Builds Project Snowball ❄️ 85 FJ60 Cummins 4BT/ HX-30 SUPER/ NV4500/ SOA (1 Viewer)

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Hopeful the last time I’ll need to remove the axles for final finish up work. Time to install the front 3rd member & locker, disassemble the front leaf pack and add the longer OME add a leaf. Pressure wash & wire wheel them. Dry and primer and paint. Reassemble the pack. Paint the rest of the Ruffstuff SOA hardware. Weld on the hangers and primer and paint. Degrease and clean knuckles and get ready for reassembly. Construct new transfer case crossmember. Connect drivelines. Work on the brakes. A lot of projects still but moving forward. I’ve learned to be patient. The year mark for the 4BT/ SOA conversion is closing in on Mid- January. I thought this project would be half a year but it’s tough with a family, work and enjoying life. The 60 work can’t take up all my time...
 
...I thought this project would be half a year...

Yes but your project snowballed... :rofl: Ok couldn't help myself.

I'm hoping we've got it back on the ground by the end of December. If you finish up the frame welding and get all the painting done reassembly will go quick.
 
Yes but your project snowballed... :rofl: Ok couldn't help myself.

I'm hoping we've got it back on the ground by the end of December. If you finish up the frame welding and get all the painting done reassembly will go quick.
It definitely snowballed in a great way Mike:clap:
 
This Krylon spray paint is amazing stuff. Sets up fast and has a great feel when dry... perhaps is the good job I’m doing with the flap disc:rofl:
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Snows falling and temps getting cooler on Hood. Today was finish up for the Timberline snow gun system. Met with electrian and ran the 480Volt 3phase service to our VFD controller. Bled the air from system and turned it on.
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Set drive parameters and started flowing water.
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Cooler next week which will be perfect snow making conditions.
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Was awesome at 105psi not having one leak.
 
Solo day trying to get as much off my bucket list as possible. Set the rear axle on axle stands and removed springs and shackles. Pressure washed the Chevy 63s and started primer/ painting the Ruff Stuff hardware.
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Welded the front shackle hangers and spring hanger to the frame. Used a 2” PVC pipe to go over the rubber bushing to keep the paint off of it.
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Welding the inside spring hangers was fun to figure out. With it so tight I had to weld from the opposite side looking under the transmission and bell housing.
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Welded the top side of the overload plates on rear axle to keep water out of the top. Primer and painted the overload plates.
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Next on the list is painting the 63s when dry. Clean the seal on the differential so the 3rd can be installed. Disassemble the front leaf pack. Wire wheel and clean up. Paint and add in the new add a leaf. Start cleaning up and preparing the knuckles. Getting closer...
 
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Neat idea on the plates on the spring perches for the overloads. I should do that.
 
Front leaf pack disassemble. Used pipe vice to clamp spring. Claw part of hammer worked really well to remove the clamps.
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Once free, cut nut on bottom of pack with grinder then used punch to drive out the bolt. The bolts were really hard to remove.
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Got out wire wheel and started the cleaning process.
BEFORE
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AFTER
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Just caught up, looks awesome! This thing is going to so much nicer than mine, good idea on the antiwrap. Snow run in the forecast??
 
Just caught up, looks awesome! This thing is going to so much nicer than mine, good idea on the antiwrap. Snow run in the forecast??
Not much this week... bummer. Cold enough for the ski resorts to make snow.
 
Feel like I’ve learned so much building this thing.
Most important part is knowing how to be a good welder. Once that’s figured out you just build from there.
 

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