My new shocks got here today. removed and installed all 4 which have been on there since 7-22-1996 in half an hour, with hand tools! 110,000 mile Monroe Sensa trac's. Replaced them with KYB Gas A Just on the front, and KYB GR2 (Excel-G) on the rear. All I can say is WOW what a difference it made in the ride quality. Every one of the old shocks sounded horrible compressing them and they were very easy to compress. They would also stop and start traveling again. The front right one was the worst. Probably the cause of my tire wear on that wheel. Got the front's for $30 a piece and the rears for $22 a piece with free shipping. I was actually sent old GR2's for the rears when I ordered Excel-G's, same thing anyways. Which I actually like better because the GR2's are silver and match the fronts vs the black Excel-G's. For a while I've been experiencing a flutter in the steering wheel over bumps at slow speeds, like in parking lots. We'll see if that goes away. So far it floats right over bumps and I did the shake down test coming home on my street and it has less body roll than before. I'd say those old shocks were pretty tired.

 

Started pulling off and documenting (taking pics and videos and lots and lots of baggies) the factory installed AC system, I'm going to be very thorough the first time around.

Of course it is raining like all get out (not going to complain on that)

but if weather hold planning on throwing a new compressor, accumulator, orifice tube and all new Orings this weekend, get it on vacuum and see if it holds before I drop 10 bucks a can on refrigerant.

Also may open up the Evaporator clam shell and clean it out.

Any tips our input on......"You should do this while your in there!" Would be greatly appreciated, I don't like to do things twice.

 

Maybe seal it well as it goes back together, and consider using insulation on it before re-installing. Bill's thread on Darth has a discussion with pictures somewhere, IIRC. But, this post references it.

 

Finally got most of the parts for Whitey's rear end. We need to do a bearing inspection on the hubs. There was a lot of metal and such in the tubes and pumpkin. I am pretty sure the wheel bearings are contaminated and possibly damaged.


On this build I just happened to be going back with everything branded Dana/Spicer. The R&P was only $10 more for Dana than Motive gear or another comparable brand. Except the bearings and they are Koyo as discussed earlier. That being said the rear end set up and ran an almost perfect pattern on the first go around. The process doesn't typically go that smooth. Usually it is two times if you are lucky, but most of the time 3 times. I am giving the credit to Dana on this one.

 

Today was a exciting day and a disappointing day. Last Sunday I went to get my truck out of winter storage (120 mi away) truck cranked, would'nt start. Found out I have some wiring issues at the fp relay, in the process something broke in the steering column now the key spins freely. took ignition switch off to operate it with a screwdriver. I ended up leaving it in storage.

Today was the day to go try it again. I bought a new fp relay and pigtail wired it in, no go!! I figured out a way to "hotwire" it to power up the relay and fp. Started the trek home (aprox. 120 mi) made it with about 30 miles till home and started having transmission problems. Could'nt get into 4th at all, and hard to get into 1,2,3rd gear. Pulled over at a rest stop to tell my dad (he was following me), and then it was stuck in 3rd, had to pull with both hands to get it to neutral. Got out tow strap and pulled it the last 30 miles home.

So to sum things up I have a broken steering column (I have a spare one in garage) fuel pump wiring issues, and possibly a broken transmission.

 

Today,

I replaced my dry-rotted BF Goodrich tires with Yokohama ATXs.

 

A while ago I got a set of air-bags off a truck at the wrecker....Today I installed the rear pair. It was an easy install, drill four holes and bolt them up.
I picked up a load of topsoil to try them out.
Wow! I've never driven a truck with air-bags, but I was totally impressed. What a difference. It almost felt like I didn't have anything back there. I wish I'd put these things in 20 years ago.

 

I suspect the clutch and not the transmission itself; how does the lever feel/operate with the engine not running?

 

Installed the hard bed liner I've had sitting around for several years. And, I swapped tool boxes to get the one off of Dad's truck on Rusty since I have keys for it. Now Rusty looks a bit less rusty. And, now all the doors and toolbox can be locked.

 

Rusty looks to be ready for a road trip!

 

Haven't done much to the truck lately, just been driving it. Been working on peoples lawn equipment lately. Truck sure rides and drives better with the new shocks. I'm quite surprised. Floats right over train tracks now instead of following the dips.

 

Well, he is going on a trip - sorta. Saturday is the free dump day and a bunch of us from church are going through the neighborhoods carrying off junk. And Rusty's ready.

 

That's a nice, noble gesture, Gary! How many of you truck driving, golden souls participate in this gesture?

 

Every time I hear about this event, it seems like Gary is the only one that actually owns a truck. Hard to believe in Oklahoma.

 

Last time we did it, about a year ago, there were about 20 people. And maybe 5 trucks and several trailers.