I have been away from here for a while, and haven't been working on my truck either. Life gets busy fast. Some of you may remember I broke the pinion in my 77 F150, and what should have been a couple month job with me doing the rear end, has turned into almost 4 years, and everything gone but the frame from the cab back. Cleaned it up and rust encapsulated it. Cleaned and repainted leaf springs, blocks and plates. New poly bushings (hope they don't squeak). All new leaf spring bolts Restored the drum brake backers, and rebuilt with all new components. 3.50 gears with a Truetrac, new Wild Horses 4x4 shafts. Had a new spline and slip yoke put on my driveshaft. All new parking brake cables, new brake lines for the whole truck, whole new fuel lines. Finally found the original style brake and fuel line clips. Literally everything has been restored, or is new. I am finally getting ready to start some assembly, and its been so long I am not sure what I need to tackle first. The truck is sitting on two 12 ton jack stands currently, and has for 3 years. I am thinking the first step is to get the suspension and axle under it so I can get it off the jackstand while I am working on other things. Be safer and actually could roll it around if I need to. Had taken the original radiator to a shop for cleaning, but he said it was too far gone to save. So $750 later I have a new radiator, heater core, and waterpump coming. I don't want to even think about how much money I have spent on this truck. It will be worth it when I get to drive it again. Hope you all have been well!

 

Welcome back! I agree that the axle would be a good first step. I would then do all brake related work, the driveline. Post some pics for us.

 

I’ve been working on a folder of all the pics of the truck on my phone. I’m gonna try to organize them and post the progress. My dad has been on me about getting it done. Grew up with a 77 F-150 custom my dad drove til the mid 90s before he sold it. He bought this truck for me in January 2020. I had chased it for years but the original owner didn’t want to sell. But I got it. Dad wants to take a ride and have a cold beer while listening to the radio like we used to.

 

Having a "roller" sure makes it easier to get to it, and to put back out of the way, in case life gets busy again. It has been known to happen. X2 get the axle back under it. Have you been breaker bar turning the motor over every so often? Or did you put some oil in the cylinders for long term storage?

A set of car skates can be very helpful. Even with no tires or wheels you can make it a roller.

Yes $ but heavy duty and do not bend or break. You get what you pay for in the end.
https://www.northerntool.com/product...E&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

Damn thats a lot of money for 2 wheel dollies and what are you moving a 18 wheeler at 10K?
Here is a list from HF https://www.harborfreight.com/search...0wheel%20dolly

I have 8 of this type as I had a car and my truck I had to move around at the same time.
https://www.harborfreight.com/2-piec...ies-67338.html
$130+ tax and it is moving where ever you want it.
I will tell you they roll a lot better on smooth concrete than ruff / stone type.
Dave ----

 

Well, for the longest time I was running a fuel line into a jug and cranking it every so often until I pulled the radiator last winter. I didn’t think about putting some oil in the cylinders. Probably should have. Motor ran great before and used no oil. Getting all my tools organized so I can hopefully make better progress. Got a little more wire wheeling to do so I finish the last little portion of the frame, then it’s assembly time. Work tomorrow and Friday, then I’m off for 9 days. Plan on trying to get it all done. Cooling system parts will be here tomorrow. Just want to get the truck running and driving again then I am going to have to tackle the front end. Got some leaking seals in the D44 and a bad joint that squeaks in reverse. Figured I’d go ahead and just redo the whole thing while I have it apart. Always something.

 

Absolutely it is, but I had to move a tractor split in half one time on one or 2 of them, or a 3/4 ton 4wd Ford truck with no wheels or tires. Like set the brake drums on them and push is around the shop. And or just set the center differential on one of them and go.

I once loaned 4 wheel cart to a buddy. He moved his monster trucks 2.5 ton axles (one at a time on it)...now it is bowed a little. So I upgraded to the heavy duty ones and I do not worry about bending anything anymore. EVER.

Yes I did not eat that week, but I got me 4 ea heavy duty 4 wheel dollies. Lol

 

Yeah, no kidding. One tiny little pebble and the whole thing comes screeching to a halt. Also a nightmare if you have any expansion joints in your garage like we do.

 

“Zip tie has entered the chat”. Seriously nothing pissed me off more than my creaper catching on literally anything and locking up. I just used a cardboard slab for a while before jetting a Jegs foam mat. It has held up surprising well and is pretty comfortable.

 

Get the Jack of all jacks then. https://www.harborfreight.com/3-ton-...ack-59136.html

 

The one thing that pisses me off about my garage. The previous owner built it, and I could have done a better finish with a broom!!! Some spots still have the rake marks from using a rake as a come-a-long. It’s always sucked to move my woodworking tools around, let alone a truck.

 

Got the leaf springs and axle housing hung last night, jack stands are under the axle tube now. Little dicey trying to get the axle tube positioned, blocks, plates and U bolts where they need to be by myself, but got it done. Going to try to install the center section and axles tonight or tomorrow. Was looking through my pictures and can't tell, but the brake backers go on the axle first, then the axle retaining plate? Also anyone have the bolt size for the rear shock? Mine were badly corroded and I tossed them without thinking.

 

Measured and went by tractor supply to get some 1/2” 2.5” long grade 8 bolts for the shocks, and two lock nuts. Get home and realize the bolts I grabbed were 1/2” FINE thread. In the wrong location and I wasn’t paying attention. Damnit.

 

Got the shocks installed, center section in place and torqued (of course I replaced the axle ID tag). Got the left backing plate and axle installed, bolts torqued to 50 lb/ft. Hopefully get the right side installed tonight or tomorrow. Little bit of a bear to get everything lined up, axle in, and bolts through but I managed. Had already build the brakes, and now realize I need to partially disassemble to get the e brake cables installed. I figure this would happen, one step forward two steps back. But it's been a few years since I did them, so will pull completely apart and regrease the backing plate.