rattle_snake's random shop projects v0.1

[OutlawDrifter]

Glad the exhaust is now ear approved. Hanger solution looks good.

I may have to look into that muffler, give them a try on a project.

 

[rattle_snake]

What tools did you use to press the Polaris ball joints? A buddy called me the other day asking if I could help him with his and I said we could probably improvise some tools, but it would be nice to know up front.

Ryan,
To remove, I used a short section of pipe, a washer and the ball joints own stud to pull it out. Plan use the shop press and an assortment of remnants to press back in.

Glad the exhaust is now ear approved. Hanger solution looks good.

I may have to look into that muffler, give them a try on a project.

Yes much better. Can go WOT in the 'hood without being a total ***.

 

[rattle_snake]

Got one of the Polaris front axle CV done and realized the other boot from amazon was a return of a used one. Wrong part, torn and greasy. Dooh! Replacement coming. Silicon lube delayed. How it goes, not in a hurry.

Ordered a new cover and motor/pump for hot tub. I bent the armature/pump shaft on last rebuild getting seized bearing off so replacing whole unit. So much broken stuff, but I'm too cheap and stubborn to pay someone else.

 

[OutlawDrifter]

Got one of the Polaris front axle CV done and realized the other boot from amazon was a return of a used one. Wrong part, torn and greasy. Dooh! Replacement coming. Silicon lube delayed. How it goes, not in a hurry.

Ordered a new cover and motor/pump for hot tub. I bent the armature/pump shaft on last rebuild getting seized bearing off so replacing whole unit. So much broken stuff, but I'm too cheap and stubborn to pay someone else.

I get it, its amazing the headaches we put ourselves through, because...technically....we can do the job.

On the Amazon used parts, that has happened to me twice...less than impressed either time!

 

[quadrcr87]

Rattle_snake you did a great job on that truck and I have really enjoyed following along and appreciating the attention to detail. I hope to someday rebuild a Bronco for my wife and I am sure I will be referencing this thread for inspiration and guidance. Please keep sharing your projects because we all love seeing the updates!


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[rattle_snake]

Rattle_snake you did a great job on that truck and I have really enjoyed following along and appreciating the attention to detail. I hope to someday rebuild a Bronco for my wife and I am sure I will be referencing this thread for inspiration and guidance. Please keep sharing your projects because we all love seeing the updates!

Thanks, I've had fun tinkering and building things 'my way' (slow and often a 2nd time). Long way to go on this truck, but it is back on the road, many more pics and stories to come.
Good luck with your Bronco project.

 

[rattle_snake]

Continuing to work through minor issues on the 72 Ford.

I started with just water in cooling system, because murphy's law. I was surprised by the amount of rust in cooling system. Other than block and heads that were hot tanked, everything else was new. Took four, 30 min hot flush cycles to get most of the rust out, and made a hell of a mess in driveway. Put in 50/50 antifreeze.

Changed out the break in oil, using Gibbs driven HR2 10/30. There was no metal in used oil, but that is how the filter is supposed to work.

I was able to improve no load (in park) idle surge. I had re-programmed idle AFR from 13.5 to 14 for emission purposes, which ended up not being necessary. I noticed that RPMs would drop as AFR rose to target, and system would then add air. Setting idle AFR back to 13.5:1 resolved most of the RPM surge magnitude. Period is still the same, the behavior is due to interaction with distributor vacuum advance.

Replaced the front left brake rotor (yes still working on @#$ brakes!). On this axle the whole hub has to come off and apart. Nice to work on clean new stuff though. Air hammer makes short work of stud removal/install. Got pad bedded into new rotor. Overall brakes are working well and panic stop performance should be enough. Got e-brake cables, need to install and connect the three somehow.

Man this thing love fuel. 1st half tank was 5 mpg. Yes, 5. This is all stop and go miles. I don't drive slow but taking it easy on the new everything. Hope it improves some and can get better on highway, will see. Was hoping for 300 mile range with 32 gal tank.

 

[OutlawDrifter]

I would think rolling down the highway you could pull off 8-9mpg. Stop and go with your rolling stock is definitely murder on the fuel consumption.

You might have to mount up some Jerry cans for extended range...maybe a rack of them?

Exhaust still working out ok?

 

[rattle_snake]

Ya I hope so. the 390/2wd chassis got 9. I can see why it had 3 gas tanks.

