what? Really, its Monday.

Short update.

I found I work harder (better??) under self imposed timelines.

We were making plans (my better half and tractor) for our annual pilgrimage to LOTO, this year to coincide with the shootout.

If you don't know, now you do:

https://lakeoftheozarksshootout.com/...-shootout-2022

The goal, is to have Eleanor done, sorted, and functioning by that time.

And hopefully done well enough to bring our boat behind Eleanor so we can enjoy the show from the bow of "Heathen's Haven".

****, better get back to ordering more little parts to finish up this "s" show.

Unc Killa out!

 

So lets see.

Sunday- check
Progress pictures- check
Whiskey stones at optimal temperature- check
Burning money because you never see an armored truck following a hearse- check
Bottle of the craziest flavor "never would have thought of that"- check

So, getting closer to being done with Eleanor. As of today, I would say 75%.

But my adult beverage infused math is not the same as my collegiate level math.

So in the spirit of playing catch up to you all, I wont muddy the timelines too much.

We fixed the front axles geometry by swapping the spring (just glad we had another crew cab "laying around" to verify wheel base)

We corrected the D60 u-bolts properly (by properly, I mean we coerced their length with an angle grinder).

Now what?

Fuel!!!!

Well, actually, fuel tanks.

and lines.

all the lines.

but what about brakes.


Well....while were in here.


So we proceeded to remove the bed.

Bleh. Thank goodness for an extra set of hands...


And a gantry.


But why all the extra work Unc?

F, idk.

Actually I do.

Just damn man, 3 steps forward, 2 back.

I decided in order to incorporate the "new to the 70's" diesel power we need tanks, lines, and "while we are in here", new brake lines.

Easiest path of least resistance....

take it in the rear.

I mean, take off the rear...section.

Cause you know, easy access.

Cause why the f not. What could bother my borderline OCD self more than an even more disassembled truck.

But I digress.

So off she comes...

But before we do that.

Gotta tell you a secret.

Actually 2.

1st off, "the shop" has an office. I turned it into a mancave. You know, with movie posters, a fridge, and perfect seats for smoking a fat one (cigar).

2nd. My better half is awesome. I had to leave town for work stuff. 2nd attempt dudes with the windshield were coming and needed someone there to let them in.

And that she did, and even managed to capture one of my relevant "warning" signs in the pic.




Anyway, we got the bed off>>>

Had to undo some of Luigi's pasta to make this happen.






Found this stamped on the bed>>>>



Moby chilling in the background quietly contemplating:

1. life decisions. And
2. what are these hill jacks going to do to me.






So there it is. T minus -6 seconds to my minor OCD kicks in....

wait for it....

While we're in here...


F!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Until next week kiddo's, Unc Killa and his opened can of worms out!

 

1st, to all that have served, or have had family pay the ultimate price for our freedom, my hat is off to you and yours on this Memorial day, 2023.

Now, with that said.

If you squint your eyes, with the holiday and all, technically today is Sunday.

how do I know?

Cause this magic elixir bottle is open.

And the Cuban is smokin. (did ya know you can now get these legally?. Learn something new everyday).

Anyway, back to playing catch up.


For ya'll that is.

I'll keep it shortish.

Cause you know, its a holiday.

But still Sunday somewhere


So with the bed off, I realized there was still a bit of the white and red Warner Brothers used on their film trucks still present.

Against a predominately black back drop.


Nope, my brain can't handle it.

"But Unc Killa, no one is going to see it going down the dirt road."

I know. But I also KNOW its there.

Uncovered.

All out of place.

Where's my chaotic control?

How will I survive?

So fixed that. Pics below.

As I was fixin that, I realized my jungle gym supports were still raw.

What?

Then I remember the fab man telling me...

"Imma fabricator, not a painter"

well schitt, hoss, where these are located, no-one can paint them.

Until now!

And now they're fixed (and by fixed, I mean cleaned, sanded, prepped, and painted)









That's Stick , in the last picture, helping me "rough up the suspect".

Cause you know, when spraying paint out of a can, prep work is crucial.

Stick: " you know, while we're in here..."

Unc: "FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

He's right.

