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#91
The Lounge / Re: A new game... Post pics fr...
Last post by Jims5543 - July 02, 2026, 11:37:25 AMSomething I just remembered, when I registered the classic, I had the DMV run the British tag# to see if it was available for a custom tag. It was and I ordered it, if you look close you can see my renewal sticker on the British tag. I keep the Florida tag in the bin behind the seat with the insurance and registration paperwork.
Also, I noticed the empty road, this is why I love summer here, its a relative ghost town here from July to mid to late October. Typically the heat breaks in early October and this begins MY car season, as ya'll are getting ready to winter your cars, I am taking mine out.
The sun came out this afternoon, heat index hit 100 with the mercury hitting 88. It was a spicy ride back to storage with the Mini after the Detailer was done with his re-coating.
Also, I noticed the empty road, this is why I love summer here, its a relative ghost town here from July to mid to late October. Typically the heat breaks in early October and this begins MY car season, as ya'll are getting ready to winter your cars, I am taking mine out.
The sun came out this afternoon, heat index hit 100 with the mercury hitting 88. It was a spicy ride back to storage with the Mini after the Detailer was done with his re-coating.
#92
The Lounge / Re: What did you do in your sh...
Last post by 94touring - July 02, 2026, 09:11:19 AMGot shop AC fired up for the season. The heat is here.
#93
The Lounge / Re: What did you do in your sh...
Last post by 94touring - July 02, 2026, 09:10:43 AMIt's a cool classic jack but I'm sure it weighs about 200lbs. I almost splurged for the lightweight aluminum jack but since I don't have to pick it up and load it and unload it from my truck went with the heavy steel one again. I need to make another trip to the dump soon with the trailer. Old jack will go into that haul.
#94
The Lounge / Re: What did you do in your sh...
Last post by MiniDave - July 02, 2026, 08:04:21 AMI hate mosquitoes.....but they seem to LOVE me!
You sure you can't use this jack? I sure want it out of my house!
You sure you can't use this jack? I sure want it out of my house!
#95
Daves Garage / Re: Red
Last post by MiniDave - July 02, 2026, 07:59:54 AMYes actually.....one of those things you learn when you own an early MINI! 
That and the Fonzi move on the door panel when they quit working. Mine go up and down just fine tho.....
That and the Fonzi move on the door panel when they quit working. Mine go up and down just fine tho.....
#96
The Lounge / Re: The Good habit / healthy l...
Last post by Jims5543 - July 02, 2026, 07:26:14 AMJust a heads up that muscle defense protein powder is on sale BOGO
https://apexlaboratories.com/pages/md-independence?utm_id=FD+-+Sale+-+4th+July+Reminder+%28Main+List%29+-+02%2F07%2F2026
https://apexlaboratories.com/pages/md-independence?utm_id=FD+-+Sale+-+4th+July+Reminder+%28Main+List%29+-+02%2F07%2F2026
#97
Restorations / Re: Amateur Restoration of a 1...
Last post by 94touring - July 02, 2026, 06:46:27 AMQuote from: scalpel_ninja on July 01, 2026, 03:06:53 PMThank you gents.
Since I will be replacing the rear studs, I'd like to get drums that have a built in spacer like these to match how the front wheels fill out the arches:
https://www.minispares.com/gdb106-brake-drum-rear-with-built-in-spacer-s-1275gt
I read the standard stud is 35mm, how would I calculate the needed stud length for the new drum? The additional spacing is 1 inch (25mm-ish), so would a 58mm stud be long enough? Too long?
I think you need the 55mm studs. Off the top of my head was thinking 2 inches but spares list 55mm for spaced drums which is 2.16 inches.
Edit. Although 58mm would probably work too assuming the lugs are deep enough.
#98
The Lounge / Re: What did you do in your sh...
Last post by 94touring - July 02, 2026, 06:38:56 AMAnother shop thing yesterday while I'm drinking coffee at home thinking before going back to the shop. I fired my lawn guy who was slowly but rapidly ripping me and the neighbor off, so we both fired him. I have a push mower I bought forever ago to do it myself and so there is was pushing that thing in 95 degree heat yesterday in knee deep grass trying not to stall it out. Still only takes me 30-45 minutes to do the front that needs cut, and I could use the exercise. Sitting on my patio post mow was getting annoyed with all the mosquitoes and bugs this year. Then a pest control guy came rolling up on some Segway looking thing and so I bought a monthly subscription for him to get rid of all the ants, wasp, spiders, and fingers crossed mosquitoes which was the upgraded kill those fuckers package. He was thrown off my house is all shop. I explained I paint cars in there and keeping the mosquitoes out of the paint would be problematic this year. I keep my area sterile but without fail 1 makes it's way into the booth when I'm spraying.
#99
The Lounge / Re: Slate Auto - An EV you spe...
Last post by 94touring - July 02, 2026, 06:22:23 AMI saw an ad for these pop up the other day. Wondering how many we start to see in the next couple of years. It's pretty hard to beat the price. I think a lot of people prefer smaller trucks too.
#100
The Lounge / Re: What did you do in your sh...
Last post by 94touring - July 02, 2026, 06:20:25 AMQuote from: Jims5543 on July 02, 2026, 03:05:27 AMQuote from: 94touring on July 01, 2026, 12:01:39 PMI've only got 157k on it. These engines are good for 3x or more from what I've read.
Rear brakes gone through. Only took 4 hours. There's 3 points of adjustment to them. I did everything as a YouTube guy explained and wouldn't you know it the thing brakes better now! I've only been driving it 10 years or more out of adjustment.
My FJ started throwing the Cat code around 175K miles, TBH, it was the most rock solid vehicle I have ever owned until it hit about 200K miles. Then it started to need things.
I am on my 3rd Alternator and I recently had to rebuild the entire front suspension, new upper and lower control arms new tie rod ends and sway bar links up front. Both CV Axles too. In the grand scheme of things, at 230K miles, that is not much, the engine and transmission are perfect.
I have not looked to see what kind of shape the rear is in.
I did all the shocks at 200K miles, I switched to the Bilstein 5100's since all the cool kids on the FJ Forum swear by them and wished I stayed with the OEM style, she rode a lot better, the 5100's are way softer, perfect when I am off pavement, it rides like a dinghy when on the pavement. Dives under braking, lifts up under acceleration.
Bummer with the floor jack, what did you do to get it off the jack stands? I am guessing you used your gantry to get it off them.
I did price out lower and upper front arms. I could just replace the bushings but almost seems to make sense just replacing them. They do have some rust on them too. That might be a 200k mile thing I do. Looking into aluminum radiators as I know it's only a matter of time before the stock plastic one cracks. The rest is mainly cosmetic. The paint is starting to look bad, clear peeling. Front and rear bumpers bumped something prior to me owning it. I can buy new for about $350-400 for both.