REAL MAN TRUCKWORKS & SURVIVAL

VEHICLES, CAMPERS, and BOATS => Build Threads => Topic started by: OldKooT on December 13, 2015, 10:13:44 AM

Title: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: OldKooT on December 13, 2015, 10:13:44 AM
Ready to see how NOT to build a truck?  All build threads need a goal, a plan, and to that end this one has that as well. I know because I spent all day yesterday talking myself out of doing what I am about to do...here is the goal.

I am going to take my much adored, trusty old friend we all call "patch" which is your average close to half million mile type 91.5 CTD W250, and cobble it together yet some more. The goal.... see what kind of truck it can be and not buy any new parts. None...The rules are simple...if it's in my barn/sheds/possession it's a part I own or have laying around...so not new. If I can't find something it needs from the barn/collection, well Craigslist E bay whatever...but not new.

So if your squeamish and believe one must always use new parts when doing such things....this thread will send you into convulsions.

Present state of condition: Well at this point in time it has no brakes. That's the first fix....I am tired of dropping the snow plow to stop the truck. I now have plow marks on my work bench.

The engine runs very well. No idea of the original miles, but I was assured when we purchased it we were North of 400K. Given the worn pedals, the fact that the front brake caliper brackets are so worn someone shimmed one with a tin can so it doesn't fall off, and other factors, suggest to me it's a fair guess Patch is approaching a half million miles as claimed.

The head gasket does leak under heavy boost. When you see antifreeze on the windshield, you know your making good boost. This has always been a handy indicator unless the wipers don't work...which is common. Oddly it has almost no blow by whatsoever...a mystery to me.

It does leak fuel from the injection pump..but it keeps the frame nice and oily and rust free so...I haven't let that concern me. The fan wobbles pretty bad...I will likely just remove it.

None of the power windows worked...or for that matter the locks. Recently my 2 year old grandson tore the drivers door mostly off...so we have replaced the doors with some used ones we had laying about. That's about the time the brakes quit...

Body: The cabs ok for the most part...cowl cracks and the normal Dodge stuff. The rest....blah.

So I could get into much more detail....but I have to drive this every day for the most part...so this should be interesting.  Ya ready? This is going to be a how not to do things thread....I am going to enjoy this.

Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: stlaser on December 13, 2015, 10:19:12 AM
I like it, farmer first aid 101......
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: Nate on December 13, 2015, 11:50:29 AM
this will be interesting!

how good is the story of your 2 yr old grandson almost tearing off the drivers door?

Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: TexasRedNeck on December 13, 2015, 11:56:53 AM
I'm having convulsions


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Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: rasimmo on December 13, 2015, 12:01:18 PM
I like it, but it aint fair.

From the description of your place you could put together a fleet of vehicles from parts laying around. In the search for parts for this thing you may find a complete running truck you forgot you had. Growing up on a farm I completely understand it. I was taught to cobble stuff together with parts laying around from a young age. This should be fun to watch.
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: OldKooT on December 13, 2015, 12:47:21 PM
(http://i.imgur.com/197R7yr.jpg)

This was the end result...the already been replaced (power windows quit) door was shredded.

(http://i.imgur.com/bVBVv1v.jpg)

The above picture was him explaining it to me after the fact. Notice the position of hi hands....he was explaining how upset he was it didn't go forward.

STORY: Grandma (my wife) and him were cleaning out the truck. She started to vacuum the pass side floor from outside the truck while he sat on the seat in the middle. He stood up, walked over and tied to pull the gear shift lever...she yelled no and lunged for him, he then yanked it harder and somehow broke the interlock with his body weight and away the truck went. It rolled downhill, picked up speed with my wife running along side on the passenger side tying to slow it to make sure he was safe, and didn't fall out. Mean time he's yelling he want's to go forward and starts steering so he had a good grip on the wheel LoL.  They hit a parked Oldsmobile 98 with the bumper, then the already open Drivers door hit a telephone pole as it sped past. Then it all came to rest when it hit a large pile of dirt.

Grandma has a bruised up leg from the door on her side trying to kill her while she tried to make sure he couldn't fall out...while running and dodging Oldsmobile's...also the parked Olds took some fair damage when the truck punted it out of the way.... but nothing to worry about, and my truck....well the door was junk, both hinges, and somehow the actual cab escaped with no damage.

One of those should never have happened, but it did deals.

Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: OldKooT on December 13, 2015, 12:56:20 PM
Ya know, as many parts as I have laying around, I seem to often times still not have what I need. Or I can't find it... as an example. I have MANY Dana 60 brake rotors laying around...but they are all rusty or thin....I am having to be inventive. Weather says 3-6" of snow for tonight...I need it running/driving and I have no "decent" rotor. But I have a plan.... I also need a short side axle shaft U joint it seems...In fact the entire Dana 60 needs to be gone through in truth. The king pins on the thing are wobbly and well anyway.... first we make the brakes work.....then I will address the other issues after I dig for some parts. Pictures will follow.....soon as I have time to snap some.

Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: Nate on December 13, 2015, 01:01:01 PM
Thank the lord that that young man is ok.  Now that is a funny picture of him tryin to esplain what happened.  I am sure you started laughing at some point.
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: cudakidd53 on December 13, 2015, 03:18:43 PM
Thank the lord that that young man is ok.  Now that is a funny picture of him tryin to esplain what happened.  I am sure you started laughing at some point.

Remind him when he's older that it did say "Dodge" & "Ram" on the side of it!  Glad everyone is ok and no serious injuries!
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: Flyin6 on December 13, 2015, 04:15:46 PM
Norm,

You sure have a unique way of looking at things.

Plows for brakes, well, that's, well, that's just (Ab)Norm(al)

But I'm in it to win it...lets see whatcha come up with. Poor momma is takin' a beatin' on this already!
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: OldKooT on December 14, 2015, 07:42:00 AM
I will have some pictures at some point when I get my phone and laptop to cooperate. But moving along.....

The disassembly of the passenger side of the Dana 60 went poorly. For starters, my spindle nut socket went missing. I have about 10 assorted spindle nut sockets, but the one I needed for the Dodge..."gone" So....off to town to go get one and $24.99 or something at the local parts palace, and we are back in business. It's not going to match the Snap-on one that went missing...but in a pinch right?

Then as it turns out some idiot used a punch and hammer or something and fairly ruined the spindle nuts so the wrench didn't fit anymore. Probably should have looked first, but I needed to replace the missing spindle nut socket anyway, which will then facilitate the one that went missing to be found I am sure. So I removed the spindle nuts with a punch and hammer.

So the brake rotor has two nice 1/4 deep grooves on the inside face of it. After thinking about this, I decided it's just like a slotted rotor on a race car, and deemed it serviceable for the time being. "cooling grooves don't you know"

I decided to swap out that sloppy U joint...so the spindle and such had to come off. Let me tell you, I have never had a spindle be so stuck that a dead blow hammer, and then a 6lb hammer and a brass drift...couldn't begin to remove.

It was clear someone had at one point not many miles before we bought the truck, installed a new set of wheel bearings/seals and the stickiest grease known to man. The ruined brake caliper and pads/were also fairly recent. I suspect also so was the rotor...

It was also very clear no one had ever removed that spindle. After dreaming of how much fun it would be to grab the gas axe and hack the spindle off in little pieces while smiling I relaxed and realized those spindles are expensive and I best get a new plan. My wife being her usual self suggested I should use my $350 air chisel. So, I did, and the spindle came off in 30 seconds...score one for the expensive air hammer yet again. (everyone needs one of these)

The Axle U-joint was complete OEM and junk. So.... up to my barn loft to see what we have in stock to fix this mess.

I have and I counted, 7 short side Dana 60 axle shaft assemblies. (might be others I didn't find) None had a good U-joint. I have 11 long side...all had good U-joints. Mumbling about that, my wife once again suggests I tap into my NOS Spicer collection and use one of those joints. Problem is....this is a temp fix, and I didn't want to waste a $50 joint I likely paid $2 for.

So over to the press we went, I removed a semi decent joint from a long side assembly, then pressed that into my short side shafts and bingo... good as gold. I did swap some used needle bearings from a second used joint that was laying in my scrap pile from a 1410 joint. Ok, so I am about to toss the shaft back in and I remember that I had half intended to look at the king pin bushing/spring.

Some hosing down of the king pin caps bolts with good old ATF/Acetone mix commenced, and then killing 5 minutes chasing my wife around the shop with the flat board sander gave the "mix" a chance to work, and it only required a 3/4 Drive IR impact to remove them.

Upon removal of the king pin bushing and broken spring...we had found our wandering steering problem. Now one thing I do not have is any new king pin bushings. (not sure why) So I opened up my box of used king pin bushings/springs and deemed them all not serviceable and threw them in the trash...see I am cleaning the barn here now also. Multi tasking at it's finest. So I have loads of front Dana 60's laying in the other shed...but whats the chances any of those king pin bushings are better? And then it struck me ....I once bought a CUCV with like 4000 miles on it...and I stole the gears and L/S from it but I was sure the knuckles were still on it. 20 min latter....we had us a like new bushing/spring/cap assembly.

We reassembled this entire mess with a used caliper and pads off the shelf, and it's like brand new let me tell you. It stops nice and straight and properly. The 4x4 is once again functional, and it steers nice with a fresh king pin bushing/spring.

Thus ends what not to do project #1









About this time the 





 

Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: TexasRedNeck on December 14, 2015, 08:17:49 AM
Don, I think we need someone to go check on Norm.  He ended mid sentence like he was abducted by some space aliens....or some black SUV federales....



Thus ends what not to do project #1









About this time the 





 


Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: rasimmo on December 14, 2015, 09:18:18 AM
Nope he wasn't abducted. He just left to go gather up some used parts and head to your weekend place. He's gonna finish up that project while you are at work this week. All that money wasted on new parts was bothering him. ;D
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: Flyin6 on December 14, 2015, 10:29:37 AM
Don, I think we need someone to go check on Norm.  He ended mid sentence like he was abducted by some space aliens....or some black SUV federales....



Thus ends what not to do project #1









About this time the 





 


Yep, something happened

My best guess, usin' my militarie deduction is that his wife clocked him for chasing her around!

He'll get better...
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: stlaser on December 14, 2015, 10:40:08 AM
Nope he wasn't abducted. He just left to go gather up some used parts and head to your weekend place. He's gonna finish up that project while you are at work this week. All that money wasted on new parts was bothering him. ;D

That made me chuckle......
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: OldKooT on December 14, 2015, 03:57:20 PM
Well Patch survived 140 miles of mud/snow/more mud today, and seems the 4x4 works well enough. I do sense I may have a brake caliper sticking on that Pass side, so I may yet have to swap that again. But if you use 4x4 when braking, it's hardly noticeable  :D

I think another modification that needs doing is a supercharged High Zoot windshield washer system. The constant mud being sprayed on the windshield this morning while loafing down a muddy gravel road at 65mph is annoying. I am considering a much larger tank and pump... stay tuned, I shall see whats laying around. I should also figure out some pictures for you all....





Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: JR on December 14, 2015, 09:35:09 PM
Sounds like fun and I think your time line could be better than a few others here,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

To bad there is no video of "the chase" or you chasing the wife with the sander, both golden moments!
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home" (update)
Post by: OldKooT on January 04, 2016, 11:22:31 AM
Well the holiday season has come and gone and we have a few updates on this project.

We drove "Patch" from Nebraska to Wisconsin  to visit the kids. The trip was uneventful, we managed about 22mpg on a mixture of old drain oil, #2 and some ATF for color.

Updates: I noticed that my anti freeze usage has increased. I first blamed the head gasket that leaks under heavy boost, but then I noticed it was dripping a bit from the lower radiator hose. After a closer examination it was revealed we had a bad hose. I wandered over to my parts shelving selected a nice used gates hose with clamps pre installed, and slipped that on along with some fresh used anti freeze. Problem solved....

On the return trip from Wisconsin the key would no longer come out of the ignition. I am unsure what happened but I removed the lock cylinder and key, and decided I will use a screw driver for the time being. This is a nice anti theft property anyway....after all, it already looks stolen. And keeping a screw driver on the dash also is a nice defensive weapon if required.

We are returning to Wisconsin to visit the new grand baby that's due to arrive any day now. We may drag a trailer along and do some horse trading. Seems I have a mid 90's conversion van a buddy wants, and he has a 78 Bronco with Dana 60's and some other goodies I'd like to have....so a trade may be forth coming.

So with that possible goal, we will have to ready this project for some long distance winter towing in the next few weeks. Stay tuned....





Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home" (update)
Post by: BobbyB on January 04, 2016, 12:19:34 PM
We drove "Patch" from Nebraska to Wisconsin  to visit the kids

What part?
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home" (Story time)
Post by: OldKooT on January 04, 2016, 12:27:52 PM
The kids live just outside Baraboo and Wis Dells.
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home" (Story time)
Post by: JR on January 04, 2016, 01:47:59 PM
You have been quiet but it is that time.