Unc: "get the angle grinder and the cheek poker attachment"


Until next week kiddo's!

Love and diesel (with a side a OCD).

Uncle Killa, out!

 

I'm glad you said that, coz for a while there I thought my Marlboro contained something which was a lot stronger than tobacco.

 

Legal in most states.

No worries.

Lol

 

Update before THE Sunday update.

As I stated, and if you care to know, Luigi ran a completely new wiring harness for Eleanor.

And I promised to share that manufacturers name, and part number.

So in the picture attached, hopefully you get what you need, if you need it.




FYI, not an endorsement. Paid full price.
But here we are.

 

Well well. Would you look at that. It's Sunday.

And you Uncle Killa has a picture heavy update for you.

Consider yourself warned.

But before the car (truck) **** commences:

Story Time!

I have issues. And quirks. And an irrational fear of spiders (if you've been reading this all along, remember the alien spider?). And some minor OCD compulsions (blame it on the fluoride in the water).

Having said that, the only real crust I like is on my pie. Key lime specifically.

Not on my truck. Crust, scaling, general metal related flakyness.

So we popped the butt end off, Realized the "short" bed was still long, taking up some real estate.

So what's a hillbilly to do? Improvise, overcome, adapt.


To harbor freight we go.

For what. To spend another $40 and expertly categorize (thank you Westen Chaplain) my correct dual tank short box.

Oh, and some 2x4's.

Say what?

It aint stupid if it works, right?




you: uh, are those furniture dollies?

Sober (yup, this decision was made without the influence of libations) Unc Killa: why yes they are.




So Cardatheous and myself, and the gantry, lifted this (not as light as it appears) hunk of ford butt end, onto the carefully constructed 2x4 cage secured to furniture dollies.

Held up by gravity and jesus, we moved it out of the way. So we can do more dumb stuff.

Which brings me back to crust.

With the big bay door open, and the sunlight shining directly into the Shop, my eyes were greeted with the Eleanor's smug, naked butt full of barnacles (its more obvious under sun light?).

Unc Killa: Sweet Jesus

Cardatheous: oh boy

Eleanor: scratch it, daddy.

Unc Killa: going to need all the consumables harbor freight has

So time to scratch that azz.

Weapons chosen (primarily, cause its what I got, ya know?).




Let the scratchin begin:








Do you know how, when u THINK you're done...

And you turn the corner, and realize....

NOPE, not even close.

FML. But, my truck, my time, my choice






So much barnacle dust (butt dust).

But getting so much better.

Next week, "shocking" news.

Until next week kiddos, Unc Killa out.

Love and Diesel (with a side of barnacle juice/dust)

 

You know the self-imposed while-i'm-at-its is the perfect way to miss a self-imposed deadline, right?

 

Agreed. But ya know, while I'm in there...

 

Well, well kiddos.

Story time.

First off, keep in mind that I am still trying to get you up to date with where we are in this mystical hillbilly adventure.

AND boy-howdy, I got lots of catching you up to do.

But fear not, where we are at in this present day, versus where you are reading at in this journey, is a few miles apart.

So with that, I opened my fridge and discovered that I am out of peanut butter flavored libations.

But I did find an "old friend". So no worries.

If I type funny, its cause of the southern comforts of the south

So now that the barnacles have been besmirched, and the local ACE hardware guys thinks I'm huffing all their paint (I ain't, I swear it officer), lets talk shocks.

Like all the options.

Like why, is this necessary to have 1 million ways?

And then lets talk the money.

How much for those foxes with the reservoirs? Maybe you are huffing all my paint, dear sir.

But I digress.

we pulled all the old "Heckthorn" branded shocks (I think that's what they said, hard to tell with all the Washington aged mud and grime on them).






Some of the hardware had to be torched to get to remove, and some just needed some old man strength hurled in their general direction.

But either way, I won!

All four removed.

Ordered what I thought was the correct front and rear shocks based off of what was pulled off.

Guess what, I ordered black ones, cause, ya know, stealth.




Guess what!? If I was in the majors, I'd be a super star!

Kiddos: Huh?

Unc Killa: Cause I am batting .500

Front shocks: homerun! Nailed it.

