Chungas Revenge
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Mynever sees anything either...
Had to quit typing I was laughing so hard.....
Builds 76 Fj40 Face Lift (2 Viewers)
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Had to quit typing I was laughing so hard.....
It was at this point I had to make an unscheduled "head call"...Note the last pic..I think I figured out how I managed to get Anti-Seez on
Rubber gloves. Mehhhh.
This is where a helper, like Ole Randy or whatever his name was, would be "hand"y...
Chungas Revenge
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Added the u-bolts and the lower retaining plate...
1. Pretty straight forward. There is one long and one short U-bolt on the passenger side. Air gun used. Not tightened or torqued to spec yet.
2. Used the floor jack to flex the system IOT check the Anti-inversion shackle.
That's a "Whole lotta' leaf spring".
Except for torquing everything to final spec, the passenger side front is now "one for the ages"....Also note, a very liberal amount of Never-Seez was applied to every fastener and bolt as well as a impromptu skin treatment of sorts....
1. Pretty straight forward. There is one long and one short U-bolt on the passenger side. Air gun used. Not tightened or torqued to spec yet.
2. Used the floor jack to flex the system IOT check the Anti-inversion shackle.
That's a "Whole lotta' leaf spring".
Except for torquing everything to final spec, the passenger side front is now "one for the ages"....Also note, a very liberal amount of Never-Seez was applied to every fastener and bolt as well as a impromptu skin treatment of sorts....
Chungas Revenge
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- #844
I can see it now...
"Hey Fred can you help me wipe this stuff off? No that ain't worken', use your lighter to sterilize it first"...
wait, you borrowed some wheel chocks from a 10T dump truck. I'm really glad to hear that you are practicing safe jacking techniques and that you were honest enough to return said chocks. Just one question, was the 10T dump truck still in the place it was when the chocks were "borrowed?"
DSB345
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Your coming along nicely!!
Chungas Revenge
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That "truck" hasn't moved in six months. I don't think it would roll down a hill. But, I stuffed a couple of blocks I "borrowed" from the Engineer yard under the 10T....You can see where this is going to spiral..
Checked on the Bolivia expedition. They haven't posted anything in awhile.
Chungas Revenge
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Only eight months behind my original boast of "should have it wrapped up (spring swap) by the end of June"...But who's counting, right?..
Chungas Revenge
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@beno
Over the past few months, I've scoured the hallowed halls of the forum, E- bay and just about any conclave of TLC aficionados I could infiltrate, IOT locate a "good" set of ASCO hubs for the mule.
Finding a set for a 76 has been an Odyssey of sorts (read long axle). Tales of "I just sold a set, I have one for an 80, or I'm looken' to trade a set for a late model Mercedes" vexed me continuously in my unproductive search.
The Selectro hubs I currently run are by no means junk. In fact, they are the easiest hub I've ever turned. But, and I think most would agree, the Selectro's just don't compare to the ASCO's in performance, ruggedness and overall quality. At least that's my overwrought rationalization.
The Selectros have done yeoman work and I have no particular distaste for them per-say. In fact, I'm going to keep them for spares.
I was beginning to think short of scouring a bone yard in Saudi Arabia I was out of luck. Then I realized, via an over due epiphany, that the answer was there all along.
I sent a PM to the "Budda-zud-pha, the Big Kahuna, His Royal Eminence - Onur of Georgia.
A few days later He had a pair in hand. Although I did drop a princely sum on the hubs, they didn't break the bank entirely ( I do get to eat most of this week) and come with new new OEM o-rings for the caps and new OEM face and flange gaskets. All and all I am extremely pleased with the transaction.
The only fly in the ointment came from my end. Apparently, I can't spell. I juxtaposed the "O" in Onur for a phonetically translated "A", when sending money via Pay-Pal. Well, after all, I am a product of the WV Public school system and take certain liberties when tossing out a random vowel.
Thanks "Onur" for your diligence in tracking down the hubs and overlooking my inability to type..
Hubs should be in the mail room on Tuesday!
