rattle_snake's random shop projects v0.1

[MP&C]

Nice job on the OCD bumper Justin.. Nice story Mike, grandpa may have had an influence on you..

 

[zmotorsports]

Nice job on the OCD bumper Justin.. Nice story Mike, grandpa may have had an influence on you..

Maybe Robert. I know it wasn't my dad. My dad was a smart as hell guy and could fix most anything but meticulous about vehicles, nor cleanliness and tidiness of a workplace were NOT his strong suits.

I've had a couple of mentors as well as my wife's grandfather that probably had something to do with my quirks.

 

[rattle_snake]

Just what exactly are you saying Justin????

Just that you are well qualified to asses that particular personality trait.

Some say I have it pretty bad too.

Nice job on the OCD bumper Justin.. Nice story Mike, grandpa may have had an influence on you..

Thanks Robert. Guess I should have taken some before pics but I was disgusted and just started cutting.

In my defense I only filled 2 of the dozen random holes!

 

[rattle_snake]

Spent some time crawling around on the floor doing an improved alignment. Got ahold of a real plumb bob that allows measurement accuracy to a 1/16th. Picked 2 origin points on frame, one at engine cross member and one on hitch to verify axle alignment. Rear end was right on, which is good as it isn't really adjustable other than hogging out the spring pin holes. Front axle was forward 1/8" on left side which would explain pull to right. I spun in the radius arm heim a turn and a half and centered the axle with tack bar adjustment. I re-measured everything and all was good, but the cross measurements are off a bit. close enough for an old Ford. Adjustments helped noticeably. Still pulls on crown, and even to left if crown is that way. Guess I will swap front tires and see if that make any difference as it is east to do.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

I finally got around to cutting the brackets off the 95' D60 going under my Bronco and it reminded me of you. Ford had zero intentions of those brackets coming off, and if I remember right, those Super Duty axles are an even bigger beotch to clean up. I broke out the old cutting torch for the first time in probably 12 years.

 

[rattle_snake]

Do you have to cut up the housing on the short side or just hack off the brackets on the long side?

 

[rattle_snake]

I received some texts from Mrs. rattle_snake with links to outdoor furniture she wanted for front entry way. Since they involve transfer of money, I quick sprang into action to defer and distract her against any purchases. The pieces have no purpose other than decorations.

Currently there are only dangerous, sharp items. Elk antlers, huge roll of rusty barbed wire, dead cacti. She wanted something more 'welcoming'...

One item was a table, easy enough to cobble one together. So I gathered some materials I had lying around and tried a few things. Ended up using a brake rotor off the 72 Ford for a base. I accelerated the rusting process the surface, as the natural process here in AZ is too slow. Pillar is a leftover piece of hand peeled pole from shop build. Top is a piece of chain saw cut Juniper slab I had left out in the elements to 'season' for awhile. I did some minimal sanding and reworked part of the edge to make it more of an oval shape. Finished with water-based matte acrylic sealer.
$0.00


I considered using a Saguaro skeleton for the pillar but going to make some bar stools first and see what is left for this or another table.

 

[OutlawDrifter]

Table looks good, Justin!

I've got some rough cut slabs that I brought back from my mom's former log cabin in OR. I've envisioned a bench/table combo, but have also thought about incorporating them into a headboard. They've been resting under a shelf for 6+ years....no hurries.

 

[rattle_snake]

Installed new mirrors on the old Ford. I had really cheap plastic 80s style mirrors that wouldn't stay in position and vibrated badly at speed. door hinge bracket, carriage bolts?

To impatient for a set of west coast Jr.'s, I replaced with a supposedly higher quality version of a similar style from LMC truck. I bent the hoop a bit more to fit the door profile. They are metal, have better HW, but won't stay in position and vibrated badly at speed. Aghh.. Now door has 14 holes instead of just 10.


While I had door apart I went ahead and installed Killmat inside the doors. Not a fun job but now the whole cab is complete, and made a difference on the road. Installed 18 sheets so a significant area. Door has more of a thud sound now, happy with result.

 

[OutlawDrifter]

I have a set of repop West Coast Jr's for the '49, still can't bring myself to drill the holes.

LMC has been hit or miss with me lately, more miss unfortunately.

That sound deadener made a huge difference I'm sure, might be a PIA but well worth it when you start putting more miles on it.

 

[rattle_snake]

Where did you find them? I could only find really cheap ones that had horrid reviews.

 

[rattle_snake]

Made a cup holder for critical beverages. Just a 3" ABS coupler secured with a small L bracket to existing shifter bezel. quick, easy. I guess if I am farting around on stuff like this I can't complain to much.

Location works well with my 4-legged passengers.

