Builds Moonshine - A Build Thread (1 Viewer)

[GLTHFJ60]

Started mounting up the cable shifters. I absolutely LOVE the shifter position. Way better than being out in right field on the other side of the transmission tunnel.

Fast forwarding a couple of weeks, this is how they look installed:

I set it up so the right shifter controls the rear drive and the left shifter controls the front drive. In 2nd gear, the transmission shifter *barely* touches the rear drive shifter. It clears if I remove the knob, or take my time shifting:

We then relocated the brake line and installed this line lock with a lighted rocker switch on the dash. It works great!! Two things, always use teflon tape on pipe threads even if the instructions say otherwise, and screw stainless brake lines, they're way too difficult to deal with. Broke a damn flare tool trying to flare stainless line.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/grn-760500

The brake line and driveshaft build (shorten) were relatively boring, so I didn't take pictures of them.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

So, I got Moonshine all packed up and ready for the trip up to Pine Grove, PA for Coal Mine Cruiser Classic 2013.

Didn't get there till late, so I slept under the stars. The front driveshaft touched the bellhousing when the PS front was under compression, so I took Wednesday off to drink beer, and build a bumpstop:

At ride height, this is what the bumpstop looks like. It compresses a ton, but at full compression the driveshaft has 1/2" clearance of the bellhousing, so that works for me. I should have listened to Drew and others years ago when they said I needed bumpstops

Thursday we hit the trails!!

Then broke some stuff (not me)

Then kept going:

Then played at the pool. This is Meatball

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Friday was good. Barely took any pics because I was focused on video. I led a group through the medium to difficult trails and took Moonshine swimming again (accidentially).

This is Meatball and Tyler hanging out.

Then Lee in his 4Runner:

Then Meatball collecting trash (TreadLightly everyone!) while we did Yellow Jacket:

Finally, me taking Moonshine swimming:

Saturday Morning started off with me getting a sidewall puncture on one of my front MTs. We were on the access road to get to the trail, hadn't even hit anything yet

Reseated the bead with fire, plugged the hole and called it a day. Found my DS front leaf spring was broken while airing up:

Parked Moonshine and headed out of town with Meatball to go to the Cabellas that is nearby. Found a tank on the way and had to take a pic:

Looked at the immense taxidermy collection and bought some stuff at Cabellas, then went to Cigars International for a beer. We could have stayed at that place all day!!

Came back to camp for the CMCC Raffle. Had a blast and the food was great!!!!!

After dinner, we replaced the DS front leaf spring. Turns out the 3rd leaf in the pack broke, but I didn't have a spare of that leaf, so we put it together with just 4, leafs number 1, 2, 4, 5. I would not recommend doing this in anything other than an emergency situation.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Sunday morning started off with breakfast, then we hit the road. Good thing I had a big breakfast, because it ended up being a very long day.

In PA, close to MD. This is the last picture of my DS rear tire in one piece.

150 miles from Pine Grove I had a blowout. Thank god for runflats in these H1s, or else it would have been a hairy situation. Got off the road and drove to a somewhat nearby Costco where I was promptly unable to find tires, or wheels, that would fit my rear axle.

A sad state of affairs:

Got a tow from Frederic, MD all the way to Raleigh, NC. Was an expensive tow, but I'm home now.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

Wow-you are a busy dedicated Cruiserhead!

I'd replace that whole spring, in fact both of them. No bump stops for many years fatigues the spring and so all the rest of the leaves are likely shot too.

But seriously nice repair work in the field.


Garrrrrh==posted before the tire carnage. Glad you survived.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

will jumping the wires as described in that thread below allow or control the compressor cycling on and off? I've not bothered to research it, but it sounds as if you might be just hot-wiring the compressor and it would stay continually engaged if the wires are "jumped" in the way described when the in-cab controls are engaged. I may be wrong on that but worth understanding.

Yeah I realize you have a different breed of cat in regard to the tach...so you may just have to do what works.

I thought about making the factory tach work then go from there, but it'll be easier to just get it working for now, even if the compressor is on all the time. I can turn it off if it gets too cold, but right now, it's way too hot!

Wow-you are a busy dedicated Cruiserhead!

I'd replace that whole spring, in fact both of them. No bump stops for many years fatigues the spring and so all the rest of the leaves are likely shot too.

But seriously nice repair work in the field.

Garrrrrh==posted before the tire carnage. Glad you survived.

Very busy indeed I'm ready to take a break from working on the old girl.

Yes sir, both are going to be replaced. I have some old OME light fronts (I believe) in the garage that are going to be put up front for now. Then all further mods stop on this truck until I buy a house, or something seriously breaks. D60 and 3 link front are the permanent fix to the broken leaf spring, and broken birfield, saga.

Like I said above, it would have been a very different story if I didn't have runflats. Even though these MTs have weak sidewalls, the ability to use runflats almost makes up for it. The good MTs I do have will now be used strictly as street tires.

Thanks for checking in Drew I'll make it out west to meet you and buy you a beer some day. Maybe Moab 2015

 

[The Phoenician]

great pics, sorry about the tires, glad you're safe and back at home. How fast were you going when it blew? Any idea what year they were made?

 

[Cruiserdrew]

Thanks for checking in Drew I'll make it out west to meet you and buy you a beer some day. Maybe Moab 2015

How about Rubicon 2014?

