3rd time is a charm build

[rockcod]

Out with the old and in with the new, got the pinion angle set to 10* and the caster angles set to 5*. Rotating the knuckles proved to be a little problematic, had to break out the MAP gas torch and heat the tube a bit, then use a 5' bar in the holes for the trunion bearings to rotate the knuckles. After double checking everything I tacked the spring perches and knuckles to keep everything right where it is. The axle housing will be coming back out to fully weld everything up.

 

[Diskord]

What is the reason for setting the caster to +5?

 

[rockcod]

What is the reason for setting the caster to +5?

Due to the fact it will see freeway driving and the size tires that will I will be running.

 

[rockcod]

Once again life comes first, my mom fell and broke her hip last week and I have been dealing with doctors, hospital issues and now a rehab facility. Things are starting to settle down and I can spend some time in the garage and regain my sanity.

Sitting in a hospital room gives one time to think about things, and I have been thinking about my caster readings. My eyes aren't what they used to be and did not like the way the angle finder was operating, so I went and bought a digital level. I am glad I did, the passenger side was set to 5* and the driver side was at 7.2* even though the degree wheel was set at 5*. This morning I the driver side caster to 5* before going to check on mom.

 

[DSRTRDR]

sorry to hear about your mother - spend as much time as you can, they don't get any younger

 

[rockcod]

Having gotten through my mom's ordeal, the wife is diagnosed with thyroid cancer. She had it removed a couple weeks ago and will be doing some chemo treatment starting on the 5th. So between all that the weather has been absolutely non-conducive to working in the garage. It did allow me time to gather more parts.

I have been held up on the front axle, I ordered from Longfield, the heavy duty wipers and have not received them, I read somewhere Bobby is sick and not doing well. We will have to see when I receive those to finish the front axle.

I rebuilt the Q-Jet, sand blasted the exhaust manifolds and then gave them the POR20 treatment. Cleaned up the motor and installed the new intake, carb and manifolds. Today was a productive day for a change, now to get a few more of them!!!

 

[rockcod]

I finished painting the firewall black, installed the booster I had rebuilt, by ABS Brake in Orange, mated the new master (for 4 wheel disc) to the booster and put on the new valve covers. I received the wipers from Bobby Long, so I will be doing the knuckles tomorrow.

 

[rockcod]

Installed the Marlin double axle seals and new trunnion bearings, got the preload set and everything torqued down. Then moved on to install the Longfield wipers, these are almost an excercise in futility to install. They are very thick and do not want to be bolted down. Thankfully the rock rings are pretty stout and do not bend, I could not imagine trying to use the factory retaining rings. Once they were all tightened down, the knuckle barely turns, I am told this is normal so we will see!!!

 

[rockcod]

Now that the knuckles are on for good, I dropped in the new tie rod, 1 1/4" DOM and FJ80 ends, it is really stout!!

 

[Pierps]

This build is inspiring!

Sorry to hear about the health issues in your family... hopefully the time you get to spend in the shop is therapeutic.

I'm interested in how that por20 holds up. I want to do something about my rusty rams horns...

 

[rockcod]

Got a couple of hours in the garage this morning before heading to the in-laws for a bbq. I needed to get the inner axles out of the old front axle to use in the new axle. The best part is, the little guy came out to help! He has been dying to tear into the old axle for some reason. We got him gloved up and he helped me remove the hub and knuckle assembly on one side, then did the other side all by himself and he works for slurpees!!!!

Tomorrow we are installing the ARB and the axles, I just realized I never bought wheel bearings. So we will go as far as we can tomorrow.

 

[rockcod]

Did not get the axle assembled over the weekend, but I did take advantage of the pick-a-part yard having their 50% off sale. I picked up a tilt steering column from a 94 Camaro and all the associated electrical plugs so later on I will be able to make everything work. A throttle cable from a 90's Chevy truck was used to link the carburetor to the factory gas pedal. I did have to buy a lawn mower throttle cable clamp, it fits perfectly into the end of the pedal, just like the factory cable end. This morning I "martacked" the inner axles eliminating the pesky inner snap ring.

 

[rockcod]

Baby steps today, but progress is progress. Bolted in the new ARB'd 3rd member and put on the braided fuel line from the pump to the carb. Trying to find the thread that covers the part number for an adapter that fits the stock gas tank thread and goes to a 6 AN fitting, I am running braided line from the gas tank to the carb.

 

[rockcod]

Today I cut down the disc brake dust covers, they act as a spacer for the inner dust seal.

Disassembled the birfields to check for wear and to remove old grease. I found they had minimal wear and were in great shape, I dont think the FJ60 they were pulled from saw much wheeling.

Installed the inner axles, birfields, bash plates, gaskets, spacers, seals and torqued everything down. I have made several trips to the auto parts shop and every time I forgot to pick up wheel bearings

The parts pile is getting smaller and I am gaining room in the garage, I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. With any luck it wheel be back on all 4 tires this weekend.

 

[rockcod]

Inner star gear and the nice and clean knuckle assembly showing the inner dust seal, black spacer and bash plate, the whole assembly awaiting wheel bearings, hubs, rotors and calipers.

 

[rockcod]

Got 1 side done today, had to make several trips to the parts house, mis-labeled parts boxes proved to be very problematic for me.

Made the mistake of throwing away the old races when I had the hubs sand blasted, it sure makes it difficult to get the new races in without them.

I had some more help from the little guy, nice working with clean parts, he doesn't get as dirty and keeps me in good standing with the warden.

Bolted the the new calipers on and realized the wheels have the wrong offset, soooooo off come the calipers to get the front wheels bolted up and on the ground for the first time in a bout 3 months. Tomorrow, the other side,

 

[rockcod]

Pretty happy with the way it is going to sit (a little difficult to tell in the garage and all the crap around it), tomorrow I will mount the fenders back on and roll it outside for a driveway poser shot. Having it back on 4 wheels is a major accomplishment and gives me the motivation I need to get it finished.

 

[Longfield]

Nice work mister.

 

[rockcod]

Hi Bobby and Thank you! I hope all is well and take care.

 

[rockcod]

I have been at the firehouse for the last 5 days, so nothing got done that I had planned. This morning between my sons water polo matches I was able to get the other side of the front axle buttoned up and all 4 tires on the ground for the first time in quite a while. I even had enough time to hang the the front fenders. There are some serious alignment issues with the fenders and body. They were not lined up when I bought the 40, I think the body was positioned crooked on the frame, I will have to address that once the rear axle is finished. But it is starting to look like a complete cruiser again!!! Tomorrow I will spin the 40 around and start on the rear axle, setting the pinion angle, weld on the perches, weld on the shock mounts, bolt in the disc brakes and the new brake lines.