7/18/01 I got the Idler arm brace and low profile bumpstops today and installed them. Of course mother nature didn't cooperate and I ended up getting douched in rain. But it was worth it. I no longer feel like I am getting the shit kicked out of me when I hit a few pot holes in a row, which if any of you don't know, is very common here in West Virginia.
7/30/01 Gettting ready for inspection, which is due tomorrow, but I won't be able to get it done. I need to find some smaller tires and wheels, or put my set of fender flares back on. I ended up having to put a new set of brake shoes on the rear. That was a bunch of shit, let me tell you. I have never done it before, and I will never want to do it again.
7/31/01 I installed a set of litz-n-bolts from Pro's Picks. If you don't know, they are a set of bolts that are hollow and have a little bulb in them. I got them becuase since the body lift I have had no lisence plate lights, which made me fail inspection last year. Now I will pass no problem.
8/1/01 I ordered my wheels today from Summit Racing. They are the ones that are pictured in the future mods section. I should get them within 2 days since summit is only about 3 hours from where I am.
8/4/01 I got the new wheels bolted on today with a set of slightly used 32x11.50x15 BFG TA/KO's. Also earlier that morning, about 6 o'clock I finished installing the new sway a way torsion bars. WE started the project at midnight, how stupid. It was a real bitch to get the stock torsion bars out of there. We ended up dropping the crossmember out of the frame and using a 10 lb. sledge hammer to get them out. The new T bars make a huge difference in the ride. I still don't have them dialed in yet, but I am going to re index them this weekend.
11/11/01 This is not truck related, but the football team I play on won the conference title this year. We play in the WVIAC. It is a conference in WV. Not that anyone cares, but thought I would mention it.
12/9/01 Today I finally decided which exhaust to install. I went back to advance auto and decided to get the Dynomax again, but instead of the Thrush series I got the Super Turbo Series. It is way better than the old one. I can already feel a difference. I forgot how much of a difference that back-pressure made. I would recommend it to anyone.
1/21/02 The first thing has happened to my truck that I cannot repair myself or with the help of a few friends. I lost reverse! I am going to take it to a shop sometime here really soon and get the work started on it. When it is in there I am going to have a new clutch, pressure plate, T/O bearing, pilot bearing, and shift control lever boot put on it. Hopefully all this work won't break the bank, but it is hard to tell. Wish me luck.
1/25/02 I took the truck to the shop today. They are going to tear into it this afternoon
2/1/02 The mechanic told me that the reverse/OD shift fork broke and way laying against the reverse ilder gear. He called and ordered the parts. Only 75 bucsk for the parts. That is amazing, and they are Nissan parts to boot. Hard to believe they are that cheap. I figure that they are teaing into the clutch this week. It has been over a week now and I don't have my truck, so I am going crazy. The parts are coming in on Tuesday. Wish me luck on the rest of the work.
2/1/02 I just got off the phone with Automotive Customizers and ordered a speedometer pinoin gear so that my speedo will be correct. I should get it within a week I would say. Maybe even sooner, who knows?
2/6/02 I just got done ordering 5 quarts of Redline MT90 from Summit. If only I had my truck to put it on. I am going to drop it by the shop when I get it so that they can just put it in there. Under my deks is a box of Amsoil. I am waiting to change my oil whenever I get the damn truck back. I can't wait. I don't think that I have ever been excited about an oil change. The parts were supposed to come in today for the truck, but I didn't get a chance to call them to see.
2/15/02 I finally got back my truck today. What a difference a new clutch and Redline MT90 makes.
I will never use any other tranny lube in my life.
2/15/02 I installed the new 16 tooth speedo pinion gear from AC today. It is calulated for 33's, so it is a little off for my bald 32's, but it should be right on with my new 33's I am gonna get here sometime. I run 52/53 at 55 mph, so that is not bad. I never knew I was driving so fast until I got the new gear in. Now 55 is like 40, hah!
6/9/02 I finally got a set of 33's on my truck today. I have been wanting to get since I got my body lift about a year 2 years ago. They are Durango Radial MT's. I got a noticable amount of height increase from the 32's cause the old 32's were so wore that there was no way that they could pass inspection. Hopefully these will last for a couple of years. I could fit some 35's on the truck, but I don't want to lose all of the power that the measly 4 cylinder has.
I think that is about it for now,
Until next time, drive it like you stole it!
Later,
Erik