Over the past few months, I've scoured the hallowed halls of the forum, E- bay and just about any conclave of TLC aficionados I could infiltrate, IOT locate a "good" set of ASCO hubs for the mule.
Finding a set for a 76 has been an Odyssey of sorts (read long axle). Tales of "I just sold a set, I have one for an 80, or I'm looken' to trade a set for a late model Mercedes" vexed me continuously in my unproductive search.
The Selectro hubs I currently run are by no means junk. In fact, they are the easiest hub I've ever turned. But, and I think most would agree, the Selectro's just don't compare to the ASCO's in performance, ruggedness and overall quality. At least that's my overwrought rationalization.
The Selectros have done yeoman work and I have no particular distaste for them per-say. In fact, I'm going to keep them for spares.
I was beginning to think short of scouring a bone yard in Saudi Arabia I was out of luck. Then I realized, via an over due epiphany, that the answer was there all along.
I sent a PM to the "Budda-zud-pha, the Big Kahuna, His Royal Eminence - Onur of Georgia.
A few days later He had a pair in hand. Although I did drop a princely sum on the hubs, they didn't break the bank entirely ( I do get to eat most of this week) and come with new new OEM o-rings for the caps and new OEM face and flange gaskets. All and all I am extremely pleased with the transaction.
The only fly in the ointment came from my end. Apparently, I can't spell. I juxtaposed the "O" in Onur for a phonetically translated "A", when sending money via Pay-Pal. Well, after all, I am a product of the WV Public school system and take certain liberties when tossing out a random vowel.
Thanks "Onur" for your diligence in tracking down the hubs and overlooking my inability to type..
Hubs should be in the mail room on Tuesday!
DSB345
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DSB345
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Chungas Revenge
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Had some overdue chores this AM, bathing being the past due preeminent social obligation. Saturday night sneaks right up on ya if your not careful. Next thing you know there's a nagging (smell) thought that just won't go away...
Falling temps and a fresh blanket of snow here in the mountain state today. Bathing, laundry and the weekly procurement of victuals took up most of the morning. Going to have second breakfast (it's a real meal) before heading over to the garage this AM to survey the shocks (front).
I'll catch up now on yesterday's engagement. Passenger side engagement went off according to plan. Perches gave no resistance, rust was subdued with a week long pounding of PB, and the bushings gave up in the early hours of the ground campaign..
Re-installation was a mirror image of the earlier ground phase...Pics, are a mix and match of Passenger and Drivers side tear down/installation....As it turns out I had more "opportunity" to study the drivers side. More on that later.
1. Install bushings on front shackle mount. Used a piece of 2x6 to assist (Flat side + mallet)
2. Install bushings on spring (shackle end)
3. Install bushings at fixed end of spring pack.
4. Install bushing on fixed end mount (perch)
5. Place spring pack on floor jack.
6. Raise spring pack w/floor jack into position on the fixed end (perch). Had to slightly twist springs into position.
7. Place jack stand under shackle end of spring pack.
8. reposition's floor jack closer to fixed end. Slowly raise into position. Pic shows yellow bushing before re-positioning jack closer.
9. Break out super secret weapon = RBFWH.
10. Couple gentle taps with RBFWH and fixed end is in place.
11. Added pin and nut. Left loose.
12. Re-position jack to middle of spring pack.
13. Raise spring pack w/jack until shackle end is in position.
14. Add anti-inversion shackle. Leave retaining bolts loose.
15. Install u-bolts over axle. Add leaf spring seats, washers and bolts, tighten for security.
16. Make disparaging and boastful remarks at the ease of the entire process. Take note that I must be a Jeenious, Genous, Jeanious well I must be pretty smart..
Unbeknownst to me the ole' mule gave up the passenger side as a delaying tactic IOT bolster it's defenses on the drivers side. More to follow.
More pics in another post momentarily
Falling temps and a fresh blanket of snow here in the mountain state today. Bathing, laundry and the weekly procurement of victuals took up most of the morning. Going to have second breakfast (it's a real meal) before heading over to the garage this AM to survey the shocks (front).
