derf

I just got a set and they look good. Haven't had a chance to really look at them or install them.

It's not a bad idea to loosen the main caps. That lets the crank drop just a hair and gives you a little more wiggle room. Be sure to have a good torque wrench and torque them to spec after. And then double check them. OEM recommends soap as lube but petroleum jelly probably is good too. And yes, have a couple because you may shave some seal off putting it in if you're not careful. Those machined faces are a little sharp. Ask me how I know.

If memory serves, the torque spec for the oil pan bolts is like 15 or 25 ft-lbs. What are you torquing yours to?

There are changes in the AW4 over the years. Good info here: https://naxja.org/threads/everything-you-ever-wanted-to-know-about-the-aw4.1053970/

Got side tracked helping a buddy with a hot rod project. It's time to get serious about metal work. The tools are here to start that process. And time to start emptying boxes.

I hear second and third hand talk about the Mishimoto but I can't find too many actual failures. Just a bunch of "I heard they aren't good" posts with not much first hand experience. So I have a Mishimoto getting ready to go into my truggy project with a stroker. I'm still debating whether to use a high flow water pump or not. And I'm going to go with the triple electric fans, mostly because I'll be doing low speed crawling where the mechanical fan won't be up to full speed most of the time.

Personally, I prefer 3.55s with stock tires and up to 30s. They just work better overall. I would advise against used gears. They're hard to set up correctly. And most shops won't install them at all. The ones who do won't warranty the work. A new set of gears is < 10% of the total cost of a gear install. May as well go with new gears.

What he said...

Seriously though, definitely cover the costs of the material to make them. And throw in a reasonable amount to cover your time at least. Start with that as a baseline and see where you are. Throw out a price and I bet many people will jump on it.

I just pulled tan (I think) seatbelts from my truggy project. I'm going with a different set of belts when it's done. Let me grab a picture for you. I can toss them in a flat rate box for you this weekkend.

Man, it's always sad to see this happen. I could volunteer my website to mirror/rehost any of his content so we don't lose it.

I have a d35 with 3.55s under my parts truck right now. It's in CO but I'm headed to do the Rubicon Trail in early August. I could possibly put it on a trailer if you wanted to come up and grab it.

If you're working a deal like that again let me know. And I don't mind meeting you part way. But I'm also tentatively planning a road trip that would get me close-ish to Atlanta. If that happens we can figure something out.

I was only half serious. I'm not in a huge hurry. Just looking to see what's out there. A road trip may be in my future. If I head your way I'll hit you up.

I would be interested as well.

21 hours one way might be a bit much. Though if you wanted to meet somewhere like St Louis that could be possible...

I am on the lookout for a decent condition short bed. Paint color doesn't matter. If you have a good tailgate, even better. I'm in the Denver area. I can travel a bit to pick it up, within reason. Let me know what you have.