Squirt (formally Brownie) gets a new Mom and Dad - Erin's Sami Build

[4xsteve]

It sits pretty good right now, so I am looking at stock height replacement springs. I looked at some 1.5" lift OME, but I figure the stockers are soo saggy that it will gain some just getting fresh stockers.

I have no clue what you'll find, but I'd surf around and see if there are any "other" OEM or even non-zuk leaves that'll bolt in yet give better performance. Kinda like doing rears-up-front (RUF) on mini-trucks (Ted's has this I think).

Add a heavy foot to that and I am sure she will entertain all who are within viewing distance.

Erin and Mike may be the only ones able to wheel GMP in the rain - we will all be asking for rides in that scenario!

I have a dial indicator and base and an in-lb wrench. I plan to check all the usual suspects. I have set a couple back up after pulling the carriers and installing solid spacers or lunchbox lockers. I haven't been thru one top to bottom (No press for pinion bearings) but am fairly confident in my ability to do the basics, it isn't rocket science, just takes the tools and some patience... alot of patience.

True on all aspects. And if you need the bearing puller, I have it. But I'll only be around til February so it may not help you (I hope you don't need to work on the gears again that soon).

I actually read that I can buy a Toyota 4cyl solid sleeve and have it milled to 55 mm and use that to replace the crush sleeve if I wanted to. I like the solid spacers because I can monkey with the shims to get the preload right, then torque down the nut and stake it and know it won't change.

I'd seriously consider that. A little more work up front saves a ton of work down the road.

 

[Hugh Heifer]

Looks like fun

 

[CID 96]

Thanks for the heads up, the guy had them listed as 40# on the ad. They hold 9.2 gallons of propane, I watched the girl fill it myself

If they hold 9.2, then they are in fact 40lb tanks. I guess everything just looks smaller in those pictures, like drive shafts, axles, leaf springs, etc. LOL!! JK!

 

[jynx]

If they hold 9.2, then they are in fact 40lb tanks. I guess everything just looks smaller in those pictures, like drive shafts, axles, leaf springs, etc. LOL!! JK!

Oh no, everything in those pictures is smaller (see tiny). So far everything just looks like mini versions of a cruiser. The chunks, axles, divorced t-case, it's like someone took a 40 and just miniaturized it.

 

[jynx]

True on all aspects. And if you need the bearing puller, I have it. But I'll only be around til February so it may not help you (I hope you don't need to work on the gears again that soon).

Is it a bearing puller like for a press? I am hoping not to get into the differential other than maybe to put a solid sleeve in there. But I am going to need to pull the bearings off the axle shafts. Either an excuse for a press or time to find a shop.

Speaking of shops, does anyone know any small machine shops that could trim down a solid spacer? I am going to talk to some folks I work with to see if they have the capability to do both in their small machine shop.

 

[4xsteve]

Is it a bearing puller like for a press? I am hoping not to get into the differential other than maybe to put a solid sleeve in there. But I am going to need to pull the bearings off the axle shafts. Either an excuse for a press or time to find a shop.

Speaking of shops, does anyone know any small machine shops that could trim down a solid spacer? I am going to talk to some folks I work with to see if they have the capability to do both in their small machine shop.

No, this is the one like Randy's R & P and EastCoastGear sell. It is the clamshell style that you use with an 1/2" impact. And it will not do axle shaft bearings without buying or building an extension tube.

Someone up there in STLCA works at a machine shop I think. A while ago I was asking questions about something, drill or tap sizes for doing something weird, and someone rogered up with "let me check my machinist's handbook at work tomorrow". I also recall seeing some pics of theirs where they'd built their own square driveshafts using a mill to etch the groove on the inner piece. So yeah, someone up there near you does it.

 

[Hugh Heifer]

Is it a bearing puller like for a press? I am hoping not to get into the differential other than maybe to put a solid sleeve in there. But I am going to need to pull the bearings off the axle shafts. Either an excuse for a press or time to find a shop.

Speaking of shops, does anyone know any small machine shops that could trim down a solid spacer? I am going to talk to some folks I work with to see if they have the capability to do both in their small machine shop.

