I decided to make an official build thread. All opinions, ideas, and help is welcome!

 

my project





This is basically the same as my dads. This truck is my inspiration




No idea who owns this truck, but I LOVE it!




new mirrors




new vs. old mirror




new heater chore, heater motor, heater fan, thermostat, thermostat gaskets, water temp sending unit, and blinker switch

 

Looking forward to see your progress! Keep us posted. What are you planning for the rest of the truck, other than that nice paint scheme? and good luck with your build!!

 

Where did you happen to get the mirrors? How is the glass on the originals? Looking forward to your project.

 

Thank you. I am just planning a nice clean restore with a few extra goodies. I would like to pull the motor and rebuild it with a new carb, intake manifold, and exhaust. Redo all the suspension with a light lift. Restore the interior. New paint and straighten out all the dents is an obvious must. I don't remember where I got the mirrors, bronco graveyard maybe, the old ones glass is a little foggy, it was missing one. If you order the new ones like I got. I suggest using your own bolts and nuts. The mounting hard wear that came with them is pretty cheesy

 

I haven't done much with the truck lately being a just bought a house with a nice sized garage just got this build, and the garage needed some work so I could work on the truck year round. I just got it to a point where it is more drivable and reliable so I can use it for some house projects this coming spring. I don't really feel like beating up my new truck when I have the old one waiting to be restored anyway.

So far I have replaced the heater core and lines. Replaced the blinker switch assembly, all the marker lenses and bulbs, replaced the blinker relay. Rebuilt all the brakes (which were scary, all the springs and everything fell out of the rear drums when I pulled them off, and the shoes and pads were completely gone), and then I just cleaned up the Valve cover and replaced the gasket. I did notice that all the bolts on the motor were loose and gaskets were leaking oil, no idea what's causing them to loosen up, but I tighted them and now there are no more leaks.

I have a couple questions regarding ride height and a moisture in the motor issue.

1. What rout would I go if I just wanted about a 2"-3" lift in both the front and back? I have had the suggestion of just increasing the tire size, but I'm not sure if that's the right way to do it

2. I have notice a small amount of moisture in the valve cover and air filter assembly the past couple months. I have heard its normal, but I was wondering if there is an easy way to remedy it.

 

Anytime you want to lift a truck the best way to do it is with new springs. Both front and rear. That means longer or taller coil springs in the front and new higher arched leaf springs in the rear. As far as moisture is concerned how are you driving the truck? It could be that you need to run it a little harder and a little longer to build more heat to burn off the moisture caused by the heat and cool cycles of driving a vehicle. This is most common with the newer modular engines in the 97 and newer trucks. But this is assuming that one, the truck is used for mostly short trips and isn't having a chance to burn off the moisture. And two, that there is no mechanical issue with the engine causing the moisture in those areas. Checking for coolant in the oil and vice versa can roll that out.

 

It doesn't burn a bit of oil or use any coolant, so I'm guessing the moisture buildup is from short trips. I will have to keep an eye on it for now.

I recently replaced the plugs and wires in hopes of solving a hesitation issue. Well, the new plugs fouled after about 15 miles. Since then I have replaced the distributor cap, and tore apart the carter carb and cleaned it to rebuild it. I am currently waiting for the kit.