Love the "new old parts",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Congrads on the new grandbaby, whenever and whatever!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home" (Story time)
Post by: moto123 on January 04, 2016, 01:51:35 PM
The kids live just outside Baraboo and Wis Dells.

Small world I guess, I also drove through both on the way to holiday festivities.
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home" (Story time)
Post by: OldKooT on January 04, 2016, 02:01:01 PM
Looks like we are going back up to Wis the last weekend in Jan. If I can get the trailer in shape...... My featherlight has some brake issues I suspect may require some ordering parts...that's never a pleasant experience. Worse case deal, I imagine I could just take the goose neck, but I really don't want to do that.

I should be in the shed working....but my wife felt it was a good day to change some light fixtures






Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home" (Story time)
Post by: OldKooT on February 02, 2016, 08:13:02 PM
Well....not much to add really. But let me say, sometimes I dislike winter.

We have been under a blizzard warning since yesterday around noon or so. The NOAA folks got it correct this time, it's been dumping heavy wet nasty snow since 2am. Combine that with 50mph gusts and yes you can drift snow that's so heavy it sticks to the side of buildings and accumulates on the buildings walls.

We fired up Patch at 4am and by 5am we had pushed enough snow to escape the driveway and head down the gravel road to pavement. I dropped my wife at work so she could support the community in what she does, and headed home.  I got about a mile and my wife called and said the hospital needed help clearing snow they couldn't keep ahead of it. I won't bore you with details but ole Patch plowed snow from 6am tell 6pm without missing a beat. In fact, Patch is still idling in the machine shed awaiting round two. (It was so packed with snow underneath the weight has the 10ply tires bagging.

Wal Mart is closed, the truck stops are packed full of stranded travelers... I 80 has been closed now for 12 hours or so everywhere West of Lincoln.... and they have given up with the plows as the winds are relentlessly hammering the roads closed as fast as one can open them out on the prairie.

Despite zero visibility and nasty drifting snow my wife is determined to take food n assorted supplies out to the I80 interchange to the stranded travelers stuck at Walmart and other parking lots. So I guess we will go test how well her fancy Power Wagon handles in deep snow. This should be amusing......








Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home" (Story time)
Post by: Flyin6 on February 02, 2016, 08:26:13 PM
Seriously, I hope YOU TWO are staying safe!

I know you like to kid around a lot, but no joke, you could get so covered up and lost in that snow. I couldn't pull you out with a Chinook.

You two be careful...and thanks for helping out your neighbors!
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home" (Story time)
Post by: TexasRedNeck on February 02, 2016, 08:54:43 PM
Good job Norm.  Question:  Whom do you call if you get stuck?
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home" (Story time)
Post by: swbhobie16 on February 02, 2016, 09:45:10 PM
now we know why you've been absent the last week or so. glad to hear all is as well as it could be. be safe out there. get in touch when you dig everyone out and the global warming kicks in to melt that mess away.
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home" (Story time)
Post by: wyorunner on February 02, 2016, 11:12:03 PM
Norm you and your wife are awesome. I truly admire you two for the way you live and seem to help others. I haven't had any opportunities to help snow stranded folks in a few years, and even then it was only a out and back to pickup my friend and her mom off i75 when Atlanta shutdown because of some snow ice stuff they can't handle.

Thanks for being genuinely good folks. And be safe out there.


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Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home" (Story time)
Post by: JR on February 03, 2016, 01:55:19 AM
Times like that is when you see who the real people are. Helping because you can, not because you have to.

Keep safe and stay a little warm at least.

We had a touch of snow in the Blue Ridge foothills here but it didn't stay.

Oh, a VE followed me home tonight, couldn't help myself,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home" (Story time)
Post by: husker77c on February 03, 2016, 07:45:39 AM
I follow a bunch of NE stuff on FB with my family still being there.   It said last night they pulled the plows and told the state police to find shelter.  Stay safe man.


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Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home" (Story time)
Post by: OldKooT on February 03, 2016, 01:49:34 PM
All is well here unless you count some very sore eyes from the snow. No clue yet what the snow total was, but it was "enough" to make a large mess. My wife's Power Wagon proved it's not at all shabby in the snow...we chained it up on all 4 corners and it spent most of the night getting the snot beat out of it. At one point we had 11 people in it hauling them to shelter in town. The roads are littered with stuck cars/4x4/and in one case an end loader LoL We needed the winch 20+ times and I have to say that big Warn is worth having. That winch kept us moving all night... So were the frt n rear lockers and that Hemi... they all got a workout. At one point my wife was driving and we were in some hood deep snow on the road and she yells "Seems like 6000rpm in over drive is the hot ticket"

5-am we got back in Patch and started plowing snow...we punched out most of our stuff roughly and then jumped in the end loader and cleaned up the rest.

Listening to the scanner they still have I80 closed and have resorted to checking vehicles for occupants and welfare and then punting them off the road with the plows to clear it. Most East west roads here are closed but they are getting them blown/plowed open and should have people moving by dark I'd think.

If I wasn't so tired I'd go up to the rail line and watch the Burlington snow blow monster drifts off their tracks. That's always fun to watch...they hook 5 or 6 engines in a line put the blower unit on the front and ram it through.

I am going to take a short nap and then get back to plowing, I have another 20 hours left I'd wager before all our stuff is clear. Sounds like my wife and the girls are going to take the power wagon and one of the skid loaders over to my Moms and dig her out...not that she needs to go anywhere anyway LoL







Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home" (Story time)
Post by: swbhobie16 on February 03, 2016, 04:52:42 PM
good to hear y'all are ok out there. Hope the weather holds off for you and doesn't dump another foot or two any time soon. from what it sounds like, it's similar to survival/search and rescue after a hurricane down here in the south. clearing trees, crossing flooded areas to get to ppl. (except it's not however far below freezing it is there. hahah)

having an old cummins plow and front end loader never hurt anybody either.. lol
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home" (Story time)
Post by: stlaser on February 03, 2016, 05:09:01 PM
Buddy of mine was shut down east of Lincoln for last day or so. I-80 is now open & he's rolling on west....
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home" (Story time)
Post by: OldKooT on February 03, 2016, 08:07:56 PM
A few snapshots....
(http://i.imgur.com/WTxzovG.jpg)

The N side of the front yard.

(http://i.imgur.com/hdI7Tyy.jpg)

The driveway...pretty if you don't have to plow it...

(http://i.imgur.com/chdZuzT.jpg)

I punches a hole through this with the end loader this afternoon...this is the road to town for us. Notice one of the twins Boyfriends 4x4 on 35" rubber planted there. We had to rescue him and her last night...

(http://i.imgur.com/boFA0kN.jpg)

Shot out the pass window of the driveway

(http://i.imgur.com/sZoLiSC.jpg)

This afternoon late...headed home, this is a state Hwy

to be continued.....



Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home" (Story time)
Post by: OldKooT on February 03, 2016, 08:14:49 PM
(http://i.imgur.com/i3Ydjjp.jpg)

Headed out of town this evening...roads are open now but a mess.

This shot was taken yesterday taking my wife to work... good ole Nebraska visibility.

(http://i.imgur.com/wD4GXaC.jpg)

I80 is open as was mentioned, I heard a lot of exits are still closed, and most the smaller East/West state roads are still shut down. They have blowers and plows out tonight so by morning most should be passable. Those of us not on a main road...we get to fend for ourselves for a few days yet LoL

Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home" (Story time)
Post by: Dawg25385 on February 03, 2016, 09:23:49 PM
Holy cow...


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Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home" (Story time)
Post by: Flyin6 on February 03, 2016, 09:25:51 PM
Holy crap!
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home" (Story time)
Post by: TexasRedNeck on February 03, 2016, 09:49:11 PM
Does.....not.....compute......for Texans......
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home" (Story time)
Post by: JR on February 03, 2016, 10:10:55 PM
Looks like fun!
Title: Project: "Don't do this at home" (Story time)
Post by: wyorunner on February 04, 2016, 11:08:41 AM
Never seen snow that bad that I remember. That is impressive. My mom has pictures of the house we lived in for a few years in blue hill with drifts up the to the roof. Other than those pictures, never seen snow that could easily swallow a pickup.

Like you said, sure is neat.... If you don't have to plow it.


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Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home" (Story time)
Post by: KensAuto on February 04, 2016, 12:58:49 PM
Oh hell NO !!
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home" (Story time)
Post by: EL TATE on February 04, 2016, 02:36:06 PM
I'm with you Ken. I've gone through that on purpose wheeling, but then I drove down the mountain and went home where it was bare and wet. To have to deal with THAT on a daily basis, I think would force me to rethink my geography. I did actually laugh out loud to miss Kaye's comment at the hood deep snow; that is kinda what I expected to hear from her.
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home" (Story time)
Post by: cudakidd53 on February 04, 2016, 03:04:48 PM
I'm guessing we'll be seeing "Norm & Miss Kay's Snow Cave Build" starting soon- eer, correction "Snow HOUSE" build- that's a load of snow, cold and WORK!
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home" (Story time)
Post by: JR on February 04, 2016, 06:37:23 PM
Snow is a great insulator!!!
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home" (Story time)
Post by: OldKooT on May 03, 2016, 09:12:55 AM
PATCH IS BACK!!!   Ok it never really went anywhere far LoL. Patch has been putzing along rather well for some time now. But the winters abuse has taken it's toll. My beloved friend, companion, and reliable old truck has become my worst enemy, and conspires to persecute me every time I start it. Kay says I most likely upset Patch by abusing him like a rented mule in a horse race...I dunno but anyway its time to do something.

The "should be fixed list" is as follows.
The transfer case it hatched.
The front Dana 60 "wobbles" everywhere.
The front springs have sagged so profusely one has almost wore a hole through the main leaf from the second leaf. There is no rust near the front shocks, because the shock oil has been keeping things rust proofed as well.
 Last week the headliner fell down while I was trying to go through the banks drive through teller.
And to top it off yesterday, in a act of sheer defiance the tailgate fell off while exiting the farm stores driveway, slid across three lanes of traffic and landed at the foot of a redbox machine at the Walgreen's. *I rented the Hateful eight, not a bad flick.

That's the short list.....

So it's time I either fix all these little issues properly, or sell Patch to someone that wants a Dodge project truck and move along to something different. Given the general almost rust free status, the dumb truck is worth more that one might imagine on the local market.

 I am a bit angry with the truck ATM... the sad state of some of it I take responsibility for...but it tossing it's tailgate off and it launching it half a city block to the amusement of all who saw (my wife called asking about the episode before I had the gate loaded into the truck and the movie rented..) Time something changes rapidly.

So.....either I do a Don inspired oil change and fluid renovation, or I park it out back for a few years as a punishment I am not yet sure....but it's time to make a change. I have given myself until lunch to decide.... stay tuned.





Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home" (Story time)
Post by: JR on May 03, 2016, 10:57:10 AM
Well, I can't believe you don't have a spare 205 and dana 60 just sitting somewhere,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Did they think you where think to rob the place all covered up like that?

Do all 4 wheels turn, whats the problem, its a farm truck.
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home" (Story time)
Post by: OldKooT on May 03, 2016, 12:45:01 PM
I have plenty of front axles/cases...but it needs far more than that to remain reliable. It's basically just showing it's age like most trucks that vintage.

I have decided, I think I will park it in a machine shed and assemble the next farm beater from pieces laying around. I have a frame, a usable cab and a bed laying around...so I may just toss it all together and build a truck with cast off pieces that will be basically new, ugly, but new underneath.

I had hoped it would hold together until the crew was done so I could just use the crew for some of this summers planned road trips with a trailer...but looks like that's not going to happen so...I guess time to punt.



Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home" (Story time)
Post by: JR on May 03, 2016, 02:38:33 PM
Hmm, sounds like some of us old farts running around,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home" (Story time)
Post by: swbhobie16 on May 03, 2016, 10:00:31 PM
is it too early to start asking for parts..? I'll take the trans. hahaha
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home" (Story time)
Post by: wyorunner on May 04, 2016, 04:34:26 PM
is it too early to start asking for parts..? I'll take the trans. hahaha


Lol,  I was thinking the same thing except I kind of wanted the whole truck!  I need another donor anyways. Sure wish I had more useful thugs to post!
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: OldKooT on May 04, 2016, 11:10:49 PM
I parked Patch tonight in the shed on blocks and am driving the 5th avenue. My wife is driving Anvil to work the rest of this week and then..... we begin. "Operation Circus Wagon"  Sat after the air show.
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: Flyin6 on May 05, 2016, 08:48:39 AM
OH NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: OldKooT on November 17, 2016, 08:42:40 AM
Patch update: While the world has been pre occupied by politics and other silly stuff Patch has been evolving. Well ok actually not much has changed really. Patch has had a interesting fall... it's been doing daily farm duty...got us through another, and thankfully the last harvest I have to contend with, while being useful in other roles.

