Parts are parts and some that I have ordered are in at the Fed-Ex distribution center. I got the last refund check for the fire damage from the insurance company and by not replacing some of my more valuable art work, I have some money to throw at the truck so... Throw it I will!! (Sorry guys, it's all slated for the truck!)

I am about to take off to go pick them up. Ride tech strong arms - upper and lower Mustang II type control arms. Shockwave 1000 single adjustable internal height sensor air springs, 5 gallon dual compressor air pod and E3 controller. Woo hoo!!

I already have the Heidt's crossmember.

After the start of the new year I will begin the upgrade. Still waiting for the rack, extensioin kit, Wilwood brakes and spindles. Need to order tie rod ends, Wilwood dual circuit master cylinder and rear tires.

This should put the suspension in order and solve the bump steer and wallowing in turns. I will wait to see if it needs anti-sway bars on the advice of AXRacer.

Then it's on to the engine. Keeping the 289, changing the oil, adding headers and getting the carb rebuilt is about all I think I want to do for now.

I am taking the "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" approach for now and just doing enough to get it safe and running again. I miss driving it and want some wheel time with the old gal as soon as I can get it. I will do other upgrades after I have been driving it a while.

 

Thats excellent news Grizz!!

Nothing like having an extended X-mas. Woohoo!

Bobby

 

I had planned to put a Bronco tank in the back of the truck under the bed but, in my "if it ain't broke" focus to get the truck running soon and make other improvements later, I decided to investigate the current tank.

The fuel tank was drained and removed from the truck when I started working on the rear end of the truck. I knew there was rust in the bottom of the tank from when I had drained it but never imagined what I would find inside it.

So, yesterday I removed the fuel sending unit from my gas tank to see why it wasn't working the last time I drove it. (Like 5 years ago.) It was encrusted in rust. The wire for the sending unit was about 1/2 inch fuzzy with rust. I wish I had thought to take a picture of it. The float had a pin hole in it and when I tried to brush the rust fuzz off it to see if it could be brazed it crumbled in my hand. So, I went to the LMC Truck on-line catalog and ordered a new sending unit.

I called a radiator repair shop to see if they could remove the rust and coat the inside to prevent this from happening again. He quoted me a price and I had to think about it. The price to clean and coat is the same as the price for a new 56 tank at LMC (minus shipping costs). After weighing the options and waffling for a couple hours I took the tank to him to be refurbished. I may still move the tank some day but it won't be soon.

 

Grizz,

I'm glad you are making progress. My new years resolution is to get back to working on my truck. To do that I have to do a major cleaning in the garage.

No time like the present, I'll make a start on it today

Bobby