Day 35 - Meredith drives the Bomb

So, on Sunday, July 5, Meredith drove the bomb around the block. And so did Joe and Michelle. And of, course, Steven again.

Next mission - a new fuel tank...

Day 34 - Driving

With the leaky fuel tank resting on the front lawn and the gas can securely fastened behind the front seat, we took the Land Cruiser out for its first test drive.

Daddy first, of course! Followed by rides for each Bunker man - Sam, Jake, Will - riding high in the Land Cruiser!

It's a happy day!

Day 32 - More Fuel Tank Woes

So with the problem narrowed down to a dirty fuel tank, we set to cleaning it up. More chemicals, more brushes. More scrubbing. Some primer. A trip to the gas station for some more fuel and to the DMV for a temporary operating permit. Hey - if the engine runs, we're driving this bad boy!

We got the newly cleaned, but still pretty rusty fuel tank filled up. And then found out it has a leak. Bummer.

Day 27 - The Fuel Tank

So after a few weeks of getting in and around the carburetor, we decided the problem was probably in the fuel lines or the fuel tank. So, we had to take the fuel tank out. It is conveniently located under the passenger seat. So of course, out came the passenger seat. And, of course, 32 years of yucky disgusting dirt, rust, and other debris.

Shop Vac!?!

Here is the cover to the fuel tank. We got it out, and then got the fuel tank out. Then, with some new fuel lines, I hooked up a red 5 gallon gas can to the engine and started her up. And she ran!! VICTORY! She runs loud, she idles high, but she's running...from a gas can in the back seat. Meredith thinks she's a bomb on wheels and hides in the house.

Day 5 - The Carburetor

The first job on the Land Cruiser was to get her running. The previous owner said it probably something to do with the carburetor, so that's where we started.

I took the carburetor out, took it apart, and cleaned it. A lot. Piece by piece. With a toothbrush. I can say I've probably never cleaned anything like I cleaned this carburetor.

Then I put it back together and put it back in the car. Then we put the keys in to fire her up. But she didn't start.

We jumped the battery to the van and then got her started, but even with the pristine carburetor we couldn't keep her running. So, the investigation began. I spent some quality time in the Chilton manual, visiting Land Cruiser sites, and trying out different carburetor theories.

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Day 3 - Some Better Pix

Enjoy the following photo tour of our new "baby" as yet unnamed.

Day 1...Bringing Home the Beast

After months and months of searching, I finally found my first Land Cruiser. On Saturday, May 30, 2009, we drove to Sandy to pick it up. It had to be towed home, as the engine wouldn't stay running long enough to make the 40 mile trip to Provo.

The Land Cruiser hadn't left Sandy yet, however, when the spare tires stacked in the rear of the vehicle busted the back doors open and fell out the back all over 90th south. We were about 5 minutes behind the tow truck and came to an intersection when I noticed some tires in the road.

"Hey, look, tires!" I said.

"Hey, are those your tires?" Meredith asked.

Just then the tow truck driver called to confirm that they were indeed my tires in the road. We got them picked up with the help of a SLC police officer who was cruising the area because of the Real Salt Lake game that was starting at Rio Tinto that night, just up the street.

We got the Land Cruiser home and here is one proud papa and equally excited Sam.

Happy 8th anniversary to Meredith and Steven!