Tips on my new 96?

[samsquantch]

Hi all,
Scored a rust-free 96 SR5, 5 spd, e-locker. Has 265k on it and runs great, all windows work (which is fun), but a bunch of little stuff is plain worn out. We picked it up out in SW CO, put high mileage synthetic in it and took it all over the mountains, then 1000 mi back home. Goal for it is just a fun, reliable camping truck/canoe hauler and DD. Mostly want to button it up and keep the rust off it. Anyone have tips on this stuff?

1. Front seat belts are all frayed and won't retract right. Should I just look to scrapyards to replace them?

2. Suspension is shot. Floats like an old caddy and has some steering wobble over bumps. I've ordered 5100s+OME880/906 from Wheeler's. I know LBJs are an issue for these things, but the shop I got it from said they checked out. I figure I'll have a shop inspect everything when I go in for the alignment. Anything else to consider there?

3. Can be difficult to push shifter into 1st, mostly when slowing down. I never force it, but it seems like sometimes it takes more pushing than I'd like. Also, clutch can squeal (slip?) a tiny bit from a dead stop under certain conditions. I plan to change all fluids soon. Anything else to consider there?

4. Seems like the running boards and rubber fender trim are holding onto gravel and dirt. If it were our famous snow/salt I think I'd have rust issues. Do you guys think they actually help or am I better off without them? I tend to get regular washes with wax all winter to keep the salt off.

Thanks!

 

[nissanh]

1) Wash seat belts with soap. Fill a bucket with water and add enough soap (purple power is is ideal): Pull the belt out of its mechanism (nothing to remove) and let it soak in the soapy water overnight (place a paper clip so it won't retract). Brush and give a final rinse with a clean water bucket. That's it. I did that to my 97 4Runner, 90 Hilux, 92 Corolla and now the belts retract nearly like new

2) Make sure you get OEM ball joints (Aftermarket can best last 20K miles: I know it; OEM can go easily 150K miles)

3) IS normal with manual transmission. To enter into 1st gear you have to come down to almost zero MPH!

4) No idea, sorry!

 

[Slobo]

Put a roll pin in the steering column to stop clunks and shakes in the steering wheel over bumps, made my wheel feel much stiffer

 

[samsquantch]

Thanks guys,
Will definitely get OEM for LBJ if they are needed. Does that steering linkage roll pin change the way the column collapses in a collision? I ended up ordering new front seat belts from Camelback. These are super frayed to where >25% of the width of the belt's webbing is broken and frizzy. Didn't seem safe.

Good to know 1st gear selection sounds normal.

Thanks for your input!

 

[Slobo]

Thanks guys,
Will definitely get OEM for LBJ if they are needed. Does that steering linkage roll pin change the way the column collapses in a collision? I ended up ordering new front seat belts from Camelback. These are super frayed to where >25% of the width of the belt's webbing is broken and frizzy. Didn't seem safe.

Good to know 1st gear selection sounds normal.

Thanks for your input!

People say it should fail way before the two hex bolts on the mount near the steering wheel does. Some people have been tack welding theirs.