Project Insert Name Here has begun...

[Spook50]

Well today I managed to get all the shocks off (which are completely JACKED. No pressure at all when I compressed 'em down by hand, and only one returned to full length. I got the front springs off and broken down (an acetalene torch works outstanding for bending those wraparound clips out straight), and tomorrow I'll be ready to pull the rears and sandblast the whole lot. So far everything's been going very smoothly, save for the spring pins, but I saw that coming since I couldn't reach up into the perches with the nozzle on the can of Kroil I've been using. I got 'em without much hassle at all though, and I'm already much farther ahead than I expected to be after only 4.5 hours of work. I must've made the Cruiser gods happy, because today's been a great day. Even got to break in my new coveralls

This is the very first step towards the eventual SOA, then later on, the NV4500, then way down the road, the 4BT

 

[Tinker]

Spook -
If you're talking nitrogen charged shocks, yes they should all return to full length. However, the dampning effect is more important IMHO. Are they hard to compress & extend?

 

[nikos8]

Are you sandblasting them yourself? If so what equipment are you using? I'm interested in getting some for myself since I want to sandblast my frame and such and the nearest place I can take everything to get it sandblasted is 120 miles away.

 

[Spook50]

Spook -
If you're talking nitrogen charged shocks, yes they should all return to full length. However, the dampning effect is more important IMHO. Are they hard to compress & extend?

To be honest, I can't remember if they're nitrogen charged or not. I'm pretty sure they are. But they were easy as hell to compress and extend. Can't wait to get the new OEM shocks installed so I can have a more comfortable drive home to Seattle

nikos8, Yes, I'm sandblasting the springs myself, using the blasting cabinet they have at the shop here. I'm not sure what media it has but it takes a lot of work to get the rust and crap off. As far as having your frame done, I'd still take it to that place 120 miles off, if you've got a way to get it there. Having a pro do something like that and save you the work is worth the money IMO.

 

[krzyabncanuck]

Yes i totally agree about having someone else do the frame, just got done doing my 45 frame and next time around someone else can do it.

Sorry to hijack.

 

[Spook50]

Yes i totally agree about having someone else do the frame, just got done doing my 45 frame and next time around someone else can do it.

Sorry to hijack.

Speaking of blasting, doing each individual leaf is one of the biggest pains I've had yet working on this truck. It's long, tedious, hard on your arms reaching into the cabinet, and the longer ones are a PITA to handle while blasting. Doesn't help to have the window so chewed up that you can't see through it either On the other hand though, the end results are fantastic if you can just tough it out.

Consider this a warning for anyone who wants to blast their leaves like I'm doing.