We spent the last part of the summer/fall playing around with my wife's new Mustang. She's been auto-crossing it a bit...drag racing it a lot. Patch ended up hauling the stang to the track a lot..a broken rear axle in the stang early on convinced us hauling it was for the best when going to the track. Since I get bored easily while my wife was playing around racing her Mustang I decided to unhook the trailer and drag race Patch a little. That evolved into a larger turbo..much more fuel...and a shot of the laughing gas. Oh and some drag radials I swap on after unhooking the trailer. Boosted launches on the spray in 4x4 are fun BTW

It's not what I would call fast...(low 13's) it would go high 12's but the head lifts off the block a little under 50 pounds of boost and the track gets all excited if you mist things with coolant. So I run it at 48psi and it does fine. When done screwing around we bolt on the street rubber hook up the trailer,load the Stang and head home.

The Mustang is in the 10's now with it's new pro charger set up on E/85 and still daily driven. She has 9k miles on it now and it just did it's 150th drag pass last weekend. It's going to need a 9inch rear axle for next year and I am sure she will continue to autocross it and play with the suspension tuning.

Patch...will likely just plow snow and do it's thing all winter while I putz around building it's replacement.
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: Flyin6 on November 17, 2016, 08:47:33 AM
^^^I love this story^^^

The ever changin' storyline of the farm boy and his old truck chasin' miss Kay!

Welcome back Norm!
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: JR on November 17, 2016, 09:37:17 AM
Norm, good to hear from you!!

Last harvest, now you will be bored.

Sounds like fun and sure the wife is having a blast. 9 inch is a natural.
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: KensAuto on November 17, 2016, 11:05:27 AM
Awesome. Just awesome!


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Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: stlaser on November 17, 2016, 11:08:12 AM
How you like that pro charger?
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: EL TATE on November 17, 2016, 11:17:15 AM
(sits quietly whistling while twiddling his thumbs), I wonder Norm might find a 9" differential? it's too bad he doesn't have any resources for that sort of thing ::)
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: JR on November 17, 2016, 11:18:49 AM
Probably has a half dozen in the shed,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: EL TATE on November 17, 2016, 11:22:28 AM
More like under the porch. shed's already full.
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: moto123 on November 17, 2016, 12:54:56 PM
That is definitely not where I guessed that story was headed.  Very entertaining!
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: Sammconn on November 17, 2016, 02:12:10 PM
Just awesome! Love it.
Welcome back Norm...
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: OldKooT on November 17, 2016, 04:12:43 PM
I do have a 9inch or two. But I think her plan is a Currie housing set up for the coil overs and the watts link. I do suspect Tate will hear from us for a diff and gears. 

As for the pro charger....I have driven a few dozen forced induction Stangs this summer. None have the drive ability/performance of the Pro charger. You could take a stock Mustang GT..pro charge it and go out run Shelby cars all day with better street manners and OEM  cruising economy to boot.

Kays Stang has a Boss Coyote Engine with modifications...cams head work and other secrets. Tuning it for the pro charger on 93 Octane was simple and it screams. The real fun is on E85...That coyote On E85 is well North of 700hp to the wheels. Change the pulley/tune...it can poke at 4digit HP numbers.

Now in full disclosure: She bought the pro charger off a friend who "quit cars" a long and amusing story that resulted in the demise of a 2015 Shelby and a 2014 Boss car in 20 seconds and the creation of Kells grocery getter.

So...I like the pro charger enough i may toss one on the M37 this spring...

Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: KensAuto on November 17, 2016, 05:14:18 PM
Need more on that story^^^...the demise of the other 2.
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: TexasRedNeck on November 17, 2016, 06:21:34 PM
Hey norm! Glad you showed up. Pics of the mustang would be nice


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Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: OldKooT on November 17, 2016, 07:39:07 PM
TRN I will post a few pics (if Kays cool about it) when I figure out why I can't get into my hosting sites account...lack of use probably....

Ken: About 10 years ago a few of us middle aged guys pooled some $$ and resources creating a Co-op of sorts. About a dozen are involved. We have a old machine shed of considerable size located very remotely that serves as the base. Everyone has a "stall" or two and it's used for a variety of things. One fella road races, one is a collector of Ferrari's another has a love for extremely rare coach work. Others just store there toys on storage lifts...some store cars on fancy purpose designed racking...it's just a middle aged club house with a lot of secrecy and a common love of cars. Any given day someone is over there doing something.... we even have a fella who runs a uber high end detailing business. He specializes in anything worth 100K or more basically. (usually takes him a month to detail a car to the tune of $6k or so)  Another fella does clear bra type installations on exotics...there is also a engine room and dyno, as well as a chassis dyno.

Anyway a good friend of ours has a taste for rare Fords. He has two original KR Shelby cars, a 25K mile original Ac Cobra and a slew of others. In his collection were the two Mustangs mentioned...to keep it somewhat short he had just ran his almost new Shelby on the dyno...and in the process of his special "tune" he broke the rear end. Somewhat dejected he had his son jump in the car and he gently pushed into onto the storage lift. The son then raised the lift...then jumped in the Boss Mustang to park it under the Shelby. The Shelby was in gear...but the rear was broken. It rolled off onto the Boss cars roof as he was driving it under the lift crushing it quite effectively. Thankfully no one was hurt. 

His insurance company elected they would fix the Shelby but the Boss was totaled. He sold the wounded Shelby...He bought the Boss car back from them for peanuts and Kay talked him out of the engine and assorted Boss exclusive pieces she wanted and then flipped him an offer for the new pro charger he had, and well the rest is history now. At the time he had decided he was selling his collection and spending his hobby time and money on race horses. He still has all his cool toys, never did buy even one horse, and I see last week he has a new few years old shrink wrapped Ford GT on the lift...so yeah.

I am the black sheep of the lot of them...but they tolerate me because I am "special" LoL  One of them is a very heads up experienced tuner and he is the fella that I give credit to for our stangs performance...he's good at what he does, even if he spends most of his time tuning exotics that rarely leave their ivory towers. LoL











Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: Sammconn on November 17, 2016, 07:58:58 PM
And now we know (most of) the rest of the story...
And a cool one it is, save for the demise of two cars.
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: stlaser on November 17, 2016, 08:51:54 PM
Norm, it's funny how accidents can happen to these high end beauties in storage. I once was witness to an occurrence with a collection of 50 corvettes, but that's another story.......
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: swbhobie16 on November 17, 2016, 09:31:26 PM
Norm, it's funny how accidents can happen to these high end beauties in storage. I once was witness to an occurrence with a collection of 50 corvettes, but that's another story.......

i see what you did there..
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: KensAuto on November 18, 2016, 10:55:31 AM
That's pretty cool. Out here we have a club like that, but it's mostly guys with Pintos, Yugos, and a rare collection of Dodge Colts. lol
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: JR on November 18, 2016, 12:31:11 PM
That's pretty cool. Out here we have a club like that, but it's mostly guys with Pintos, Yugos, and a rare collection of Dodge Colts. lol

Thats called a "junk yard"
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: cudakidd53 on November 18, 2016, 01:33:20 PM
That's pretty cool. Out here we have a club like that, but it's mostly guys with Pintos, Yugos, and a rare collection of Dodge Colts. lol

Thats called a "junk yard"

Maybe the Jockey club at the local horse track?
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: EL TATE on November 18, 2016, 05:19:10 PM
That's pretty cool. Out here we have a club like that, but it's mostly guys with Pintos, Yugos, and a rare collection of Dodge Colts. lol

Thats called a "junk yard"

oof! nice one there JR. My first car was my parents old 1987 dodge colt vista wagon. Lady catchin' machine right there.
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: Flyin6 on November 20, 2016, 10:10:28 AM
I miss my purple dodge colt I drove in the Korea...Fine ride , that one!
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: TexasRedNeck on November 20, 2016, 10:37:28 AM
The first car I held title to was a 1970 fiat sport spyder convertible in hugger orange with a roll bar, 3 point harness and mag wheels. That thing was a piece of crap and now I know why they say fiat stands for "fix it again, Tony". But it was a chick magnet on the beach.

The first car my parents gave me to drive was a 1968 Buick Wildcat 2 door. That thing had a 455 big block and more metal than my dually.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: EL TATE on November 21, 2016, 05:34:00 PM
I'd take the b00-ick over the colt wagon. thing looked like a miniature dodge caravan. Especially a machine with that much motor, you could look past other issues.
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: KensAuto on November 21, 2016, 08:45:38 PM
68 Wildcat? Very Nice.
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: OldKooT on December 07, 2016, 11:44:01 AM
Well not much new to report... got down to 12F this morning and Patch lit right up with its usual protesting and sputtering with no grid heater. It seems like 50/50 #1 and hyd fluid has no issues when cold. Gotta love the $1 a gallon fuel.

I also "fixed" the blower fan switch issue. It now runs when the keys on...if it gets too hot I can crack some windows.

I turned the pump down a bit to make ice/snow driving a bit more pleasurable. I also checked the fluid on the 205, it's full so not sure why it makes so much noise...but it looks like yet another 205 is slowly loosing it's fight with the Cummins.

I dug around for about 30 min looking for the Meyers plow..I or someone must have hid it somewhere. So this afternoon I will track it down and get it ready. I also should probably install a larger battery. It's presently being started by a 7 year old 700CCA model I sourced from a old van after the regulator cooked my spendy Group 31 last summer.

Lets see what else... Oh I have been having an issue with my inter-cooler leaking from a stone hit...I ran a sheetmetal screw into the hole and no more soapy bubbles when I wash it...so fixed.

Should now be ready for the Holidays  ;D



 
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: Wilbur on December 07, 2016, 12:06:42 PM
I had to look up exactly what the Wildcat looked like....I "sort of" knew but wasn't exactly sure for that year.

Was it a PITA changing the rear tires - doesn't seem like it had the removable skirts like some with similar lines?

(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/f1/5a/97/f15a977c2ef928ef153709aafb90318a.jpg)

Really shows how far we've come.....back up lights and 4 ways were advertised as "safety features" then.
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: OldKooT on December 07, 2016, 12:40:56 PM
 4 way flashers are probably a rather good idea. Nothing I drive regularly has backup lights you can actually see with.

And those rear tires change simply enough. Once it's off the ground the wheel tips off the studs simply. Unless you have fitted wider tires, then it's more challenging LoL I learned once years ago you cant get a L78 Snow off a Buick GS if it has chains on it, without first removing the chains. I also learned driving with a L/S rear and a 4 speed 400hp Buick with only one rear chain on is not productive to straight lines when slippery.
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: TexasRedNeck on December 08, 2016, 12:35:04 AM
Great find Wilbur. That's the ride. It does have small removable skirts in the rear. Mine met an untimely death when a drunk driver hit me doing 50 from behind while I was sitting still having just finished changing a flat rear tire. 1974 olds 98 vs 1968 Buick Wikdcat. Clash of the Titans.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: OldKooT on December 08, 2016, 09:10:15 PM
Not to be on topic....like I care LoL  But we had some "developments" today.

Patch decided to spit off it's tailgate today yet again and I can't find it. That's all....might be time to change beds.
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: stlaser on December 08, 2016, 10:07:44 PM
Or time to finish its replacement, slacking much? Way past Sept last time I checked..... ???
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: OldKooT on December 08, 2016, 11:49:25 PM
Yeah....I should finish that...... But the Mrs had to have her shiny toy modified. Then we had harvest and I got scammed into working...then she wanted more modifications. Then a vacation.... then winter started showing up. Then I got to thinking guys like Don are playing with pink foam board, others are working on fun projects. Some are plugging oil leaks n fancy Jeep engines....and well I decided I'd just drive Patch and admire everyone else. I am a poor un employed farmer....I have to lower my standards now. That, and I set a goal of having it done before Square D is driving around.....I am still on track.. 8)

This week/month..maybe the rest of the year is being spent dry walling a living room/dining room..and all that fun stuff.

Oh yeah we also built a house this fall, that distracted me a bit also  ;D
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: JR on December 09, 2016, 01:53:59 AM
Isn't retirement great!!!
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: stlaser on December 09, 2016, 06:38:34 AM
Yeah....I should finish that...... But the Mrs had to have her shiny toy modified. Then we had harvest and I got scammed into working...then she wanted more modifications. Then a vacation.... then winter started showing up. Then I got to thinking guys like Don are playing with pink foam board, others are working on fun projects. Some are plugging oil leaks n fancy Jeep engines....and well I decided I'd just drive Patch and admire everyone else. I am a poor un employed farmer....I have to lower my standards now. That, and I set a goal of having it done before Square D is driving around.....I am still on track.. 8)

This week/month..maybe the rest of the year is being spent dry walling a living room/dining room..and all that fun stuff.

