Like any other truck..
If you drive on the street it's not legal or safe. Motor stalls,zero steering. There's just an orbital valve and lines to dual ended ram. Hydro assist is just adding power plus locks it in straight going down road,no wondering. Awesome upgrade!!

 

Thanks for that! I'll have to do some research soon for that. Definitely sounds worthwhile!

 

If u want I can help you find where to tap for lines to hook up to ram.I've got picture diagrams of pressure sides on steering boxes.
Anyways Im out..

 

thanks 73 ford guy, I'll shoot you a PM when i get to that stage of the build.

Anyways, yesterday I properly dismantled the rear diff assembly so i could install the Spartan Locker. i had found that the part of the diff housing that holds the pinion pilot bearing had broken into three pieces. They'd obviously been broken a while as the broken edges had been polished and rounded off by tumbling around in the axle housing for lord knows how long, so now thats another thing for the shopping list.





also thought I'd take a picture of some of the cool little bits and pieces I've purchased just do dress it up a bit.



front and rear rock protectors purchased from broncograveyard.com. To the left you can sort of see part of the diff carrier, I installed the Spartan Locker in there despite not being able to reassemble the rest of the whole third member assembly just for the sake of doing something (I'm on holidays from work for two weeks lol)

in the next few days I hope to have the entire new front axle assembly installed in the truck and the transfer case out ready for the twin stick conversion.

 

Ok, so i made a bit more progress on the truck today. I went and picked up my front axle from the workshop where I have been working on it.
I've been rebuilding it since before I blew up the original diff that was in the truck, fitted up a new 4.56:1 ring and pinion, Yukon Zip locker and all new bearings throughout. this was the first diff I have ever set up that isn't a ford 9'', so it took a while. I also painted the front cover orange to just dress up the undercarriage a little. the steering knuckles and coil pads are getting the same treatment too, So I'm hoping it'll all look pretty sweet.




I actually managed to get the damn thing into the truck this afternoon and threw my back out in the process .
Also installed a new pair of front control arms i got off a friend a while ago, mostly just because they just looked in better condition and had fresh paint on them.



The shocks there are looking pretty crusty, so ill probably just hit them with some paint until I replace them with something fancier and more effective. I'll be putting the rest of the front end together soon with the aim of getting it on its front wheels and hopefully installing the ARB compact air compressor for the Zip locker.

As it sits at the moment, I'm reusing the original axle shafts and brake calipers short term. I plan on buying new calipers from JBG and also investing in Yukon chro-mo axles to put up with the 42'' rubber, its just a matter of getting my finances back in order.




I was doing a little photo archaeology the other day and found a picture of the truck not long at all after i bought it when i was 19. I bought it off a friend of mine who probably wont recognise it these days lol.




I still have that push bar somewhere, and i might put it back on if i cant make the tube bar i got off a mates early model toyota landcruiser fit with a bit of cutting and welding.

 

Made a little bit more progress today, and managed to get the transfer case out so I can twin stick it. the kit I'll be using is the JB custom fabrication kit that I got through JBG, I'll be sure to put up detailed pictures as some of you have asked during the conversion. All I know right now is that its going to suck putting it all back in.

It looks like its seen better days, i gave it a good blast with the pressure cleaner. im considering dismantling it and giving it a bit of a birthday, seeing as i may as well have bought shares in the orange rattle can epoxy paint company lol.


Cleaned the engine bay as well, before I put in the compressor and wiring for the zip locker. The engine bay paintwork has seen far better days, and the wiring has been an abomination since i bought it. The whole truck will be getting a respray and a new cab after I've competed in my first few competitions.
Also in the next few days, an Optima yellowtop battery and a nice aluminium battery hold down will be going in.



this is the new cab I mentioned, nothing really special, but i picked it up cheap and its got a LOT less rust than the current cab.

 

Heard the zip lockers are good. Hope it works out

 

It's amazing how quick you can bring a transfer case back to life, mine looked like it was lost in the woods for years but an hour and a half with a pnuematic wire wheel got this:



And because she's my Mistress I gave her a little bling:



Keep the pics coming!

 

Looks good AFTrucker!! my old bead locks look good with some decent rubber!

cheers Jeff

 

Haha small world hey Jeff

 

That case looks like new! I'll for sure do that as soon as I buy a new compressor. I'll be painting mine orange with all the covers in black.

 

Did some more truck work today, as it's my last day of holidays and needed a welcome distraction from breaking up with the girlfriend.

i got the transfer case out the other day and this morning started pulling the rear shift rail out so i can grind it to suit the twin stick operation. I more or less dismantled the entire case because A) i lost the roll pin and freeze plug for the shift fork in there and B) just to give it a general health check. Plus, it'll make it easier painting it all up to look a bit fancy as I've done with the front axle and suspension.

Also managed to mount the ARB compact air compressor and the dash swithces. haven't done any of the wiring yet, that'll most likely get done next weekend when i pick up the new battery.





and the dash switches




I got bored after a while of doing actual work on the truck that doesn't make it LOOK any faster, so i unbolted the hood scoop of my 78 Ford Falcon sedan and just sat it on there to see how it looked. The grill shell will get polished up once I've finished all the wiring there and also the LED strip lights I'll be using as park lights.

 

Also in the coming week, I'll bite the bullet and buy those chro-mo front axles for the D44 and the new brake calipers too.

 

just a quick update before i do some more work on the old girl this weekend,
I was in my workshop digging through some old parts when I came across these rims i bought ages ago and forgot about. They're 15x8s and will get the same black and orange treatment, and are most likely going to be wrapped in 38.5x15x15 Interco super Swamper TSLs. I'll still run the 42''IROKs on beadlocks for everything other than road driving and spur-of-the-moment type wheeling.

 

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