Absalom's Build Thread #2 - Revenge of the Oil Burners

[A.Wilson013]

You should rename the thread "Revenge of the wife" since there is no more tdi fun

"Revenge of the TDI swap that everyone knew would never happen"

:fish:

 

[willbgood]

Ditched the unwieldy, tired 33's for some light, supple, and nimble 32" Duratracs, load range C. The difference is staggering. I wish I had made the switch sooner. 99% ready for our upcoming Mexico trip at this point.

Yumm ... so meaty!!

I notice the pealing on your sliders, and I read about your coating in another post. I am pretty sure you know this, but I figured I should mention it, in case you have not or for someone else who is following this.

The tubing liking had a very thin coating of oil, it is absolutely necessary that you clean all this off, with a good pre paint cleaner. Summit racing has a great product for this.

Some guys who paint will actually let a little surface rust form, to give a very miner pitting. I am talking like several days, and then use rust mort, and re-clean them. I prefer to clean the oil off, lighting sand with 800 grit, and paint or powder coat.

But the key here is you absolutely have to clean new tubing with a good cleaner, although pricey, I like working with it. I also like the Por-15 brand they sell.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-up404/overview/

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-up403/overview/

I know its over kill, but I do the first wash 404, then an acetone wash, and the second 403, and I have very good results, even when I use Rustoleum...

 

[absalom]

"Revenge of the TDI swap that everyone knew would never happen"

:fish:

Well hell, if you knew ahead of time, why didn't you tell me? I could've had my Land Cruiser months ago! :wink2:

 

[nc-grayson]

Havent posted on this thread since the beginning.....sad to see (read: bittersweet) the TDi swap is no more, but I think you made a great call on the 80 given your circumstances. Congrats on your new expectation, (baby), by the way, beautiful family you're working on there....

Care to offer some insight on the 80 purchase/auction/import/logistics? I just got myself a 100 series LX, so this isn't relevant to me per se....but I'd like to know more about how you made/are making your 80 series possible. I've always known I'll import a car one day...

 

[absalom]

Havent posted on this thread since the beginning.....sad to see (read: bittersweet) the TDi swap is no more, but I think you made a great call on the 80 given your circumstances. Congrats on your new expectation, (baby), by the way, beautiful family you're working on there....

Care to offer some insight on the 80 purchase/auction/import/logistics? I just got myself a 100 series LX, so this isn't relevant to me per se....but I'd like to know more about how you made/are making your 80 series possible. I've always known I'll import a car one day...

It honestly couldn't be any easier so far. Find a broker, I use Graeme at AutoTraderImports, find a car using the online system, figure out a budget (don't forget FOB and shipping) and start shopping. Just got to make sure it's at least 25 years old by the month.

 

[GHARP57]

I know this would be a crazy question to ask I and I fully understand when you say "No", but what are the chances of selling your headlights to me and I give you my old ones in exchange?

 

[absalom]

I know this would be a crazy question to ask I and I fully understand when you say "No", but what are the chances of selling your headlights to me and I give you my old ones in exchange?

It'd honestly be more work for you to pack yours up, drive them to the post office, and ship them out, then it would be to retrofit yours.

With the new threaded projector bodies, it's as simple as baking your headlights for 8 mins at 250, taking off the glass lens, removing the existing halogen diffuser, sliding in the projector, and then rebaking the headlight. It took me about two hours, while drinking, and watching copious amounts of SpongeBob.

The kit itself runs about $140-165, depending on sale, from DDM Tuning. Be sure to get 55 watt ballasts with 4300k bulbs, if you want max output.

 

[JeepKiller]

What exactly do you have from DDM? (projectors, shrouds, and wiring harness)

 

[absalom]

What exactly do you have from DDM? (projectors, shrouds, and wiring harness)

Yup, and bulbs! I believe they have a package now that includes most everything you need for the swap.

 

[JeepKiller]

I know that, sorry my question wasnt clear. What did you use? What shrouds and stuff did you chose?

 

[absalom]

I know that, sorry my question wasnt clear. What did you use? What shrouds and stuff did you chose?

Ohh, now I see! Let me link... http://www.ddmtuning.com/Products/Projectors-D2S-V2-PR-3in

From that link, you'd want the H4 hi/lo and then pick your shrouds. I can't remember which ones I chose.

http://www.ddmtuning.com/Products/DDM-HID-Kit-Slim-Ballast-35W-or-55W

Now, in that link, you'll want 55w D2S bulbs in 4300k "color" or temperature.

 

[JeepKiller]

Sweet. Thanks a lot! Do you have halos?

 

[absalom]

I notice the pealing on your sliders, and I read about your coating in another post. I am pretty sure you know this, but I figured I should mention it, in case you have not or for someone else who is following this.

The tubing liking had a very thin coating of oil, it is absolutely necessary that you clean all this off, with a good pre paint cleaner. Summit racing has a great product for this.

Some guys who paint will actually let a little surface rust form, to give a very miner pitting. I am talking like several days, and then use rust mort, and re-clean them. I prefer to clean the oil off, lighting sand with 800 grit, and paint or powder coat.

But the key here is you absolutely have to clean new tubing with a good cleaner, although pricey, I like working with it. I also like the Por-15 brand they sell.

Summit Racing Equipment® Wax and Grease Removers SUM-UP404 - Free Shipping on Orders Over $99 at Summit Racing

Summit Racing Equipment® Surface Wash SUM-UP403 - Free Shipping on Orders Over $99 at Summit Racing

I know its over kill, but I do the first wash 404, then an acetone wash, and the second 403, and I have very good results, even when I use Rustoleum...

I feel like I could cure cancer with less effort. Great advice though!

 

[absalom]

Sweet. Thanks a lot! Do you have halos?

I do not, it's not that I don't like them, it's just more work to rig em all up.

 

[JeepKiller]

Yea that's what I was thinking, could you post some pics of yours if you get the chance to? I'm considering doing the retrofit and want an idea of what to expect.

 

[absalom]

Yea that's what I was thinking, could you post some pics of yours if you get the chance to? I'm considering doing the retrofit and want an idea of what to expect.

I didn't take any pics this time, but trust me when I say; it's a thousand times easier than you think it is. Just order your kit and then call me 480.779.8307 and I'll walk you through it.

 

[JeepKiller]

Wow thanks man, I've got the number so feel free to delete if you want to hide from the trolls :thumb3: do you have any finished pics?

 

[absalom]

Wow thanks man, I've got the number so feel free to delete if you want to hide from the trolls :thumb3: do you have any finished pics?

There's a finished pic in this thread somewhere, but this was my 4th retrofit so I didn't do much to celebrate the occasion. Oh, and it's just a Google voice number, not too worried.

 

[JeepKiller]

I didn't see it, but then again I've been known to go blind for short periods of time. I'll look again. Smart, smart.

 

[absalom]

My Land Cruiser is sitting on a dock in Nagoya, Japan while it waits for the next available cargo ship. As part of their insurance procedure, the shipping company takes photos of all it's cargo prior to shipping. This means I have finally some high quality pics of my new baby! Now, all I have to do is wait and perhaps sell my 4runner in the meantime.

Shockingly clean engine bay.

Spare set of OEM wheels ... Score!!