Oh yeah we also built a house this fall, that distracted me a bit also  ;D

Well, since you brought up sq d I will agree this post has one thing in common & that is a long list of excuses......lol ;D
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: Flyin6 on December 09, 2016, 08:15:04 PM
Yeah....I should finish that...... But the Mrs had to have her shiny toy modified. Then we had harvest and I got scammed into working...then she wanted more modifications. Then a vacation.... then winter started showing up. Then I got to thinking guys like Don are playing with pink foam board, others are working on fun projects. Some are plugging oil leaks n fancy Jeep engines....and well I decided I'd just drive Patch and admire everyone else. I am a poor un employed farmer....I have to lower my standards now. That, and I set a goal of having it done before Square D is driving around.....I am still on track.. 8)

This week/month..maybe the rest of the year is being spent dry walling a living room/dining room..and all that fun stuff.

Oh yeah we also built a house this fall, that distracted me a bit also  ;D
I heard that!
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: OldKooT on December 10, 2016, 08:30:24 AM
Update: Well Patch is in the shop awaiting some attention when it warms up. Last night was my wife's B day...I decided since it was just cold and the roads were clear we could take her Mustang out for some ribs and dancing. Then before we left for home, it snowed a little, just enough to slick things up.

Road test review: Driving a Mustang with 3.73 gears, a Torsen rear L/S on Bridgestone summer rubber in the snow in it's self would be interesting. Add to it a dual disc clutch, a fair amount of additional Hp over stock (708rwhp 93 octane tune) and you have what can only be described as a handful. Road test complete all i can say is i am glad we went with a procharger...at least we could stay out of the boost for the most part so we got home unscathed. I predict that will be the one and only time that car see's snow LoL






Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: Flyin6 on December 10, 2016, 09:28:51 AM
Update: Well Patch is in the shop awaiting some attention when it warms up. Last night was my wife's B day...I decided since it was just cold and the roads were clear we could take her Mustang out for some ribs and dancing. Then before we left for home, it snowed a little, just enough to slick things up.

Road test review: Driving a Mustang with 3.73 gears, a Torsen rear L/S on Bridgestone summer rubber in the snow in it's self would be interesting. Add to it a dual disc clutch, a fair amount of additional Hp over stock (708rwhp 93 octane tune) and you have what can only be described as a handful. Road test complete all i can say is i am glad we went with a procharger...at least we could stay out of the boost for the most part so we got home unscathed. I predict that will be the one and only time that car see's snow LoL







Happy birthday to miss Kay!

Did you folks move away from the old farm house?

Sounds like you found pavement...
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: OldKooT on December 10, 2016, 11:19:18 AM
It's a long story Don... I had this hair brained idea my wife would like a new house. In short we built a new home a 1/4 mile away or so.

After we had it framed and enclosed and roofed, she declared she would really rather not give up her old farm house. So....

She conned our Son and his wife into buying it. Which I am sure wasn't hard after she offered to finance it for them.  :-\

So at this point I am slowly remodeling this old place. She's happy and I am confused, so situation about normal.

On a positive note...I did stomp around n be ornery enough that I did get her to agree to not toss me any lip about the new shop I am gong to build this spring. And her Mom fell and broke her hip so she now is staying in Seattle area with her sister permanently (dodged a bullet there) so in all, I guess it worked out. If ya count endless drywalling and remodeling as working out. I didn't want to move anyway.....so sure over complicated those 5 months of life needlessly.





Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: Sammconn on December 10, 2016, 01:24:37 PM
Well happy birthday to miss Kay.
708 rwhp summer tires and snow would be a handful to say the least.
You've definitely done a little tinkering on it.
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: JR on December 10, 2016, 02:23:39 PM
Happy Birthday to Kay, we need a picture though or it didn't happen,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Remodeling, in a constant state right now. Fun but never ends.
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: stlaser on December 10, 2016, 03:43:15 PM
Heck with the pic of the b-day, he's still upright he's posting....

I want pics of the car & dyno screen to verify these figures!!!! ;D
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: JR on December 10, 2016, 04:10:53 PM
True, 708 rhp would be nice for a DD much less racing.
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: cudakidd53 on December 11, 2016, 07:39:02 AM
Happy belated birthday to Mrs. K and Norm....welcome to aging women - EVERYTHING changes like their minds....quickly without any predictable pattern!  What was ok yesterday, isn't today and next week it's okay again!

A new shop is JUST what you need for the coming years- put in a loft with a cot and build it up like Don's "shed" crossed with Dawgs "garage" making sure to give Mrs. K her own special spot for wrenching on her Mustang!
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: Flyin6 on December 11, 2016, 10:14:32 AM
Happy belated birthday to Mrs. K and Norm....welcome to aging women - EVERYTHING changes like their minds....quickly without any predictable pattern!  What was ok yesterday, isn't today and next week it's okay again!

A new shop is JUST what you need for the coming years- put in a loft with a cot and build it up like Don's "shed" crossed with Dawgs "garage" making sure to give Mrs. K her own special spot for wrenching on her Mustang!
^^^Did he just say that publicly???
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: cudakidd53 on December 11, 2016, 12:30:56 PM
Yup....well rehearsed at ducking while saying it too! ;D
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: cruizng on December 12, 2016, 11:09:42 AM

So at this point I am slowly remodeling this old place. She's happy and I am confused, so situation about normal.



Norm, I'm in the same boat. She is Happy and I am confused... but hey.. it works.  :D
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: TexasRedNeck on December 12, 2016, 05:58:18 PM
reminds me of that Bobby Collins comedy skit where he talks about telling his wife to "shut up!"......."on the inside"
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: KensAuto on December 12, 2016, 10:01:20 PM
reminds me of that Bobby Collins comedy skit where he talks about telling his wife to "shut up!"......."on the inside"

That quote gets worn out between my buddies and myself!!
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: TexasRedNeck on December 12, 2016, 10:50:57 PM
Ha! was wondering if anyone would get it.  Couldnt find it on you tube.

love the part about the dog....gimme the salsa, Bobby....
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: OldKooT on December 16, 2016, 08:55:21 AM
It appears another forum I sometimes lurk at is meeting in Moab for some wheeling, beer, good eats and campfire BS over Easter. It's a fullsize truck invasion of the Jeep Safari...

Anyway....my wife seems to thinks we should attend. Which means I assume... that I need a off road ready, cross country drive able rig by early April. Now...I'd almost rather drywall than spend a week surrounded by Jeeps and designer flip flops but....I agreed, because shes very persuasive, to at least consider the concept.

Option #1 Finish the circus wagon project...I'd have to cut some corners in a few places I really don't want to..mostly in the front suspension area. I'd have to resort to some standard issue leafs and bolt them in. VS the coil spring radius arm design I want to use.

Option #2 Swap Patch to a 5speed, put a fresh engine in, and some store bought leaf springs/rubber and go.

Option #3 Grab one of my M37's toss a Magnum 360/518 combo in. Some 1 ton Dodge axles and make it run. Bolt on some 40" rubber and go road tripping. (this appeals to me because it would be like my own personal version of road kill LoL)

Option #4 Anvil is built, locked loaded and brand new... and we drove it 400 miles all year.....too easy.

Circus wagon: This is, and has been a frame up rebuild/restoration to replace Patch. I really dislike the concept of compromise on this build. It would be possible to finish it by April if the weather is decent and I get the house done... so not likely LoL

Patch: Well honestly it's needing some love anyway. But it's also sorta old reliable and has to work for it's keep quite often. I am unsure I want to rock that boat at this point. PLus if we get a snowy season it pull plow duty so that also limits time to work on it/modify.

M37: I have one of the m37's sitting in the shed with a blown engine. It's one of three I own, it's not numbers matching anymore sooo...it would lend it's self to a rebirth as a ratrod wheeler of sorts. The old solider has 9k original miles, no rust and has been sitting in a shed at one location or another since 1953. I got it running two years ago for a parade...the crank broke during a high speed run to dairy queen (45mph) the block is ruined so its just sitting half tore apart.

BTW anyone who would like to attend said event in Moab is welcome...I can't be the only one who could enjoy a little adventure.

So my thoughts today while hanging sheetrock are....which way to go sounds the most fun.



Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: JR on December 16, 2016, 10:07:15 AM
Moab sounds great, but its during school and I am a taxi for the next few years. Think it is just a day for me from here though.

I like the M37 idea, don't cut corners on a frame off. On the other hand what better place for a DD with patch, it'll be fine.
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: rpar86 on December 16, 2016, 05:44:28 PM
Don has some leaf springs sitting around collecting dog hair...
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: Flyin6 on December 16, 2016, 09:37:48 PM
Don has some leaf springs sitting around collecting dog hair...
Cat hair to be accurate...
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: OldKooT on December 19, 2016, 09:16:46 AM
Well after some careful consideration and measuring.... more discussion with the family it looks like we are going to toss together a 1951 M37. Work won't start until her living/dining room is mostly complete, so hopefully mid January or so. I did order about $1200 worth of parts over the weekend. Mostly weatherstripping and restoration type stuff it needs.

The plan as of now is to rock the OEM 1951 issue paint and patina and concentrate on the making it run/drive aspect of things. So because I like to do things the hard way, here is the first draft plan.

Drag the M37 into the shed....buy some 43" sized rubber. Narrow a Dana 60 front to close to stock M37 Width, and make it all fit together somehow LoL

Keeping with the OEM Military concept of less is better...avoiding modern technology is likely going to be a creed on this build. Think tractor with a license plate.

So really there is no set plan....not even sure I will do a build thread yet...it's time I build a truck that can do what I want and need...I am tired of compromises. The end goal here is to build a daily driver M37 because I want one. And that's the plan...I have about a half dozen Korean War veterans that have been hassling me every time I see one of them to resurrect the old warrior. I mentioned I was considering building it into a daily driver/wheeling machine and they all volunteered to come help LoL  So..guess we are going to do it.

If anything it should be amusing....I will have half the nursing home here drinking beer, smoking cigars, swapping stories and get nothing done probably LoL

There is a back story to this truck I will share...elsewhere on the forum.








Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: Flyin6 on December 19, 2016, 09:49:39 AM
OK, cool

Bring it on!
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: Wilbur on December 19, 2016, 10:10:34 AM
This sounds great. Looking forward to watching...and of course throwing rocks from the sidelines..."ya shoulda done x" or "whatdja do it that way for" you know...just to help.  ::) ;D
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: OldKooT on December 19, 2016, 12:25:09 PM
 Wilbur.... I am a firm believer in crowd sourced ideas and shared skills. I also am a firm believer in DOT and chaos, so when and if I do a thread on this truck...I expect great things. LoL

Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: moto123 on December 19, 2016, 01:38:47 PM
Sounds like a fun adventure!  Do it!!! 
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: OldKooT on December 19, 2016, 02:00:37 PM
Well while searching for a missing inside corner taping knife in my shelf's full of junk, I took a quick peak at my engine collection.

I forgot I had a 1970 440 police interceptor out there. That got me to thinking I also have a big block pattern 727 with billet shafts and other high zoot parts. It was like Christmas...

So one possibility would be a 440/727 combo...use some 4.56 gears, I wouldn't need a over drive then, and I could toss a Atlas on the back of that 727 and have plenty enough low crawl gearing.... the 440 was pickled so it should be run-able as is actually. Bet I have some Indy heads for that and a few other goodies if desired. I have to admit, something about keeping it all mopar is appealing...

I'd just need to find a used Atlas laying around (should be possible, some Jeep type must have one)

Not made any plans as of yet, but I can't say the 440 idea isn't appealing.

For driving across country the 440 would be less than deal economy wise....a Cummins would fit the bill for that end of things. But the Cummins isn't near as fun off road...so trade offs have to be debated.
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: JR on December 19, 2016, 02:59:45 PM
Cool, another Fluid Change.
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: Sammconn on December 19, 2016, 03:41:36 PM
Can't wait to see it...
Your power plant dilemma has value both ways.
Glad you need to make that decision.
If you're looking for votes, I'd probably sway to the 440 side for the wheeling/drivability side over the economy of the Cummins...but it sure is a trade off.
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: OldKooT on December 19, 2016, 04:23:14 PM
I asked my wife what she thought regarding the engine selection and she said and I quote "A lumpy cammed wedge duh" So shes no help LoL

Maybe I will build a mild stroker 543Cubic inch torque monster. One thing about big inch Mopars is they are no more expensive to build really that a properly done 440cube engine.

