[mikedickbek]

Finally got more done... the front end.
Put the tires on today. yes, another dangerous balancing act putting them on by myself with a hi-lift jack. Oh well, I didn't drop the truck or kill myself.
I went to a local spring place for the u-bolts. They bent them while I waited and the price was reasonable. Thanks Hawaii Spring.
Re-building the knuckles was interesting. Took longer than I thought it would. Turned out good though. Wouldn't have been able to do it without searching through this site. Thanks guys.
First Pic: How I managed to put in the spring pin. I used a ratchet strap to lift the spring and axle and pushed and pulled till it was all lined up. Used Grade 8 bolts.
Second pic: Filling the knuckle with grease.
Third pic: I just love laying out new parts!

[mikedickbek]

Now here are a couple pics of the front end on wheels. Didn't buy new ones. I'll have to do a lot of saving up for that.
It feels like I got a lot done, even though it was just putting on the tires. It feels a lot closer to being done!
Now I just have to do the rear end!

[Moe R]

Looking Great!! One day at a time.

[atoyot]

Originally Posted by mikedickbek

I know vertually nothing about cars and trucks, so I think this is going to be a GREAT learning experience for me. So here goes nothing!

I think you need to give yourself a little more credit. You know more than the average joe! Awesome build thread. I'm surprised you didn't go SOA while you had it all apart. Congratulations on the baby boy and the awesome cruiser!

I missed it, what kind of springs are those?

[AKcruiserfreak]

Great job man! It's getting there.

TK

[mikedickbek]

Originally Posted by atoyot

I think you need to give yourself a little more credit. You know more than the average joe! Awesome build thread. I'm surprised you didn't go SOA while you had it all apart. Congratulations on the baby boy and the awesome cruiser!

I missed it, what kind of springs are those?

Yeah, well when I started, I was really hurting. If it weren't for this forum, I wouldn't have thought about trying this.

As for the springs, they're rough country. I don't know what size though. They were on the truck when I bought it and the po didn't say anything about them. When I was taking it apart I saw the yellow paint saying 'rough country' on the top covered in dirt and grime. I emailed the company to see what size they were and the measurements he sent back didn't match what I have. If I had to guess, I'd guess they're 2.5" lift springs that have sagged a bit.

Thanks,
Mike

[TLCHopII]

Look'n real good Mike!
Wanna do my knuckles when your pau?
What's next? besides the rear axle (it should be perty staight forward unless your doing mods there?)?

[mikedickbek]

Hey Dave,
Rear Axle - clean, paint, put back together
Electrical - run rear lights and everything I can with body off
Body - Grind off those stupid body lift chuncks that the po put on, paint underneath and engine compt.
Body - install with new body mounts, do a little body filling (bondo), paint
Electrical - re-intall all electrical
Interior - put it all back in
Bumpers - put them back on. Planning on removing the big front bumper rails and just having the standard looking front end.

I'm sure I'm missing a lot, but that's the plan as of now.

I'd be happy to do your knuckles!! Now that I've got it down that is...

[JR FJ40]

For someone who thinks they know next to nothing your REALLY KICKIN ASS!!! I just joined here about a week ago and am having a blast reading all the threads. This is one of the best yet. I can't wait to see whats next. Congrats on having the Guts to make it happen.

[TLCHopII]

Originally Posted by mikedickbek

Hey Dave,
Rear Axle - clean, paint, put back together
Electrical - run rear lights and everything I can with body off
Body - Grind off those stupid body lift chuncks that the po put on, paint underneath and engine compt.
Body - install with new body mounts, do a little body filling (bondo), paint
Electrical - re-intall all electrical
Interior - put it all back in
Bumpers - put them back on. Planning on removing the big front bumper rails and just having the standard looking front end.

I'm sure I'm missing a lot, but that's the plan as of now.

I'd be happy to do your knuckles!! Now that I've got it down that is...

Shoots: I have a bit of 2"x6"x1/4" steel box tube...How bout trade: When we both have more time; one front, air resevoir bumper made to order for a knuckle job ( the TLC kind. LOL) I will of course supply the parts. LMK.

About to finish this project and will be rejoining the ranks of the "standard" work day. so after a bit of rest lmk if you need help.

[mikedickbek]

Sounds good bro, that'd be sweet!!

