Month: December 2007

Tech

Remote Oil Filter

I have had this project on the back burner for a while. I just finished installing a lift in my shop (read more here) and was changing the oil on my FJ60. Standing under the truck gave me a little better view and a different perspective of the project. I am making a bracket to make a simple installation that does not require drilling, but wanted to get something working right now.

I started with a filter base and a filter adapter for my size filter. Both are available from many online vendors as well as Napa or CSK. You can also buy a complete kit that comes with both pieces and a section of hose. I am trying to build my own kit, so I purchased everything separately.

The first part was to find a good location for the filter past. I chose the frame rail just under the charcoal canister. This is an easy location while draining the oil and is protected from debris. I thought about trying to put it above the skid plate but couldn’t come up with enough room to make it easy. I used one of the 8mm holes already in the frame and drilled a second hole and tapped for 8×1.25. The filter base has 3 holes, but I figured just the 2 would be fine for now.

For the hose, I used some high pressure hydraulic line with swivel compression fittings on one end to make installation easy. This hose is overkill and I will find a little more economical solution for the kit.

Tech What's going on

Giving the shop a lift

I have been wanting a lift ever since we built the shop. Now that I am getting a little more busy and doing a wide variety of repairs (and feeling old as my body creeks getting back up off the floor) I figured it was time to make the investment. I did a lot of searching and some research into the different brands and models of lifts. The 2 basic types common today are the 2 post and 4 post. There are slight variations within these categories like the Over Head Post and Base Plate 2 post lifts.

The 4 post lift is the easiest to install and doesn’t need to be anchored (but I would) to the concrete. This lift is often used by car collectors to get a little more space out of a small garage. They are stable and easy to operate. The done side for service work is the tires stay on the lift so a “jacking bridge” is needed to lift the car/wheels off the lift. Then you still have the lift in the way.

truck on the lift Â The 2 post base plate lift has the hydraulic lines and equalization cables running under a “base plate” that runs between the posts. The advantage to this lift is clearance above the lifting area. You don’t have to worry about a large vehicle hitting the top support.

I chose the 10,000# over head 2 post lift from CEM lifts in Monroe, WA.Â Chris was very helpful in choosing a lift and provided good technical support when I had questions with the installation. This lift has a bar that crosses between the top of both posts to carry the equalizer cables, hydraulics and what ever else needs to go between the posts. I chose a tall one since I work on a lot of trucks and a van every once in a while.

The directions say it should take two people about 5 hours to erect the lift. I did it by my self in two half days. The first step was to lay out the placement and check the concrete thickness. The lift requires 4-6″ thick concrete for proper tightening of the bolts. I purchased a rotary hammer from Harbor Freight tools. They had one that would do the job for a little less than a 1 day rental would be. I used this to drill a test hole at the center of each post mounting point to verify the thickness of the slab. The rotary hammer was also used to drill the holes for the mounting bolts.

Land Cruiser on the lift When I had the shop wired the contractor put in the power for the lift since I knew I would have one some day. The hydraulic pump runs on 230v 1 phase power with a 20 amp breaker. I used a generator type twist lock plug for a quick disconnect within reach of the controls (in case of emergency).

Running the hydraulics, filling the pump and adjusting the equalizer cables were the last steps in getting the lift operation. After a few cycles of the lift to get all the air out, I put our F250 Diesel truck on the lift to give it a test. No problem, I even cleared the bay door. Next I put my FJ60 Land Cruiser on the lift to check height. With the roof rack I was able to raise the lift to the top locking position with out hitting the safety stop on top and cleared the bay door in the back.

The last thing I had to to was rearrange my storage and bench locations to make working around the lift safer and easier. I’m sure this will be an evolution process as I find out what works and what doesn’t.

A few of the other items I need to make working on the lift easierare an oil drain, transmission jack and safety stand. The vehicle is essential when changing the weight of the vehicle once on the lift or doing work that takes a lot of movement. While the lift is very stable with the vehicle raised, it doesn’t take kindly to sudden shifts in weight.

Â I did the first oil change on my wife’s car and my truck with the lift and I think I am going to really like having this, even for the little jobs.

What's going on

It’s been a week since the Chehalis Flood

Post author By Brandon
Post date December 13, 2007
No Comments on It’s been a week since the Chehalis Flood

It has been a week since the flooding hit full force in three Western Washington Counties. The water has receded from all major areas. I-5 opened to all traffic last Friday allowing freight and passenger traffic along the West Coasts major north south route. Everything should be getting back to normal, but for many of the residence the shock is just setting in.

In Lewis county many business are cleaning up and digging out.Â Much of the debris affecting people is contaminated with farm waste, garbage and chemicals.Â There is a concern for E.coli and the county has taken additional shipments of tetanus shots and are handing out fresh bottled water to people who have been without clean water for a week.

Some retailers are operating out of large parking lot tents providing basic necessities like socks and underwear, personal hygiene items, diapers and baby formula.Â Others are rushing to clean up, hoping to reopen by the weekend.Â Most business that had more than just the floor covered have realised a complete loss.

What's going on

2007 Chehalis Flood

If you haven’t been watching the news, the Pacific Northwest was hit by a big storm system this week. Some areas of the Oregon cost saw wind speeds close to 130 mph. The city of Bremerton received nearly 10 inches of rain in a 24 hour period and several local rivers have reached or exceeded flood stage. One of the worst has been the Chehalis river between the towns of Chehalis and Centralia. Although we are high and dry at the house, my wife has been greatly affected by the flooding. Interstate 5 has been closed at her exit due to 8 feet (or more) of water standing on the freeway. The Kmart likely had 2 feet of water inside the store.

With I-5 closed there is only a few ways to get a down to Chehalis. If you don’t know the back roads the only way is to follow the DOT’s suggested detour which is about 440 miles and 7 hours of driving (in good weather). The back ways are only 1.5 to 2 hours.

We decided to take a drive down and see what kind of damage the Pharmacy received. Here are a few of the pictures.

SR 6 overpass to I-5 at State Street in Chehalis.

Interstate 5 at Airport Rd in Chehalis. The freeway has been damaged (left area of photo) and the barriers moved.

I-5 at Airport Rd looking north.

Chamber Way exit looking north. This is the place were I-5 is under 8 feet of water. The overpass is just over 14 feet high. There are floating manufactured homes on the rite side, and Kmart and Wall-mart are under water on the left.

Chehalis Kmart with water up to the doors. The cars are parked next to the sidewalk. It is suppose to be a few days before my wife can get back into the Pharmacy to start the cleanup. Luckily they thought to lift computers and sensative stuff off the floor and place on the counter.

For you river watchers, by favorite site is the US Army Corps of Engineers river basin web site. Here you can view the current stage of all the major rivers in Washington. On many, it also has rainfall rates at the headwaters. If you have a favorite source, please post up a comment.