But first...I am going to see if that cop engine is in good enough shape to run for a while...if so I can build it with that and sort out the bugs and when satisfied, I can toss a big inch engine in any old weekend really.

My son claims that 727 with like 5000 miles on it ran and worked fine...(I couldn't remember) so...I may just toss it in and see what happens. Worse case deal it will need seals...and a freshening.

I  really want to use the 205 transfer case to faciitate my PTO winch options and a proper drive-line parking brake. So I am thinking gearing axle options. I have a Chevy front 60 or two, a dozen Dodge front 60's and at least two high pinion Ford fronts....so still thinking....while drywalling LoL


Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: swbhobie16 on December 19, 2016, 10:02:21 PM
not that you'd need any more ground clearance with 40s.. but i vote ford HP front 60.. esp if it's of the king pin variety. a ford NP 205 can be found about as easily as a SBC, and AA makes a 23 spline female to 31 spline male and clocking ring for the DSD NP205. can kill 2 birds with one stone, well actually 3: higher front pinion (away from those nasty rocks) and a flattened Tcase (maybe tuck it up high enough to clear the bottom of the frame rails for a sweet skid plate) and less front DS angle, which i would imagine would be helpful if you put much lift on it, along with a short 3speed auto..

but i wouldn't argue with an HX30, PPump'd 4bt with some tweaking, an NV4500 and an atlas 4 speed case. geared so low you could drop your umm.. 'beverage' while wheeling, hope out with it in gear, retrieve and re-enter all with 2 steps down the trail..
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: OldKooT on December 20, 2016, 09:44:43 AM
I am debating...the 4BT is not an option, who swaps to a smaller engine? LoL

A 6bt could be done....easily actually. And setting the engine back 3" or so from the front axles centerline would do wonders for weight balance. But the Diesels lack of "instant rpm" can be a real hindrance off road at times. That and no room for a inter cooler to speak of really. Not that a 6bt would likely need one.

I think the real trick here is to keep it simple... a 440/727 is almost a bolt in affair. I suppose the simplest solution to the gearing is 4.56 in the axles and 40" rubber. Then a Magnum Box and a 205 would settle any gearing needs off road. Or how about this idea....

Take a  gasser W250 frame/axles and toss the m37 sheetmetal on it. Now we have a complete bolt in engine tranny configuration...likely a weight loss as the M37's frame is HEAVY..we'd have a bolt in rear fuel tank option with the Ramcharger tank....I kinda like that idea...still thinking. I'd have to modify the floor anyway for the married case and newer seating...some dually hubs and a 14 bolt van rear axle I could run H1 wheels narrowing it up a LOT...I may need to get a tape measure out and convince myself this is a bad idea....because it sure sounds like a not all bad idea. Saves me building a steering setup....saves me dealing with axle narrowing....need to measure.






Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: EL TATE on December 20, 2016, 10:59:35 AM
My vote is also for the HP D60. Not so much ground clearance as strength. Running on the actual drive side of the teeth has its advantages as you well know. Also easier to source parts for the GM and Ford from the knuckles out than the Dodge, but again, I'm not tellin you anything you don't already know, or have surplus parts already for that matter ;)
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: OldKooT on December 20, 2016, 12:27:38 PM
Tate.... I have a 78 Bronco or whats left of it sitting in  my building in Wisconsin. It's got a HP60 front with a quaife and 5.13 gears. It also has a 70 rear with a ARB n 5.13's  I think it also has 17" wheels and some 40" dry rotted old school MTR's, a link front suspension and other OLD mods...think it still has the 460/c6/ORD doubler as well.

I have been thinking about retrieving that hulk of rust and recycling the front axle especially. It's the perfect axle to cut apart and make a high pinion PS drop axle from. I just don't know if I will have room at the height I want to build this to sneak a drive shaft to a HP front on either side. But if I do....likely that's what I will do. If not.....

I can still chuck some Dana 70 gears in a LP 60 via you know who's method, and likely be fine with this trucks planned use.

This truck has Hummer 37" rubber....so 35" and no lift. As you can see my planned 40"ish rubber is not going to require much change in height.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Cars/PW/i-S3RzfZL/0/XL/20160530_121551-XL.jpg)

 



Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: EL TATE on December 20, 2016, 01:13:44 PM
That sounds like a real plan there. And kooky Karl might be pretty out in left field, but he's a good guy ;) Not a bad idea on the 70/60 hybrid option either. definitely help with clearance.

Is that Miss Kay's fastback there in the background?
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: swbhobie16 on December 20, 2016, 01:24:23 PM
W250/M37 combo doesn't sound horrible. and all the 'modern' suspension/steering stuff exists for it. along with a bolt in rear tank as you mentioned. i think the 440/727/black box/205 would easily work. i'm just thinking fuel mileage/reliability (not that a built 440 would have many issues..). if you're going to just drive it around town.. 440 all the way. but any cross country stuff or anything other than stuff in the bed being towed.. 6bt and 727.

btw.. id swap you a 727/205 from a cummins for a 5 speed and tcase  ;D hahah
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: OldKooT on December 20, 2016, 02:09:20 PM
Nah Tate that's not our truck....or car. Kay's ride is a 2014 Stang, she went all high tech this go around, it even has seat heaters.

That M37 in the picture is however a big block powered, Narrowed 3.5" Dodge Dana 60 front, and unknown Dana 70HD rear combination. Which works pretty well with the H1 wheels by the looks of it.

The big advantage to keeping the OEM frame/springs, is they are far superior flex wise, than anything Dodge has built since LoL The frame is a "a" frame design which inherently allows a fair amount of un-damaging movement. Add to that some 2" wide 48" long front leaves...it flexes very well. I kid you not, that frame is about 1/4" in thickness material wise.

A 1950's picture of a bone stock M37

(http://i54.tinypic.com/qnsg9t.jpg)

Using a W250 frame looks to be doable...I spent a few min with a tape measure...other than needing to slide the front axle forward a few inches it would work. And the obvious need to shorten the back half of the frame.

Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: OldKooT on December 20, 2016, 02:15:58 PM
LoL... the 6bt ill have the edge in economy most likely. Although I used to get 12mpg at 75mph with a stroker big block in my crew cab...I doubt with this things aero I could do much better than 15 or so with a 6bt.  I don't envision this truck towing...

I have a brand new getrag with like 1200miles on it, and a matching 205. But I'd probably need a kings ransom for that combo because no kidding, but there is a waiting list to buy them. Dodge guys are funny...nuff said LoL

I do have Anvils engine/combo available...all that RC does is sit in the shed and collect dust.

Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: swbhobie16 on December 20, 2016, 02:16:33 PM
'.. shorten the back half of the frame'

read: 'plasma that sucker off and box/splice it back together!' hahaha
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: swbhobie16 on December 20, 2016, 02:19:13 PM
i've heard of this fabled 5speed.. hahaha

i didn't plan on 'taking it away' from you.. simply 'turning it into an auto' lol.

if that's not tempting, i have a 47th and 205 that i'd send that way.. hahah
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: OldKooT on December 20, 2016, 02:54:27 PM
I had a fella at a local dyno event recently offer me a fresh new max built, billet shafted 47re for that Getrag LoL  Like I said Dodge guys are funny.

On the farm we don't use a plasma for frames. We use a two man hack saw LoL

I think maybe when time and weather allows I will wheel that M37 into the shed and since it already has the front clip off I will drag the OEM engine out and do some test fitting of the 440 stuff. Today while measuring M37 vs Dodge w250 frame ideas I tripped over a 440/727/205 combo I forgot about. That will make a quick test fitment with the skid loader a 30 min deal.

I suspect a 78-79 Bronco/F-150 steering box would make steering a front 60 very simple. I suspect if I mounted the 440 in the frame with the OEM M37 axes under it....then swap in the front 60 on the OEM springs....and then make it steer, it may be a fairly simple project. The hardest part may be the steering column and wiring. I do have a brand new wiring harness for the 24V system in a box somewhere...tempting.

Anyone have a tubing bender they'd like to sell? I will have to get one for the cage work. My usual cage bender fella up and moved to Nevada on me.






Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: OldKooT on December 21, 2016, 04:13:10 PM
So.... Pitman arm $85 Fresh F-150 Steering box $525 HD Drag link and tie-rods probably $200 in materials. Steering column and connections to box $100 minimal.

Full Hyd steering $1200 Hmmmmmm Simplicity of design and functionality....priceless.

Which then begs the question... A Dana 60 Dodge front axle is worth like $1200 around here all day long. A 14 Bolt rear axle maybe $150. I have to cut apart the 60 anyway so....

If I bought some brand new tube, did some fab work, why couldn't I build a 14 bolt front axle for the same or less?

Just thinking out loud here...





Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: swbhobie16 on December 21, 2016, 04:18:03 PM
i suppose a shaved 14 bolt front and rear wouldn't be tooooooo bad  ;D
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: OldKooT on December 21, 2016, 04:33:46 PM
I am debating the pro's and Con's  Bottom line I have a few built 60's to choose from. I can always upgrade to the 14 bolt latter. But I have a long standing habit of twisting off Dana 60 Pinions. So...debating.

What I really should do is build a HO72 front because...... well, because a pair of those would be a upgrade over even the 14 Bolt. And you have to love the interchangeability between front and rear axles. Heck carrying a spare drop in would be possible even. It also is more compact...can be shaved even easier. Lighter...you can weld to it anywhere...full trussing is easy. It almost begs to be done.

A Ho72 with RCV axles would be unique LoL  And....I could stress Tate out finding me some affordable bearings LoL





Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: swbhobie16 on December 21, 2016, 04:39:06 PM
unsure of the HO72. guess i have some reading to do tonight. hahah
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: stlaser on December 21, 2016, 06:33:18 PM
unsure of the HO72. guess i have some reading to do tonight. hahah

Precursor to what everyone knows as a 14 bolt, had drop out third like a 9" and more ground clearance than the 14 bolt. Standard 14 bolt disc kit bolts up to axle tube end flanges, can't recall specifics on internals though but seem to think shafts were all originally course spline & believe the 14 bolt ring and pinions etc swap over.
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: stlaser on December 21, 2016, 08:16:12 PM
Norm, what overall width are you needing (wms to wms)? I was just reviewing this & recalled you wanted to discuss this the other day on a text but I was tied up.
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: swbhobie16 on December 21, 2016, 08:57:43 PM
did a quick search and it appears some ppl swear by them. did a quick history lesson and it looked like ford bought the rights at one point or another to then design the 9"..? either way.. it looks awesome. if norm has one (like that's even a question) i'm betting he'd go with that. it's more like a post korean built up, period correct off roader..
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: Flyin6 on December 21, 2016, 10:25:24 PM
So.... Pitman arm $85 Fresh F-150 Steering box $525 HD Drag link and tie-rods probably $200 in materials. Steering column and connections to box $100 minimal.

Full Hyd steering $1200 Hmmmmmm Simplicity of design and functionality....priceless.

Which then begs the question... A Dana 60 Dodge front axle is worth like $1200 around here all day long. A 14 Bolt rear axle maybe $150. I have to cut apart the 60 anyway so....

If I bought some brand new tube, did some fab work, why couldn't I build a 14 bolt front axle for the same or less?

Just thinking out loud here...






dID ANYONE MENTION THE FACT THAT IN A FRONT AXLE CONFIG, THE 14 BOLT IS MADE TO RUN ON THE WEAK SIDE OF THE GEAR. i CAN'T RECALL THE NUMBERS, BUT RUNNING IT (POWER) TO THE COAST SIDE WAS A PRETTY GOOD NUMBER LESS THAN RUNNING THE GEAR ON THE POWER SIDE.

sO SINCE YOU LOSE STRENGTH AND A LOT OF GROUND CLEARANCE, i'D SAY THE hpd60 IS YOUR BEST BET.

Did I just really type all that with the caps locked?

Well, screw it, I'm leaving it, don't want to retype.

Norm, I have that 1995 F350 HPD60 King pin housing carrier, with 4.56 gears and the forged 35 spline axles. I put that together for the D-Max truck

I guess I have the whole ruff stuff link front suspension sitting there in a box as well. Might help your cause...Let me think about if I might use that for the Dirty-Max truck
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: stlaser on December 21, 2016, 11:17:10 PM
Negative, even running on the coast side of the gear the 14 bolt is still stronger than the d-60 as it has the extra pinion support bearing. The 60 under heavy load will allow the pinion to walk the ring gear.


Edit: Norm, he has some ruff stuff parts he wants to sell ya!  ::)
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: Flyin6 on December 21, 2016, 11:26:31 PM
Negative, even running on the coast side of the gear the 14 bolt is still stronger than the d-60 as it has the extra pinion support bearing. The 60 under heavy load will allow the pinion to walk the ring gear.


