Nice writeup, thanks for sharing
Builds Putting the rust demon at bay (7 Viewers)
- Thread starter archie73
- Start date
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- Thread starter
- #642
Inevitably we ran into the same snow issue- the angle of the snow was too much to cross. We were dealing with the depth of the snow, but the sliding into trees was inevitable. This time we were a shorter trail walk to the lake, maybe an eighth of a mile. I was a bit surprised to see ice on lake still. We have been getting a fairly warm dry spring, so I assumed the lake would have been clear. It was a lovely view to break out of the trees though.
Not having a good area to set up camp, we made the call to head back to his tow rig and take advantage of the dispersed camping. On one of the snow patches, I managed to burn up the control ground wire on the 8274. Replacing the ground with a 0g wire yeilded a noise, but no turning of the winch. We now had one winch for two trucks. Loosing daylight was starting to feel like a possibility if we dove to far into fixing winch. We put the bronco in lead so he could pull me when needed.
And there was atleast one need, we knew ahead of time. On the way to the lake, we had descended one small hill covered in deep snow. We knew it was going to be trouble on the way back. We were not disappointed. He made it 3/4 the way up before pulling cable. It left a couple good sized holes in the snow for me fall into. And I did.
Getting the cruiser up the remainder of the hill took a large chunk of time and effort. The 9000# winch wasn’t enough and melted the side terminal out of the battery. The lead was hooked to the top of the battery and we set up a snatch block to increase the pulling power. The cruiser would keep going deeper into the snow. We’d shovel and pull- rinse and repeat. Until I drove out under my own power.
In camp fire retrospect, we should have positioned the bronco closer to apex of the hill. If he was more in line with the hill he would have lifted the front of the truck. He was actually pulling me down into the snow.
After that endeavor we were ready to get off the mountain and make camp. We made haste down the trail. Not much to report there just lots of bouncing around. We were a bit more careful in the mud hole and escaped without incident.
Just to the driver side of the cruiser is the hole I went sideways in on the way up…
I was able to crawl out of the hole with out to much tire spin or drama.
We were able to make camp and dinner by the time night fell and enjoyed some elk tacos. Beers and tequila followed.
The drive home was another pleasant experience. Completely uneventful with the exception of a panic stop from the car in front of me causing me to lock up all four wheels at 60mph. Crisis was adverted, but I was reminded I wasn’t driving our minivan by the cop wagging his finger at me.
And there was atleast one need, we knew ahead of time. On the way to the lake, we had descended one small hill covered in deep snow. We knew it was going to be trouble on the way back. We were not disappointed. He made it 3/4 the way up before pulling cable. It left a couple good sized holes in the snow for me fall into. And I did.
Getting the cruiser up the remainder of the hill took a large chunk of time and effort. The 9000# winch wasn’t enough and melted the side terminal out of the battery. The lead was hooked to the top of the battery and we set up a snatch block to increase the pulling power. The cruiser would keep going deeper into the snow. We’d shovel and pull- rinse and repeat. Until I drove out under my own power.
In camp fire retrospect, we should have positioned the bronco closer to apex of the hill. If he was more in line with the hill he would have lifted the front of the truck. He was actually pulling me down into the snow.
After that endeavor we were ready to get off the mountain and make camp. We made haste down the trail. Not much to report there just lots of bouncing around. We were a bit more careful in the mud hole and escaped without incident.
Just to the driver side of the cruiser is the hole I went sideways in on the way up…
We were able to make camp and dinner by the time night fell and enjoyed some elk tacos. Beers and tequila followed.
The drive home was another pleasant experience. Completely uneventful with the exception of a panic stop from the car in front of me causing me to lock up all four wheels at 60mph. Crisis was adverted, but I was reminded I wasn’t driving our minivan by the cop wagging his finger at me.
- Thread starter
- #644
This is a repair- not a restoration!!
On our last adventure, The 8274 gave up the ghost. It was a hard pull and I don’t fault at all. More than likely it was my own fault- I had run out of the heavy gauge wire to feed the motor, and I used a light duty ground strap back to the solenoid. As a result, I think I burned up the motor, but rather than dwell on that I decide to upgrade it. Enter the 9.5 XP motor upgrade with the correct gear and Contactor. Except the Contactor I bought was for a 4000 pound winch and I’m now waiting for the correct one.
This is not the correct Contactor for anybody shopping
I have a light duty winch on my trailer. Maybe I’ll hook it up to that.
There’s plenty of threads that outline how to do this procedure, so I won’t bore you on all that breakdown and assembly. Snail Racing (@gnob ?) on YouTube does a really good break down video if you’re interested. I will say I was pleasantly surprised at how nice it looked inside my winch gearbox in comparison to all the ones I saw on YouTube. They were full of chocolate milkshake. mines full of good gear oil, and that’s why I’m not doing restoration. Additionally, I don’t have time to do a full restoration, so this is just a repair.
All sealed up and waiting for the motor insertion.
This is where I had to leave it as I’m waiting for the new Albright contactor. It’ll be good to have a working winch again.
