:
Future Mods:
- Full aluminum skids - Done
- New heads to be port/ polished by Randy down at Chassis Masters with Jim Wolfe Stage 1 cams courtesy of Auto Customizers. - TDB due to engine wreckage
- Custom Exhaust system - Done, not as exotic as I had hoped but quiet and flows well.
- Aux fuel tank - Done, went with Titan Trekker II on the tailgate, awesome setup!
- Possible replacement of front & rear bumper with home-fabbed aluminum replacements - I did get a welder but this is kind of a loooong term idea, LOL.
- New - 50w solar so I don't have to start the truck to keep the batt up. Got the panel in and going to connect via Renogy DCC50S to LifePO4 batt (possibly replacing the starter batt) to save weight. If not, secondary house batt.
- New - AC 4:1 Transfer case gears. Have gears and spare transfer case, just need to work out the details (do the work).
Recovery:
- Land (boat) anchor
- Bogout soft winch - I STILL haven't tested this combo. Every time I go out, we are either in a bad area to test, or in a rush or ...
Furnature:
- Ironman awning - Killer setup, I really like it.
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But I must say, the amount of aftermarket and community-manufactured support is freaking overwhelming! For example, there are like 25 different front bumpers made for this thing.Those trucks look pretty dang good. I definitely miss wheeling the desert with you all.