I have been using an HF press for years. I think it was less than $ 100. Any excuse to buy a tool

Heifer-net

 

[jynx]

I have been using an HF press for years. I think it was less than $ 100. Any excuse to buy a tool

Heifer-net

True Story!! Unfortunately for me some of my tool/ parts money is being eaten up by a new water heater and associated plumbing.... Great way to start the day this morning And then the company that we thought was pretty good and that has been servicing our AC units tried to screw us out of about $500 dollars

I did a little work this afternoon to try and help with the $$ hit and will be overseeing the work in the morning.

Back to Brownie, the diffs should be here Friday and if I can get my LROR order in tomorrow, we should be ready to start putting the rear end back together by the middle of next week.

I also found a complete BOSAL exhaust on RockAuto for about two bills, so I may go that route instead of the exhaust shop.

Been a rough few days, I need the dust to settle so I can have a

 

[jynx]

Well, we are waiting on parts so I decided to test out a new color. Looks like Brownie may need a new name before long.



We also pulled both seats and started cleaning out the interior. Gonna have to find a new drivers seat for sure, it is trashed.

 

[sk8salomon]

Well, we are waiting on parts so I decided to test out a new color. Looks like Brownie may need a new name before long.

We also pulled both seats and started cleaning out the interior. Gonna have to find a new drivers seat for sure, it is trashed.

G.I. Jane! Love the colors.

 

[Sam Stewart]

Greenie?

Sent from another Galaxy

 

[jynx]

G.I. Jane! Love the colors.

Greenie?

We have started calling it "Lil' Bit", but that may change.

That is Rustoleum Army Green, and will eventually occupy all of the real-estate. The poor hood was begging for something besides Turd Brown, so I figured that was a good place to start.

Plan is to spray bomb it Army Green, flat black the hood with a Purple Invasion Star on it(Got to remember it is her truck so I am trying to work some "girl" into it)

Got the first (of several) Low Range order placed last week:

• Sloppy shifter fix
• Front end rebuild kit
• rear bearings
• new window regulators
• new Drivers side door handle assembly (if the window is up you can't open the door)

Next will be springs, bushings and possibly some sliders. I need to get the Exhaust ordered from RockAuto and then start running down the parts to rebuild the rear brakes.


We also started cleaning out the interior. As I mentioned earlier the drivers seat is trashed. I started chipping away at the tar sound deadening stuff in the floor boards. I want to get that **** out and then need to clean up the floor and apply some kind of new thermal protection. I am thinking of trying out the Lizard Skin. Then some Monster Liner or Durabak or something else to line the interior. I am also going to take a grinder to the assorted "items" that need to be relocated inside and I think I am going to have to do a little repair work to the floor pan.


Baby Girl will be with her grandparents for about a week starting on the 13th, so we are hoping to have a pile of parts to throw at it while she is gone.

 

[jynx]

I have been using an HF press for years. I think it was less than $ 100. Any excuse to buy a tool

Heifer-net

Ok, so I may have convinced E that this would be a good investment.... my UPS man is going to HATE!! Me, but I LOVE Amazon Prime!! Free 2 day shipping on a 12T Torin press, 100lbs. Did I mention the UPS guy is gonna hate me.

So 12T press and a bearing splitter should be delivered tomorrow. Both the new chunks came Tuesday and the first LowRange order is due next Tuesday.

Complete Bosal exhaust and parts to rebuild rear brakes ordered from RockAuto.

Second LowRange order of springs and bushings will be placed later tonight.

I do have a quick question for you propane guys, who makes propane lines? I am looking to relocate the supply line out of the cab but I may need some additional footage to make it work. Also, any reason why it can't/ shouldn't be located along the frame rail as long as it is on the opposite side of the exhaust?

I am also torn on if I should leave the viair 450c system under the hood, relocate it to the rear, or possibly relocate it to the 80....

Stay tuned

 

[RSHARPfzj80]

If I see it in come through Knoxville ill make sure it gets handled with care . We don't hate the people that order from Amazon every now and then it's the crazy asses who order something everyday!!! Job security baby!!! Keep it up

 

[jynx]

If I see it in come through Knoxville ill make sure it gets handled with care . We don't hate the people that order from Amazon every now and then it's the crazy asses who order something everyday!!! Job security baby!!! Keep it up

Hey, wait a minute, I was working on a really good response and now you went and changed your post. just so you know, I thought that your original line was funny as h*** and so did Erin. But I guess we should try to keep it clean

We aren't those folks, but we do order our share from Amazon, and the press did actually pass thru Knoxville last night (arrived at 1:36, departed at 4:08) so I will look for the "Handled with care" sticker that you put on it.