I'll catch up now on yesterday's engagement. Passenger side engagement went off according to plan. Perches gave no resistance, rust was subdued with a week long pounding of PB, and the bushings gave up in the early hours of the ground campaign..
Re-installation was a mirror image of the earlier ground phase...Pics, are a mix and match of Passenger and Drivers side tear down/installation....As it turns out I had more "opportunity" to study the drivers side. More on that later.
1. Install bushings on front shackle mount. Used a piece of 2x6 to assist (Flat side + mallet)
2. Install bushings on spring (shackle end)
3. Install bushings at fixed end of spring pack.
4. Install bushing on fixed end mount (perch)
5. Place spring pack on floor jack.
6. Raise spring pack w/floor jack into position on the fixed end (perch). Had to slightly twist springs into position.
7. Place jack stand under shackle end of spring pack.
8. reposition's floor jack closer to fixed end. Slowly raise into position. Pic shows yellow bushing before re-positioning jack closer.
9. Break out super secret weapon = RBFWH.
10. Couple gentle taps with RBFWH and fixed end is in place.
11. Added pin and nut. Left loose.
12. Re-position jack to middle of spring pack.
13. Raise spring pack w/jack until shackle end is in position.
14. Add anti-inversion shackle. Leave retaining bolts loose.
15. Install u-bolts over axle. Add leaf spring seats, washers and bolts, tighten for security.
16. Make disparaging and boastful remarks at the ease of the entire process. Take note that I must be a Jeenious, Genous, Jeanious well I must be pretty smart..
Unbeknownst to me the ole' mule gave up the passenger side as a delaying tactic IOT bolster it's defenses on the drivers side. More to follow.
More pics in another post momentarily
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Chungas Revenge
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More...Last pic is a RBFWH (it's a real tool)..
Chungas Revenge
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The mule fights back...
Having soundly defeated the passenger leaf spring disassembly/re-assembly, I gave my rocketing ego a generous pat on the back. Eyeing the drivers side with overconfident contempt, I spun my ratchet and made a disparaging remark concerning the mules unknown parental lineage, and vowed to eradicate the drivers side assembly too...
Snapping on a 17mm I went to work loosening the spring perch nut. Easy enough. The nut gave a couple stiff turns then spun freely, a little to freely..Rachet..rachet some more......Hmmm should be off by now...Careening my bulbous ego inflated head around to have a look see, I realize the nut has not moved. Can't be, PB Soak had the threads looking like new...Check ratchet for defects...Looks good...On my back a second time, ratchet-ratchet-ratchet...Visual inspection..Nothing...(mule stymies a giggle) OK one minor setback. It's loose I'll move on to the shackle end. Grab air gun and appropriate socket. The bolt head is so "buggered" I cant get a socket on it. OK no big deal. Move to nut end, grab BFH and piece of 2x6. Few good whacks, bolt doesn't move...Mule laughs audibly..Grab more bigger BFH. Beat bolt mercilessly until it moves. Grab vise-grips and attach to buggered bolt head for later extraction.
Looking for an easy victory I move on to the u-bolts, grab air tool and socket. I soon realize with growing irritation, I can't fit the socket on the nut(s) because the leaf spring seat is bent so badly the socket wont fit. Mule slaps thigh, kicks once or twice and gives me that defiant look. I hate that look, nothing worse than a belligerent mule. I hurl a string of stinging curses at mule in the hopes the u-bolts will fall off through shear force of will. Nothing..
Then it dawns on me..I've been sucked in. Like a mechanical battle of Cannae the mule gave ground in the center only to envelope me on the flanks...The mule was on the offensive!!!
Going for the one tool that had proven to be a marvel of modern weaponry, I grabbed a BFH. Swinging wildly out of desperation, I bludgeoned the seat repeatedly, wildly flaying my 2 lb battle axe again and again...All I managed to do was rearrange a coat of rust...Panting and out of breath I could sense the mule was closing in...Damn it man think, think THINK!!
