What have you done to your rig today?

[DanS]

Yesterday I welded on a panhard correction bracket on @SaintAgatha RBGX.

Not bad for having to do it outside with a little bit of wind.

All done. We might move it to the middle hole, so that it's even more level. It's slightly high on the left as it sits. But Nancy reports that it rides a lot nicer now on corners.

Dan

 

[Inukshuk]

LongCruiser:
Yesterday:
Put in remainder of new brake hoses and ordered the one I was missing.
Took apart more of the ABS and other engine harness looms.
Ordered a double flare tool.
more
Today
Finished checking and adjusting both parking brakes and installing extended dogbones. They have been great in my shorter 80.
Made and installed a new center cable for the extended parking brake cable. Used my battery cable crimpers to put AL ferrules on some 3/32 coated galvanized wire with a WLL of 184 lbs.
Cut the transmission output shaft. There is a backstory of why I am doing it a second time that can be traced to Advance Adpaters having 13 year old Marks adapter instructions on their website. Suffice it to say that this second time around I am gaining about 27mm more spline engagement which results in around 57 mm total. The a343 has 55 mm engagement. (Measurements you see in photos are from the first part of the three part spacer.)
Installed torque converter to transmission, mated transmission to engine
Did a test fit! Glad I bought the bolt-in engine mounts! LOTS of room. The LS looks so small in there.

 

[Corbet]

Yesterday I welded on a panhard correction bracket on @SaintAgatha RBGX.

Not bad for having to do it outside with a little bit of wind.

All done. We might move it to the middle hole, so that it's even more level. It's slightly high on the left as it sits. But Nancy reports that it rides a lot nicer now on corners.

Dan

reminds me I need to order this kit. Rubbed my left rear 37 for the first time last week getting it really bound up fully loaded. Longer panhard certainly contributed.

 

[DanS]

reminds me I need to order this kit. Rubbed my left rear 37 for the first time last week getting it really bound up fully loaded. Longer panhard certainly contributed.

We’ve put maybe 100 miles on it with the bracket installed. It makes a HUGE difference. If I would have known how much of the stock handling would be back, I would just buy a bracket to correct the panhard bar with any lift.

Seriously.

Dan

 

[Inukshuk]

We’ve put maybe 100 miles on it with the bracket installed. It makes a HUGE difference. If I would have known how much of the stock handling would be back, I would just buy a bracket to correct the panhard bar with any lift.

Seriously.

Dan

X2 for the Delta Kit on my short 80

 

[Capriblue45]

Had the side rails for my 60's roof rack laser cut and powder coated this past week.

 

[Cruisertrash]

Had the side rails for my 60's roof rack laser cut and powder coated this past week.

Looks great! Hey, how's the 40? I thought I saw you were having some trouble in that department.

 

[Capriblue45]

I have been having some slop in the rear diff for awhile now so I decided to look at it ahead of the 40's only run. The gears and bearings on the 3rd member were pretty toast so I pulled them. Hoping to have parts tomorrow to put it all back together. I did manage to complete the TBI on it as well as replacing the big end rod bearings. Can't wait to drive it as it sounds like a completely different truck.

 

[IH8RUST]

Is there anything nicer than a newly painted fender well?

 

[KC Masterpiece]

Left the cruisers at home. Not our rig or a Toyota but we rented a big sprinter for Moab 240. We were going to use the 80, but it would not have been as convenient. I can see why people like these things! Diesel pulls pretty great on the highway too. Got it stuck once but the mattrax got it out in 5 min.

It is funny how some people dont maintain their vehicles. Got this on ourdoorsy and the van was in good shape, but mechanically neglected a only 70k. No DEF, no washer fluid, super worn brakes, does not lool like tires were ever rotated, and engine oil was gross and overfilled. You would expect better maintenance on a rental.

 

[IH8RUST]

Freshly coated frame. Oh my.

 

[Inukshuk]

Attached the transmission cross-member. Beauty of the Advance Adapter and Selkirk Off Road mount combo is that it was supposed to take all the guesswork out of engine and transmission placement, retaining the original T-case location so no drive-line components need changing.
AND IT WORKS!
Tiny bit of forward slotting the two transmission isolator to cross member holes - like 3/16"
Vertical location of engine looks great for AC compressor. Slight bending of the PS low pressure return inlet hose and it clears the steering gearbox.
I figured the engine will go in and out a few times as I fit and attach stuff so its not fully bolted yet, but there is lots of room around the engine and transmission so maybe I get lucky, but for now the hoist stays attached.

 

[Inukshuk]

Had my GM alternator tested earlier this week at D&D Auto Electric in Wheat Ridge. Old school shop.
He showed me where it was engraved 145amp. That’s cool.
He got it to output 122 A at idle rpms.
I asked and he said “yes the brushes are replaceable”.
He charged me $10 for the testing and a set of brushes.
Seems I dodged a bullet! Kinda worn!

 

[IH8RUST]

Eastwood says you only need a quart, but I've exhausted almost a whole gallon of Rust Encapsulator Plus. I got myself a cheapo air compressor and their HPLV contour spray gun and went nuts, and I mean nuts, exhaust pipe, and all, so I can suck in the fumes while I drive; that's a joke. I still have to hit it with the 2K spray.

Joke aside, my new motor will include a new header and exhaust pipe, and I will either sandblast or purchase a new catalytic converter, so the shotgun blast method was fine by me.

I still need many touch-ups, so I have arranged with Cruiser Co. to let me hit the hard-to-reach spots when they drop the old motor and transmission off. Johnny is awesome.

Side note: DO NOT buy the Rust Encapsulator Plus Aerospray; that stuff will not dispense the whole can; it's just a piss-poor design. Also, my garage is a mess; the floor has a paint outline of where I covered it and didn't. Also, also, my lungs.

 

[LARGEONE]

I’ve been using the KBS Coatings rust prevention and coatings for a while now. They make really nice products for rust cleaning and acid etch.

 

[IH8RUST]

I’ve been using the KBS Coatings rust prevention and coatings for a while now. They make really nice products for rust cleaning and acid etch.

Now you tell me?

 

[LARGEONE]

I’ve been busy! Some teaser pics…

More to come.

 

[simps80]

Paul your 80 looks awesome!
one of my favorite 80 colors!

 

[Johnny Utah]

Added a cool grab bar! It’s like it was always supposed to be there!

 

[Corbet]

@Johnny Utah Where did you find that? I thought the Oak interior ones were gone long ago.