Ruby Scoo’s epic build, ten years and counting...

[Subyroo]

Bennie re the cracked rubber, try Gorilla Glue on the crack.

Gorilla Super Glue Gel is specially formulated to absorb impacts, drops, and shocks as it contains tiny rubber particles that increase its strength and impact resistance. Works well for bonding rubber as well as plastic, metal, wood, ceramic, leather, paper and other materials.

[Silverbullet]

Yay Ruby scoo is back! Good to see she is still getting some love. Is that cracked rubber piece a replaceable part? Or can you "repair" it with a sealant or silicone of some sort?
I've been having water leakage issues in my wagon too, traced it to the windscreen rubber. Have had wet carpet in the drivers foot well a few times in the last few weeks before I tracked it down Got my hands on some mastic sealer to squirt under the rubber like the manual says to do, never got around to it before. We've been having the most rain since 5 years in the past 4 weeks it's been incredible.

You might have said before but, is Ruby scoo going to see any more camping/4wd'ing trips in the future? I know you've upgraded to something a bit more stout in recent times. Would love to join you on a trip some time now my wagon is all but ready

[El_Freddo]

Hey Suparoo, thanks for the suggestion, dunno if it’ll work on the section required. It’s where the window winds up to when in the fully up position, this rubber bit covers over the top of the window when up. So it’s a one piece left, right and over. It could be more plastic than rubber, dunno really.

Silverbullet, yes it’s replaceable. I have to remove the whole corner triangle piece and possibly the front window runner, it’s been a while since I swapped them out! I’ll have to see what I have stashed away in good condition and when I can swap it.

And yes, Ruby Scoo see more offroad action, just without the whole family unless we take two vehicles (I doubt Mrs El_Freddo will want to be the sole driver offroad. It’s hard enough to get her in the drivers seat out bush at times!).

I’m hoping that once these mods are done that I finally move into the maintaining phase where I can start to tidy up a few areas that need attention. And then just drive her lots! 600,000km? Yes pls!!

Cheers

Bennie

[Subyroo]

Hey Suparoo, thanks for the suggestion, dunno if it’ll work on the section required. It’s where the window winds up to when in the fully up position, this rubber bit covers over the top of the window when up. So it’s a one piece left, right and over. It could be more plastic than rubber, dunno really.
Cheers

Bennie

This is what you are talking about ... Y/N?



No harm in trying the Gorilla glue or even Superglue, might save you having to replace it altogether.
I Superglued a part of my Forester gusset, but it was so long ago (+10yrs) I have forgotten exactly where it was on the gusset. More than likely the same place as it appears to be a common problem, along with this one about wind noise...



Good luck Bennie.

[El_Freddo]

That’s the spot Subyroo! Except that mine is cracked over the top just to the inside. Seems to be enough to let the water leak in. Hence why I thought some tape might fix it.

I don’t know if my triangle piece is fitted properly or not as the window wants to come up a bit further than the triangle really wants it to. Small things and was never an issue until last year

Now to find out the last time I did a cam belt on it as I can still read the words on the one that’s in it now, not like just an outline left, but all the words are easily found, just browny in colour...

Cheers

Bennie

[El_Freddo]

Last post AUG21. OCT21-ish Ruby a Scoo was loaded up with all of her project parts and trailered to M&D’s to live under a tarp as we worked out where we’d be moving to (landlord wanted vacant possession for sale).

Fast forward almost three and a half years of living under said tarp and the tarp is pretty knackered. Ruby Scoo’s paint didn’t fair too well but overall things look better than I was expecting.

Best bit was the start up. Fresh battery, jerrycan of new fuel, gave her a kick with the key (after turning the engine over by hand a tiny bit) and she fired up no worries. That was last night in the space of about 15 minutes. Lost daylight after that. She drove out of the paddock to the driveway on one almost completely flat tyre.

This morning tyres were pumped up, windscreen washed, fired up and let to reach thermo fan operation temp. Then we went for a drive! Brakes are woeful due to surface rust, but something is there working so that was good. Everything except the taco and cruise control work so I’m pretty stoked!



Got an exhaust leak, some small vibrations (not worried about those) and a head unit that only wants to work when it wants to but won’t play music…

Now to drive her the hour and a half home. She’ll be right!

Cheers

Bennie

[El_Freddo]

And right she was. Flawless drive, no issues on the drive.

Got some things to look into which was expected.

Sorted the stez out and listens to some tunes.

