Builds The Warthog - 1977/73 combo

[wngrog]

I’m heading for this pain...so watching & hopefully learn’

As much as I hate buying from Specter they know what they are doing.

I ordered the correct bushings.

The UPS shipping option was $28 which just makes me hate this company but now they have a USPS option that they will send you a total later. I can’t wait.

My springs are in great shape. They came off a low mile Pig so they are likely pretty close to stock.

My hub to fender measurement is about 19” which from what I can tell is stocking height.

Clears 33’s just fine. With Armstrong steering that’s all I want anyway.

I’ll move on to something else until those come in.

Maybe the sliders this weekend......

 

[wngrog]

The Warthog getting some pork belly by @under_psi fab

 

[wngrog]

This took about 16’ of a 20’ stick and 4 hours of work. Chef Lou killed the welds and I was hand-me-this/grinder bitch

 

[wngrog]

Got home and tidied up a few things.

I snatched out my shoulder belts. I totally hated them. My kids hated them.

Bye.

One of the holes left over after it’s all done. I added a rubber flap to it to kill off mud and such from being in the door area. It’s sealed but this will help

Lou welded a couple tabs on the fronts to attach the bottoms of the fenders to so they won’t flap in the wind

I trimmed up both sides and added some edge dressing to clean it up

And my daughter caught a 6’ rat snake

 

[PabloCruise]

So, who sells the correct rubber bushings?

I thought we had a NAPA p/n for correct bushings in here somewhere?

 

[wngrog]

I thought we had a NAPA p/n for correct bushings in here somewhere?

I went to SOR for them. Of course I selected Priority Mail option and I’ve yet to

 

[PabloCruise]

I thought we had a NAPA p/n for correct bushings in here somewhere?

FJ55 leaf spring bushing part number

Leaf Spring Bushing - Rear Suspension - H/D Truck

 

[wngrog]

Hanging with Paulina the Pig today at the Swap Meet at my shop. Great turnout.

 

[wngrog]

So what does any sane Pig owner do once it’s looking right and running great?

Tear it apart, of course!

Back when the goal was simply getting this baby on the road, the fact that it had a front axle and it stopped was a 100% win.

Now the goals are a bit higher. Time to dig into the Warthog and make it 100%

The brakes worked. The Warthog stopped but these rotors were lowering the effectiveness

I’ve had a Terrain Tamer kit in inventory from @beno for a year to rebuild the axle. Also, I have new TRE’s from @cruiseroutfit and new OEM tie rod and drag links again from Beno.

I’ll grab some rotors local and slap some new pads in as well.

 

[wngrog]

I’m not sure how people can charge enough to do this job.

It’s nasty. Tedious. Nasty. Stinky.

In the end though it is oddly satisfying

 

[USMC22]

I’m not sure how people can charge enough to do this job.

It’s nasty. Tedious. Nasty. Stinky.

In the end though it is oddly satisfying

View attachment 1726645 View attachment 1726646 View attachment 1726647 View attachment 1726648

I would have played in the grease and oil with you instead of hanging a tv 8” in the air over a fireplace

 

[wngrog]

My seal/race driver is not big enough for the inner race so I used the old one to hammer the new one in.

Now it’s stuck.

I stuck it in the freezer overnight. Hopefully it will fall out after sitting in there tonight.

I had just a bit more energy so I got the links off.

New OEM links and ends coming.

 

[USMC22]

Save all part numbers please

 

[FJ60Cam]

Not that this does you any good right now, but:

I grind the old race OD down a little before doing that. Same for the rear axle bearing.

Clean knuckles are such a good feeling!

 

[PabloCruise]

I’m not sure how people can charge enough to do this job.

It’s nasty. Tedious. Nasty. Stinky.

In the end though it is oddly satisfying

Embrace the stink!

 

[wngrog]

Not that this does you any good right now, but:

I grind the old race OD down a little before doing that. Same for the rear axle bearing.

Clean knuckles are such a good feeling!

I used this trick after I tapped it out this afternoon.

Thanks!

 

[wngrog]

Knuckle #2

Goat is happy not to be the victim for a change

FYI, the 40 series drag link I had in stock is 1” longer than the 55 series.

That said it worked. Barely.

Love the new TRE’s and rods. So clean.

Gotta go get some rotors and pads and this project is done.

 

[wngrog]

Pads tomorrow. Kurt is sending me a new steering rod with joints, should be here Saturday.

This was a big job. I say that every time I do a knuckle job but it is. It all went together and I didn’t even have any leftover parts.

 

[wngrog]

Got the pads installed and took it for a spin. Looks and feels like I have the alignment correct.

My steering wheel is a bit off because I used the fj40 drag link I had in inventory and I’ve got it as short as I can.

Once I add the steering link that @cruiseroutfit sent me I’ll have the final piece.

I never knew this was a non adjustable link. Never noticed.

If I’m still a bit off I’ll yank the wheel and recenter. It’s close.

After a cruise with Pig (in the Pig) I greased it all up and even checked on my steering box grease. It finally leaked all the 90wt out and it took a bit more grease.

 

[wngrog]

Closing this chapter with a shout out again to @cruiseroutfit

Ordered Thursday. Received Saturday.

This steering link was a sight for sore eyes to see that the aftermarket is adjustable.

This allowed me to fine tune my steering wheel to perfect center.

Happy. Happy.

This Warthog Project is compete.