 

[jynx]

New Hiney Holders and some new ink!!

Well, Erin has been doing some research and found that Dodge Neon seats will swap into the Zuk with minimal work. It can be done several ways, but the simplest is to just swap the Zuk tracks onto the Neon seats. It is pretty simple and since this is not a swap that I figure anyone on here will be chomping at the bit to do I will just share the finished product.

Got the driver side done today and got the passenger side disassembled.

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k8/mrtucker80/SAM_1274_zps63d67ec5.jpg

The slides are very stiff and at some point I think we may try to swap in some nicer ones, but for $70 and some time I think it is an awesome upgrade from what we started with, which is now in the trash... It wasn't even worth trying to save.

We spent a good bit of the day playing the the color scheme. Repainted the grill and all the emblems and I hit the front end with what was left of the paint to see how it was going to look.

Whatcha think?

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k8/mrtucker80/SAM_1271_zpsfc8b4ef0.jpg

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k8/mrtucker80/SAM_1279_zps6d5f7dd9.jpg

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k8/mrtucker80/SAM_1270_zpsce173e67.jpg

I think it is going to turn out pretty nice. And the emblems turned out really well. The off-center purple square on the hood is prep for the star that I hope to work on there tomorrow.

I pulled the wiring for the compressor out and unbolted it. It is a Viair 450C which is a 100% duty cycle unit and I am seriously thinking of finding a home for it in the 80. Not sure what E's vote will be on that, she may veto that idea, either way I need to clean it up, but it looks to be in good shape.

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k8/mrtucker80/SAM_1275_zps09d01ef5.jpg

I also unpacked and assembled my new 12T press. It seems much smaller than I had anticipated, but I think it will be a good addition to the garage.

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k8/mrtucker80/SAM_1280_zps62075217.jpg

So I hope to get the hood squared away tomorrow. I need to get the grinder after the air tank and the propane tank mounts so that I can get started on relocating things. I am also going to get to wiring up my 220V outlet so I can start doing a little welding on this little dude. Mostly just misc metal repairs, but eventually getting it caged to protect the. I also think no matter where the 450C ends up living, I am going to look into a Viair 2.5 Gallon tank to mount on the underside and a proper pressure switch and other misc. fittings.

Like I mentioned previously, the chunks arrived this past Tuesday. They are pretty good looking and should do nicely to replace the destroyed one I pulled.

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k8/mrtucker80/SAM_1281_zpsddb63a26.jpg

My first Low Range order, Exhaust, brake parts and steering stabilizer are all supposed to arrive on Tuesday, so if all goes well we will be rebuilding the rear end and doing exhaust work next week. I hope the springs and bushings get here in time to knock out the whole rear next week.

I also have a dozen cans of Army Green paint headed my way so that we can finish the color change soon after it is back on all fours.

More to come.

 

[Sam Stewart]

I'm digging the paint scheme. Very misleading thread title though.

Sent from another Galaxy

 

[jynx]

I'm digging the paint scheme. Very misleading thread title though.

Sent from another Galaxy

Thanks, and yeah, I may see if I can get Woody to let me edit it since the color is changing. Of course if you start from the beginning it makes sense...

 

[Hugh Heifer]

Good stuff

Heifer-net

 

[jynx]

Nothing Earth-shattering, but I did get the hood painted and bolted back on. I am pretty happy with how it turned out.

Hopefully we will be throwing some serious parts at it later this week.

Enjoy.. and sorry they are a little fuzzy and the light isn't the best, Hannah got sick and the sun got low before I could get a good set of pics.

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k8/mrtucker80/SAM_1286_zpsc6c7343b.jpg

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k8/mrtucker80/SAM_1283_zps02d80538.jpg

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k8/mrtucker80/SAM_1288_zps24ae116b.jpg

The best part was this morning when we had the "star challenge" to see which one of us could actually draw a star without a compass, ruler or protractor. I think we did ok.