JR FJ40, thanks a lot. Stick around and keep reading EVERYTHING you can find on this site. You'll learn pretty much everything you'll need to know.
Take care,
mike

[mikedickbek]

Started taking apart the rear axle. Lost my Aussie instructions so had to wing it. Was easier than I thought!

[mikedickbek]

Now I've got to sand down the housing, Por it and fix the leaky driver's side. Then put it all back together and hope it works!!

[mikedickbek]

Finished up the rear axle today. Painted it last week, so yesterday I went out and started to put it all back together. Notice the third pic. That's with the locker finally put back in. Notice anything missing? Oh yeah, the brakes.

[mikedickbek]

So today, I went back out to re-remove the locker so I could slide out the axles and re-install the brakes.
Got it all back together in record time. I'm starting to get the hang of putting these aussie's in. Pretty easy now!!

[reservefj40]

Man, the progress looks awesome. I hope my looks half that good when I start my frame-off. Keep up the good work and keep the pics coming.

[mikedickbek]

Finally got my ass back out to the garage, and got a lot done.
I've been doing little things here and there, but none of it seemed as if it would warrant a new post. After a while, I noticed that it was all slowly adding up, so it's time again to start posting.
I finished off the rear axle and leaf springs. Installed them and put the rear wheels back on. Now I can finally rest assured that the cruiser won't fall on the garage floor! I was always worried about one of the stands 'failing'.
Finished off the wiring to the rear end, and installed the brake lines.
Now, I'm in the process of grinding off those damned make shift body lift blocks so I can finally get the tub back on!
Since I'm not even supposed to change my oil at my house (due to housing area regulations), I can't do any loud work in there when the neighbor is home, or I'm SURE she will rat me out. There's abosolutely NO love between us. ha ha. So since it seems that she rarely works, grinding those suckers off might take some time. I've got two of the six off, and hope to have the other four off sometime this week or next.
In the 'quiet' time that she's home, I prepped and painted the drive shafts, so those are now ready to go on as well.

To those of you that were following this post, I'm sorry for the down time. It's been pretty hectic with the new addition to our family. On my days off work, I don't want to disapear into the garage all day... my wife needs days off too... I'm sure some of you will understand.

I'll post up pics of all the progress soon.

[AndyM]

Nice work and I more than understand. With little ones, garage time is at a premium. Last weekend my wife and daughter went out of town. I started sanding in the morning and the neighbor came over to ask me to stop. We're new to the neighborhood so I did (don't want to piss people off already ) Sure makes it tough to make any progress....

Good luck and keep the posts coming.

[nspctr1]

Awesome job.... My wife would kill me if I made that mess in our garage tho.. ha..

[TLCHopII]

Good to hear your back at it Mike!

That little one is a doll! It's good to have the priorities straight. She's gotta come first!

Sounds like you have a rolling chassis! Well done. Two ideas for the loud noise issue: 1. Barrow a hand portable band saw (yes I am offering). 2. rig up a tow hitch and take it down to the craft shop. It's amazing what one can do with half a day and no restrictions.
FYI: i'ld lend you the plazma cutter and scuba tank (for silent air source) but it's down waiting on parts.

Give me a call I'll be working on reassembly of my tranny/driveline most of the day.
Dave

[1973Guppie]

looks good! I know what you mean about trying to find some time with a little one! my little girl is 4 months and I get out in the garage much less now......

tell that neighbor to take a flying leap.

[mikedickbek]

Okay, finally some pics.
The first one here one of the body lift blocks I ground off. The next few are some that still have to come off. What a pita.

[mikedickbek]

Here's a couple overall pics. Will post up more when i finally get the tub on!!!

[CruisinMT]

looks like you're making a lot of progress. Good Work.

[TLCHopII]

Way to go Mike!

[fj40_73]

Ha, you have the same safety shoes I ware. Looking good on your project.

[saltrig]

Mike, I bet you can't wait to get that rig rolling down the Pali Highway.

[mikedickbek]

Yup, it's going to be awesome! Thanks for the replies guys! And as far as my 'safety shoes' go, I can't seem to find the motivation to get completely dressed while going out there. ha ha. I'm a lazy s.o.b.
I'm sure when I drop something on my feet I'll learn... well, probably not even then...

[Wyo4x4]

Wow. The rig is looking great. Cant wait to see her come along. I'm super jealous, wish it was me.

[shorty 40]

shes going to be one sweet ride when shes done keep up the goood work