If the bumper mounting plates aren't straight you can use washers to adjust the bumper.

 

I put a plumbing wrench on the frame mount tab and bent them back strait. A large pipe helps for leverage as well.

 

Mine were too bent, I user the jack against the frame and it would only only bend it back to certain position. You could say the washers were used for the fine tuning.

 

I could see that. Washers can be quiet useful...

 

You tell me... I used them under the alternator and eliminated the need to change belt size (it's also a brand new belt) when I changed my A/C compressor model. Can't compare $10 for a new Gatorback vs. $2 for two washer packs.

 

Ok heres a minor update, break lines reciently failed so I got those resolved to the tune of $0 (yay) and need to do the radius arms and bushings and all that (i think) theres some play in the front right wheel as far as steering is concerned I believe so I will be trying to repair that soon also.


as for the frame being green it was just a short term measure to get the truck preped for the salt and grime, so I do plan on having the frame stripped down to bare metal then a proper job done with painting it, thinking of CAT yellow for the frame so it is similar to the tan but still a different colour from the truck, and to also protect the frame from rust and the elements as much as possible...

 

ok heres more updates and kinda what I been doing so far, kinda a multi-project in a project if you will, brake lines are repaired and working as they should, all 8 spark plugs changed, ignition coil replaced, along with the wire from it to the distributer, got a Borg warner branded ignition coil (not sure about how good it is, but figured since the old one had cancer developing its been there for a while so it might as well be replaced and kept as a spare).

Tires are rotated, battery was pulled out to get better access to horns, tray was also removed, currently working on horns, found that the piece that holds the bulb into the head lamp went missing on my truck so need to find a replacement or get one sadly the auto yard doesnt have the right fitting type

repaired the AC as far as I can tell, one question I do have on AC is when filling the system, DO I NEED the gas only or MUST I put the liquid in? I will be filling to the OEM 2.6 pounds of freon, I used at least one can and part of another, have a third unopened still. wa best for our trucks? a different auto stores I go get mixed answers...


replaced the coolant tank on the truck, cleaned up the engine a bit and washed the truck as well, all thats left is finish horns and the plug wires...oh and I also replaced the fuel filter as well...


So thats it so far, sorry for no pics, will snap what I can when able...been quite busy to finish this project LOL!!!

 

For the AC, it depends on what you did to it. If the system was open, as in parts were removed leaving the lines open, then it needs to be vacuumed down to remove all air and moisture. Then it gets refilled with gas.

By stating gas or liquid, I'm guessing you mean refrigerant and oil? If you didn't change the compressor, or drain the compressor, then you won't need to add oil.

 

I'm talking about what ever fluid that's in the recharge cans when I start using them, I tried to pull a vac on the system but I think with out pressure the schrader valvs remained open, so I just did what I could to get it working and may just take it to a place that can do it for me, also the accumulator has a jammed nut that won't come in done so I want to have the professionals try it and see if they can get it loose so I don't cause damage to the truck.

 

Ah ok. Well the entire can goes in. Follow the instructions on your cans, but normally you just rotate the can between the upright position and 3 o'clock position while charging.

How did you pull a vacuum on it? The system needs to be emptied of refrigerant to pull a vacuum, so not having pressure at the valve is a good thing in this case!

If you're gonna take it in to have the accumulator replaced, it may be worth it to just have them pull a vacuum and recharge (which they'd have to do if they replaced the accumulator anyway).

 

That's the plan I have my friend, I have my own vacuume pump, that I used on the truck, it would get to 26 bar(I think) then it would just hang there, the valves would also stay stuck open no matter what I did so I got annoyed and sealed one up and just refilled it with what I have, I assumed the accumulator had stuff in it still so I didn't do it all just yet, as for how it got emptied it leaked out through the high side valve and then the valve lost its seal and let the remainder out, so that's what gave me the reason to just do it. Also below are some pics of the recient progression I have made.


Enjoy!! Please comment, it's encouraged and welcomed!




Here is a start of the horn bracket after using a sander on it for a short bit

 

Looks like someone will be doing a Radiator Support replacement soon...

 

I just got the horne done and they actually sound better then the old ones, which I assume we're there for the past 16 years...so I got new in much less anemic sounding and IMO I sound less like a Prious car so YAY!

 

I'm glad you're making progress, keep us posted.

 

yes im slowly making progress, now that is taken care of, all I have left so far is the spark plug wires to be changed out, just got to get the energy to do it though LOL!!!!

after that it will just fill and enjoy the truck, and Im so thrilled that the horns are working, good thing I finially moved inton a house with a garage...or this never would have gotten done...now to find more projects to do....LOL!!!!

going to start figureing how to get the camper off and store it, tho I may just sell it, also I m goin to swap back to the factory CHML as I like that style better, I found the LEDs for it in white so now I just need a singleLED in red and I think that will be good there...also going to put my toolbox back on as well as I do miss having it...

side note are the power points supposed to be always on for our trucks??

also does anyone have any suggestions or recomendations for storing the camper top and all that? I want to try and take the darnd thing off but want to have a way to store it...