Edit: Norm, he has some ruff stuff parts he wants to sell ya!  ::)

I half way want to, as Norm would say, "Toss that 60 up under the Chebby."

Yea, it wouldn't make any sense, but I haven't displayed an abundance of good sense for long enough to be consistent for some decades now...
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: OldKooT on December 22, 2016, 12:28:24 AM
Don your observations regarding the ring gear strength is a serious point to consider no question. That said, the Dana 60's 9.750" ring gear even in a reverse cut application, gives up a lot of strength to say the HO72's 10.125" ring gear.The almost 2" pinion shaft that dwarfs a Dana 60 or a 70, and even the 14 bolt will not fail. A third pinion bearing, a load bolt to stop ring gear deflection, and a fairly ridged steel housing you can weld to almost anywhere.

A drop out third member makes gear swaps a quick fast process. No crush sleeves, just simple brutal 1940's brilliance LoL

I can pick between 4.10 4.57 and 5.14 ratios...I can buy say a 4.57 dropout with a No-spin for $100 Available from 1948-72 they are not at all hard to find in these parts.

If I want I can "modernize" a Ho 72 and drop a 14 bolts Detroit in the carrier, and then use 14 bolt axle shafts in a rear axle application...I can also use 14 Bolt disk brake components....oh and front and rear can be simply shaved to Dana 44 size under the pumpkin.

Now.... Lets say I want to drive this wreck to say Moab and go wheeling. I can run a 4.10 rear third and with my 40" rubber, that old 440 will think it's hauling a old imperial down the hyw. Run some two piece 14bolt rear alloy shafts and I could swap 3rd members to the 5.14 locked set like I have in the front, and go wheeling in a half hour.

No final plan yet....but It's tempting me.




Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: JR on December 22, 2016, 01:18:20 AM
Just do the HO. Sounds like the easiest really. I like the 14bt, but drop outs are sweet if you need to swap gears to find that sweet spot.
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: OldKooT on December 22, 2016, 09:11:54 AM
Well this morning I had coffee, which I rarely drink, with a few of the old fellas who want to see the M37 running. One of them has a old 1940's Mil issue stencil set for hood numbers and other stuff. Guess he's dropping it off with my wife latter today...pretty cool of him.

Anyone here want to volunteer to build the wiring harness? This is one aspect I am not looking forward to.





Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: Flyin6 on December 22, 2016, 09:47:05 AM
Well this morning I had coffee, which I rarely drink, with a few of the old fellas who want to see the M37 running. One of them has a old 1940's Mil issue stencil set for hood numbers and other stuff. Guess he's dropping it off with my wife latter today...pretty cool of him.

Anyone here want to volunteer to build the wiring harness? This is one aspect I am not looking forward to.






The guy who sold me the overhead switch panel in SquareD, he's your man if you can convince him to do it. Good fella, up in Mass, I think. I had an issue with his stuff and he flat out took the time to take care of it. Got to know him some on the phone calls. A guru to be sure. So that is a bad lead, I know, but he would be the right man for the job
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: swbhobie16 on December 22, 2016, 10:10:27 AM

Anyone here want to volunteer to build the wiring harness? This is one aspect I am not looking forward to.

i will.. for a trans  ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: swbhobie16 on December 22, 2016, 10:13:17 AM
but really.. would be kinda cool to work on another old truck. if only i had one around here i could mock up on, it would be much simpler.
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: OldKooT on December 22, 2016, 12:57:26 PM
If I was smart I'd take the OEM Brand new harness I have for a M37 and make it work. But that thing is probably worth $1200
I will put it off tell the very end...and deal with it then LoL (read I will drive it to Moab with alligator clips and jumper wires)

So to recap... I am going to make a list so we can all see how wrong it will all be in the future, should be fun.

Engine: 440ish something...it will have a Wedge of some sort.
Trans: 727
Transfer case: 205... which one is up for debate and discovery.
Axles: No clue yet
Winch:Pto 12K Ramsey wide drum
Rubber: 40 ish something (I might just try those pro comps.. I have heard good things)
Roll Cage: I either buy a bender, or pay someone I trust to build a cage...to be determined.

I must build a snorkel....because well why not. Some old diesel tail pipes and a welder....

I should probably find some fancy seats. If not Kay will tease me it has no seat warmers.









Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: EL TATE on December 22, 2016, 01:20:07 PM
Don your observations regarding the ring gear strength is a serious point to consider no question. That said, the Dana 60's 9.750" ring gear even in a reverse cut application, gives up a lot of strength to say the HO72's 10.125" ring gear.The almost 2" pinion shaft that dwarfs a Dana 60 or a 70, and even the 14 bolt will not fail. A third pinion bearing, a load bolt to stop ring gear deflection, and a fairly ridged steel housing you can weld to almost anywhere.

A drop out third member makes gear swaps a quick fast process. No crush sleeves, just simple brutal 1940's brilliance LoL

I can pick between 4.10 4.57 and 5.14 ratios...I can buy say a 4.57 dropout with a No-spin for $100 Available from 1948-72 they are not at all hard to find in these parts.

If I want I can "modernize" a Ho 72 and drop a 14 bolts Detroit in the carrier, and then use 14 bolt axle shafts in a rear axle application...I can also use 14 Bolt disk brake components....oh and front and rear can be simply shaved to Dana 44 size under the pumpkin.

Now.... Lets say I want to drive this wreck to say Moab and go wheeling. I can run a 4.10 rear third and with my 40" rubber, that old 440 will think it's hauling a old imperial down the hyw. Run some two piece 14bolt rear alloy shafts and I could swap 3rd members to the 5.14 locked set like I have in the front, and go wheeling in a half hour.

No final plan yet....but It's tempting me.
You need to talk to Jim Jackson. TORQ DEVELOPMENT CO http://www.torqaxle.com/. HP, as in reverse cut 14t w/ pin support. boom. Scrap that HO72 talk. pin brgs alone would run you upwards of $500.
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: Flyin6 on December 22, 2016, 06:00:48 PM
^^^Snorkels and seat warmers!!

Odd as it may seem, I can totally see it!
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: swbhobie16 on December 23, 2016, 11:17:12 AM
^^^Snorkels and seat warmers!!

Odd as it may seem, I can totally see it!

hey.. the M715.9 has em!!
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: Flyin6 on December 23, 2016, 10:51:46 PM
OK...Missed the butt heat option somewhere...
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: OldKooT on December 27, 2016, 01:35:03 PM
Tate.... Yeah I have eyed those axles up a few times. But given one axle costs more than I intend to invest in this entire project...no can do.

What if I told you I might have a half dozen of those fancy tapered bearings new in the box? I haven't checked the part number yet to be sure mind you...but they were in the same box as the 3 or 4 new ho72 No-Spin's and the Ho72 gasket kits, and shims/carrier bearings...So chances are fair. I really should go through all that NOS stuff I bought.

I may build it with a Dana 60 front at first because it's quick and simple and then refine it latter...right now I am concentrating on the important stuff...600hp or so and windshield wipers which is no small feat getting good wipers on a M37 LoL







Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: swbhobie16 on December 27, 2016, 09:15:46 PM
at least your priorities are straight  8)
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: EL TATE on January 03, 2017, 01:05:03 PM
Tate.... Yeah I have eyed those axles up a few times. But given one axle costs more than I intend to invest in this entire project...no can do.

What if I told you I might have a half dozen of those fancy tapered bearings new in the box? I haven't checked the part number yet to be sure mind you...but they were in the same box as the 3 or 4 new ho72 No-Spin's and the Ho72 gasket kits, and shims/carrier bearings...So chances are fair. I really should go through all that NOS stuff I bought.

I may build it with a Dana 60 front at first because it's quick and simple and then refine it latter...right now I am concentrating on the important stuff...600hp or so and windshield wipers which is no small feat getting good wipers on a M37 LoL

check the numbers: TK 5519790030 if you do in fact have those, I have several buyers lined up, as well as the no spins.
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: OldKooT on January 04, 2017, 11:58:09 AM
Thought I'd toss a few pictures up....Kay's Summer/Fall project
(http://i.imgur.com/QxaNpKw.jpg)

It's most recent photo..As it sits the specs are as follows. 2014 Track Pack Mustang GT...special order option delete car. (read lighter)
The  power train is Boss 302 Engine/cooling/assorted other parts. Engine has been balanced, heads are cnc ported, Comp stage 3cams. It's also got H beam rods, fluid damper, upgraded oil pump/drive, and assorted other goodies. Induction is at present stock Boss, with a Pro charger 8rib running about 7lbs of boost. Injectors/tuning and the like are also all custom, as is the fuel pump and assorted support systems. As tuned, the car can run 91-93 octane or E85 depending on the flash.

The car has a Tremec T56/One piece aluminum driveshaft/dual disc clutch, and a usually broken or failing 3.73 Torsen equipped 8.8.
The front suspension is Bilstein struts/springs and some aftermarket lower control arms, extended ball joints and other tweaks. The rear is Also Bilstein, along with home built lower and upper adjustable control arms.

The car runs Staggered Bridgestones on the street and autocross, and MT drag radials on the rear when prudent. She has two sets of 2008 Shelby wheels she switches between depending what the car is doing.

At present the car is banned from the Drag strip until it gets a cage. If I trusted the 8.8 to handle real slicks (I don't) the car would likely just squeak into the 9's in the 1320 on E85. On street radials and pump gas it's a solid mid 10Sec car.

Next spring she has some long tube headers, off road x pipe to install. A Shelby Super Snake Hood/front bumper and more tuning to do.....along with a 9" rear/watts link combo and likely even larger rubber. Also the cars going to get weld in subframe support and a few other tweaks, as well as some form of daily driver livable cage work.

Her goal was a under $30k Hell cat killer that can corner and drive anywhere. She has easily accomplished her goals so far. As pictured it's been driven over Mountain passes exceeding 12,000ft, driven 900miles, ran 12 back to back grudge races in the 10's and driven home, and hauled grandkids all over LoL ...I'd expect next spring to see some more development, and maybe if I remember, some video and pictures of it in action.

(http://i.imgur.com/qlwd53l.jpg)


Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: OldKooT on January 04, 2017, 12:21:04 PM
Found another picture...it's a Black car and she's always washing it so I snap pics...most I best not post LoL Anyway...this shot was taken right after we took the Brembo Brakes off the car tossed on some stock Stang brakes and wheels she scored off CL and went grudge racing at a $500 a run event. You have to admit it could pass for a stock V6 car... it's very quiet as modified Stangs go...still rocking the OEM Mufflers.

As it sits in the picture she embarrassed and took their money from a half dozen Hellcats and two Vipers.

And yes TRN the calipers need paint LoL  We haven't decided if we are going to leave the Brembo's off the car. It stops fine drag racing and street driving, it seems to autocross just fine as well. In fact in some real unofficial stomp on the brakes hard at speed type tests, we can't tell a measurable difference. The Brembo's do however weigh much more and look cooler. But she really likes the V6 look...

I imagine when she tosses on the super snake hood she scored and front bumper...the Brembos will end up back on the car.

(http://i.imgur.com/JDCuqlV.jpg)
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: JR on January 04, 2017, 12:34:35 PM
Looks like she likes it and what you have done. Sounds like a fun car.

Now you have to have a picture in there where she not all bent over it but is actually happy you are taking the picture.
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: OldKooT on January 04, 2017, 12:48:05 PM
LoL...good luck on that...she hates her picture taken. I sometimes snap a few when she's washing it and she's not looking. But she's gotten wise to that so....

Somewhere there is a pretty good video of her I shot doing a good imitation of a drift racer at the autocross track. She was frustrated she couldn't get the car to stay settled through a switch back type deal and she finally on her last run got ornery. She used the throttle to steer it quite nicely. She set the car up before the first turn with lots of tire spin...and slammed it into the corner and right into the next corner....It was one of those moments where I was proud of her...while calculating how much rubber she just removed from some expensive tires. If she hasn't deleted it yet maybe I can find it and post it....but when she turned 43 she decided no more pics LoL
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: Flyin6 on January 04, 2017, 12:55:20 PM
I like

Although I don't like Fords

Used to

Once owned a real 1970 Boss 302

Which was at one time the NHRA drag car which I was told was a record holder

I found it under a bunch of straw and parts in a barn, faded school bus yellow, carb off the manifold and mice living in the intake runners.

So, ya, have a soft spot for the Boss 302

How's the engine holding up in that thing? Rings?

She has to be RPM'ing the thing and all those back to back races.

Frankly, I'd be a bit scared at this time. Want to pull the motor, pull it down for a good inspection and fresh rings/bearings
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: OldKooT on January 04, 2017, 02:14:40 PM
Well Don.... that's a long story.

