1981 Pick-up Build

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While not nearly as exciting as Ted's new purchase, I got the last pieces of my PS setup.
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And decided I didn't want to be a redneck anymore.
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It's all porn to me, some a little better than others but still porn!! Keep rockin' it!
 
Well I guess I gotta bring it now since I'm the only uncool kid still burning flux... maybe when I get the barn closed in I cam hit the bottle too?

Looking forward to your thoughts on the TG power steering. Erin's sami need PS and I been eyein' soma there stuff.
 
jynx said:
Well I guess I gotta bring it now since I'm the only uncool kid still burning flux... maybe when I get the barn closed in I cam hit the bottle too?

Looking forward to your thoughts on the TG power steering. Erin's sami need PS and I been eyein' soma there stuff.
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If it makes you feel any better, I'm still uncool. The thing I didn't realize was how much cheaper non flux wire is. There's an initial investment but it looks like you'd make your money back pretty quick depending on how much you weld.
 
With all the porn references, I figured I post a pic of my wood...

Picked up a free cypress drop from one of my job sites in FL and had this milled up yesterday. The only problem is I have to let it sit for 9 months before I can do anything with it.

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That is an awesome slab. What are the plans for that?
 
Coffee table to keep the wife happy. I've got about 8 more boards similar to that.

If the truck isn't done by the time it dries, I'm going to push it out in the woods and burn it. I'm shooting to have the truck done by the pig roast.
 
tgreco said:
Coffee table to keep the wife happy. I've got about 8 more boards similar to that.
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Whatcha gonna do with them all? :hmm: Maybe I can find something to trade you for one, or some doll hairs...
 
I can let at most 2 go if you are interested. They are 5' long x 2" thick. Widths vary between 16" and 22".

We're a little ways apart but I can hold one for you until a communal wheelin trip. I've only got $80 in all the boards so I would take a pretty minimal trade. Shoot me a pm with your number if you want to work something out.

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No comment... I'm about ready to starting sticking some metal together in the front, but time has been sparse and bracket removal/grinding has taken longer than expected.

One question while I'm here: I'm about ready to burn in the front spring hanger, but looking for some insight into determining final placement. My thought is to get my spring pack built, set the axle under the truck, and bolt up the springs. My thought would be to clamp the hanger in place with weight on the springs/axle, adjust the hanger to get my shackle angle correct, and then burn in the hanger. Does this sound reasonable?

I'm thinking about playing hookie from work a couple of days next week and trying to knock it out. The Pig Roast is good motivation, but I might be looking for a seat.
 
tgreco said:
One question while I'm here: I'm about ready to burn in the front spring hanger, but looking for some insight into determining final placement. My thought is to get my spring pack built, set the axle under the truck, and bolt up the springs. My thought would be to clamp the hanger in place with weight on the springs/axle, adjust the hanger to get my shackle angle correct, and then burn in the hanger. Does this sound reasonable?
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sounds about right. Ideally the shackle angle is about 45*.
 
Thanks for the reminder Ted-Thanks to you I decided to cut out of work early and get some real work done. Dropped the rear axle and springs and about ready to put the RUF pack together. I'm going to start with a 6 leaf pack with an extra anti-wrap half leaf on top. Modeling the pack after 4crawler's. Unfortunately the kids got home from school and now all I can do is sit here and post on the Internet.

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Made a little progress this weekend. I'm starting with a 6 spring pack + antiwrap. Don't worry about the wing nut, I had to cut off the old pins and couldn't resist hanging the springs to check fit.

Thoughts on paint? I've heard tractor supply sells some graphite paint which is supposed to cut down on squeaking. Also, what have others done with spring clamps? I retained the stock clamps on the top 3 springs but wondering about the lower leaves.

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all kinds of clamp options. This is a home brew option

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regarding paint, I prefer Rustoleum Gloss Black. $5 at home Depot.

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Are those your springs? I read a few threads on clamps and the attachment point to the spring is what is confounding. I think I'm going to mod the rear clamp in lieu of dealing with the existing rivet and just reuse the clamps on the top 3 springs with a single clamp like you pictured to hold the rest together on the rear of the spring.

I also went with this paint for the springs. Got it at tractor supply. Tried to use it on the wife and she rolled her eyes and told me I'd have better luck keeping it on the truck.
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Not too much of an update but got a lot of grunt work done today. The board has been a little slow lately, so I figured I'd try and get things going.

RUFs are painted but bought damn coarse thread nuts for fine thread bolts so I couldn't get them assembled. High steer arms on with preload within spec - I did have to pull a thin shim on the drivers side.

I think I may be able to get the axle hung tomorrow and start on the PS box install.

On a side note, welding with gas kicks ass. I always thought I just needed more practice to lay good beads, but I think it was flux that was the problem.

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I contemplated the truss today but still think I'm going to leave it off.
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Very likely. Are these your 35s I was going to buy before? What is the tire width and wheel BS?
I assume your liking your new tires.

It sounds like I need to do some business with you TN guys, so maybe we could squeeze in a non-sanctioned ride that is in the Chattanooga area in the next couple of months (AOP comes to mind but there are other spots up there).
 
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