Grabbing a box end wrench I set about extricating myself from the well laid ambush. The Mule had me dead to rights in the kill zone.
I began, 1/8 turn at a time.
Loosing my grip, I slam my hand into the protruding brake hub. I wail another string of blistering obscenities. The mule has drawn blood. I drift in and out of reality, my vision blurs and I hear angelic voices...Stinging sweat shocks me back into an agonizing reality. M..U..S..T P..U..S..H O..N. Fifteen minutes later, my forearm swollen to a grotesque freakish "Popeye like" mass of hardened flesh the first nut comes off. Only three more to go! *&&^%% **(^^% $#@*&%^_)_)((**!!!!^&%@_)%^&$#@!!....A lillte over half an hour later the last nut plops to the ground...Grease streaked, dirty and spent I crawl from under the Mule....The mule is openly taunting me now...Whinnying and baring his teeth he mocks my every step. I curl up in a fetal position in the tool room and wonder aloud "Is it too late to buy a RAV4 or call a real mechanic"..Then I'm falling..darkness, sweet oblivion...SILENCE.
A voice from fifty years before echoes out of the darkness and reverberates inside my head..It's my father's voice. I'm 6yrs old and have just had my bantam weight "behind" handed to me at my 1st pop-warner football practice. I announce dejectedly as I toss my battered helmet in the back of the car, "I'm quit'en dad"....
The voice answered.."You can quit if you want too..But, if you quit now you'll be a quitter your whole life"...Can't argue with the voice...I "always pay attention to the voices in my head". So, me and the voice(s) hatch a new plan....I think I know just how to fix it...
Pic is a shot of the badgered and bent plate. I think the PO must have driven the mule off a cliff..
Disclaimer: Only three of the four nuts mentioned in the "drivers side chronicles" were difficult to remove. The fourth nut surrendered to the Ingersoll without incident. The fourth nut depicted in the above narrative was added under artistic license in order to fashion a more dramatic account. The author.
Having soundly defeated the passenger leaf spring disassembly/re-assembly, I gave my rocketing ego a generous pat on the back. Eyeing the drivers side with overconfident contempt, I spun my ratchet and made a disparaging remark concerning the mules unknown parental lineage, and vowed to eradicate the drivers side assembly too...
Snapping on a 17mm I went to work loosening the spring perch nut. Easy enough. The nut gave a couple stiff turns then spun freely, a little to freely..Rachet..rachet some more......Hmmm should be off by now...Careening my bulbous ego inflated head around to have a look see, I realize the nut has not moved. Can't be, PB Soak had the threads looking like new...Check ratchet for defects...Looks good...On my back a second time, ratchet-ratchet-ratchet...Visual inspection..Nothing...(mule stymies a giggle) OK one minor setback. It's loose I'll move on to the shackle end. Grab air gun and appropriate socket. The bolt head is so "buggered" I cant get a socket on it. OK no big deal. Move to nut end, grab BFH and piece of 2x6. Few good whacks, bolt doesn't move...Mule laughs audibly..Grab more bigger BFH. Beat bolt mercilessly until it moves. Grab vise-grips and attach to buggered bolt head for later extraction.
Looking for an easy victory I move on to the u-bolts, grab air tool and socket. I soon realize with growing irritation, I can't fit the socket on the nut(s) because the leaf spring seat is bent so badly the socket wont fit. Mule slaps thigh, kicks once or twice and gives me that defiant look. I hate that look, nothing worse than a belligerent mule. I hurl a string of stinging curses at mule in the hopes the u-bolts will fall off through shear force of will. Nothing..
Then it dawns on me..I've been sucked in. Like a mechanical battle of Cannae the mule gave ground in the center only to envelope me on the flanks...The mule was on the offensive!!!
Going for the one tool that had proven to be a marvel of modern weaponry, I grabbed a BFH. Swinging wildly out of desperation, I bludgeoned the seat repeatedly, wildly flaying my 2 lb battle axe again and again...All I managed to do was rearrange a coat of rust...Panting and out of breath I could sense the mule was closing in...Damn it man think, think THINK!!