I'm avoiding Jerry cans, so went with 32 gal tank to start with. Could have done a 40 but would have been a lot more work to clear axle.

Exhaust is good, happy with it.

 

[OutlawDrifter]

Ya I hope so. the 390/2wd chassis got 9. I can see why it had 3 gas tanks.

I'm avoiding Jerry cans, so went with 32 gal tank to start with. Could have done a 40 but would have been a lot more work to clear axle.

Exhaust is good, happy with it.

Maybe keep an eye out for a good toolbox/fuel transfer tank combo somebody doesn't need anymore.

Have you had the pickup over the scales yet?

 

[rattle_snake]

Making progress on quad suspension job. Got front end done. New bushings. Used press to install new ball joints. (Ryan here is the method...)

CV got new boots. Bought a cheap band tool. It works but is a turd. Hope to not need it for another 20 years.

Then on to the rear end. Only a few bushings were totally shot.

The rear CVs have a retainer clip buried in the grease, good times!

Cleaned up and new boots on. Got one side back together, one corner left to go.

 

[rattle_snake]

After the Zuk GS650 trans took a dump, my old man bought a new bike. A Yam 950 with lots of aftermarket stuff. He decided to bring it here to AZ on their visit, and leave it here. Low miles and OG tires, so tires needed replacement. Pulled the wheels to get new rubber.

It's a nice bike, comfortable, but just not 'me'. In comparison, my 1900 Raider is a brutal beast of power, which is how I like it....

 

[OutlawDrifter]

It's a nice bike, comfortable, but just not 'me'. In comparison, my 1900 Raider is a brutal beast of power, which is how I like it....

Yes Raider's are awesome, but that's like comparing a ZX2 ****** to a GT Mustang...in Ford terms

There are days I miss my 1100 V-Star, it was a fun bike.

 

[zmotorsports]

Nice job on those CV shafts Justin. I've rebuilt one or two of them back in my powersports days. They weren't too bad usually and I was able to make decent money at them but every once in a while I'd get one that simply fought me the entire way coming apart.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Making progress on quad suspension job. Got front end done. New bushings. Used press to install new ball joints. (Ryan here is the method...)

Haha, thanks! It appears there's some specialty tools involved in that press operation! It was actually my buddy that witnessed the wreck that needs the work done.

I had to check mysyelf for grease just looking at all of those CV's! I swear CV grease is just black antiseize.

 

[rattle_snake]

Nice job on those CV shafts Justin. I've rebuilt one or two of them back in my powersports days. They weren't too bad usually and I was able to make decent money at them but every once in a while I'd get one that simply fought me the entire way coming apart.

Yes, figuring out how to get 1st one apart is the key. It really bothered me that I couldn't make time to do the maintenance this machine needed for so long. I trust it to get me in and out of some rough places far from camp that would otherwise be a really long walk in the dark.

Haha, thanks! It appears there's some specialty tools involved in that press operation! It was actually my buddy that witnessed the wreck that needs the work done.

I had to check mysyelf for grease just looking at all of those CV's! I swear CV grease is just black antiseize.

The ball joints didn't fit too tight and one could hammer them in. But the press is nice, just a couple pieces of scrap tubing.
Grease... I used gloves, but it seams I take them off for a second then touch everything again defeating the purpose. messy job.
I also cleaned and lubed every bushing (all 28!) with silicon grease. They were all dry and why some had failed. Vacuumed them up off the floor.

 

[rattle_snake]

Got the old ford up on the lift again. Had to build a wedge to safely use the front lift arms. Did some math to make just one cut in a piece of 2x2 rec tubing to get the angle I needed. Welded some studs in that fit the holes from the old radius arm mounts.

Lift point is at a decent place. Down side of long travel track bar type suspension is that it wants to push vehicle to one side when lowering, off the arms.

Up in the air again. I can actually sit up underneath it when on ground so it took awhile to justify getting it back up on lift. One of few upsides to a ridiculously tall truck.

How it will look when flying

 

[zmotorsports]

That thing has such a menacing stance and appearance Justin.

Looks completely bad ***, even for a Ford.

 

[rattle_snake]

Long ago I made a 40" cardboard tire and put 2wd truck on lift to determine right height


Same pic after a few dollars and hours. Axle forward, fender sectioned.

