The Mule.

[Hugh Heifer]

OK - while you bastards are having a good time wheeling for the New Years run, i have ripped into the steering. So far I have broken the whole thing down and tacked the Decker scab plates on the passenger side. I have to go get a new drill and a hole saw in the AM to get the holes put in the frame on the driver's side.

I have also salvaged a steering shaft from an late model and am using that instead of destroying the one from the early model. I double D-ed it successfully with the bench grinder. Stopped to watch the Rose Bowl. Roll Tide.

 

[LDowney]

... Stopped to watch the Rose Bowl. Roll Tide.

Chris,
The Rose Bowl equaled USC wailing on Penn State, so where did Roll Tide enter the picture? Is your frig in need of restocking now?

Keep up the work on the truck and post up more pictures.

 

[Hugh Heifer]

Chris,
The Rose Bowl equaled USC wailing on Penn State, so where did Roll Tide enter the picture? Is your frig in need of restocking now?

Keep up the work on the truck and post up more pictures.

No s***, Right? got a degree (among other places) at Alabama and both my brothers went to Utah. The text messages were flying back and forth for that game. I got into PSU for my Masters and never went cuz they yanked my assistantship money but I have stayed a Lions fan since....and of course I have always been a Seattle fan having grown up there and worked there as an "adult." Our house is a triple threat!

 

[LDowney]

No ****, Right? got a degree (among other places) at Alabama and both my brothers went to Utah. The text messages were flying back and forth for that game. I got into PSU for my Masters and never went cuz they yanked my assistantship money but I have stayed a Lions fan since....and of course I have always been a Seattle fan having grown up there and worked there as an "adult." Our house is a triple threat!

Nothing so exciting here. I got my BS & MS from Illinois. Also, since I met my there, we are doubly boring because she is an Illini graduate too. Consequently, we rarely get an opportunity to watch the Illini in a bowl game; and when we do get to watch an Illini bowl game, there is very very little to cheer about. This year was even worse because the Big Ten was pretty much hammered in all their bowl games and there very little joy in Mudville.

Our older girls are trying to change that; they both are at UGA and 'parade' the Dawgs under my nose. So far it just isn't sticking to me. Paying the bills for life in Athens is not the same as living it.

Enjoy the football diversity in your household, but keep posting the pictures of your Cruiser build.

 

[Hugh Heifer]

Okay so here is how it is going.

First I had to strip all the old worn out crap off.


I had planned on saving some of the stuff for the frame off but discovered that the drag ling was quite buggered



I then cut the holes for the scab plate in the frame rail and marked the hole in the cross member based on the dimensions provided by Decker Off Road where I got the plates. Then the hard part was cutting thru the cross member with a hole saw. I used up two three inch hole saws.

 

[Hugh Heifer]

Then, with the column disassembled, I used a scab plate I had gotten cheap from MAF and tacked it to the shortened early model steering column.




Then I cut the rag joint off an old buggered late model steering column and carefully ground the double d in the end. It fit the Borgenson U joints perfectly!!!!

I had purchased a couple go cart bearing from Northern tool for like $5 and to my surprise, one fit perfectly in the end of the steering shaft housing. I just tapped it in place with a hammer. The shaft feels great and is centered.

(that was not code)

 

[Hugh Heifer]

Surprise perfect fit!!!!

 

[Hugh Heifer]

Finally, I tacked the passenger side scab plates in place and got the fitment set up on the driver's side mount and reinforcement plates that came with the kit. I had to actually cut a slot in the bottom of the frame for the rear sleeve but I figure with proper welds (which a friend will be doing) on all the reinforcing, I should be good.







That is where I stopped for the weekend. I am trying to score some 3 inch tubing to sleeve the frame cross member with and once I have that cut to fit it will be time to weld everythign in place.

I also need to cut the splash guard which hurts cuz it's powder coated! I have not done that yet becasue I burned out my Dremel

Tune in next week!

 

[LDowney]

... I am trying to score some 3 inch tubing to sleeve the frame cross member with and once I have that cut to fit it will be time to weld everythign in place.

