Truck overhaul! Week #6


Time to get the suspension done. First the rear springs, which had shackles so rusty I had to cut them apart, and cut them off the frame. I want the springs from the silver truck, they are modified to be taller and stronger. I also wanted the reddish coloured inserts, they are polyurethane, expesive, and hard to get.



So I used a hydraulic press to force the rusty bolts out. I needed to first build the holder that I'm using, that square hollow steel tubing. I welded 3 pieces together to make that stand so the springs couldn't twist under pressure.



The same parts on the gold truck cam apart easily. Here's why... The 2 on the right from the gold truck still look new, while the other 2 are from the silver truck...



With a good coating of thick silicone lube, everything went together quite well! I then put the rear axle from the silver truck under the gold truck, and swapped some brake lines too, and put the rear wheels on.



With the rear done, the gas tank could go back in, and the rear shock absorbers too. Then it was time for the front suspension... This was more complex, and rust wasn't the issue this time, it was over-tight nuts and bolts. Here I wanted the shocks, hubs, brake lines and brakes from the silver truck (they are bigger and stronger), as well as the drive train, the differential (it's lockable) and the short drive shafts that go to the hubs (they are stronger). The gold truck donated (or kept) the suspension arms and ball joints (newer and less abused) and steering linkages.



Everything going back together nicely after changing out the differential. Just need to add the hub, brake disk, brake calipers, brake lines, and the locking hubs. After a lot of nuts and bolts, a few handfulls of grease, and a very filthy work suit, the wheels went on. Finally. Nearing completion.



Time to power up. I attached the battery, and checked the lights, wipers, air horn, etc, and everything seems to work. So I turned the key, and the started motor decided to not work. Then so did the fuel pump. OK, it was closing time Friday, so it will be next week before it's done. I had time to remove the starter and check it out, but it decided then to work just fine, so I put it back in...



There's not much left now...



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