On our last adventure, The 8274 gave up the ghost. It was a hard pull and I don’t fault at all. More than likely it was my own fault- I had run out of the heavy gauge wire to feed the motor, and I used a light duty ground strap back to the solenoid. As a result, I think I burned up the motor, but rather than dwell on that I decide to upgrade it. Enter the 9.5 XP motor upgrade with the correct gear and Contactor. Except the Contactor I bought was for a 4000 pound winch and I’m now waiting for the correct one.
There’s plenty of threads that outline how to do this procedure, so I won’t bore you on all that breakdown and assembly. Snail Racing (@gnob ?) on YouTube does a really good break down video if you’re interested. I will say I was pleasantly surprised at how nice it looked inside my winch gearbox in comparison to all the ones I saw on YouTube. They were full of chocolate milkshake. mines full of good gear oil, and that’s why I’m not doing restoration. Additionally, I don’t have time to do a full restoration, so this is just a repair.
#snaleracing
glad you could make use of the vids.
- Thread starter
- #646
I’d watched it some time in the past, knowing that this was eventually going to be needed. Your walk through was just what I needed. I don’t do any mini stuff, but I’ve always been curious on the dual Tcases. Watching your wife work her way through the build was informative.
- Thread starter
- #647
So project A.D.D. continues…
Yep, I’m back to working on the tube fenders. Winch still needs wiring. Drivers side top skin is fully shaped and welded. Very tedious and I’m still no where close to show quality. I am learning though and I enjoy it- even if it’s not first rate.
Flap wheels and rollocks followed in order to get them presentable. Once I felt like I had plateaued in my skill set, I decided to move onto the inner fender. I used the usual CAD method to find the correct shape of the panels. Then I traced the cardboard pattern to the 16 gauge sheetmetal. Milwaukee nibbled for the win. Since the inner fender is not a flat panel, I had to get creative to make the bends. I give you the ten finger brake.
Crude? Labor intensive? Probably, but it worked. Driver’s side is shaped and ready for (a lot of) grinding and welding and grinding…
Obviously there’s more trimming to do, but I need to mock it up for that stage. I have the bib in the shop and I got lucky, I hope, on the angle of the flange that bolts to the bib. Kind of a wing and a prayer.
I was making good progress, but ultimately succumbed to the heat of the day. I melt at 85 deg, so the welding didn’t help. Had to get back to the wife anyway.
Yep, I’m back to working on the tube fenders. Winch still needs wiring. Drivers side top skin is fully shaped and welded. Very tedious and I’m still no where close to show quality. I am learning though and I enjoy it- even if it’s not first rate.
Crude? Labor intensive? Probably, but it worked. Driver’s side is shaped and ready for (a lot of) grinding and welding and grinding…
Obviously there’s more trimming to do, but I need to mock it up for that stage. I have the bib in the shop and I got lucky, I hope, on the angle of the flange that bolts to the bib. Kind of a wing and a prayer.
I was making good progress, but ultimately succumbed to the heat of the day. I melt at 85 deg, so the welding didn’t help. Had to get back to the wife anyway.
Looking forward to the results here.
- Thread starter
- #649
Ugh, me too. I’m still excited and enjoying the process. I’m just not sure I have the skillset to match the tool I’m allowed to use.
Both fenders are skinned with inner fenders now, but I realized I screwed up on the flange that bolts to the bib diagonal. It’ll work, but it’s gonna take some doing to get a presentable finished product.
That flange needs to be under the tube behind it. I got it there, but didn’t take pics. It look like its doable, just needs more time and effort. I’m learning…
Speaking of time- I’m headed to Whistler to take the boy biking for 10 days. I won’t be doing much for while. Maybe I’ll sneak a little time here and there at work. Screw it I’m going to use my latest distraction.
Yo.
Updates??
Updates??
- Thread starter
- #651
I bought an electric mtn bike, took the kid to ride at Whistler. Wife is loving driving the cruiser around the valley. Frame repair seems to holding, but I should check again. Still need to finish the winch upgrade and the tube fenders. Picked up firewood- need to split it… life is in the way of my obsession(s).Yo.
Updates??
I’m enjoying driving mine again so much that I have been taking it everywhere. Hell we drove separate rigs the other day so I could take the 40 LOL.
Rendering it non driveable super sucked. But it’s back now until it breaks.
Mike Shull
Let’s go…
I am backing my out of the garage today to drive it to work. I’m not sure that I ever want to do another project where I remove every bolt, but here I am looking through the classifieds section for basket cases.
The fender work is looking great, @archie73. I may have missed it but did you finish those? I’d love to see them installed. Building fenders is tough work.
- Thread starter
- #654
I still love driving it, just life is in the way. Work gave me a shared commuter, so I don’t need to drive my junk as much. Nothing to complain about, just less reason to drive the 40. Funny thing is less driving means less desire to work on it. I still dream of it though.
Stoked to hear you’re loving the swap. I knew the LS would be better than the SBC, but until I drove it I didn’t comprehend just how much better.
I know the feeling. I picked up a basket case 45- it needs everything. AND I still have to finish the father son project F100. It also needs everything. I find I like the idea of a blank slate build(s). Time is the enemy.
The fenders are still coming along. Hopefully some more finish welding (& grinding) and then paint. Oh and figure out the battery mounts. And….
Mike Shull
Let’s go…
Don’t grind those welds down too far like I did. I made my metal so smooth that I didn’t need much body filler but the welds cracked in a few places after one year of driving.
