the DSRTRDR is getting some TLC . . .

[inkpot]

First update for the new forum: It runs, shifts all gears, went gallivanting around the parking lot. A "few" things are still needed, like; rear brakes & clutch bled, front drive shaft, skid plate made, not going to sneak up on anyone with the open header, etc.

It's ALIVE!!! Well, it has been a while since it could make it around the building on its own power.

Soon it will be ready to wheel.

Again.

For a while....

 

[ChaseTruck]

Stretching its legs, for the first time in a while, this time with the 5-speed...

The A/C seems to be sensitive to altitude and speed

 

[subzali]

Well proportioned


...via IH8MUD app

 

[REZARF]

Claudia, congrats... Your rig looks amazing! It's so inspiring to get the rust out and not have to feel like it needs a $5,000 paint job. I am totally digging the 80 series wheels. Did you go to 60 series axles? I think I remember reading that. I might have to find a set of spacers to run a set of those wheels. You've nailed the perfect stance, without killing on road manors.

Anyway, job well done. It looks fantastic.

How's the 5 speed?

 

[DSRTRDR]

I like the 5 speed - haven't had the chance yet to run it on a longer highway drive

 

[DSRTRDR]

so, the other day we take a test drive/wheeling in an area close to town - as the truck flexes on a hillclimb, I hear this TERRIBLE noise - it goes away, but comes back on another milder climb - also, the transfer case pops out of gear . . .

turns out: the fan was shredding itself on the fan shroud (which also took the fan clutch out of commission) as the transmission/transfer case moved around by 2 inches the transfer case lever hits the body and pops out of gear all of this due to a broken motor mount - quality carnage pics to follow

you can see me reaching over to keep it in gear . . . fun times

pics of the carnage to follow

 

[Tools R Us]

... I am totally digging the 80 series wheels. Did you go to 60 series axles? I think I remember reading that. I might have to find a set of spacers to run a set of those wheels. You've nailed the perfect stance, without killing on road manors.
...

Agree on the '80 wheels, they are ~4.5" back space, for a '40 want somewhere ~3" backspace. It has a wider FJ62 rear axle, that mostly takes care of the rear. Her tires are slightly more rounded (sidewall) than most, so have slightly touched the inner fender well. May or may not do something about it? The front has 1.25" spacers.

IMHO it drives well, has significantly better manners on both the road and trail.

The '80 wheels with 315 tires thing is popular with local rigs. A couple have '60 rear axles, the others have spacers, 1.25" or 1.5":

Raul, I'm not wild about the LX wheels on a '40?

Rootbeer.

Hitit66.

DSRTRDR.

 

[Coolerman]

Cool fix on the fuel line Tools R Us! I Googled that part number and came across this crimper on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/SEPTLS312C/?tag=ihco-20 Is this similar to what you used to crimp the ferrule? I have a couple of these fuel tank connectors and need to make up some OEM looking fuel lines.

 

[Tools R Us]

The link failed, but it's one like this: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000I0QC2C/?tag=ihco-20

 

[Cruisin']

Claudia, the truck's looking GREAT! I'm sure it will be a real treat to wheel once the little bugs are all worked out.

 

[DSRTRDR]

thanks

update: the H55 is in and runs well; new parking brake system has been rigged to mate the 60 rear axle parking brakes with the '72 front dash-mount brake pull - pics will follow when "Tools R Us" gets to them

before it can get out of the spa a few 'minor' details need to be addressed:

it hiccups/dies on throttle; all tests so far indicate that the tank needs to be scoped
it needs some work to make the brakes respond more smoothly; aiming for bigger calipers up front
and the transfer case is stuck in low range because the shifter fell in

also needs a bit more cutting on the rear fenders, and then painting of the rear half, fender flares and running boards - re-attachement of tire carrier, rear lights and emblems

I already have a new softtop in waiting, and I'll redo the sound proofing and carpet and other quality-of-life improvements

 

[77TLCFJ40]

Do you still have the frame from your old Bestop?

Progress on your 40 sounds good!

 

[DSRTRDR]

Do you still have the frame from your old Bestop?

Progress on your 40 sounds good!

yes, I still have the bows/mounting brackets for the old white Bestop (and the whole top with cracked windows, too) - I'll let them go once I install the new rail-style Bestop and it all checks out - it can only be just a few more months, right ?

 

[77TLCFJ40]

yes, I still have the bows/mounting brackets for the old white Bestop (and the whole top with cracked windows, too) - I'll let them go once I install the new rail-style Bestop and it all checks out - it can only be just a few more months, right ?

Please keep me in mind when the time is right. Thanks!

 

[DSRTRDR]

will do

 

[MyTwoToys]

Going to need a column. Claudia prefers the stock turn signal, key in the dash, wheel, etc, so, snatched the polished turd out of the rig and beheaded it. Placed it where it has a chance of being reincarnated as a tuna can, manhole cover or something usefull!
View attachment 794469View attachment 794470View attachment 794471

Tools R US. How did keeping the stock shock tower work out? How did you reinforce it? I would also like to move to 60 PS but was not too psyched to change shock towers and change the steering wheel and ignition. Do you have any photos of the finished product? No sure I have the skill to do what you did but would like to try as I want to keep somewhat of a stock look and eventually go to discs in the front as well. Thanks for the help.

 

[JohnnyC]

I had the same thing with the fan hit the shroud... Twice

The short story... I found the bad motor mount after the second time it happened ... Also lost my radiator in the process ... Happened on the highway


Looking great

How's the 5 speed on the highway? Take it out on a longer run yet?

Great truck Claudia

 

[Tools R Us]

I have to apologize for not keeping this thread up to speed! I have an aliment that causes me to loose chunks of my life, in this case, almost 3 months. Better now, so will catch it up, soonish,,, maybe!

Lets see, soonish:

Right now we are agonizing over the final details on the comments for our local Forest Travel Management Plan.

Tomorrow my wife gets back from 3 weeks visiting her mom,,, maybe I should at least get the dishes washed before picking her up from the airport?

Thursday; the vice prez for our OHV volunteer group gets back. We have a major project to reopen a very popular local trail, so will have an afternoon and dinner meeting to prepare the proposal for Forest.

Friday; Claudia gets here, is expecting to drive DSRTRDR to emissions. There are a few little detail problems with that, like it currently doesn't run, missing things like a fuel tank and the replacement is from a later ('76) rig, so will require "a few" mods.

Saturday; I'm leading an event for the volunteer group to assess some trails, ~200mi, ~50mi off road. Depending on weather, DSRTRDR is one of the rigs that needs to be ready to go.

So, yep, soonish,,, maybe!

 

[JohnnyC]

Skip the dishes


You have alot going on

 

[Tools R Us]

Tools R US. How did keeping the stock shock tower work out? How did you reinforce it? I would also like to move to 60 PS but was not too psyched to change shock towers and change the steering wheel and ignition. Do you have any photos of the finished product? No sure I have the skill to do what you did but would like to try as I want to keep somewhat of a stock look and eventually go to discs in the front as well. Thanks for the help.

We have done several of these conversions, my personal favorite method is the ford shock tower, more clearance, easier, better options, etc. Retaining the stock tower is more work, but some prefer it. Yes, it's more stockish, but IMHO, with the amount of chopping needed for this mod, the stock ship has already sailed.

On this one, cut a hunk of plate and stuck it to the side of the tower.