'85 mini truck for trail use only

[zucruisers]

I suppose your waiting on the mini adaptor?It`s welded just have to knock down the welds where the bearings sit.The electritions screwed me up yesterday upgrading the power in my new shop.
David

sweet!....now all we need is for jeff to get the 4.3 from kentucky

 

[lowtideride]

nice clean axle truss dom. Some people go a little nuts when doing that, but I like the look of yours.

You guys should copy the Marling crawler shock tabs for the knuckle if you havnt already. They are the tits.

 

[zucruisers]

You guys should copy the Marling crawler shock tabs for the knuckle if you havnt already. They are the tits.

i told jeff to just buy them from marlin, but i didnt want to weld them on until he decided to buy a knuckle service kit since the heat would ruin the inner axle seal, those 30 spline longs weren't easy to get in there;p

 

[zucruisers]

been working on trying to clean up and organize some junk/scrap around the shop and outside....but i did get the new rear axle seals in, and put the 37's back on so i can roll it outside tomorrow, the new wheelbase looks really good, and the front end is a little bit taller w/ the new spring setup, but once the drivetrain is back in it should be perfect

 

[OldTrailFab]

pics?

 

[Wayneraintree]

I pulled the 4.3 from the Jimmy last night, lotsa fun and it is now on the trailer ready to make the trip back to PA

Pushing for the April trailride... should have my adapter this week from Dave (thanks Dave!)

Clean up the 4.3 and order a carb'ed intake.... should then be able to get the driveline in and install the LPG stuff........

Dom is in Norry so.....between he and John, maybe tubes will bend and notch and weld and this thing can hit the trail

 

[zucruisers]

we're trying to finish up the rear axle(little detail work) for the buggy tomorrow, gotta go get the mig bottles filled after work, then my attention will go to your toolbox mount and sliders

 

[Wayneraintree]

get it!

 

[Lugboot]

After seeing your doors, Jeff, I think you need to call this thing the Brush Truck after the fire engines. Man, that's RED!

 

[Wayneraintree]

I consider it a 'high visibility' paint job... aka a $50 paint job : )

 

[Wayneraintree]

developments...

So Dom turned me onto a Th350 and minitruck adapter for sale in MD.... screaming deal so I bought it.... and Dave sent me the repaired adapter so, looks like I have an in tact adapter and tranny, and then spares

I got the intake for the 4.3 coming today, LPG kit can then go on.... ordered up new bushing for the AA engine mounts and hardware, oil pan, rear main, and valve covers gaskets...... should make some progress soon

 

[CJBury]

Gonna have it ready for the next run? I want a ride. Plus I owe you a drowning.

 

[zucruisers]

Gonna have it ready for the next run? I want a ride. Plus I owe you a drowning.

jeff wants to take his time and make sure everything is done right, plus me and dom have to get dom's buggy done before the comp in may, and jeff has a small side project to take care of soon too;p

jeff sanded down the cab tonight and then him and dom got a couple coats of red on it...its lookin pretty good

 

[Wayneraintree]

him and dom got a couple coats of red on it...its lookin pretty good

That's subjective

Looks good for trailpaint

I finally got the correct set up for the propane kit... needed a spread bore intake, which I got... and is the only one available for a 4.3 (per Summit) then a 13$ adapter to split bore for the LPG mixer

 

[Wayneraintree]

OK, so we are sealing up the 4.3, got the new intake on, figured out the propane mixer/quadrajet throttle plate set up, so the engine may be in sometime soon.... got the wheel cylinders replaced and brake master cylinder removed, ready for replacement and bleeding...

Ordered up a budbuilt crossmember/skid for the auto/single case.... screaming deal so I would recommend patronage to Bud as he now carries and can deliver cheaper/faster all his stuff as well as Marlin and Advanced Adapters stuff so...... budbuilt.com for all your needs and he's in N. Carolina

so, other than the mini on the back burner for tubework until John/Dom get the sami/toy buggy finished...... progress is slow but sure

 

[Wayneraintree]

Just an update, I got the budbuilt crossmember/skid and I also got the propane injection worked out.... I got a new (used) adapter for the TH350 to minitruck case, so all the pieces are laying around waiting to be assembled.

Dom's buggy is almost done so..... as promised, the mini is next

 

[jtaco1]

Look forward to seeing this completed, you still shooting for the 17th ride?

 

[Wayneraintree]

Look forward to seeing this completed, you still shooting for the 17th ride?

Uh... me too

I think I can have it running and the driveline in by then.... and I am told the tubework will go fast, which is really exciting

I really need it done for the trailride in May.... since I am moving in Aug. and my wife is due Aug. 20th, time for wheeling in PA is precious.

Fingers crossed

 

[Wayneraintree]

someone is getting a new welder : ) which has been a major probem now resolved..... John says that the tool box and sliders will see work this week and then hopefully the progress rolls from there. I started painting the budbuilt skidplate last evening and got the taurus fan mocked with some brackets onto the radiator...

I only have 90 more days to wheel in PA : ( wish me luck in getting this thing done in time for the June run or soon there after...

 

[OldTrailFab]

looks like me and john are goin to pick up the new welder tomorrow, hopefully by this time tomorrow we will be bendin toob