Builds Moonshine - A Build Thread (2 Viewers)

[Kurtis]

There is 2 little covers for the last body mount you pull to get to them. I've got pretty big hands ( easily palm a basketball either hand/ catch and palm ) and I I could get at them. You get them from under the truck facing the rear of the vehicle.

If this is a body lift you have to put in the last to bolts upside down. You can't physically get them in right side up, only stock size bolts will from the top down. With the covers off ( there shaped like a trapezoid) you can get a wrench on them.

 

[dubsb]

Lookin good johnny ! Im just catchin up on your progress, i should be home sunday at the latest due an unexpected event but at least i'll be there to make sure nobody gets killed during reassembly. Did my spiked prybar idea work ?

 

[TLC Norway]

Also did it upside down as Kurtis said. Two screws on the lids.

Sent from my GT-I9000 using IH8MUD app.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

There is 2 little covers for the last body mount you pull to get to them. I've got pretty big hands ( easily palm a basketball either hand/ catch and palm ) and I I could get at them. You get them from under the truck facing the rear of the vehicle.

If this is a body lift you have to put in the last to bolts upside down. You can't physically get them in right side up, only stock size bolts will from the top down. With the covers off ( there shaped like a trapezoid) you can get a wrench on them.

That's the only place I didn't look Thanks Kurtis! The panels I looked in were the two that are in the interior.

Lookin good johnny ! Im just catchin up on your progress, i should be home sunday at the latest due an unexpected event but at least i'll be there to make sure nobody gets killed during reassembly. Did my spiked prybar idea work ?

I know buddy, your father told me yesterday afternoon. Give me a call when you can.

The prybar idea did work, but I forgot to get it before Kelsey went out, so I used the old crowbar we found when cleaning the barn out. Put a pretty good bend in it but it worked

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Got a Demello Offroad bumper installed on Chris' FJC and then went back to the barn. Got all of the body mount bolts in and torqued, then threw on the core support. Due to the fact that the front clip is so bent up it took quite a bit of pulling and almost-hernias before all the bolts went in. Hooked up power steering and the battery, then called it a night. Starting to look like a truck again! Thank you Chris for lunch and your help with putting this together. I am positive I couldn't have gotten that core support on without you!

 

[niceguysanti]

Tell Chris to stop goofin around with that FJC get cracking on the 40!!!!! we need to see that bad boy on the trails soon!!!

Looking good Johnny!

 

[Rastaforte]

Ah mon, I second.... don't get in Johnny's way.... he roon ya ovar!
Good job...

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Tell Chris to stop goofin around with that FJC get cracking on the 40!!!!! we need to see that bad boy on the trails soon!!!

Looking good Johnny!

He knows it! The 40 might take a while to get going but it will be awesome when it's done.

How's the search for a FF axle going? Still planning on SOA?

Ah mon, I second.... don't get in Johnny's way.... he roon ya ovar!
Good job...

Thanks man!

 

[NCFJ]

Moving right along Johnny! Looking more like a truck every day.

I am yanking off the rear bumper and aftermarket hitch. I gave up cut the damn bolts off. Rear cross member is gone. So I'll be cutting back to what is good and putting in another.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Moving right along Johnny! Looking more like a truck every day.

I am yanking off the rear bumper and aftermarket hitch. I gave up cut the damn bolts off. Rear cross member is gone. So I'll be cutting back to what is good and putting in another.

That's the only way to do it! The crossmember on the new frame is pretty good so I'm going to use it for now, but I will end up putting my old bumper back on.

 

[Gibbs]

Looking Good Johnny and Chris!

 

[alaska60]

Nice progress..............

 

[GLTHFJ60]

MOONSHINE IS BACK IN ACTION!!!

Got rid of the rear heater, re-routed the coolant lines and filled her up with fluid. Went to go crank the motor but the starter wasn't running, so we jumped it, to no avail. Wiggled the signal cable for a better connection since the clip is a little loose. Most likely the optima didn't need a jump after all, my volt meter read 11 volts. We cranked the motor to get the fuel back up to the carb then started her right up. I sealed up the cracked intake manifold from the bottom and ditched the EVAP system, so now she purrs like a kitten. The shock tower needs to be welded back on, the exhaust hanger needs a couple of tack welds and I have to do an alignment, but other than that, she drives well. This all happened on Saturday so today was spent relaxing.

To do list, in order of importance
ASAP:
- weld shock tower back on ( held on with c-clamp now )
- tack weld exhaust
- check all fluids, fill as necessary
- clean garage and load the rest of my stuff into the truck

After a bit more driving:
- check torque on everything
- but elbow on muffler to direct out from under truck

This summer ( hopefully )
- rebuild tranny and transfer ( leaky )
- cut rust
- reseal motor if gasket tightening didn't work

Now for the pictures...

A face any mother can love...

First time she's moved under her own power in a month...

First stop, gas station. Gotta love how thirsty these rigs are!

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Just checked to see when I took her off the road. It took one day less than a month to do this whole project. Not bad for a couple of guys, working in a barn without a lift

Once again I need to thank Nick for letting me take over his barn for a month. He enabled this whole project. I also need to thank Chris for coming over to help with some key parts of this project. We definitely have some memorable stories from this project! Finally, I need to thank Kevin, Todd, Sam and Laura who helped with varying stages of this monstrosity. I couldn't have done it without your help! Thank you everyone!!!

 

[Cruiserdrew]

Dude-That is awesome.

You have a running and driving truck. Good to go.

 

[Dirtgypsy]

Strong work! And you still have time to hit the road to Rubithon now that it's been pushed back!

Clint

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Dude-That is awesome.

You have a running and driving truck. Good to go.

Thanks Drew! It feels so good to drive her again, especially because of how much better she runs.

Strong work! And you still have time to hit the road to Rubithon now that it's been pushed back!

Clint

I wish! 2012 is what I'm shooting for, I've got more stuff to do before I go all the way out there, plus, I've got to move to NC!

 

[StevoJonesFJ60]

On your way down to NC you should stop by. I'm right off of 95 in Jersey.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

On your way down to NC you should stop by. I'm right off of 95 in Jersey.

Got any good places to grab beer down that way?

Depends on when we end up leaving. My g/f and I plan to be in Raleigh by mid afternoon, so we may leave Schenectady wicked early in the morning, as in 4-6am.

 

[StevoJonesFJ60]

There are some good places, just depends on the timing.