Grabbing a box end wrench I set about extricating myself from the well laid ambush. The Mule had me dead to rights in the kill zone.
I began, 1/8 turn at a time.
Loosing my grip, I slam my hand into the protruding brake hub. I wail another string of blistering obscenities. The mule has drawn blood. I drift in and out of reality, my vision blurs and I hear angelic voices...Stinging sweat shocks me back into an agonizing reality. M..U..S..T P..U..S..H O..N. Fifteen minutes later, my forearm swollen to a grotesque freakish "Popeye like" mass of hardened flesh the first nut comes off. Only three more to go! *&&^%% **(^^% $#@*&%^_)_)((**!!!!^&%@_)%^&$#@!!....A lillte over half an hour later the last nut plops to the ground...Grease streaked, dirty and spent I crawl from under the Mule....The mule is openly taunting me now...Whinnying and baring his teeth he mocks my every step. I curl up in a fetal position in the tool room and wonder aloud "Is it too late to buy a RAV4 or call a real mechanic"..Then I'm falling..darkness, sweet oblivion...SILENCE.
A voice from fifty years before echoes out of the darkness and reverberates inside my head..It's my father's voice. I'm 6yrs old and have just had my bantam weight "behind" handed to me at my 1st pop-warner football practice. I announce dejectedly as I toss my battered helmet in the back of the car, "I'm quit'en dad"....
The voice answered.."You can quit if you want too..But, if you quit now you'll be a quitter your whole life"...Can't argue with the voice...I "always pay attention to the voices in my head". So, me and the voice(s) hatch a new plan....I think I know just how to fix it...
Pic is a shot of the badgered and bent plate. I think the PO must have driven the mule off a cliff..
Disclaimer: Only three of the four nuts mentioned in the "drivers side chronicles" were difficult to remove. The fourth nut surrendered to the Ingersoll without incident. The fourth nut depicted in the above narrative was added under artistic license in order to fashion a more dramatic account. The author.
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Be very carful when using cement blocks under your truck, they have a tendency to fail under concentrated loads.
Chungas Revenge
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And I know better..I had two nice pieces of 2x12 cut. Intent was to place the blocks "right way up" and use the 2x12's as a bearing plate....You candidly point out the "folly" of rushing to battle.....
Chungas Revenge
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Took the bent leaf spring seat to task with a little heat. Grand plan but not enough umph. My torch was no match. Really could have used a bellows/coals and a smitty.
What I was able to do was render the already bent and contorted seat almost useless...I can hear the mule snickering in the background...
IOT avoid more delays, I went looking yesterday PM for a set of used seats...Probably paid a tad to much at $50 for two but, they will be here on Wednesday...Gives me an extra for the spares pile...Another year or two I may just be a able to build a stable mate for the mule outta spare parts.......
I'll post up the shock install later...
What I was able to do was render the already bent and contorted seat almost useless...I can hear the mule snickering in the background...
IOT avoid more delays, I went looking yesterday PM for a set of used seats...Probably paid a tad to much at $50 for two but, they will be here on Wednesday...Gives me an extra for the spares pile...Another year or two I may just be a able to build a stable mate for the mule outta spare parts.......
I'll post up the shock install later...
Chungas Revenge
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Old shocks came off without incident. I can't remember what brand these are. Made in Ole' Mexico is the only clue. No particular complaints about them. Given the hard approach angle and the perpendicular shackles I was using, I'm not sure any shock would have softened the ride. As I recall they are 1" over stock. Looking at the new shocks in comparison there is a couple inches difference...
Just a side note on the Bilstein shocks. I am surprised at how much lighter they are compared to the old shock.
Just a side note on the Bilstein shocks. I am surprised at how much lighter they are compared to the old shock.
Chungas Revenge
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L/R front shocks mounted.
cruiserkreutz
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Your account of the battle with the drivers side suspension had me laughing uncontrollably. Tears and all... my daughter came to my side, very concerned to see if I was alright. No honey I'm fine, just reading about Land Cruiser's... Wow, thanks for that!
