Blue Mule resto in Malawi

[M5driver]

Man! That mule will sure have Customs confused when it returns to The States from Malawi.

It looks better than new!

Well done Dan

Hmmm... Customs confused... So, ummm... how is this new? Actually, I find myself having to tell people every day now that this is not a new truck, it's a "new, old truck". I love the looks when I tell them it's 30 years old.

that looks beautiful ,nice work ,what hood hinges are those.?

Those are the SOR aluminum billet hinges. Pretty nice.

 

[M5driver]

First week of test running has gone well. I think I have the rebuilt carb set up just right now, and the Mule just ticks over like a clock. I show a rock-solid 15 in Hg on the vacuum gauge, idle is so smooth I still think it died when it idles down

Took the Mule by the panel beater to arrange a time to bring her back for final touch up, sanding, polishing, etc. It'll be a couple of weeks, since we have a new ambassador arriving on Tuesday (so this will be an interrupted weekend). I have a few things still to do - a couple rubber plugs to install, and I need to see what it will take to install the new Tuffy console. And the radio antenna. I'll also be rechecking torques on u-bolts and so on, so I can take her out to a village and check out the 4WD. Then I can start cleaning up the garage, packing tools, and getting ready to head back to the states. Time is flying...

A couple of pix of the Blue Mule from her first week back on the road...

 

[RMC73FJ40]

My son and I are just floored by your build....congrats and safe travels.

 

[jvazquez53]

OMG!!! Awsome!

 

[voyager:01]

what more to say but.. "OOOOHH WHAT A FEEELIN!!!!!!"

 

[KOOTENAY KRUZER]

Congratulations, Dan! I know there were times you were thinking it was never going to be back on the road, must be a great feeling.

 

[M5driver]

My son and I are just floored by your build....congrats and safe travels.

OMG!!! Awsome!

what more to say but.. "OOOOHH WHAT A FEEELIN!!!!!!"

Indeed! Thanks

 

[M5driver]

Before taking her for the maiden off-pavement run, I decided to check oil in the diffs and change if needed. The rear was fine - light amber color, clear, just the right level, no problem. The diff oil had been changed a few months befor eI tore the Blue Mule down. I remembered being concerned that the pop-up cap on the front axle was not re-seating properly, which is why I popped those off and installed long breather hoses front and rear.

So, on to the front diff. When I pulled the filler plug, this ugly gray-green, slightly milky mess started to run out. Closed it up quick, got the drain pan, and went to work. That nasty oil brought to mind a line from Rudyard Kipling's The Elephant Child... "the great, grey-green, greasy Limpopo River, all set about with fever trees...:

 

[M5driver]

That job done, I moved on to some of the other finish up work. Tuffy console installed; radio antenna installed - the radio works ; edge welting on the door thresholds, floor insulation pads and mats front and rear installed. The fronts still need a little fitting work - they were cut for the standard fuel tank, and I need to modify them slightly to fit with the long range tank. The pic of the edge welting also shows the wing walk compound I painted the steps with. Been on my keister on wet days one time too many

 

[M5driver]

Congratulations, Dan! I know there were times you were thinking it was never going to be back on the road, must be a great feeling.

Kootenay, back on the road is GREAT! Back off-road, even better

Okay - so it's not exactly serious off-roading, but it gave the suspension a mild work out, and gave me a chance to run it in 4-hi for a bit. Bouncing over the corn-rows in a couple of places also gave me a good chance to feel the OME springs with one leaf removed - perfect! Just the ride we've been looking for - not too stiff, but not squishy soft. took a few pix of the Mule dodging pedestrians and bicycles on the road to Kauma Village - one of the better village roads, for the first dirt track run.

 

[M5driver]

Dusty dirt tracks aren't much challenge, but good for a first test. Another month or so, the first rains will start falling (hasn't rained a drop since end of March, so everything is pretty dry right now) and that powder fine dust will turn into sticky clay mud. Want to be sure we're ready for it. For now, just really to be the Blue Mule again.

 

[Teebag]

Get off the phone

 

[cruiser enthuiser]

WOW! I just read your entire thread - what a fantastic and interesting build! Congratulations on your "better than new" cruiser. Thanks for sharing - your story encourages me to forge ahead on my own rig.

 

[alkarich]

Absolutely gorgeous! Congrats on the resto.

 

[tlc_4play]

Nice Dan - looks too cool

 

[M5driver]

Get off the phone

Bwa-ha-ha-ha-ha!

I stopped right there while was taking pix because Chris called to see if the truck was running yet.

 

[M5driver]

WOW! I just read your entire thread - what a fantastic and interesting build! Congratulations on your "better than new" cruiser. Thanks for sharing - your story encourages me to forge ahead on my own rig.

Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed the story so far. If I can do it here, you can do it where you are Get stuck in and push thru - it will be worth it


Dan

 

[Adolf]

Congrats Dan on an awesome job done. You must be very happy now. I know the feeling!

 

[M5driver]

Absolutely gorgeous! Congrats on the resto.

Nice Dan - looks too cool

Thank you, gents. Almost perfect... I think my fan clutch is failing, tho - she was starting to heat when we were running slow. Had to turn on the heater to get her back in mid range on the gauge, where she normally runs. When we got home, I checked for resistance from the fan clutch, and it doesn't seem to be much more than when the engine is dead cold. I'll be checking with Toyota here tomorrow to see if they have anything; otherwise, I'll buy from the US and have it pouched in. I can drive her short distances or at road speed OK still, but want to get that bit sorted and put right ASAP.

Oh, I still need to get my LCCSA magnetic stickers, and my Malawi sticker to make her complete


Dan

 

[tmarx]

..Oh, I still need to get my LCCSA magnetic stickers, and my Malawi sticker to make her complete


Dan

I forgot, my fault I have purchased them but haven't collected them yet. Will do so this week and post them :whoops: