Builds Meet “Marge” our new Piggy

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Called Alcan (great folks) spoke to Tyler I believe. He gave me some tips on where to measure to make sure I’m getting the correct shock length measurements. I also found a summit video on how to measure for appropriate shocks. That’ll have to wait until I’m done with the knuckles and get the tires back on.
 
jestlurnin said:
Finally was able to get Marge up to my buddies shop. Crazy how life gets in the way of cruiser rehab.
View attachment 2898597
Can’t even tell you how lucky I feel to be using his shop. Made a dreary 30 degree day in Western Oregon nice and toasty when we closed the doors and turned on the heater.

First up total steering refresh. Decided to start out with the Ol’ knuckle rebuild. Man I forgot how nasty this job was…
View attachment 2898598View attachment 2898599

Noticed this not normal angle when I got to looking up Marge’s skirt. Glad I got a new one sitting in the shop!View attachment 2898601
Had a blast wrenching again. Can’t wait to drive her with the steering all tightened up!
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Oh man, yes, the knuckle rebuild is getting down there in the funk!
 
jestlurnin said:
Ok, got another one for you guys. Marge has an Alcan lift I believe. Or at least Alcan springs. I want to replace the shocks while I’m in here but not sure how to measure it out with a lift. This is the first cruiser I’ve ever owned without stock suspension. Also, what shocks are folks living these days? I had OME’s on a 40 I owned forever and those puppies were filling extractors.

View attachment 2898750
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You will want to get measurements when sitting, and at full droop and full stuff.
I went with Doetsch Tech. They seem fine.
 
So what I have found from the shipping perspective from SOR is…the order goes in and they seem to sit on it for a day and then it gets packed and a tracking number created ended the second day and a pick up the third day. I’ve switched to USPS priority for my choice and it takes a couple days less.

Your truck is getting some love there…keep going!
 
Thanks @PabloCruise that’s basically the method I’m gonna go with once I get back at it. It’s what Alcan said to do and the Summit video I found said to do.

@Blastservices thats what I choose so hopefully I’ll see the package early next week.

I developed a little cough the night I started working on Marge, then a little fever the next morning, then body aches….and then tested positive for the Vid. Wouldn’t have bothered taking a test but I’m coaching 2 of my boys basketball teams and thought it immoral to go coach if I was positive. So anyway Marge is gonna have to wait till mid next week till I can see her again. Luckily my buddy said he’s got nothing lined up and Marge can stay on his lift as long as I need her to. Already feeling about 90%.

Totally bummed cause I’ve waited around 6 months to get going! More updates to come when I get back to work.
 
jestlurnin said:
Called Alcan (great folks) spoke to Tyler I believe. He gave me some tips on where to measure to make sure I’m getting the correct shock length measurements. I also found a summit video on how to measure for appropriate shocks. That’ll have to wait until I’m done with the knuckles and get the tires back on.
Click to expand...
Any idea how much lift you got with the Alcan lift you have? Also love to hear what you do with the shocks. I'm sure it depends upon what lift height you have. I just installed 3" Alcan lift but didn't do shocks yet as she is in the paint salon for awhile.
 
Couldn’t agree more about everyone eventually getting it. I just don’t want to be ground zero 😂.

I’m gonna finish this knuckle rebuild, throw on the TRE kit I got from cruiser outfitters (it includes new bars too) throw the rebuilt steering box from @65swb45, rebuild the center arm and somewhere in there rebuild the portion of the steering shaft that has the 2 spider joints in it (what the heck is that portion called?) and…..drag link rebuild.

That stuff plus the shocks and I think I’ve exhausted every steering component. If anyone can think of anything I’m leaving out please point it out to me. Marge’s steering was so bad she was really unsafe. I never drove her over 35MPH the month I was driving her regularly out of fear.

I’ve done in the neighborhood of 8 knuckle rebuilds in my cruiser life (which I realize is nothing really) but I’ve never taken the time to degrease and paint everything up purdy which I’d like to do this time. If anyone has paint/de greasing recommendations please let me know.

And that’s just the steering! I’ve been collecting parts for 6 months! I can’t wait to get to @ToyotaMatt toys he hooked me up with.
 
Sorry forgot to answer @greenbeast ….I honestly have no idea and I didn’t do any measuring before I tore the front end apart. Is it just as easy to tell from the rear?
 
jestlurnin said:
I’ve done in the neighborhood of 8 knuckle rebuilds in my cruiser life (which I realize is nothing really) but I’ve never taken the time to degrease and paint everything up purdy which I’d like to do this time. If anyone has paint/de greasing recommendations please let me know.
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Hardest part about painting knuckle parts is getting them clean enough that the paint adheres. You could just clean everything with solvent, hose it down with brake clean and then rattle-can it, and it would probably be “good enough”. Some people would clean on it a little then take it to a powder coater and let them handle the rest. I’m not sure about the level of restoration you’re trying to accomplish.
If you end up going with rattle-can, and want something you can get at the parts store, my new favorite is this ceramic engine paint from Dupli-color. Lays down great, looks good, lasts longer than average spray-paint.

C163E8CF-0BAA-47CA-A89B-F501CCD2611A.webp
 
I used a steam cleaner followed by a large side grinder with a wire wheel cup to clean the axle housings on my '85 4Runner. I went down to bare metal everywhere. I then used two coats of POR15 (followed instructions exactly), followed by a topcoat of something black - can't remember what.
 
What I’ve learned is let the solvent do the work, take everything apart and let it soak a couple days in a parts washer, it basically rinses off after that. If you don’t have a parts washer buy a big plastic tub at Wally-World. The cheap purple power works as well as anything, rinse and let sun dry and apply paint. I use Krylon Rust Tough enamel in semi-gloss, it’s a great match to semi-gloss powder if you’re having other parts coated and has lasted 10+ years on my rigs. If you’re scrubbing hard it hasn’t soaked long enough -

Tucker
 
Luckily there is a very nice parts washer in the shop I’m using. I was just planning on rattle canning her. I want it pretty and to last a while but definitely not going for some of the meticulous resto’s you guys are doing. I had thought about POR15 but think I’ll stick with the Ol’ rattle. I’m not touching any sheet metal at this time on Marge so she ain’t gonna be perfect. @tucker74 we won’t see Sun again in western Oregon till July so I’ll have to settle for a warm shop to dry everything out in.

Again thanks for the reply’s gents. Back at it tomorrow.
 
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