Dorsai Posted November 29, 2021 Share Posted November 29, 2021 Matthew! How are you? Apparently busy! Hey! I'm good, but yes...super busy. Our former lead programming mentor for the robotics team had the temerity to retire back in July, so I've been desperately learning Java (I'm normally a Python guy). The new season kicks off in January so we'll know soon how well I've done at that. Haven't done much with the truck lately...it's due for an oil change now, so I am hoping to finally put one of those Baldwin filters on I was asking about a while back. Then maybe I'll put the radio antenna back on, correctly this time, and fix the cowl/hood alignment issues that came from the last attempt. Then I'd like to replace the door hinges, maybe get the doors aligned properly, and once that happens...etc etc etc. You know the drill. I'm hoping Jonathan updates this thread sometime soon, I was really hoping to see a first drive video before reaching the end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted November 29, 2021 Share Posted November 29, 2021 Hey! I'm good, but yes...super busy. Our former lead programming mentor for the robotics team had the temerity to retire back in July, so I've been desperately learning Java (I'm normally a Python guy). The new season kicks off in January so we'll know soon how well I've done at that. Haven't done much with the truck lately...it's due for an oil change now, so I am hoping to finally put one of those Baldwin filters on I was asking about a while back. Then maybe I'll put the radio antenna back on, correctly this time, and fix the cowl/hood alignment issues that came from the last attempt. Then I'd like to replace the door hinges, maybe get the doors aligned properly, and once that happens...etc etc etc. You know the drill. I'm hoping Jonathan updates this thread sometime soon, I was really hoping to see a first drive video before reaching the end. Maybe you can help with the website and forum some day. Surely there are lots of things we could do better if we just had a Java guru. Anyway, hope things slow down for you, at least over Christmas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Posted March 7, 2022 Author Share Posted March 7, 2022 I started to prep the brake proportioning valve bracket for painting. I mostly used my new Harbor Freight die grinder because I grow tired of the battery powered Milwaukee that stops frequently due to some over current protection if you push too hard. I apologize for the long delay in providing updates. As the weather got colder the days got shorter. After finishing work it would already be dark and cold outside. On the warm weekends when I was free I was able to get some painting completed. I will update the thread now with what little I completed the last few months. Here is the brake proportioning valve bracket painted after cleaning along with some related hardware. I also painted the battery hold down bracket again since I spilled something on it that melted the paint. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Posted March 7, 2022 Author Share Posted March 7, 2022 Here is a summary before and after. Well after all that work I damaged the paint on the frame by grinding parts too close to the truck. I had to prep and paint it again to cover up the damage. It seemed to chip the paint down to the primer. Hopefully after the paint sits longer it will be more durable this time. Here are some pictures showing the nicks and some after the respray. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Posted March 7, 2022 Author Share Posted March 7, 2022 Well after all that work I damaged the paint on the frame by grinding parts too close to the truck. I had to prep and paint it again to cover up the damage. It seemed to chip the paint down to the primer. Hopefully after the paint sits longer it will be more durable this time. Here are some pictures showing the nicks and some after the respray. I left some suspension hardware soaking in the sonic cleaner for way too long. I had to clean them up to get all the dirty solution that settled on the hardware. After sonic cleaning again I put in the vibrating tumbler with crushed glass. I still need to wire wheel and prep the parts to be painted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rcarlisle Posted March 7, 2022 Share Posted March 7, 2022 I left some suspension hardware soaking in the sonic cleaner for way too long. I had to clean them up to get all the dirty solution that settled on the hardware. After sonic cleaning again I put in the vibrating tumbler with crushed glass. I still need to wire wheel and prep the parts to be painted. Hey! Glad you're back on. Can't wait to see what all you do next. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Posted March 7, 2022 Author Share Posted March 7, 2022 I left some suspension hardware soaking in the sonic cleaner for way too long. I had to clean them up to get all the dirty solution that settled on the hardware. After sonic cleaning again I put in the vibrating tumbler with crushed glass. I still need to wire wheel and prep the parts to be painted. One cold day I decided to clean up the garage so I can get to my tools. I put the heat on and went to work boxing up all the truck parts I purchased already and put them all together. There is more parts in the front seat of the truck and on the floor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Posted March 7, 2022 Author Share Posted March 7, 2022 Hey! Glad you're back on. Can't wait to see what all you do next. Thanks Randy! Hey! Glad you're back on. Can't wait to see what all you do next. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rcarlisle Posted March 7, 2022 Share Posted March 7, 2022 One cold day I decided to clean up the garage so I can get to my tools. I put the heat on and went to work boxing up all the truck parts I purchased already and put them all together. There is more parts in the front seat of the truck and on the floor. I have a couple smaller boxes with parts leftover and things from past projects. I have a box of stuff for this dude working on a project of his own. LOL. Them seat hinge covers sure is looking good... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Posted March 7, 2022 Author Share Posted March 7, 2022 It only took me about 5 hours to get the axel pivot bushing out. Good thing I picked up this picnic blanket from Costco. I should of stepped back and researched it more before going hog wild on it. Later I found out they have kits for ball joint kits that can probably press it out easier. The slide hammer for bearings was not working good because all the rubber absorbing the impacts. I also tried a bearing puller but there was nothing to push against so that didn't work. So I drilled holes in the rubber and cut out the middle. Which didn't help much because turned out it has a sleeve around it that also needed to be removed. Finally I had to remove the whole axel thing out from under the truck so I can get at it with a hammer and punch easier without holding a 5 pound drilling hammer over my face laying on my back. Trying to do that without damaging the arm was challenging. For the drinkers side I will be better prepared. Did I mention that I am an idiot? Oh well, live and learn. I am just an amateur that likes to fix his own stuff. See pictures of kit from Harbor Freight and let me know your thoughts or better ideas. I really don't have room for a shop press right now. I did some more work on the axel. It was so dirty that I wanted to use the media blaster connected to my pressure washer. It really helps get the bulk of the crud off. But I wanted to remove the tie rod because I got a new one and didn't need it in the way. I bagged the king pin so I wouldn't get crushed glass and water inside it. After pounding on the ball joint with no progress I remembered I had a tool for just this reason. After tightening it up the ball joint flew off and hit my leg. I still need to do more prep work before painting. My plan is to keep the rust spray on everything outside of the king pin area that swivels and the axel painted. It will be a pain to mask on a rotating swivel but I will try to pull it off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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