M5driver
MUD Addict (Ret.)
Well, I started the tear down a couple weeks ago, and got pretty far into it before I remembered to get the camera out. I should have had it sooner to help me remember where some things go when I put them back, but... I am labeling parts as I remove them, so that should help.
The mule is down to tub, chassis and engine/gearbox now. All the other major and most minor parts are off to the panel beater (body shop) to be stripped. That is a job I am doing only on the small parts myself. The big stuff goes to the shop, since I want to see shiny metal (and minimal rust) before the Rust Bullet goes on. Stripping is done by hand here - scrapers, occasional applications of solvent, and sandpaper. No power tools used, so it's slow going right now. I'm waiting delivery of the Rust Bullet from S Africa, so not in a hurry yet. The RB should arrive about mid-January; $65/pint. Not nearly that expensive in the US, but I was just glad to find some, since things like that generally are unheard of here. I looked into shipping from the US directly, but it ships as hazmat, takes about 1 month by air or 3-4 months by sea, and costs... well, around $65/pint, so I just decided to go with what was already on the continent.
So far, knock wood, only one broken bolt, which I was able to finally remove without drilling. At the rate I'm using penetrating oil, the oil companies should never run out of money
I'll be back here often looking for advice, and posting photos as the work progresses. I have about 6 months to get this done and have the mule running again.
A few pix follow.
Good New Year to all!
The mule is down to tub, chassis and engine/gearbox now. All the other major and most minor parts are off to the panel beater (body shop) to be stripped. That is a job I am doing only on the small parts myself. The big stuff goes to the shop, since I want to see shiny metal (and minimal rust) before the Rust Bullet goes on. Stripping is done by hand here - scrapers, occasional applications of solvent, and sandpaper. No power tools used, so it's slow going right now. I'm waiting delivery of the Rust Bullet from S Africa, so not in a hurry yet. The RB should arrive about mid-January; $65/pint. Not nearly that expensive in the US, but I was just glad to find some, since things like that generally are unheard of here. I looked into shipping from the US directly, but it ships as hazmat, takes about 1 month by air or 3-4 months by sea, and costs... well, around $65/pint, so I just decided to go with what was already on the continent.
So far, knock wood, only one broken bolt, which I was able to finally remove without drilling. At the rate I'm using penetrating oil, the oil companies should never run out of money
I'll be back here often looking for advice, and posting photos as the work progresses. I have about 6 months to get this done and have the mule running again.
A few pix follow.
Good New Year to all!