I'll likely be in Charlotte in the next year to see my brother and maybe could catch up with you and Concrete Jungle.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

great pics, sorry about the tires, glad you're safe and back at home. How fast were you going when it blew? Any idea what year they were made?

I was going 65 or 70 when it blew. How do I look to see what year they were made?

How about Rubicon 2014?

I'll likely be in Charlotte in the next year to see my brother and maybe could catch up with you and Concrete Jungle.

I don't think Rubicon 2014 is going to work out for me. I'm going to buy a house next spring so I'm pretty sure that the house will distract my funds from cruiser road trips.

Come on over man! There's some good food, and good beer, to have in Charlotte.

 

[Tapage]

hell of adventure Johnny .. !!!

Well .. and where is the video .?

 

[GLTHFJ60]

hell of adventure Johnny .. !!!

Well .. and where is the video .?

Yes sir it was!!

Video is uploading. It takes a while to upload 30gb worth

 

[robustbambi]

That looked like an awesome trip! That tank pic is hilarious. sorry about the tire, paying to have the truck towed home after a big event like that was probably the last thing you wanted to do. glad that was the only thing damaged though.

And to check the tire manufactured date, look for the DOT serial number, it should be 4 digits. the first 2 are the week the tire was made (15 = 15th week of the year). the next 2 are the last 2 digits of the year it was made.

 

[The Phoenician]

Beat me to it. The MTs have always had weak sidewalls. Did you have any issues with the tires before?

 

[Landcruisin'60]

Thats exactly what scares me about the MT's or Guard Dogs.

I saw pictures of your truck on FB and had to come check out your thread. Lee and I are wheeling buddies. Looks like a ton of fun, one of these years I'll make it to RC.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

That looked like an awesome trip! That tank pic is hilarious. sorry about the tire, paying to have the truck towed home after a big event like that was probably the last thing you wanted to do. glad that was the only thing damaged though.

And to check the tire manufactured date, look for the DOT serial number, it should be 4 digits. the first 2 are the week the tire was made (15 = 15th week of the year). the next 2 are the last 2 digits of the year it was made.

Agreed. It could have been a lot worse if I didn't have run flats. I'll check out the mfg date later this week.

Beat me to it. The MTs have always had weak sidewalls. Did you have any issues with the tires before?

No issues before this trip! Tell you what though, I'll never wheel a set of these tires again unless I have a full set of spares.

Thats exactly what scares me about the MT's or Guard Dogs.

I saw pictures of your truck on FB and had to come check out your thread. Lee and I are wheeling buddies. Looks like a ton of fun, one of these years I'll make it to RC.

Yeah, not terribly happy about it, but the tires were super cheap! I'll keep them on the street from now on.

You know Lee?? Small world man! He's a cool dude. His truck was very capable too!! I was impressed. Make sure to let us know when you're gonna make it down to RC!

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Here are my GoPro videos. Looks like I need to aim the camera a little farther away from the truck next time

 

[mwalls54]

glad the 3rd member worked out. Did you lay all of your socks out on the bumper this year? We talked about your front springs and tires when we met up.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

glad the 3rd member worked out. Did you lay all of your socks out on the bumper this year? We talked about your front springs and tires when we met up.

No socks this year. Yeah, the springs are toast, seriously toast. I knew the tires had weak sidewalls, but I didn't think it was this bad. Oh well, it's a learning experience!!

 

[norsk]

No socks this year. Yeah, the springs are toast, seriously toast. I knew the tires had weak sidewalls, but I didn't think it was this bad. Oh well, it's a learning experience!!

that is what I call: TUITION, money spent to learn something.

I have been following this thread concerning the 14b diff. I am learning things too. For one, how do you handle the 8 lugs vs the 6 lugs on the front, I mean in terms of interchangeability? I suppose one doesn't - doh, but I it seems odd, yet still doable.
Will carry 2 spare tires/rims? One spare won't fit 6 AND 8 lug patterns

I am considering the swap to 14b, as I have my engine out, and building my 5.9L SBC and NV4500, but considering the adapter to the LC's TC and existing Diff with the 14B diff.

Are you glad you went with the 14B diff? Any quick suggestions? I found the pirate4x4 bible you referred to.

dougbert

 

[GLTHFJ60]

that is what I call: TUITION, money spent to learn something.

I have been following this thread concerning the 14b diff. I am learning things too. For one, how do you handle the 8 lugs vs the 6 lugs on the front, I mean in terms of interchangeability? I suppose one doesn't - doh, but I it seems odd, yet still doable.

I am considering the swap to 14b, as I have my engine out, and building my 5.9L SBC and NV4500, but considering the adapter to the LC's TC and existing Diff with the 14B diff.

Are you glad you went with the 14B diff? Any quick suggestions? I found the pirate4x4 bible you referred to.

dougbert

I am very glad I went with the 14bolt axle!! I have a ton of comfort in the fact that my 14 bolt axle will never break. It's a bit of a boat anchor, but I'm OK with that, because it's got a shovel of a pinion guard, which also protects the rear driveshaft, and the axle shafts are stupid large.

As for the 6 lugs vs 8 logs, it's stupid that I'm doing that. You can deal with that problem my getting 6 lug hubs for the 14 bolt or by getting 6 lug to 8 lug adapters for the front. I'm not doing either, but instead I'm putting a D60 up front.

As for suggestions, make sure that you get a late model 14 bolt, also called an AAM 10.5, so that you get factory disk brakes and a rotor-in-hat e-brake.

What transfer case are you running?