Also, despite the body rusting away, the interior upholstery is shockingly perfect. The seats have no signs of wear or marks, and the carpet is really really good too. So I will be swapping those things as well. This will give my truck which is already in decent shape, a big lift in terms of cosmetics and comfort. The seats changed for the newer year and are a lot nicer. So I’ll be swapping front and rear, along with the corresponding matching door cards.
2 Likes
Hmmm. For someone who wasn’t ready to share I certainly am verbose? Maybe I needed to share after all to a sympathetic ear?
2 Likes
That sounds like a real punch in the gut. I’m sorry dude. Wow. Hopefully it will only prove a relatively small loss in the end.
Your head is in the right place! It sounds like it could be more like paying a premium for the “convenience” of having the last 25% you need to complete the good truck. Buy once, cry once, right?
I wonder, though. Have you done the math on ALL your imports? Total paid for vehicles vs. total earned on sale? Half of all statistics are made up on the spot, but if you’ve generally done alright on the sale of [ checks notes ] a dozen JDM journeys, your average might still be pretty good overall! Small comfort in the moment, but worth a thought.
Can’t wait to see pictures!
1 Like
Need to update here (and everywhere I guess?). Rusty pile is GONE. Got very little from it, certainly not the hoard I was planning on. Instead I got way more money than I thought it was worth, from a guy who knew what it was worth (ironically, the same guy who sold me my first and now only 70 series). He also gave me a pile of parts that I can turn into cash. And before I sold it to him I pulled the A/C system in its entirety, lock stock and barrel, right down to the harness that attaches the compressor (different that the older one on my truck).
Didn’t really get much else from it beyond some interior bits, but with the offer I got for it, I had to jump on it. Orig seller gave me back some more money too. SO overall, lesson learned I guess, plus I have A/C, so time to move on right?
Speaking of which, the 91 has been getting drive PILES this winter. Starting to think I could go down to one truck to rule them all. But before that we need tweaking. To that end, I finally pulled the injection pump, and brought it to a diesel specialist for reconditioning. Should be ready this week and I have high hopes for smoother starts, less smoke and mohhhhhr powwwwwwerrrrrr.
This wasn’t just two wingnuts. It necessitated pulling the entire engine timing system out of the way, and since you’re in there, you do the water pump, seals etc etc etc. Sound familiar? Yes. Yes. Sigh. So this weekend I hope to get pump back in, engine timed, buttoned up, pump timed, and then tweak fuel on runs to work next week.
Also, I had retro stripes made! Not on yet, (been too cold) but here’s a dining table sneak peek:
This build is fully back in swing. Such a slow, lumbering beast, yet so much fun to own/drive. Makes no sense. But then again - have any of them EVER made sense?
2 Likes
Oh hell yes. This is good stuff.
And you did all this in the middle of WINTER?
Lol if I wait for summer weather to do stuff I’ll never do anything. Almost.
Inj pump wasn’t ready yesterday like promised. So this is now delayed in being out back together until next week. Boo.
Meanwhile. New resistor for the HVAC system. One screw by the firewall!
Haven’t actually charged the newly updated a/c system yet, since ambient temps would make it difficult to ascertain functionality. But maybe soon.
1 Like
I feel ya on the never get done. Haha.
Curious how a spring in the AC vent got that mangled.
It’s a resistor. It’s essentially crumbling. You know why? Do ya? Here’s why…
“Because resistance is futile.”
2 Likes
Haha. Yeah. I was being willfully ignorant.
Obviously, resistance generates heat. Heat generates fatigue. Fatigue leads to failure.
On the plus side, it’s nice knowing Slinkys come in that size. 
1 Like
1200 bucks later and the pump is back. Just finished a test drive. Seems way better but still lots of smoke. Likely trapped air since everything was apart. Tomorrow morning will tell the tale.
Also did new timing belt and all associated bits incl wp.
2 Likes
Neat!
Am I right in understanding diesels don’t have throttle bodies? What’s the “gas pedal” connected to, some kind of valve opening/closing to control diesel flow to this injector pump?
Did any of your Pajeros have automatics? I’m curious how the transmission control/kickdown cable works on vehicles without throttle bodies. I came across a guy on reddit with a 2.8-powered Pajero experiencing the same weird transmission issues I have and it was only after explaining the kickdown cable on my truck that I realized he probably didn’t have a throttle body and I was confuse. 
Yep. Throttle is connected directly to pump top lever. Opens and closes fuel flow to injectors. Your foot has a fairly direct connection to the coal roller
Auto diesel should still have kickdown. It connects via throttle cable and therefore works on throttle position regardless of what throttle does after that, right?
I love those stripes so much, Phil! Looking extra super sharp!
1 Like
Dropped the fuel tank! This officially gets me from the front to the back, with a complete fuel system overhaul. Everyone says that smoke is normal from a diesel but I beg to differ.
The tank itself is good but this pick up tube is rusty. Brand new parts are on the way and I think this may solve the last of my issues … And of course while I’m in there the tank and skid plate get POR15 and the fill tube assembly will also get replaced.
1 Like
Looking good, Phil!
How does the rusty fuel tank bit contribute to smoke? Isn’t smoke a sign of too much fuel in diesels?
Black smoke = too much fuel
White smoke = air getting into fuel OR incomplete combustion (cold start)
Mine is white, with a little bit of cold and air getting in, confirmed by clear fuel line that shows bubbles… As it cools it creates a vacuum in the gap that pulls air into the system.
New suction tube just arrived. But of course am gonna do the fuel filler neck hose and the whole complicated vent assembly unit. Since it’s out? And the rest of the rubber lines.
Skidplate and tank are now freshly encapsulated. As well as my hands, my floor, my arm… 
Looking so good, Phil. The Ol’ Betsy Tank (OBT). 
When do you do your tinkering and how much time do you spend doing it these days? I’m still struggling with just-do-it versus just-do-a-few-minutes-of-it.
Everybody’s lives are a little different. I’m just looking for data points to get a sense of where I am on any kind of scale to hopefully apply appropriate pressure to get my ish done. 
Started my new job this week so not much lately. But usu it’s Saturdays. Wifey works and I have all day to myself. Sundays we usu do things together unless I’m into a big project.
I find a few minutes is only enough to get started lol. So I wait for bigger blocks of time.
I can confirm that the point is fixed. Put refreshed tank and bits back, at great personal cost to my large hands, lol and things are beautiful.
1 Like