Chris,
Thanks for the update. If I had known that you were doing a Saginaw conversion, I would have told you that Gordon Stiltner here in Atlanta makes all the kit parts and even does the install for those that need it. However, your kit appears to be boxing in the frame which is important (as I understand it) to reduce twisting of the frame horn due to the Saginaw. Also, Gordon used to make heavy duty steering links if you intend to do more than just replace your old one.

If you get down towards the Kennesaw area, call ahead to the Metal Supermarket. They carry DOM tubing and will sell you the length you need rather than a full stick.

 

[Hugh Heifer]

Thanks Larry. A TuTer is going to send me out a couple 3" pieces of Schedule 10. Should do nicely. All I am lacking is the lines and the pulley.

 

[sk8salomon]

I also need to cut the splash guard which hurts cuz it's powder coated! I have not done that yet becasue I burned out my Dremel

Tune in next week!

hey man, last week i rattle can'd the lower control arm on the fiero with the same TCI gloss black as the parts you had powdercoated. after about 3 coats, it looks better than any other spray paint i've ever seen. Good paint IMO. we buy the spray paint from the powder mfg so we can touch up after dumb asses drop stuff in the plant. I'll see how much work will sell to me and let you know.

 

[Hugh Heifer]

hey man, last week i rattle can'd the lower control arm on the fiero with the same TCI gloss black as the parts you had powdercoated. after about 3 coats, it looks better than any other spray paint i've ever seen. Good paint IMO. we buy the spray paint from the powder mfg so we can touch up after dumb asses drop stuff in the plant. I'll see how much work will sell to me and let you know.

So that is why i have been getting over on the price, you are just rattlecanning the stuff in the back room!!!!

 

[Hugh Heifer]

Speaking of rattlecans...

Finished the steering column. Used a piece of virgin PVC as a seal. Stretches nicely over the column and is very pliable. I got a big sheet from a guy who works at a recycle place who was showing me around.



Before I can get it all back together I need to find a new mechanical turn signal switch. Mine is destroyed pretty much. Springs are broken, the lever is broken in half and the rivets are all worn so the thing is really loose.

 

[sk8salomon]

Speaking of rattlecans...

Finished the steering column. Used a piece of virgin PVC as a seal. Stretches nicely over the column and is very pliable. I got a big sheet from a guy who works at a recycle place who was showing me around.

View attachment 289949

Before I can get it all back together I need to find a new mechanical turn signal switch. Mine is destroyed pretty much. Springs are broken, the lever is broken in half and the rivets are all worn so the thing is really loose.

nice job! is that the infamous corrolla u-joint?

 

[Hugh Heifer]

nice job! is that the infamous corrolla u-joint?

No - Borgenson. Got it cheap cheap on Amazon or some place. Poser sold me the Borgenson steering shaft for cheap too.

 

[Hugh Heifer]

I was also able to remove the old pitman arm. I used a puller, tightened it about as tight as I dared and wacked the top of the arm with a hammer a couple times. Worked good. I saw where someone was having serious trouble with this in tech someplace.

I also put the motor and 5 speed in my rolling chassis. I am going to have the same guy who welds the cross member in for me weld the saginaw plates. One of these days I should start a thread.

 

[Hugh Heifer]

Finally got around to sleeving the cross member. That was a PITA to weld in and still have the box fit. But it is done.


Now to get my professional welder buddy to permanently afix the scab plates.

 

[Hugh Heifer]

On my way to Virginia Friday for training until the first so nothing on either truck this week

 

[apeterson]

"Hey - I am behind and doing ketchup." you wrote that on my thread 03-29-07

get your a$$ in gear, mine is almost done!!!

looking good!!!

 

[Hugh Heifer]

"Hey - I am behind and doing ketchup." you wrote that on my thread 03-29-07

get your a$$ in gear, mine is almost done!!!

looking good!!!

I have not posted a build on my other rig yet, fxxxer!

Still waiting on my buddy to weld my scab plates.