Math is good.

 

[rattle_snake]

Lifted truck to full droop to check everything now that the axles have weight of wheels and tires. The high angle TRE on pitman arm end of drag link gets bound up right at intended full droop. The 14" coilovers allow 1" past that and I planned to add limit straps at some point. With the driveshaft angle, I will have to limit droop further, another inch or so. This will yield about 10.5" of travel which is still more than enough. Once I get shorter springs will lower and set height around 4.5" up/ 6" down.

Will have to dis-connect drag link to remove coil overs.

Rear at full droop. 7" down, 6" up. Traction bar forces pinion angle.
Plan to swap out 4" block for a 2" to lower right height. Travel ratio same. After enlarging wheel wells will see how far tires will stuff. May have to adjust bump stop to limit up-travel.

 

[rattle_snake]

That thing has such a menacing stance and appearance Justin.

Looks completely bad ***, even for a Ford.

Thanks Mike. We all know you have a soft spot in you heart for Fords!

 

[OutlawDrifter]

I like your solution to put it on the lift, nice work man!

 

[zmotorsports]

Thanks Mike. We all know you have a soft spot in you heart for Fords!

Thanks Justin, had to get that in there just in case you weren't sure.

 

[rattle_snake]

Ran the old Ford across the scale.
Guess the weight of the truck itself....

 

[OutlawDrifter]

6400lbs, I'm shooting a bit high. 5800lbs may be a better guess.

Factory weight would have probably been in the 3800-4200 range maybe?

 

[zmotorsports]

My guess would be 6685 lbs.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

6,200lbs.....those axles and tire/wheel combo have to be pigs along with the steel big block.

 

[rattle_snake]

5170 empty. 5520 with me and full tank.
Add front driveshaft and rear bumper, 5300, empty.

Add spare 40 tire, winch, passenger and tools, about 6k.

I think 4wd parts and big tires added about 800 lbs to what it was.

 

[OutlawDrifter]

5170 empty. 5520 with me and full tank.
Add front driveshaft and rear bumper, 5300, empty.

Add spare 40 tire, winch, passenger and tools, about 6k.

I think 4wd parts and big tires added about 800 lbs to what it was.

Well looks can be deceiving apparently...its much more svelte than I expected. Just looks mean and heavy

At 5520, I can understand why it moves out so well.

 

[zmotorsports]

WOW! That things a light weight, much less weight than I thought it would be.

My JKUR is 6040 pounds empty full tank of fuel without anyone in it and my 2006 CCSB Duramax is 6860 which is what I figured it would be close to because much of the interior of my Silverado is plastic and I figured the sheet metal on that ole' Ford would be thicker. I guess I was way off.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

For the record, my guess was after you add your stereo equipment.

 

[rattle_snake]

haha that includes stereo equipment

They don't make 'em like they used to. My 2014 F250 is 8300 empty. 3000 lbs heavier!

 

[OutlawDrifter]

My 2014 F250 is 8300 empty. 3000 lbs heavier!

My 2010 2500HD CCSB with the gasser came in at 6700lbs...that is wild. Granted it was on stock size highway tread rubber/wheels, but still...wow

 

[csp]

My JKUR is 6040 pounds empty full tank of fuel without anyone in it

I'll bet your JKUR frame is heavier than the frame or rattlesnake's pickup. I have a bare JKUR frame that has had 12" taken out of the length and I'm still shocked at how heavy it is.

 

[WoodsTruck]

My dad has a '73 F250 Hi-Boy 4WD: 6000#
I had an '88 F250 4WD: 6000#
I have a '12 F150 SuperCrew 6.5' 4WD: 6400#
My '67 Bronco 4WD: 4300#

 

[rattle_snake]

Decided to prioritize rear bumper job. The bumper is a 'Safe Tee' brand likely dealer installed in 72. At some point a hitch was fabricated onto the bumper and frame. Torch cut plate and tube, stick booger welded on crooked, so bumper, hitch and even the bed could not be removed. I cut things apart and set bumper aside.

After assessing what I had I decided to cut off the rest of the 'hitch' and the bumper's mounting brackets. With rear spring hangers and fuel tank relocation I moved the mount holes so the existing brackets didn't work anyhow. At that time I drilled 8 new holes and welded captive nuts on frame, as access with tank would be difficult.