It's a stock Boss 302 Coyote block. It was very carefully blueprinted by yours truly. Stock crank...Eagle H beam Rods, CP Pistons, 11:1 actual compression ratio. Billet oil pump gears, and arp fasteners. The heads are Boss Coyote...CNC ported by a good friend who almost forced me into letting him play with them...stock shimmed valve springs and valves also. So... in effect a almost stock bottom end with some reliability upgrades. And a almost stock top end as well....

She spins it 7200rpm *usually which for a Coyote is conservative. So far no oil consumption or unusual issues. Given the engine has seen VERY close to 4 digit rear wheel numbers on a max E85 tune...the "around 750rwp" tune it usually runs is rather low stress. At least in theory...

Much less stressful on me anyway than the 6 dyno runs to 8400rpm we played with this fall. But WOW at how much HP is hidden between 7200 and 8400 rpm...and it's a head rush to know with a tank of E85 a laptop and some slicks...mid 9's are a reality.


Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: JR on January 04, 2017, 02:47:10 PM
Well how about a link? The one with her singing was funny. Shy my but!!
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: swbhobie16 on January 04, 2017, 09:32:32 PM
i bet she sounds like a jet engine with a pissed off coyote grumbling underneath..
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: swbhobie16 on January 04, 2017, 09:32:56 PM
the car.. not mrs kay.

hahah
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: TexasRedNeck on January 04, 2017, 09:58:00 PM

Frankly, I'd be a bit scared at this time. Want to pull the motor, pull it down for a good inspection and fresh rings/bearings and let it sit unfinished for years.....

I'm fired.....
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: OldKooT on January 05, 2017, 07:16:52 AM
LoL.....
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: Flyin6 on January 05, 2017, 12:46:55 PM
Well Don.... that's a long story.

It's a stock Boss 302 Coyote block. It was very carefully blueprinted by yours truly. Stock crank...Eagle H beam Rods, CP Pistons, 11:1 actual compression ratio. Billet oil pump gears, and arp fasteners. The heads are Boss Coyote...CNC ported by a good friend who almost forced me into letting him play with them...stock shimmed valve springs and valves also. So... in effect a almost stock bottom end with some reliability upgrades. And a almost stock top end as well....

She spins it 7200rpm *usually which for a Coyote is conservative. So far no oil consumption or unusual issues. Given the engine has seen VERY close to 4 digit rear wheel numbers on a max E85 tune...the "around 750rwp" tune it usually runs is rather low stress. At least in theory...

Much less stressful on me anyway than the 6 dyno runs to 8400rpm we played with this fall. But WOW at how much HP is hidden between 7200 and 8400 rpm...and it's a head rush to know with a tank of E85 a laptop and some slicks...mid 9's are a reality.



OK, copy that

If you were in that bottom end already, We can rest assured it was done correctly

Norm, I am floored by the numbers these motors these days are capable of!

Nearing 1000 RWHP if beyond comprehension. That's 1200 or so at the crank, unbelievable

But having said that I remember once watching this project build. Point was to see if you could take a junkyard run of the mill 5.3 LS style motor and get it to make 1000HP on a stand before grenading it.
So I believe the plan was to test it, replace the head bolts, pull the pan for inspection, small cam, then add a turbo.
And the test began...
It made 500, 600, 700, and they thought it was going to fly apart, so the decision was made to push it to when it broke.
Injectors, valve springs, more boost, less timing, better gas, and 800, then 900, and then it produced 1000!
A used 5.3L Chevy truck engine!!!!!
Not satisfied they ran the boost up even more, and it passed 1100HP!!!!
They pulled it again and it made a documented 1267HP
and
It didn't explode!

So these guys pulled it down for a close inspection of the pistons and rings and rods and so forth.

That's when they made the discovery that sent this thing into orbit.
It wasn't a 5.3!
Nope,
IT was a 4.8L!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: Flyin6 on January 05, 2017, 12:48:56 PM
Oh, might as well announce here as opposed in another forum

TexasRedNeck is no longer with us....  :shocked: :knucklehead:
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: OldKooT on January 05, 2017, 01:29:29 PM
Don.... Is this a bad time to mention Stewie needs a truck?  :cheesy:

I really can't be fired since I have no responsibility here...but if it helps, you can fire that fella In hippy land in my place LoL Word has it he's likely welding in his Jesus sandals right now on a Jeep.


Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: EL TATE on January 05, 2017, 01:30:52 PM
Well Don.... that's a long story.

It's a stock Boss 302 Coyote block. It was very carefully blueprinted by yours truly. Stock crank...Eagle H beam Rods, CP Pistons, 11:1 actual compression ratio. Billet oil pump gears, and arp fasteners. The heads are Boss Coyote...CNC ported by a good friend who almost forced me into letting him play with them...stock shimmed valve springs and valves also. So... in effect a almost stock bottom end with some reliability upgrades. And a almost stock top end as well....

She spins it 7200rpm *usually which for a Coyote is conservative. So far no oil consumption or unusual issues. Given the engine has seen VERY close to 4 digit rear wheel numbers on a max E85 tune...the "around 750rwp" tune it usually runs is rather low stress. At least in theory...

Much less stressful on me anyway than the 6 dyno runs to 8400rpm we played with this fall. But WOW at how much HP is hidden between 7200 and 8400 rpm...and it's a head rush to know with a tank of E85 a laptop and some slicks...mid 9's are a reality.



OK, copy that

If you were in that bottom end already, We can rest assured it was done correctly

Norm, I am floored by the numbers these motors these days are capable of!

Nearing 1000 RWHP if beyond comprehension. That's 1200 or so at the crank, unbelievable

But having said that I remember once watching this project build. Point was to see if you could take a junkyard run of the mill 5.3 LS style motor and get it to make 1000HP on a stand before grenading it.
So I believe the plan was to test it, replace the head bolts, pull the pan for inspection, small cam, then add a turbo.
And the test began...
It made 500, 600, 700, and they thought it was going to fly apart, so the decision was made to push it to when it broke.
Injectors, valve springs, more boost, less timing, better gas, and 800, then 900, and then it produced 1000!
A used 5.3L Chevy truck engine!!!!!
Not satisfied they ran the boost up even more, and it passed 1100HP!!!!
They pulled it again and it made a documented 1267HP
and
It didn't explode!

So these guys pulled it down for a close inspection of the pistons and rings and rods and so forth.

That's when they made the discovery that sent this thing into orbit.
It wasn't a 5.3!
Nope,
IT was a 4.8L!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.trucktrend.com/how-to/engine/1213tr-vortec-5-3l-big-bang/

Read the same article a few months back!
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: stlaser on January 05, 2017, 01:46:30 PM
Don.... Is this a bad time to mention Stewie needs a truck?  :cheesy:

I really can't be fired since I have no responsibility here...but if it helps, you can fire that fella In hippy land in my place LoL Word has it he's likely welding in his Jesus sandals right now on a Jeep.

I heard that & I upgraded to tennis shoes today as it's 7 degrees out, taking way too much welding spatter to keep them toes nice n cozy..... :shocked:
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: KensAuto on January 05, 2017, 04:20:28 PM
Oh, might as well announce here as opposed in another forum

TexasRedNeck is no longer with us....  :shocked: :knucklehead:
bahahahahahah. Dang, if you can tolerate Shawn, I KNOW you can tollerate Charles!!

edit: reason? I'm still an idiot
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: stlaser on January 05, 2017, 05:11:17 PM
bahahahahahah. Dang, if you can tolerate Shawn, I KNOW you can tollerate Charles!!

Ken, don't you have a loser to console?????
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: EL TATE on January 05, 2017, 05:52:04 PM
Oh, might as well announce here as opposed in another forum

TexasRedNeck is no longer with us....  :shocked: :knucklehead:
bahahahahahah. Dang, if you can tolerate Shawn, I KNOW you can tollerate Charles!!

btw, that was a 4.8 chebby that pulled those numbers. I posted the article a while back....somewhere.

Probably where I read it.
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: KensAuto on January 05, 2017, 06:08:37 PM
Oh, Tate, I didn't see your post up there.

The link you posted is a 5.3...I haven't seen that one. Friggin awesome for sure!

Now I have to edit my last post because I didn't see where Don showed that it turned out to be a 4.8 after teardown. maybe he's smarter than I give him credit for!
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: EL TATE on January 05, 2017, 06:41:48 PM
And see I thought the article was about building up a 6.0 and turned out to be a 5.3L but then again, I thought my kids aveo was a chevy at one point...
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: Flyin6 on January 05, 2017, 07:58:55 PM
Don.... Is this a bad time to mention Stewie needs a truck?  :cheesy:

I really can't be fired since I have no responsibility here...but if it helps, you can fire that fella In hippy land in my place LoL Word has it he's likely welding in his Jesus sandals right now on a Jeep.



Call it poor judgement on your part

You're banned too!

Go join the other people that messed with me!

See, guess I told him!
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: OldKooT on January 05, 2017, 08:01:39 PM
I might get promoted yet.  :grin:
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: Flyin6 on January 05, 2017, 08:04:53 PM
I might get promoted yet.  :grin:
What are you doin' postin?

I thought you were banned?
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: Flyin6 on January 05, 2017, 08:05:49 PM
Did I get that wrong, about that 5.3 being a 4.8?

CRS again...

or CGTR
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: OldKooT on January 05, 2017, 08:13:26 PM
As much fun as all this new technology can be...I am looking forward to the M37 no technology build. It won't have 1000hp or fancy gadgets...but it will have what I cherish most in a truck....function.
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: Wilbur on January 05, 2017, 08:18:33 PM
Did I get that wrong, about that 5.3 being a 4.8?

CRS again...

or CGTR

Nope....I read it too....totally insane that it was a 4.8
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: swbhobie16 on January 05, 2017, 08:48:13 PM
As much fun as all this new technology can be...I am looking forward to the M37 no technology build. It won't have 1000hp or fancy gadgets...but it will have what I cherish most in a truck....function.

this is going to be a cool truck..
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: EL TATE on January 06, 2017, 01:44:32 PM
Did I get that wrong, about that 5.3 being a 4.8?

CRS again...

or CGTR

Nope....I read it too....totally insane that it was a 4.8

You don't need to be old to catch a case of CRS...
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: OldKooT on June 19, 2017, 11:12:28 AM
OK wow over 120 days.... time just keeps on ticking. (likely a song in there)

So.......HELLO everyone, been a while. Hope you have all been keeping well and prospering. It's been a busy spring and summer. Lots of projects (none of them mine) Graduated another daughter from HS, so down to two left at home now. The eldest son's house is built for the most part, next seasons wood has been cut and split. I feel like it's time to get some of my chosen chores completed.

Oh yeah this is a thread about Patch, my loyal and mistreated (forget what year it is) Dodge pickup. It hasn't been on the road hardly at all. The last time I drove it was long enough ago that It still had the plow on it. I remember this because it had almost no brakes and I would use the plow to slow down on gravel roads. (slick feature BTW)

So recently like maybe a month or less ago my wife decided she wanted a new Mustang. So we returned her car to OEM and she sold it for what she paid for it somehow. And the search was on for a replacement...she finally found a 2017 she wanted and she bought it with 7 miles on it. She has been ordering parts for it since she bought it. So BEFORE I get volunteered to completely tear apart and rebuild a brand new car...PATCH. (thought I got distracted didn't you?)

The plan is o go to Wisconsin the end of June, retrieve a old 78 Bronco that is peacefully rusting there and haul it home. The challenge is....we are going to take patch and my featherlight which is about in the same state of disrepair as the truck.  Next post...I will lay out the plan.



Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: OldKooT on June 19, 2017, 11:26:03 AM
Trucks current status.

No brakes to speak of.
It leaks almost everything.
The entire pickup bed is falling off.
Something inside smells "not good"
About 14" of slop in the steering.
It does run, I verified this and the bad smell inside about a hour ago.

I have one week, or maybe 10 days to cobble it together for this adventure. I have a budget on this build somewhere between $50 and $75 bucks.

So gentleman..... hold ma beer n watch this.

Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: Atkinsmatt on June 19, 2017, 11:28:05 AM
This is going to be good.
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: Sammconn on June 19, 2017, 11:29:37 AM
A Norm sighting!
Glad to hear all is well.

Holding beer, and waiting...
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: Nate on June 19, 2017, 12:56:41 PM
oh my...............here we go!
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: TexasRedNeck on June 19, 2017, 02:14:42 PM
Where is my oversized popcorn emoji?......


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: cj7ox on June 19, 2017, 03:31:31 PM
Waitin' with baited breath!  :popcorn:
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: Wilbur on June 20, 2017, 03:05:48 AM
Waitin' with baited breath!  :popcorn:

That could be the smell her was referring to..... (not yours, but "bait breath") haha

$50 to $75 that's a lot of duct tape. I know you have plenty of baling wire around so that's a freebie.
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: JR on June 20, 2017, 05:17:12 AM
Sweet, a Norm sighting and a project!

