- Thread starter
- #21
In all it’s glory, Minus 1in shackle anchor points in the front and fog lights and winch.
DIRTBIKEUSA’s Alaska Cruiser build thread
- Thread starter DIRTBIKEUSA
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- Thread starter
- #22
Rear bumper cover is removed. . I flushed out all the dirt and trash mashed in the end of the frame. Tow mount/OEM tow hooks bolts looked fairly rusty. I’m gunna let them soak over night before I hit them with the impact. As far as I know this it the worst of the rust on this truck. I will make sure I get it cleaned up before I move on. Boxed frames tend to have this rust problem.
I replaced the power steering pressure hose from pump to steer gear and replaced the pump to reservoir hose as well. I pressure bled out the old fluid and tested the PWR steering.
Not much luck finding the other assorted hoses rat nested down behind the radiator. I will see about fabricating some with hose molds.
Except for one real bad spot one the trans cooler I was able to straighten out most of the exposed fins on the condenser and the cooler. Again there are 26 year old hoses here the at need to need replaced.
I replaced the power steering pressure hose from pump to steer gear and replaced the pump to reservoir hose as well. I pressure bled out the old fluid and tested the PWR steering.
Not much luck finding the other assorted hoses rat nested down behind the radiator. I will see about fabricating some with hose molds.
Except for one real bad spot one the trans cooler I was able to straighten out most of the exposed fins on the condenser and the cooler. Again there are 26 year old hoses here the at need to need replaced.
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- #23
Well, while I was under the Cruiser the other day I seen some of the UV DYE seeping from the Crank sensor. Looks like it’s been seeping and blowing all over oil pan and bell housing for some time.
Today I cleaned all that up and replaced it with a crank sensor I bought while back. Test started and cleaned all the oil I could. I applied some grease to the new seal so fingers crossed this is the last leak for awhile.
I found some minor crash damage on rear cross member. Some split welds I found I cleaned it up with a wire wheel, spot welded and painted.
I removed the OEM tow support and took some measurements of the rear frame and cut some card board Amazon boxes into templates. I have been thinking over how to reuse the OEM hitch receiver on the new bumper.
I’m going to need to take another trip to the steel yard and pick up some material for the new bumper cover.
I need to scour the site to see how rock sliders have been attached to the frame. I’m thinking angle seated to the frame and then heavy wall square tube between that and the pipe slider.
I have 2in heavy wall pipe already. I also see the cat converters are in a place I would most likely need a support to the frame so maybe rerouting the exhaust is in the future as well.
Fun fun!
Today I cleaned all that up and replaced it with a crank sensor I bought while back. Test started and cleaned all the oil I could. I applied some grease to the new seal so fingers crossed this is the last leak for awhile.
I found some minor crash damage on rear cross member. Some split welds I found I cleaned it up with a wire wheel, spot welded and painted.
I removed the OEM tow support and took some measurements of the rear frame and cut some card board Amazon boxes into templates. I have been thinking over how to reuse the OEM hitch receiver on the new bumper.
I’m going to need to take another trip to the steel yard and pick up some material for the new bumper cover.
I need to scour the site to see how rock sliders have been attached to the frame. I’m thinking angle seated to the frame and then heavy wall square tube between that and the pipe slider.
I have 2in heavy wall pipe already. I also see the cat converters are in a place I would most likely need a support to the frame so maybe rerouting the exhaust is in the future as well.
Fun fun!
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- #24
Rear bumper fab begins. I will need to join two 1/4 plates to get the length for the 6 feet needed for the new bumper. That will box the the rear frame. I will need to use the old tow support and transfer punch the old bolt holes for the lnew tow and bumper support.
I'm a believer in UV dye. Really a great way to get answers to certain questions.
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- #26
Opened up the pass side fender liner to get to the broken auto antenna. I ordered a replacement “manual antenna.” I plan on cutting the antenna wire at the defective one to attach the new one to pull it through.
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- #27
Absolutely! I have been using it in the various heavy duty shop where I have been assigned. Takes most of the guess work out of the repair. It has saved me countless hours of unneeded labor.
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- #28
More welding fab pictures.
I’m to the point were I need to go to the steel yard. Hopefully they open on time! lol!
I’m to the point were I need to go to the steel yard. Hopefully they open on time! lol!
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- #29
Mounting hole drilled. Need to stop by fastenal tomorrow as well. I know they have the metric bolts I need. Once i get the mounting bolts I can weld in the new tow support for the old hitch receiver.
All this talk about head gaskets has me wondering if I should preemptively do one as well. Is there a reputable MLS gasket to use, like comedic?
All this talk about head gaskets has me wondering if I should preemptively do one as well. Is there a reputable MLS gasket to use, like comedic?
When I first did mine, I took my hitch off and bobbed the rails. I then took the hitch and slid it in on the top of the frame rails. There was some cutting and trimming of the hitch, but was able to weld three sides of it, and it tucked the receiver up and tight. I just looked through my phone, and I don't have any pics. Hope what I said makes sense, always easier for me to see a pic.... lol
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- #31
Yeah I can see that. I think I’m going to just cut the hitch tube out and butt bolt it to the crash rail where the 14mm (or whatever) holes are and weld around it to the new rail with sandwich plates. That way it’s removable..The OEM hitch receiver frame is Waaayy overkill.
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- #32
More progress. Picked up some steel today. The guys down t the yard were excited to see the end product.
Been looking at the tech section and have been sorting out some questions.
Wife is going to calling her cousin to set up the best time to arrive in Alaska. Her cousin’s husband is a heavy tech too, so when we arrive some heavy maintenance or repairs can be had during the visit
. Thank God for family.
Been looking at the tech section and have been sorting out some questions.
Wife is going to calling her cousin to set up the best time to arrive in Alaska. Her cousin’s husband is a heavy tech too, so when we arrive some heavy maintenance or repairs can be had during the visit
. Thank God for family.
- Thread starter
- #33
Adding pivot post for spare tire swing out. Extra fun stuff!
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- #34
Cutting up OEM hitch for receiver reuse.
Score! I found some broken expanded metal chairs and table the neighbor was throwing out. I’m going to use some of them for the Jerry can holster on the opposing side of the tire swing out.
Score! I found some broken expanded metal chairs and table the neighbor was throwing out. I’m going to use some of them for the Jerry can holster on the opposing side of the tire swing out.
- Thread starter
- #35
Been thinking about a teardrop trailer that could bed two adults or one adult and two children. Both my wife and I are not petite.
I’m over six foot and she is close to six foot tall so that is a consideration in either building one or buying a cheap one to fix up. I doubt I will get a good one for cheap these days.. I’m going to check out the trailer section. See what I can see.
Because I engineered the bumpers to be as Spartan as possible there are weld in gussets in key locations. Because of the tire hitch and fuel can, the rear bumper is no exception. More pictures to come..
I’m over six foot and she is close to six foot tall so that is a consideration in either building one or buying a cheap one to fix up. I doubt I will get a good one for cheap these days.. I’m going to check out the trailer section. See what I can see.
Because I engineered the bumpers to be as Spartan as possible there are weld in gussets in key locations. Because of the tire hitch and fuel can, the rear bumper is no exception. More pictures to come..
Where did you get the leather for your front seats? Mine are also falling apart.
Where did you get the leather for your front seats? Mine are also falling apart.
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- #39
- Thread starter
- #40
Found more free material. Can possibly use this bed frame angle for the roof rack. We will see..
Aforementioned bumper strengthening.
Aforementioned bumper strengthening.
