Ed, just save all the leftover parts because my Amigo has mucho more miles than yours and spares are always nice to have.

You are doing a marvelous job and I know your trip to Alaska will be exciting.

Mary, too bad you live so far away, I would love to give you all the stuff, I mean ALL the stuff that I have taken out! Small stuff I would be happy to ship but I am not going to ship the engine or transmission, HaHa.

I have finished most of the the installation now. I had a few snags regarding the front drive shaft clearance with the trans oil pan. The adapter maker is sending me a notched pan. I actually was able to dimple the existing pan to make it work but I don't like kludges.

Cooling system is finished, A/C system will e finished after I get back.

Transfer case shift levers are completed and just waiting on the trans mounted shift lever.

I will tow it to the muffler shop to get all the piping cats etc done and then the wiring harness goes in.

By Tuesday afternoon, it should be running!!!! I am about 1 week behind my original target date but should still be able to get out of here to Alaska by June 15-20.

I will need the trip to rest up and relax!!

Update:

Having a lot of trouble with the suppliers of the "kits" that should be "bolt in". This has caused a lot of frustration and delays.

Back on track now and should have it completely finished this weekend. Looking to test start it before Sunday.

I am very happy with the install and it will look "factory" when I am done.

We will be a week delayed to get out of here but should not be any issue for the 30 days we will be gone. Hopefully pictures will get posted this weekend or early next week.

Update:

Ran into all kinds of problems trying to get the wiring sorted out and all the SMOG equipment mounted. I don't have a wiring diagram for the Amigo so I am flying in the dark where all the appropriate connections from the engine to the body need to be made. Made good progress in the last 2 days and just have to mount the ECU permanently and connect the last 10 wires.

I am about 1 week delayed because of all this but Wifey is managing the house painting now and that will delay departure a week or so. That is good because the Amigo project is not the gating factor of our departure date.

The more I do before departure, the less I have to do when we return.

Looking now at a last week of June departure.

IT RUNS!

All is done now except for a relay for the auto trans to be wired in, 4 WD range switch to be wired in, Speedo cable to be re-installed and it is completely finished.

Total time 42 days many of those days were long and tiring, but also a lot of running around getting parts.

I will have about 1 week to debug everything and make sure all is sealed and no leaks, ready to head north!

Pictures later

Ed; We are going to Alaska end of Aug into Sept.. Renting a Motorhome with friends. How long will you be in the great white north? Have a great safe trip. All who wander are not lost.

I am planning a 4 week trip. It looks like I will leave CA on or before July 4. We will be back end of July. Thanks and you also have a safe journey.

The Amigo is almost ready. I have put about 500 miles on it and it is good so far. I can't find the right viscous clutch for the fan yet. The ones I have been using will not de-clutch and it is very noisy! The speedometer is about 20% high I ordered a reducer that will put the speedo right where it should be.

Only real thing left is the A/C and I am not worried about that until I get back. I just have to test the "Brake Buddy" and I think I am all ready with that. Tow bar is all ready to go. Just need to replace the brake light and tail light connector on the RV, it was damaged some time ago and I removed it.

Will be servicing the RV today and tomorrow. Going to Cummins and getting some spare parts that I don't have already.

Getting real close to leaving-----

quote:

Originally posted by MWrench:

Will be servicing the RV today and tomorrow. Going to Cummins and getting some spare parts that I don't have already.

Getting real close to leaving-----

Brings up an interesting..... what do you take along as possible's?

I am sure we all carry some stuff like.
Oil
Antifreeze
serpentine or v-belt which ever yours takes
wiper blades
electrical connectors, fuses
plumbing fittings
hose clamps

Tools this one can run the gamete from a simple screwdriver to tone tracer, wrenches up to 1 1/4', sockets..............and on and on.

My hope as I am sure yours is that you need none of it. What are you taking that you are getting from Cummins?

Hey Dana, I carry at all times:

1-2 gallons of engine oil depending on the length of the trip. I only use about 1 quart/3K miles so I have plenty.

1 gallon of trans oil. To expensive to carry more and the trans really doesn't use any, just for an emergency.

I don't carry antifreeze, water works in an emergency, I always leave with a full tank of fresh water.

1 quart hydraulic oil for power steering

Distilled water for batteries, 1 gallon

4' breaker bar for wheel nuts/lugs
20 ton jack

Serpentine belt for sure.
Fuses, 5 of all values
Spare main ignition relay

Spare head lights (H1, H4) all others are LED.

Grease gun/grease.

Full set of tools, soldering iron, wire, connectors, DVM.

Lots of bungee cords

For this trip
From Cummins, keep in mind, this engine has nearly 200K miles and the following things have never been changed:

Fuel shut off solenoid

Engine fuel lift pump.

Alternator

Engine water pump. I just replaced the water pump but it failed at low mileage so I am not going to be unprepared for this on this trip. Seems like the new pumps are not very good/reliable.

WHEW, sounds like a lot but I usually go out with this stuff anytime, just don't like the idea of being caught off guard. I am lucky to have the capability to fix most anything on the road so this list would not be for everyone. Of course it would save time if the spares were along and a mechanic just needed to install.

One of the more interesting things in AK were the huge NAPA stores. They carry almost anything you could want. Not sure if the warehouse has any more items.

I also carry a 1/2 to 3/8 socket adapter. The spring tension on the belt has a 3/8" fitting to loosen so the belt can come off. We broke a belt on the road in CA on our way to AK. It was no fun trying to turn the tension with a 3/8" ratchet. With my 1/2" extended handle ratchet there is no problem.

In addition to what Gary and Ed carry, I keep the following onboard:

- Old A/C compressor (to use as idler if the installed on locks completely up)
- Lower radiator hose
- Belt tensioner
- Oil pressure sender (also powers the lift pump)
- Temp sender
- Air, oil, and fuel filters
- Glow plug relay
- General-purpose relays (30A)
- 12V wire in various colors and gages
- P/S pumps (Have had 2 break shafts)
- Master cylinder (Have had 2 failures)
- Spray lube
- Epoxy
- Elmer's Glue (I've had doors come apart)
- Various sealers
- Heater hose, double hose barbs (for small leak repair) and various sizes of clamps
- Repair parts for water lines
- Small 120VAC air compressor
- Windshield wiper blades
- Anti-fatigue mats (Beats laying on gravel or prickly pear cacti)
- Old cushions (In case I have to sit or lay on engine)
- Breakdown warning triangles

I am on hold now, we have a business issue that may delay or cancel the trip. If I can not leave before July 4th I will cancel this trip and try again next year. I missed the original target of June 15 and after July 4th is getting too late.

On a better note, the Amigo has 800 miles on the conversion and it runs very well. The only problem I can not get addressed is the fan noise. the fan clutch (viscous clutch) will not disengage. I like to keep it simple but may have to go to electric fans. Only other things remaining is the tach operation and A/C.

Bummer...both about the delay and the fan clutch. Is there a flex-blade fan that would fit?

Hi Ed,

If you do launch and travel RT. 5 north we might see each other. But we won't be on it 'til later this week. We're touring Glacier National Park in MT starting tomorrow, and then it's Spokane and RT 5 to L.A.