OP
thejudges69
Well-known member
Today I would call a pretty good day, I got alot accomplished, I think I'm more at the bolting everything on point then I am at the fabricating part. I did exactly what I wanted, I started on one side and went from the fuel tank forward and just started installing.
new flex pipe from the y pipe on both side to the elbows. I got them all siliconed up in the pic and ready for install on one side. I don't know if anyone else does this but we have been siliconing our exhaust for about 5 years now and have not had to cut a pipe apart since, at least I haven't, except when its time to replace, Then I don't care I just cut it all out and get on down the road.
got the air cleaner and lightbars installed. I may take the front cleaner bars back apart just for new bulbs, all depends on the job when its done. I also got both pipes hanging and in place. both air cleaners are on and all the air tank wraps are on and the tanks are installed and plumbed.
got the drivers side almost finished, I did the air cleaner which I already said, but I had to lift the bonnet off for a minor wiring issue. I'm going to look into the weathpac from Napa, I'd really like to do something different with the wiring behind the air cleaner that feeds these 2 lightbars. Its hidden and never seen but at least once a winter season I have a problem from the Green monster, this is about the only wiring problem I ever have. I also had to replace the 7 wire cable from the firewall back the driver side frame rail. Apparently before the truck went to paint there was a problem stirring and I didn't know it. One of the U-Bolts for the drivers side air tank had been rubbing on the wiring harness for the trailer for some time, when I first saw it I thought the frame painter did it by mistake but there was black paint in the rub mark so he couldn't have done it. While I replaced that I went ahead and unplugged all the wiring to the firewall and inspected the plugs, filled them with di-electric grease and reinstalled them. The 7 wire harness I put in was from a wrecked truck, A new one was 3-4 days out but the one from the wreck was in beautiful shape and I felt confident about it, besides I ohm'd out every wire before I installed to check for broken wires. Once this was all done I installed a new wiring box cover, seen in this pic on the bottom right corner of the firewall. this was a major ***** to get in and fit, there is a foam gasket on the back of it that was giving me a fit and it has to be spread apart to go around the harness which is roughly 2.5-3 inches in diameter, it makes for a touchy situation being that the cover is plastic and can break but luckily it didn't.
new flex and new clamps, both sides of the exhaust, I also installed new polyurethane bushings in the exhaust brackets on the cab, I am a dealer for energy suspension products and also Atro bushings but these exhaust isolators are made by Stemco Gaff, I'm trying them to see if they hold up to the heat, the biggest problem with energy and atro is the steel sleeve that they use, I always rusts and the siezes to the bolt and causes problem.
Tomorrow I have to run and warranty my steering shocks so I can install them. I took them off and inspected them and they seemed to be in good shape for being only a year old, well tonight before install I inspected again and I do believe that they are no good or on the verge of going bad.
I also got the passenger side battery box installed but for some reason I forgot to take a picture of that. I will upload tomorrow. The plan is to have fire in the cylinders tomorrow. If I get to it I'm going to install the passenger side fuel tank and install the shut offs on both tanks and the crossover line. I have some water line work to do on the fuel tanks as well so that will all be done at the same time. I'm kind of gettin anxious. I want to see the truck back on the road pretty quick.
Well thats about the extent of everything for today, I have to plumb the 2 fittings in the rear of the truck yet, but can't do that until the truck runs and I have air pressure. so maybe I'll finish that tomorrow too. We will see and time will tell.
Also, incase anyone is wondering why this is taking so long, I should mention that I am working alone, I have my dad and brother that help when I need it, but I don't rely on them. My wife just entered her 17th week of pregnancy so she is really not much help at all, she was my big helper when we stretched the truck, but this go around shes more of a spectator on the side lines. The fact also is that I have not cut any corners on this build, it may have cost me time and money but when it rolls out on the highway I will know its ok and ready for the long haul.
Til tomorrow!!!!!
new flex pipe from the y pipe on both side to the elbows. I got them all siliconed up in the pic and ready for install on one side. I don't know if anyone else does this but we have been siliconing our exhaust for about 5 years now and have not had to cut a pipe apart since, at least I haven't, except when its time to replace, Then I don't care I just cut it all out and get on down the road.
got the air cleaner and lightbars installed. I may take the front cleaner bars back apart just for new bulbs, all depends on the job when its done. I also got both pipes hanging and in place. both air cleaners are on and all the air tank wraps are on and the tanks are installed and plumbed.
got the drivers side almost finished, I did the air cleaner which I already said, but I had to lift the bonnet off for a minor wiring issue. I'm going to look into the weathpac from Napa, I'd really like to do something different with the wiring behind the air cleaner that feeds these 2 lightbars. Its hidden and never seen but at least once a winter season I have a problem from the Green monster, this is about the only wiring problem I ever have. I also had to replace the 7 wire cable from the firewall back the driver side frame rail. Apparently before the truck went to paint there was a problem stirring and I didn't know it. One of the U-Bolts for the drivers side air tank had been rubbing on the wiring harness for the trailer for some time, when I first saw it I thought the frame painter did it by mistake but there was black paint in the rub mark so he couldn't have done it. While I replaced that I went ahead and unplugged all the wiring to the firewall and inspected the plugs, filled them with di-electric grease and reinstalled them. The 7 wire harness I put in was from a wrecked truck, A new one was 3-4 days out but the one from the wreck was in beautiful shape and I felt confident about it, besides I ohm'd out every wire before I installed to check for broken wires. Once this was all done I installed a new wiring box cover, seen in this pic on the bottom right corner of the firewall. this was a major ***** to get in and fit, there is a foam gasket on the back of it that was giving me a fit and it has to be spread apart to go around the harness which is roughly 2.5-3 inches in diameter, it makes for a touchy situation being that the cover is plastic and can break but luckily it didn't.
new flex and new clamps, both sides of the exhaust, I also installed new polyurethane bushings in the exhaust brackets on the cab, I am a dealer for energy suspension products and also Atro bushings but these exhaust isolators are made by Stemco Gaff, I'm trying them to see if they hold up to the heat, the biggest problem with energy and atro is the steel sleeve that they use, I always rusts and the siezes to the bolt and causes problem.
Tomorrow I have to run and warranty my steering shocks so I can install them. I took them off and inspected them and they seemed to be in good shape for being only a year old, well tonight before install I inspected again and I do believe that they are no good or on the verge of going bad.
I also got the passenger side battery box installed but for some reason I forgot to take a picture of that. I will upload tomorrow. The plan is to have fire in the cylinders tomorrow. If I get to it I'm going to install the passenger side fuel tank and install the shut offs on both tanks and the crossover line. I have some water line work to do on the fuel tanks as well so that will all be done at the same time. I'm kind of gettin anxious. I want to see the truck back on the road pretty quick.
Well thats about the extent of everything for today, I have to plumb the 2 fittings in the rear of the truck yet, but can't do that until the truck runs and I have air pressure. so maybe I'll finish that tomorrow too. We will see and time will tell.
Also, incase anyone is wondering why this is taking so long, I should mention that I am working alone, I have my dad and brother that help when I need it, but I don't rely on them. My wife just entered her 17th week of pregnancy so she is really not much help at all, she was my big helper when we stretched the truck, but this go around shes more of a spectator on the side lines. The fact also is that I have not cut any corners on this build, it may have cost me time and money but when it rolls out on the highway I will know its ok and ready for the long haul.
Til tomorrow!!!!!
