Hello all. Been awhile since I've visited the site. I haven't run the Raider in 3-4 years and have the urge to get it moving again. Changed the oil and put a new battery in it. Don't remember if I put Stabile in it or not, so I need to address that. When I turned the key to see if the lights and such worked, the horn went off, then warbled, now it seems to just chirp occasionally. When I parked it, it needed valve seals and a clutch. Got a lot of work to do. It has been years since I've had time to play with a vehicle. I'd appreciate it if you would list some things you think I will need to evaluate. TIA

Hmmmmm, just saw my signature. The Toyota's been totaled for years. I drive a 99 Dodge diesel 4x4 to tow horse trailers, etc.

THe horn is probably the foam insulation in the center of the wheel deteriorating. WHen it goes, it lets the horn circuit make contact. You can use a sheet of thin foam packing material to replace the failing oem foam.

Welcome back. Aren't you the mine safety guy?

Hey Eddy, thanks. Yeah, I'm the mine environmental guy, not safety. I guess I'll siphon and blow out the fuel. Seems like I tried to siphon once on the trail and I don't recall being successful. I know I have just dumped a bottle of Stabile and 5 gallons of fresh gas in the boat after it sat for a year and it started, but I don't think I want to do that after 3 years. Let's just say I didn't PLAN on letting it sit this long...life is hectic.

Uhh, did you forget about the drain plug built into the bottom of the tank?

Unplug the horn.

Attempt to start truck. Drive safely.

Check flexible brake lines at the front wheels. Flush old brake fluid with a Mighty-Vac (Harbor Freight sells them under another name, but it's the same exact thing).

John B.

Hunh? I've either forgotten it or never knew. Thanks John.

Many moons ago (well maybe many, many moons), on a trail in Colorado, I saw the drain plug used. We had one rig that had miscalculated the amount of fuel. We stopped on the trail and cracked open a fuel tank drain plug. Drained a couple of gallons of fuel to a fuel can. Tightened the plug. Added fuel the tank in need. Continued with the trail riding. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

How did your bike rides turn out?

Hey Mark! CO trail ride...was I there? Don't remember it. I'm gonna crawl under and look at it tomorrow. Thanks guys.

The bike has gotten to be my main pleasure. The ride through NM and CO last summer ended abruptly when the rear wheel skewer broke and the trailer came off. But, it was still a wonderful experience. I had a ride planned through Comb Wash, the Moki Dugway, Mexican Hat, etc., in UT for late summer, but I'm in court too much. Had a case before the 10th Circuit, US Court of Appeals late July that took up lots of time, so I didn't get it in. Gonna try for May.

MarkG, the AZ Crew did that, too. Of course, I was the one with the fuel. One of them young'uns was the one without.

If you're going to drain fuel that way, it's not a bad idea to ground the truck to the Earth around you, or at least have a buddy with a fire extinguisher ready to spray you. It can happen.

Old fuel seems to work in a lawnmower, too.

John B.

REAL old fuel can clog the carb on a mower. I think I was using 15 year old stuff, had to rebuild the carb.

However, the really old stuff is still sometimes adequate for lighting the burn piles.

You might want to spray some penetrating oil into the cylinders and let it sit a while, then squirt some oil and turn the engine by hand at first then by the starter after an oil change. Rings could be rusted to cylinder walls.