Maybe drag the trailer for brakes,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Warm there? Been over a 100 here for a few days. Was 111 parked under a tree today.
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: cruizng on June 20, 2017, 07:53:18 AM
Glad to see you're still ticking Norm. Sounds you have been busy. Your ears must be burning once in a while when someone has a engine question.  :beercheers:

Happy to see you and the family are doing well!
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: OldKooT on June 20, 2017, 11:02:32 AM
Well yesterday could have been a bit more productive. We did manage to remove the farmer tank, tool box, and the entire bed of the truck. Kay and I then drove it to town.... because we could. The drive was a test of the brakes...I smacked the rear antilock controller with a skid loader bucket and it now has rear brakes.... surprise!!! Still no front brakes....caliper failures I am sure.

I did snap some pictures, but they are on Kays phone so it can wait. Today's goals are to test fit the 1964 bed and get a grasp of whats required for installation. 

IN other news... when you have no weight on the rear, and accelerate briskly like you normally would away from a stop sign. Do not assume the transmission is slipping as you accidentally weenie burn a block and a half of rubber off your mud grip tire.
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: JR on June 20, 2017, 12:02:58 PM
I used to keep a few hundred pounds of sand bags in the bed of my 77 so it handled better.
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: rpar86 on June 20, 2017, 03:17:29 PM
I used to keep a few hundred pounds of sand bags in the bed of my 77 so it handled better.

He has no bed at the moment though ;)
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: JR on June 20, 2017, 05:39:14 PM
I used to keep a few hundred pounds of sand bags in the bed of my 77 so it handled better.

He has no bed at the moment though ;)

That was my point. How light the rears are with a bed, so I adjusted.
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: OldKooT on December 04, 2017, 09:48:34 AM
Update: Where to begin...

Patch: the lift pump died. I took the doors off Patch and put them on a club cab gasser, and have been using that. Patch has been resting comfortably while life keeps me busy, so it's future is uncertain.

Anvil: got a lot more use this summer. Like 10k miles or so. Other than a recently developed small injection pump leak, it has done all that's been asked of it.

Kay's Mustang got the most attention. Autocross, drags, just driving..lots of subtle under the skin suspension mods, just drove it to church yesterday. Winter being almost here I imagine it will get little use now tell spring. Kays been making noise of selling it and buying a Vette....who knows with her. It has a whopping 6k miles or so on it these days.

Kay and her oldest daughter bought a 2015 Crew Cab Eco Boost F150 4x4.... it's almost everything I despise in a truck.. heated seats/leather, gadgets, technology. It gets the worst mileage towing of any vehicle I have owned EVER. Short little box on it makes it a girly truck. It does have 34.5" rubber, a locking rear axle and despite it's appetite for fuel when towing....it can haul 10K lbs at 75 mph rather easily.  It's growing on me a little....

The newest member of the fleet is a 1981 Chevy Standard cab heavy K10. Complete with a nice functional steel flat bed, a 383 small block and a 4speed. It needs a flywheel to be driven....so maybe soon I will have a chance to make that happen and then who knows what we will do with it. The plan as of now is to make it run and sell it. Before Kay gets any ideas and decides she needs a Cummins powered Chevy.

I have an entire house tore apart in the middle of dry walling/electrical upgrades/flooring I am suppose to be working on. Too many irons in the fire ATM

In the addition to all the above going on, I am trying to find time to put together a new "shop" in a building in town. Roughly 28' x 35' Nice flat floor, large garage door and lighting...its basically bare. I need to wire up a welder outlet, put a air compressor in there and I suppose I could get some work done. We did move some of the tool/equipment down there a few weeks ago. At the moment it's keeping Anvil and the Chevy out of the weather...that's about it.





Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: Flyin6 on December 04, 2017, 10:41:09 AM
I'm concerned Norm

First for Kay...All this fast kar talk is unsettling. No future in it. Same as a boat (Hole in the water filled with money) same-same with an airplane. Question with respect to an airplane, how do you make a small fortune? Answer: Start with a large one!

All this stress is not good for your heart. Neither are the 12 packs of smokes you process a day!

And it is clear to me that you two are all disoriented. Buying a Ford...and a skinny half ton...that burns gas...that is a half ton...that sports a glove box for a bed, that, worst of all, you are warming up to. Well I hope you're sittin' on the radiator, bueause nothing else makes sense to me

So pull it back together and get engaged.

We could all get back to NN (Normal Norm, or norm,normal) Now pulling the doors off your truck to create something else to drive instead of fixing the flat on the former, now, that's NN, the one I like.

But with Kay drivin kars, ford cars, gas burnin kars, not involved in buying another garage or barn, and you wafflin' with all this weird stull, well, it's just unsettling

I want to hear about the cops being called for a stolen boat, only for it to turn up buried in that partially fallin down barn (That's a shed, right?). Readin' that makes my quoffee go down normally with no chance of me coughing it up over my freshly laundered duluth flannel.

So, for my sake, for the sake or NORMalcy, get it back together my long lost farmin' friend (FF)
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: cruizng on December 04, 2017, 10:58:36 AM
Update: Where to begin...

Patch: the lift pump died. I took the doors off Patch and put them on a club cab gasser, and have been using that. Patch has been resting comfortably while life keeps me busy, so it's future is uncertain.

Anvil: got a lot more use this summer. Like 10k miles or so. Other than a recently developed small injection pump leak, it has done all that's been asked of it.

Kay's Mustang got the most attention. Autocross, drags, just driving..lots of subtle under the skin suspension mods, just drove it to church yesterday. Winter being almost here I imagine it will get little use now tell spring. Kays been making noise of selling it and buying a Vette....who knows with her. It has a whopping 6k miles or so on it these days.

Kay and her oldest daughter bought a 2015 Crew Cab Eco Boost F150 4x4.... it's almost everything I despise in a truck.. heated seats/leather, gadgets, technology. It gets the worst mileage towing of any vehicle I have owned EVER. Short little box on it makes it a girly truck. It does have 34.5" rubber, a locking rear axle and despite it's appetite for fuel when towing....it can haul 10K lbs at 75 mph rather easily.  It's growing on me a little....

The newest member of the fleet is a 1981 Chevy Standard cab heavy K10. Complete with a nice functional steel flat bed, a 383 small block and a 4speed. It needs a flywheel to be driven....so maybe soon I will have a chance to make that happen and then who knows what we will do with it. The plan as of now is to make it run and sell it. Before Kay gets any ideas and decides she needs a Cummins powered Chevy.

I have an entire house tore apart in the middle of dry walling/electrical upgrades/flooring I am suppose to be working on. Too many irons in the fire ATM

In the addition to all the above going on, I am trying to find time to put together a new "shop" in a building in town. Roughly 28' x 35' Nice flat floor, large garage door and lighting...its basically bare. I need to wire up a welder outlet, put a air compressor in there and I suppose I could get some work done. We did move some of the tool/equipment down there a few weeks ago. At the moment it's keeping Anvil and the Chevy out of the weather...that's about it.

Well Norm I'm glad to see you haven't slowed down any. Nice to see you on here again!
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: KensAuto on December 04, 2017, 11:42:52 AM
Hey Norm!! Sorry for the addition of the ponys to your fleet, but what the hay, can't be any worse than owning Dodges!! :pokeNorm
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: JR on December 04, 2017, 01:06:55 PM
At least the new truck has twin turbos!

Please don't tell me in all that "stuff" you got a flywheel can't be found?
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: Sammconn on December 04, 2017, 10:18:27 PM
At least the new truck has twin turbos!

Please don't tell me in all that "stuff" you got a flywheel can't be found?
I'm sure there is one or two in there...
The "found" part is likely the trick...
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: OldKooT on December 05, 2017, 09:44:39 AM
I do have a flywheel...probably a couple. Years ago I bought like 300 or so flywheels at a salvage yard auction. Which turned out to be a better investment than the 400 or so hub caps I suspect.

But the local machine shop guy quoted me $75 to resurface it and such...$80 at autozone for a new replacement. I will likely go with the latter, since it saves me having to explain why I own a Chevy to people I actually know.

Kay seems to think she wants to "see it have a good home" so I suggested I could let it sit out behind a barn which is in my opinion a great place for said truck... she didn't agree. So I suspect a "good home" in her mind, is her driving it.

I am hoping when I remove the engine It has bent rods a busted crank and a reground Ford camshaft. But since last time I heard it run it ran fine....I am sure I won't get that lucky.


I don;t know why this is happening....



Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: OldKooT on December 06, 2017, 09:15:39 AM
This is the Chevy and the new "shop"
(https://i.imgur.com/p6Fk0nQ.jpg)

Remember when engines looked like this?

(https://i.imgur.com/i1l3jAS.jpg)

Interior...

(https://i.imgur.com/cG3rWsu.jpg)

anyone need one of these?

(https://i.imgur.com/lu5bHQ3.jpg)







Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: KensAuto on December 06, 2017, 10:13:55 AM
I remember them well, except for having a Holley !!!
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: dave945 on December 06, 2017, 03:04:23 PM
Don could have used that dust containment system when he pushed/pulled the truck out of the garage last week.
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: Flyin6 on December 06, 2017, 03:25:09 PM
Don could have used that dust containment system when he pushed/pulled the truck out of the garage last week.
The unit would have been overcome
Title: Re: Project: Don't do this at home
Post by: TexasRedNeck on December 06, 2017, 03:32:42 PM
Oh I I miss having a box full of jets, power valve and gaskets and accelerator pumps and vaccum diaphragms and ....oh. No really don’t miss it that much


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Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: Nate on December 06, 2017, 07:26:59 PM
let me get a hold of kyle and see if he is interested in that dust collector for his new shop
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: OldKooT on December 06, 2017, 09:59:10 PM
I prefer a quadrajet personally...but the Holley will be fine for now. I have about 30 or so to choose from on the shelf. Some are even new in box LoL

I was stomping around in my barn loft and found a 445olds Bellhousing/flywheel. Out in the ole pig barn I have a W30 Olds I pickled about 1998 or so from my jet boat. That engine was fairly fresh...

So if the 350 Chebby gave me even a small excuse, I could see tossing the 455 in there. If it has to get 12 mpg, may as well have power. But big picture, I'd rather avoid a large project.

Again.... I should take the chevy, load a Dana 60 front, 14bolt rear...4 Border patrol beadlocks, and some other goodies on the flatbed and sell it as a bugout project. Dodges RULE  LoL

Nate... that is a spendy Dust system for wood floor refinishing and such. I bet it would do fine in a shop as well. It's taking up space...its like new, very low hours, so I am going to sell it to someone so I can make space.

Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: JR on December 07, 2017, 12:44:45 AM
Does the new garage hang off the warehouse/barn?
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: OldKooT on December 07, 2017, 01:06:40 AM
Jr.... nah the new shop is in town. It just became more sensible to get a shop in town to avoid having to trailer stuff with nice paint to and from the house.

It's not a permanent solution/yet but for now it's handy. If I ever get time I will get the air compressor installed, some small wiring changes for the welder, and maybe if I feel frisky a lift. It has security cameras, an alarm tied to the police station and in general is just about exactly what I was wanting.

Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: JR on December 07, 2017, 01:13:29 AM
let me get a hold of kyle and see if he is interested in that dust collector for his new shop

I was thinking the same with that shop he just finished.

Norm, with the shop in town does that mean you get to get more tools?
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: OldKooT on December 07, 2017, 08:41:04 AM
JR..... not sure I really need any more tools. But like always, if I do...I buy em. Kay never questions tools/guns.

Shop projects:
Install my spare Air Compressor.
Wire in a outlet for the Welder/plasma
Wire in some additional 110 outlets also
build a work bench
Organize hand tools back into the tool box
I am sure there is more....but the above will get me to working on stuff that needs working on.
Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: OldKooT on December 07, 2017, 03:40:40 PM
So Mom calls, her car won't start. So instead of working on my shop, I had to drive 30 minutes, after buying her a new battery $170 (no core)

Ten minutes after arrival I have her car running. I hand her the receipt she looks at it and says "boy batteries are expensive" and hands it back then... "can you hang my Christmas lights, carry the decoration totes upstairs, fix the outlet outside and edge my sidewalk quick?

So I get back to town I stop at the parts store set the battery on the counter I removed from Mom's car with the intention of getting my core $18 back.

I get talking with Kay and the guy says ok would you like me to carry your new battery to the pickup for you? Turns out that battery had a warranty I guess... go figure.

So the lesson... my Mom rips me off as usual, but this time the Lord provided a new battery. So my wife could claim it for her Yellow Chevy.

Title: Re: Project: "Don't do this at home"
Post by: stlaser on December 07, 2017, 04:17:59 PM
Hard to tell if you’re coming or going some days huh?
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