I made some new mounting pieces out of 1/4 plate that fully tie into the bumpers 0.25" 2x4 'C' channel. Added a cross bar back in that connects the receiver tube. A few gussets and weld'd er up.


Couldn't help myself and had to clean up rust and paint the underside of the bumper. Left the OG paint on the outside, did some touch up after these pics. Put on a strip of weather strip to prevent squeaks.


The bumper had a 7-pin trailer plug on the lower edge that kept getting smashed as it was the lowest point. I cut a hole and mounted in on the face. Looking back I should have put it up underneath. License plate doesn't fit at all below tailgate, I put it back on the face like it was which isn't ideal but works for now. Using LED bolts to illuminate. AZ law required 'splash shields' on lifted trucks so have to do something about that...

 

[zmotorsports]

That bumper just belongs on a 1972 Ford Justin.

My wife's grandfather was a bit **** about his vehicles. When I met him in 1989 just prior to my wife and I getting married I was told the two of us would get along well as my wife described her grandfather as somewhat particular about things.

At the time he had a 1972 Ford F-250 two-wheel drive camper special. It was equipped with the 390 cid/C6 with 2-barrrel FOMOCO carb and it ran very well. In the spring time he would put his Dinocruiser 10.5' camper on the truck and at that time he would install his 12-ply 16.5 tires mounted on split rim wheels. Also at this same time he would install his "summer bumper". This was a custom built extended bumper that came out flush with the back of the camper and had a hitch built into it so he could tow his 14' fishing boat.

When he removed the "winter bumper" he would also remove his "winter wheels" which were just stock split rim wheels. At this time he would sand them down and repaint them before wrapping them up in a blanket ready for fall when he would reinstall them. The bumper was exactly like yours. He'd paint it silver and the wheels white then put them in his garage until they were swapped at the next season in which he would do the same to his summer wheels and bumper.

He was a great guy and loved taking care of his vehicles and his yard/home. When he needed something mechanical he would have me work on his vehicles and would come over to stand guard and make sure I was doing it correctly. He passed a couple of years ago at age 92 but he was a great guy and really gave a whole new meaning to OCD.

 

[OutlawDrifter]

Justin, nice work on the bumper, very clean execution as usual. What did you use to cut the plate?

 

[rattle_snake]

That bumper just belongs on a 1972 Ford Justin.

My wife's grandfather was a bit **** about his vehicles. When I met him in 1989 just prior to my wife and I getting married I was told the two of us would get along well as my wife described her grandfather as somewhat particular about things.

At the time he had a 1972 Ford F-250 two-wheel drive camper special. It was equipped with the 390 cid/C6 with 2-barrrel FOMOCO carb and it ran very well. In the spring time he would put his Dinocruiser 10.5' camper on the truck and at that time he would install his 12-ply 16.5 tires mounted on split rim wheels. Also at this same time he would install his "summer bumper". This was a custom built extended bumper that came out flush with the back of the camper and had a hitch built into it so he could tow his 14' fishing boat.

When he removed the "winter bumper" he would also remove his "winter wheels" which were just stock split rim wheels. At this time he would sand them down and repaint them before wrapping them up in a blanket ready for fall when he would reinstall them. The bumper was exactly like yours. He'd paint it silver and the wheels white then put them in his garage until they were swapped at the next season in which he would do the same to his summer wheels and bumper.

He was a great guy and loved taking care of his vehicles and his yard/home. When he needed something mechanical he would have me work on his vehicles and would come over to stand guard and make sure I was doing it correctly. He passed a couple of years ago at age 92 but he was a great guy and really gave a whole new meaning to OCD.

Thanks for sharing this story Mike. Interesting to hear someone somewhat particular about things describe someone else with 'a whole new meaning to OCD'. I have a feeling your grandkids may describe you the same at some point.

Justin, nice work on the bumper, very clean execution as usual. What did you use to cut the plate?

I used my Miller 375 plasma, band saw and 4" cuttoff wheel. Whatever was easiest for the given cut.

This job reminded me of how nice it would be to have an X-Y table for the plasma....

 

[zmotorsports]

Thanks for sharing this story Mike. Interesting to hear someone somewhat particular about things describe someone else with 'a whole new meaning to OCD'. I have a feeling your grandkids may describe you the same at some point.

Just what exactly are you saying Justin????