Builds The Story of Blue (2 Viewers)

[ClassyJalopy]

Mileage 219,134
Fresh Mobil 1 High mileage 5W-30 oil and Mobil M1-209A filter.

Haven't posted here for a while. Blue has been faithfully serving without asking for much in return, but I can tell she needs a few things!

Life's been incredibly busy, especially with moving in to a new place. Tons and tons of projects around the house and in the yard, that I am too cheap to pay someone to do for me. Between chopping down trees, re-grading parts of the yard, making flower beds and raised garden beds (for my wife), insulating garage, building storage racks etc. etc. I have just not found any time for Blue.
Being busy all 7 days (work and weekend classes) hasn't helped much either.

Anyway, I have noticed the power steering fluid leak on my driveway a few times. Every 500 or so miles, I had to add a couple of tablespoons worth of fluid too. Last time I checked, it appeared to be coming from pressure hose, so I ordered fresh hoses and took off the front protection plate. Well, the whole area was covered in fresh red ATF so I couldn't tell the source of the leak. So, I cleaned everything up and gave it a good wash and then drove the truck another couple fo hundered miles.

Now I am convinced that the leak is mostly coming from the rack itself. The pressure hoses are bone dry! There is slight seepage from the PS return line but that is negligible. Looks like I will be ordering a new rack the next time a big sale comes around. For now, I have added a little AT-205 in hopes of minimizing the leak.

 

[94SRUNNER]

Mileage 219,134
Fresh Mobil 1 High mileage 5W-30 oil and Mobil M1-209A filter.

Haven't posted here for a while. Blue has been faithfully serving without asking for much in return, but I can tell she needs a few things!

Life's been incredibly busy, especially with moving in to a new place. Tons and tons of projects around the house and in the yard, that I am too cheap to pay someone to do for me. Between chopping down trees, re-grading parts of the yard, making flower beds and raised garden beds (for my wife), insulating garage, building storage racks etc. etc. I have just not found any time for Blue.
Being busy all 7 days (work and weekend classes) hasn't helped much either.

Anyway, I have noticed the power steering fluid leak on my driveway a few times. Every 500 or so miles, I had to add a couple of tablespoons worth of fluid too. Last time I checked, it appeared to be coming from pressure hose, so I ordered fresh hoses and took off the front protection plate. Well, the whole area was covered in fresh red ATF so I couldn't tell the source of the leak. So, I cleaned everything up and gave it a good wash and then drove the truck another couple fo hundered miles.

Now I am convinced that the leak is mostly coming from the rack itself. The pressure hoses are bone dry! There is slight seepage from the PS return line but that is negligible. Looks like I will be ordering a new rack the next time a big sale comes around. For now, I have added a little AT-205 in hopes of minimizing the leak.

Original rack?

 

[ClassyJalopy]

Original rack?

Yes - the rack is original

 

[MongooseGA]

Congrats on the new place, Abe!

 

[ClassyJalopy]

Mileage 219,155
I am chasing an annoying vibration when the truck is stationary and in drive.
i know both of my CVs are spewing grease. I have replacement parts on sitting on the shelf for a while now but I despise that job. So I started thinking of other stuff that could cause this.

I started with replacing the transmission mount today. I had it at hand for may be 2 years but just never found motivation to replace it. Turns out it is a quick half banana job!
Old one was a little compressed and rubber was hard but it wasn't broken. LOVE working on a rust free truck! Everything comes off intact and goes back together easier.

 

[ClassyJalopy]

Got started with replacing the engine mounts. There are numerous warnings here on the forum abt how AHC lines restrict the access. We'll, they do. But the bigger issue is caused by the Doug Thorley headers.
The headers take up space than the stock ones and make access to the upper 17mm nut even harder..
I just finished installing the passenger side mount - not a fun job! I took lots of breaks and kept telling me that this is a big job it will take time and patience.
The old mount that came out is severely compressed but still intact.
I have loosened the driver side mount bolts and surprisingly found that side to have easier/better access!
A couple of pics

 

[TRDdrew]

Just did this on my buddies truck. You will be happy with the end result I promise, we didn't think his where bad, but the difference was very noticeable

 

[87warrior]

Wow! I am shocked at how compressed the old motor mount is.

 

[ClassyJalopy]

Got after the driver side today. I had loosened the bolts yesterday, before installing the passenger side mount.
The driver side mount was similarly compressed but also broken in two pieces. It was definitely time to replace it!

When I put the new mount in and let the engine down, there was still one inch gap left at the top of the mount . WTAF?!? My engine was levitating
At first I tried a pry bar to move engine back and forth to see if would come down. When that didn't work, I grabbed the top part of the engine and just shook it, it finally settled down.

I still need to connect the heater T hoses (disconnected them to avoid any stress when raising the engine), top up the coolant and go for a drive.