The Long Journey Begins (long post with pics)
#107
05-13-2010, 02:31 PM
Thanks, this is going to be quite a lengthy build. But I want to take the time, and hopefully I have the patience to do it once and do it right, even the "little" details that no one except me will ever see.
Today I took the I beams to the machine shop to press out the king pins. I had wanted to do it myself but after sitting for over a decade the pins are pretty much seized in the axles, besides I'm getting REALLY lazy in my old age
. They are going to press out the old pins, press in and hone the new bushings.
Today I took the I beams to the machine shop to press out the king pins. I had wanted to do it myself but after sitting for over a decade the pins are pretty much seized in the axles, besides I'm getting REALLY lazy in my old age
. They are going to press out the old pins, press in and hone the new bushings.
#108
05-14-2010, 06:28 AM
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#109
05-14-2010, 11:40 AM
Yeah, I just can't bring myself to go with the orange. The Pumpkin was originally all orange with white Explorer stripes. The donor truck I bought was two tone, black with a white roof. I decided to keep the two tone because I don't like the look of a truck that has the moulding for two tone but is painted one color, I don't know, to me it just doesn't look quite right and I didn't want to remove the moulding.
At first I was thinking blue with a silver roof but then realized that that combination wouldn't go so well with the white stripes so I decided to go blue with a white roof and white Explorer stripes.
But the paint is still a ways away and my taste might change before then.
At first I was thinking blue with a silver roof but then realized that that combination wouldn't go so well with the white stripes so I decided to go blue with a white roof and white Explorer stripes.
But the paint is still a ways away and my taste might change before then.
#110
05-14-2010, 11:42 AM
Thanks, this is going to be quite a lengthy build. But I want to take the time, and hopefully I have the patience to do it once and do it right, even the "little" details that no one except me will ever see.
Today I took the I beams to the machine shop to press out the king pins. I had wanted to do it myself but after sitting for over a decade the pins are pretty much seized in the axles, besides I'm getting REALLY lazy in my old age. They are going to press out the old pins, press in and hone the new bushings.
Today I took the I beams to the machine shop to press out the king pins. I had wanted to do it myself but after sitting for over a decade the pins are pretty much seized in the axles, besides I'm getting REALLY lazy in my old age
. They are going to press out the old pins, press in and hone the new bushings.
#111
05-14-2010, 12:00 PM
I really can't give you an honest answer, a buddy of mine owns the shop so I'm expecting this to be dirt cheap. I'll ask him what it would cost a "normal" customer and let you know.
#113
05-14-2010, 12:12 PM
Just teasing; excited to see this trucks progress.
#115
05-17-2010, 03:57 PM
.I was going to sandblast the axles and spindles this afternoon so I could get them painted and reinstalled but it's decided to rain so I'll have to put that off till tomorrow morning.
#116
05-17-2010, 04:53 PM
I got my axles back from the machine shop today. Total bill, $15.00. He billed it as "press out (1) bushing". He said if I was a "normal" customer the bill would have been $125.00. Like I said he's a buddy of mine (I gave him $50.00).
I was going to sandblast the axles and spindles this afternoon so I could get them painted and reinstalled but it's decided to rain so I'll have to put that off till tomorrow morning.
.I was going to sandblast the axles and spindles this afternoon so I could get them painted and reinstalled but it's decided to rain so I'll have to put that off till tomorrow morning.
#117
05-17-2010, 07:02 PM
I had my king pins replaced, including the necessary alignment. Parts and labor was just under $300.
#118
05-19-2010, 04:38 PM
Today I reinstalled the axles along with new coil springs, I should have the spindles back on tonight too.
I also shipped the power steering box to Red Head in Seattle for rebuild, I doubt it will be back before I have to leave though.
I'll post some more pictures when I get the spindles installed.
I also shipped the power steering box to Red Head in Seattle for rebuild, I doubt it will be back before I have to leave though.
I'll post some more pictures when I get the spindles installed.
#120
05-19-2010, 10:30 PM
I've gotten the spindles and tie rod and drag link installed.
One thing I realize is that I really need to keep the frame covered when I'm not working on it, it's getting really dirty. And I can't even drive it!
To finish the front suspension I just need to install rotors, calipers, brake hoses and shocks.
Here are some pictures of the progress.
One thing I realize is that I really need to keep the frame covered when I'm not working on it, it's getting really dirty. And I can't even drive it!
To finish the front suspension I just need to install rotors, calipers, brake hoses and shocks.
Here are some pictures of the progress.