 

[OutlawDrifter]

Where did you find them? I could only find really cheap ones that had horrid reviews.

I purchased from the below site. They are somewhat local and carry upper end stuff...normally (like Precision brand weatherstripping).

https://www.classicparts.com/1947-72-West-Coast-Mirror/productinfo/58-158/

I'm sure they all come off the same production line, they are heavy duty by no means, and nothing like the originals I have been around and had my hands on. From what I have read, it's important to put a bead of silicone around these to keep the glass from falling out. But for less than $75 for a set, I took the gamble, and then haven't had the nerve to drill on my doors.

 

[rattle_snake]

Due to excessive complaints from essentially every passenger, it was strongly suggested that I install a access aid to ease ingress and egress. While this truck may have become a bit taller, it didn't seem necessary to me...
I found some old school simple loop steps in black to minimize there appearance and was able to install with drilling only one hole. Lowers step in height from 36" to a mere 26".
They are a very light weight cast material and will easy crumble if they come in contact with a rock. Doubt it would do any damage to rocker sheet metal. So a sacrificial item that shouldn't impede breakover angle issues on the trail.

Dog approved, for what that is worth.

 

[OutlawDrifter]

Due to excessive complaints from essentially every passenger, it was strongly suggested that I install a access aid to ease ingress and egress. While this truck may have become a bit taller, it didn't seem necessary to me...
I found some old school simple loop steps in black to minimize there appearance and was able to install with drilling only one hole. Lowers step in height from 36" to a mere 26".
They are a very light weight cast material and will easy crumble if they come in contact with a rock. Doubt it would do any damage to rocker sheet metal. So a sacrificial item that shouldn't impede breakover angle issues on the trail.

Dog approved, for what that is worth.

Man that thing looks good

Steps look period correct and non "sticking out like a sore thumbish"

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Do you have to cut up the housing on the short side or just hack off the brackets on the long side?

Luckily just had to cut off the bracket on the long side and a sway bar bracket on the short side. The short side was the real pain in the *** as the welds were basically one in the same with the knuckle welds. I nicked up the tube a little with the torch, but it was easy to fill/blend with the mig. I was talking to a buddy last night who is putting a Super Duty front under his XJ and with full custom bracketry and he was saying it was a multi day project to get the housing cleaned up.

 

[zmotorsports]

Man that thing looks good

Steps look period correct and non "sticking out like a sore thumbish"

^^ X2.

Looks great Justin.

 

[bigsteve2011]

Awesome truck!!!
Dogs look like they are ready to do some riding!

 

[quadrcr87]

That truck looks just right at that height!

 

[rattle_snake]

^^ X2.

Looks great Justin.

Thanks Mike!

Awesome truck!!!
Dogs look like they are ready to do some riding!

Thanks Steve. Yes they like to get out of dog quarantine. I can jingle my keys and they are ready for a ride to mail box or wherever.

That truck looks just right at that height!

It does but it will handle better off and on road a little lower. Now that I have actual weight I can get different springs up front to allow adjustment both ways. Need to mod the rear wheel openings before I can lower the back. Started putting some tape on to see what needs to be done.

 

[rattle_snake]

Installed limit straps on the front end so I can put the truck up on the lift without drag link binding up. The drag link only needed 1/2" or so less down travel, but I decided to limit it further for the drive shaft. Math indicated it needed to be 1.5" less than the original design spec of 12" total travel, so it's set for 10.5". Since I don't really know where driveshaft limit will be, and didn't want to drill holes, I decided to use an existing hole in the frame (the only one I didn't weld shut) and an upper arm bolt for mounting. This configuration needed a 15" strap (16.25" stretched) corrected for the angle it is at. I can move mount holes or get a different length strap if needed later.

 

[zmotorsports]

Nice work installing limit straps Justin. I am often surprised when crawling around on the rocks how many Jeeps I see where they do not have limit straps and rely on either their shocks or worse, their brake lines, which become the limit straps. I see very few limit straps when out on the trail and they can save so many components for their relatively inexpensive up front cost.

 

[rattle_snake]

Ya they are only about $20. For me they are a must as the shocks are so long. Didn't need tall towers and 14" COs but they were the same price, so...

Now I can get the truck back up on the lift and re-engineer the e-brake system. Should be simple but rarely is.

 

[harley jim]

rattle_snake that is a sharp truck. I would drive that all day

Sent from my SM-A102U using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Limit straps are a must in my opinion. I've seen so many ruined CV's on transaxle cars due to no straps, too long of straps, or worn out straps. I know they've ruined a couple of races for us, including an 80mph cartwheel.

I can't tell how thick your's are, but I'm going to run at least a double thick strap setup on the front of my Bronco due to the serious unsprung weight.