Pretty stoked!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Cheers

Bennie

[Silverbullet]

Heck yeah! So we'll see her out on the tracks again some time soon?

Merry belated Christmas and happy new year.

[El_Freddo]

Install immobilisers to your pride and joy(s)!! Or at the very least a hidden kill switch!

Ruby Scoo was the victim of an attempted theft last night. Police report made - as did another neighbour who had their car broken into a rummaged through. I’m now waiting to see what the local police do before I touch anything.

Two things worked in my favour - firstly, Ruby Sports a discreet immobiliser. No flashy light to say I’m immobilised! The best bit is, and this is the second thing that worked in my favour, Ruby Scoo borrowed Redback Brumby’s battery to drive home from storage at M&D’s. So there was no battery to begin with.

The would be thief was “very respectful” as they used a screw driver to remove the cowling from the steering column to access and remove the ignition switch from the back of the key barrel. After nothing happened when they used the ignition switch I think they flicked every switch on the dashboard hoping one was a kill switch - only to come up with nothing. They popped the bonnet to assumably look for a battery switch/disconnect only to find no battery - at which point I suspect the endeavour was abandoned and they moved on, leaving the driver’s door open - the only thing that alerted me to someone tampering with my vehicle.

Apparently CDs or my 20yo headunit wasn’t good enough for them either - both were left with the CD having been removed from the glovebox and left on the passenger seat.

This is the second time cars were targeted for theft or their valuables stored in the vehicles. Last year a neighbour had their VE Commo stolen by using the car keys the thieves got from breaking into the house while they slept. That was taken from their driveway.

Ruby Scoo was parked on the street. Basil, the Gen3 RX Liberty was parked beside Ruby Scoo and seems untouched. I would’ve thought Basil was the better pick of the two vehicles - less conspicuous of the two and a pot load faster! Also happens to be full of fuel too…

Get those immobilisers and kill switches sorted! Or if you’re lucky enough to have a shed get them locked up in there or off the street at least - still no guarantee they won’t be touched, just less likely from opportunistic f’wits.

Cheers

Bennie

[Bantum]

Mis-adventures of the fortunate, sounds more like ... good to see Ruby back on the road.

Sorry to hear of the misfortune - any damgages ? I had similar experience with MY wagon - was constantly getting a srewdriver in the locks & smashed windows, with thives tyring thier luck ( already had a silent alarm fitted fortunately ) but still made a mess ... :/

Made the one for my Brumby way 'louder' with visable flashing lights / sirens etc, which seems to have kept them at bay ... Would say that stock they are dead easy to get into ( without breaking shit ) so its obvoius that hoons / joyriders are just out looking to take the easist one to get into. Seen heaps of reports of a Brumby being taken for a ride & dumped ( mostly found crashed afterwards ) So definitely would recomend at minimum a hidden kill switch & upgrade to a full alarm when your budget permits.

P.S. Another trick is to remove the rotor when your not using it- easy to do & will take 'em ages to work why it won't go ...
( Just make sure you put it somewhere safe - preferably with the keys )

Ciao, Bantum ...

[El_Freddo]

Couple of things Bantum - how do I remove the dizzy rotor?

And Ruby Scoo is already fitted with an immobiliser

Last night I went to move Ruby Scoo to the backyard only to find that after putting some borrowed bits back on her and throwing a battery in that the would be thieves f*@ked my ignition barrel. Bit pissed about it. Pulled out a 5mm tip of a pair of scissors but there’s still something further down that I can’t get out. Otherwise I’d be able to get the key in and it should work if the little finger thingys aren’t stuffed (most likely are).

Got a mate keeping an eye out for a replacement unit for me. I might have one at M&D’s. No rush really.

Next goal for the weekend: empty the wagon of all the project parts currently stored within for her upgrade projects.

Cheers

Bennie

[Silverbullet]

That sounds truly awful to have your baby broken-into and mistreated like that Some of my most horrible nightmares involve my car being vandalized And even L series parts are getting harder to find these days, makes replacing damaged items even more frustrating.

I have a query for you Bennie regarding Ruby Scoo's gearbox. IIRC you have an OBX front LSD right? But I can't recall if you still have an L series 5spd or if you went to EJ 5spd...in any case would you know if EJ inner CV cups can be used on a standard L series front CV shaft? It would need the spline on the axle part to match up where the CV inner race slides on. I don't have a spare L series and EJ front axles here to play with and find out for myself.

