mini roadtrip today

[DustinsDuster]

so i know this is a total pussified roadtrip at just 266 miles, but i havent driven anywhere that far in a while, so it felt like a roadtrip.

after playing phonetag for a few days, i talked to Derek (TRBOWHT) this morning and set off to Ottumwa to get a spare transmission and Walboro 255 inline fuel pump for my truck. the only downside of the day was i got pulled over and given my first speeding ticket in like 5 years. it was right when i got onto highway 34 and i thought the speed limit was still 70. theres $100 i couldve used.

anyway, after i met up with Derek (really nice guy by the way; threw in the entire modified wiring harness, ECU, main relay, and resistor pack for free), i decided to take some pics.

heres the booty:
http://img2.putfile.com/thumb/11/32900202190.jpg (http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=7167717)

dont see many inline walboro pumps:
http://img2.putfile.com/thumb/11/32900202143.jpg (http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=7167721)

stumbled upon an Avanti parked in Fairfield. love these things!
http://img2.putfile.com/thumb/11/32900202166.jpg (http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=7167720)
http://img2.putfile.com/thumb/11/32900202145.jpg (http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=7167718)

aparently Jesus has plenty of money for advertisment:
http://img2.putfile.com/thumb/11/32900202131.jpg (http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=7167723)

multicolored sky, pics dont do it justice:
http://img2.putfile.com/thumb/11/32900202148.jpg (http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=7167724)

two signs for riverside casino within 200 feet of eachother.
http://img2.putfile.com/thumb/11/32900202274.jpg (http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=7167725)

hit Iowa City with this much gas left. c'mon baby, you can make it!
http://img2.putfile.com/thumb/11/32900202297.jpg (http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=7167726)

made it back!
http://img2.putfile.com/thumb/11/32900202280.jpg (http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=7167727)

i need a good meal:
http://img2.putfile.com/thumb/11/32900202279.jpg (http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=7167728)

more than anything, i was worried about my truck making the trip. i havent taken it on a highway trip since i bought it and it broke on the way home(timing belt); so i wasnt very sure of its abilities. to my surprise, it didnt so much as hiccup the entire trip. even cruising at 80-85, no problems. i even got over 23 mpg over the trip. not bad for a 20-year-old carbureted truck...

[TURBOWHT]

I didnt know you were taking pics. Hope you put all that to good use. And i hope that wiring harness helps you to get an idea. Cant wait to see some tear down pics when you start on this thing.

[DustinsDuster]

yeah, i plan on tackling the wiring harness when i get moved in the next week or so. i definatly plan on taking tons of pics of everything i do to the truck. i want a complete, illustrated how-to by the time im done with this thing.

also Derek, did i ever tell you i found out how to swap the front end over to 5x4.5" lug pattern with all off-the-shelf parts for around $100?

[Drifte]

excellent, trucks on its way. I recently have been driving a 98 ford explorer, mostly highway, got 14.3mpg :( its a v6! that avanti is awesome

[TURBOWHT]

also Derek, did i ever tell you i found out how to swap the front end over to 5x4.5" lug pattern with all off-the-shelf parts for around $100?

nope you didnt. Are you going to do it? what rear end are you going to use?

[DustinsDuster]

i found out that if you get the hub assemblies off of an 85-95 toyota 2WD pickup, or a later model Tacoma, they bolt right on and already have the 5x4.5 bolt pattern. you can use your stock mitsu calipers, but i have heard you either use some thin washers to center the caliper bracket or you have to grind it a bit to center it, depending on what year hubs you get.

i still plan on getting an 8.8 rear end out of a Ranger which will also have the 5x4.5" lug pattern and should be pretty damn close to the right width; probably just need to weld on some new spring perches. i have also heard that the Toyota rear will bolt directly in place of the mitsu rear, but i know the 8.8 has a bigger aftermarket and can be built more stout for less money.

[RandomHero]

haha i think i did that egg roll house sign.

[DustinsDuster]

i freaking love Eggroll house. i get hungry for it every couple weeks, and no other Chinese food will do.