Rear shocks: Ffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff ffffff!

Got the correct mounting type.

Um, not long enough travel.

No honestly, maybe the guys who specifically make 4x4 off road parts and accessories (propane, and propane accessories.) got it wrong.

"Dang it Bobby"-- realistically, it is more than likely me and my paint huffing math that screwed the pooch.

I'll check later.

Maybe I should pony up for those fancy, reservoir assisted bad mamma jamma's.

Need to find the other boxes first, because maybe, just maybe I did get sent the wrong ones.

Either way, progress.

Love and Diesel,

Uncle Killa.

 

your chassis has over-load spring pads at the rear axle. Where are Kiillaz over-load spring packs ?
I stumbled upon a nice set I sourced off of a 1-ton dually, and think it was a '73. So i got the spring packs, spacer and U-bolts. That was a Hit-Score.
Couldn't wait to get home to celebrate with a smoke (non ciggie). hahaha

Also, you are such a tease always showcasing that medium blue Crew in the background. What a pest !
Not to worry, because my '77 Crew (now F350 longbed and Greaser 4x4 conversion) is turn-key ready. Well, _ _ _ ran when parked last week. hahaha

Did you get any "lines" run, or still chasing barnacles.

 

I think my spring packs were long gone before I even bought this Crummy.

Barnacles are chased, lines at 75% ish.

 

Well, well. Would you look at the time.

1st and foremost, happy belated fathers day to all you that identify as such.

And with that, I enjoyed it too.

Cuz, you know, Imma daddio too (as well, or something like that).

Sorry for the delay, but as a dad, my two boys took the opportunity to help me increase my caloric intake, as well as push the cholesterol a point or two higher. Yummy!

Then my night crew at one of the facilities I take calls for, said something smells off. Kinda like gas. Evacuate!

So any way, here it is Monday (Sunday if you squint).

Where were we?

Ah yes. Girth vs length. Can you have both? Yes you can.

Driveshafts, ya heathens!

So keep in mind, my custom "s" box follows the Johnny Cash song "one piece atta time"

1978-1979 d60 front axle- check
1990's sterhling axle rear- check
1996 drivetrain- check

When we opened up the bottom side, Eleanor had a 2 piece rear shaft, and a dana 44 front

Unc Killa- "I need some driveshafts built"
Crotchety Curmudgeon- "what size yolks? what length shafts? aluminum?
Unc Killa-"one part at a time..."
CC- "You figure it out, then well build it"
Unc Killa- "didn't cost me a dime"
CC-"No you can't bring it here for us to figure out. We'll teach you the math. Then you tell us what you need"
Unc Killa- "dafuuk?"

So that ain't happening. and word around town is, this shop is like that now with everybody.

kiddos- "but uncle killa, he has to know what he's building, based on what you need. He probably doesn't want to get taken to small claims court if his measurements are off"
Unc Killa-"agreed. But seriously, this used to be the shop for getting stuff done. Someone out there wants my money."

Well guess what. If a shop is losing business for not wanting to figure out angles and yolks, where is that business going?

Found it!

Awesome dudes. Loved my "s" box.

Young Guns- "We will get it done. Bring it to us. Want to make sure everything is what it should be"

Unk Killa (small tear drop forming)- "dafuuk"

Two weeks later, I present to you a critical piece of the jigsaw puzzle named Eleanor:








So for now, that critical aspect is completed.
Made some new friends too. Again, my "s" box apparently has appeal to like minded folks.

One piece driveshaft to boot?

Well that's good too (IMO. I'm sure someone out there thinks different. And that's fine. different strokes for different folks).

BTW, the blue whale in the background, Moby, well there will be a build on that as well. But first, Eleanor.
And if I do become a youtoober, gonna have to rethink that reference.

Reality though, this truck is my Eleanor.

Her real name though, that is to be revealed when she starts. (Insert Law and Order DaDum!)

Love and diesel,
Unc Killa out!

 

I squinted, but saw Wednesday.

Happy belated Father's day, and the driveshaft looks great.

 

Thank you. Sorry for the belated reply. Between work and a friends 64 impala wagon, been a busy week.