Thinking long and hard about a front LSD for my new box. Subarino Dave has a Quaife in Hatchie, I might be convinced to cough up the coin but I want to know if I can still use my current L series front axles without the rigamarole of doing the whole 5 stud conversion. Quaife or OBX, they have EJ output stubs. Seen a video online of a new OBX unit in pieces and the quality of the machining/finishing scares me a bit Not to mention I can't even find anywhere online that would sell one.

[Bantum]

How do I remove the dizzy rotor ?

And Ruby Scoo is already fitted with an immobiliser

Ha - Didn't I say it was for your older EA81 - which has one, guessing your's dosen't ...
You could get creative & make up a fake one to confuse the hell out of a would be burglar ...

Good to hear, trouble is they only work when powered up - keep at it ...

Cheers, Bantum ...

[El_Freddo]

I have a query for you Bennie regarding Ruby Scoo's gearbox. IIRC you have an OBX front LSD right? But I can't recall if you still have an L series 5spd or if you went to EJ 5spd...in any case would you know if EJ inner CV cups can be used on a standard L series front CV shaft? It would need the spline on the axle part to match up where the CV inner race slides on. I don't have a spare L series and EJ front axles here to play with and find out for myself.

Thinking long and hard about a front LSD for my new box. Subarino Dave has a Quaife in Hatchie, I might be convinced to cough up the coin but I want to know if I can still use my current L series front axles without the rigamarole of doing the whole 5 stud conversion. Quaife or OBX, they have EJ output stubs. Seen a video online of a new OBX unit in pieces and the quality of the machining/finishing scares me a bit Not to mention I can't even find anywhere online that would sell one.

Yeah that Quaife would be awesome! I went the OBX because it was cheap. After having it fitted I found out about a $US30-odd dollar kit that “fixes” all of the cheap work put into them. Apparently once cleaned up and had this kit out through them they’re as good as the quaife. But mine doesn’t
One day it might.

I do recommend a front LSD. My gearbox is a complete hybrid and uses the 25 spline EJ output stubs. Not an issue though as the L series had two models that used the same stub axles and the CV joints are available off the shelf! The MPFI manual touring wagon and the MPFI RX turbo both ran a 25 spline diff stub axle. I’ve got a pair in Ruby Scoo and they work perfect.

As for my gearbox specs: Phase 2 EJ front cases with phase 2 drive gears etc, L series locking centre diff and matching rear housing, modified locking centre diff pinion shaft for 4.111:1 diff ratio and as an extra, oil “feeders” (dribblers really) over/above the low range gearset for hill climbing lubrication and cooling. Mint!

Ha - Didn't I say it was for your older EA81 - which has one, guessing your's dosen't ...
You could get creative & make up a fake one to confuse the hell out of a would be burglar ...

Good to hear, trouble is they only work when powered up - keep at it ...

Hahaha… no you didn’t say for my EA81! And yes, the brumby is still EA81 powered for now! Because you posted in Ruby Scoo’s thread I just assumed you were talking about Ruby Scoo!

I used to do the whole rotor removal - especially when parked in places I wasn’t happy about. Actually I’d still do it if I felt that way. But I’m always cautious not to lose the rotor button and screw myself over! That’s not happened and hopefully it won’t be an issue.

In other news, Ruby Scoo now sits basically empty. I took out a split closed deck EJ20G block originally from the RS, the kit for my 5 stud conversion, the torq locked rear diff that’s yet to be fitted, and some brumby bits I was looking for!

Next is to remove the steering column to get the ignition barrel sorted so I can move her off the street.

Cheers

Bennie

[El_Freddo]

Ruby Scoo surprises me again - but in a different way than how she used to when offroad.

I pulled the steering column out today to pull the ignition barrel off hoping for a locksmith to fix it and retain my original key.

After knocking the barrel off the steering column, I tapped it on a cement paver and the metal piece stuck in it came out! I tried my key in it and it seems to prefer the keys that aren’t worn out like the original one is. It does need a little jiggle to get it to work but it works!

Back in went the steering column after refitting the ignition barrel. Then I had to sort out my maze of wiring I have stashed under there! This included remounting the ECU to the steering column. Now my steering wheel is a bit cock-eyed but I’ll sort that out.

She’s living in the yard now. This will allow me to tinker away as I see fit. And since she’s emptied of everything I can start cleaning her out and giving here a decent wash etc. Nothing will make her paint look any good unless it’s a full respray now. She’s suffered badly in that department. Main thing is she’s off the street in apparent safety. Fire or a hail storm are my only big concerns now.

Cheers

Bennie