 

[BORING HOP YARD]

Justin, that is one sweet truck.
Great work!

 

[rattle_snake]

rattle_snake that is a sharp truck. I would drive that all day

Thanks Jim, Getting it going down the road pretty well now, for a big old truck. How is your old Ford truck doing?

Limit straps are a must in my opinion. I've seen so many ruined CV's on transaxle cars due to no straps, too long of straps, or worn out straps. I know they've ruined a couple of races for us, including an 80mph cartwheel.

I can't tell how thick your's are, but I'm going to run at least a double thick strap setup on the front of my Bronco due to the serious unsprung weight.

Most of the straps out there are 4 layer 10k lbs rating, as are these. Guessing unsprung weight of 60 w/40s is around 750-800 lbs.

Justin, that is one sweet truck.
Great work!

Thanks, after pouring time and money in for so long it is nice to enjoy driving it.

 

[rattle_snake]

Had issues getting my dirt bike started. I can ride it off my property so it doesn't sit for that long. Crank crank crank no start. Checked for fuel and spark, ok. Did comp test 65 psi, right at spec. Not sure if this number is relatively low due to auto decompression or high overlap cam.
Pulled rocker cover and checked valve lash. All good. Put a cheap bore scope in cylinder, piston crown looked rough like detonation. Guess 91 fuel here may not be enough.
Reassembled and it popped and fired. Went for test ride, no issues. hot restarts easy. Not sure what was going on with it...

Always something with big boy toys I guess. On to fork seal leak. Put new seals in recently but dunes are hard on everything.

 

[rattle_snake]

Re-checked rear pinion angle on the old ford, it was about 2.5* down, too much. I lengthened upper traction bar link by rotating rod end 3 turns. This yielded about 1* pinion down. Vibes under acceleration are now gone.

Got the parking brake system installed. Original setup was ran down the center/right of truck, not a good fit with exhaust system. I moved the cables to the left side above traction bar. The 90s style wheel-end cables are a different type, longer overall but a short amount of exposed cable. To make them work I needed the rear mount quite a bit farther forward. I ended up making a bracket attached to one of the bed supports instead of the frame cross members. Had to shim one cable end to get lengths equal for spreader bar.

 

[OutlawDrifter]

Pinion angle can be very aggravating to find the "sweet spot."

I chased it for a long time after I changed to the tunnel mount 3rd link in my Z28. Never was happy with it and ended up going back to a transmission tail mounted setup, like factory.

Haha, just amazes me how much clean space there is underneath that old Ford!

 

[harley jim]

My truck is still waiting. Not through my doing but still waiting. I'm excited to get it going. Its little brother to your big rig.

Sent from my SM-A102U using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[rattle_snake]

Ya looks like a fun project SWB trucks are crazy prices now, holy smokes!

 

[rattle_snake]

Was cleaning out the crack between windshield and dash. Found all sorts of things including a camper special badge and a 1964 nickle.

 

[rattle_snake]

Picked up a Trimax adjustable drop hitch. Foot long version. I guess guys with big trucks need long extensions. I have keyed-alike pins and locks on all my trucks and trailers, and this will match as well. One key for everything.
The shank wouldn't fit into the receiver tube, so I had to re-radius the corners. Took quite awhile with a flap wheel. The only piece of the original hitch I didn't cut off and replace, go figure.

 

[rattle_snake]

More maintenance on the 2 wheel money pits. Dune season is getting going so need the bike at tip-top shape. Kind of like a boat on the water, the machine is either all good or useless.
Changed oils. Serviced air filter, finally bought a spare filter so I'm never in a hurry for it to dry. Installed yet another a new battery. Had bought a cheap one, lasted only 9 months. Had good luck with Yuasa brand, expensive but do last longer. Have them in my Raider, Polaris and now the CRF too.
Had a leaking shock. Put new seals in it not too long ago, so figured I would try a seal mate seal cleaner. Cleaned the fork and removed from bike as I also wanted to check the oil level. Made it easy to use the tool and pump the **** out of the seal. Seems better, will see.
I was curious to see if the fluid level was low, made a mess but it only takes a little bit of oil to do so. It was only slightly low, not enough to worry about. I put fresh fluid in and reinstalled the fork. I believe that properly functioning suspension is critical to safety/staying alive in the dunes, especially the forks. Small adjustments to compression make a noticeable difference in keeping the front wheel from sinking.

Put a new front tire on the raider, got oil filter leak fixed. Polaris CV/bushing done. So I think all the bikes are in good shape (for now, haha).

 

[C91x]

Thats a weird one on the X not starting as well as the piston detonating marks. I used to run JE high comp pistons in my 250r and 450r and never had an issue running 91. I think the X models use even lower compression than the stock R models.

Don't you clank both ends on that 450x on anything and everything out at the dunes. I was revalved for a 200lb intermediate B rider and would hit out here occasionally. Can only imagine what a heavy 450x with soft trail suspension would feel like.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

So I think all the bikes are in good shape (for now, haha).

Dude, it never ends! I was telling my dad the other day that I'm getting rid of a lot of toys as I feel like I'm a slave to my junk sometimes. I went biking this morning with a couple of buddies and one of them was giving me and the other guys **** for keeping maintenance spreadsheets for our mountain bikes......I can't keep track of stuff if I don't keep a log! His view was "fix it when it breaks".

 

[zmotorsports]

Dude, it never ends! I was telling my dad the other day that I'm getting rid of a lot of toys as I feel like I'm a slave to my junk sometimes. I went biking this morning with a couple of buddies and one of them was giving me and the other guys **** for keeping maintenance spreadsheets for our mountain bikes......I can't keep track of stuff if I don't keep a log! His view was "fix it when it breaks".

Ryan, that is exactly why we sold our snowmobiles back in 2009 (after 20 years of sledding) and our sand toys in 2012 (after 25 years of duning). Even as **** as I am about maintenance it seemed like all I was ever doing was fixing something before the next trip and that I was a slave to the toys.

To go to the dunes it usually took me about 2-3 nights after work to get the coach cleaned, trailer cleaned, sand rail fueled and detailed, quads fueled and detailed then everything loaded and strapped down in the trailer. A long weekend of enjoying the toys and then a week to get everything cleaned and any issues resolved before putting them away for the next month's trip and then do it all over again. It seemed like there was always a carburetor that needed cleaning, an axle seal that needed replacing or something. During the off-season is when the major work and/or rebuilding was done and then it started all over again. I never felt like I was caught up or even saw a light at the end of the tunnel and this was all while working 8-hours a day at my full-time job and then another 4-6 hours a night running my side business.

Even as much money as I have ******* in my Jeep I am still far ahead time and money of where I was with the sleds and dune toys. One day it hit me that I wanted a bank account and to be able to retire and with all of the time and money I was throwing at the toys I didn't see that happening. Best thing we ever did was sell the powersports toys and give up on that dream. I just found a different dream is all and one that doesn't cost so much or is so demanding of my time and a dream of having a nice retirement someday and the funds to enjoy it.

 

[rattle_snake]

Thats a weird one on the X not starting as well as the piston detonating marks. I used to run JE high comp pistons in my 250r and 450r and never had an issue running 91. I think the X models use even lower compression than the stock R models.

Don't you clank both ends on that 450x on anything and everything out at the dunes. I was revalved for a 200lb intermediate B rider and would hit out here occasionally. Can only imagine what a heavy 450x with soft trail suspension would feel like.

Ya not sure what was the root issue was there. After full checkout all is OK. I think it flooded then battery was low and didn't have the ooph to fire. Didn't have time to fart with it and kick it until it fired.
It has always been an easy starting bike. My buddies who ride those old kick start types don't like my magic button.

I don't bottom out the suspension on this bike, but I'm not jumping it either. Out in the sand I use almost all the rear travel though. I lost some weight so now I am under 200 in full gear. The heavier X handles OK in the sand compared to a R or YZ. Ride is more plush and soft as expected. I prefer the soft ride on the trails, less fatiguing for me.

Dude, it never ends! I was telling my dad the other day that I'm getting rid of a lot of toys as I feel like I'm a slave to my junk sometimes. I went biking this morning with a couple of buddies and one of them was giving me and the other guys **** for keeping maintenance spreadsheets for our mountain bikes......I can't keep track of stuff if I don't keep a log! His view was "fix it when it breaks".

Ya, I'm at the point I'm ready to off load some toys... but with my kids the age they are and wanting to go boating/camping/riding I have to keep at it. I enjoy my road bike and duning too much to sell the 2 wheelers. So I try to schedule time for all the maintenance and not start other projects.
I have maintenance logs for most things with wheels. Can't remember what was when.

I'm lucky to be able to have all the **** I do but it is a chore to keep up. 5 vehicles, 5 bikes, 4 trailers, boat. That's 54 tires and 14 batteries to go flat/dead.
Next is brake and bearing inspection on Mrs. rattle_snake's horse trailer. New tires, fix some trim, add some tie downs, and so on.

 

[OutlawDrifter]

Next is brake and bearing inspection on Mrs. rattle_snake's horse trailer. New tires, fix some trim, add some tie downs, and so on.

I believe it is part of the engineering on a stock trailer, when you hook up, the lights/brakes aren't supposed to work. That comes factory on most I have pulled.