Recent Posts

21

Members Rides / Re: New truck in the drive

« Last post by Dr_Snooz on September 30, 2023, 08:27:28 PM »

The drive to break in the ring gear and pinion was real nice. It didn't get too hot. The clunk into gear was hardly noticeable. The brakes grabbed well, didn't squeal and felt great, though I ought to get a new prop valve. There weren't drips or leaks, which might be a first for me, lol. The diff is dead silent at low speed. There's no growl or anything, and the quiet howl between 55-60 that was there with the old axle... is still there. I don't know why.

All in all, it seems to be a successful build. Here it is, as it sits in the drive right now.



I can't wait to drive to the beach now!

22

Members Rides / Re: New truck in the drive

« Last post by JohnnyPopper on September 30, 2023, 08:22:18 PM »

Great progress! Keep going man!

23

Instrumentation / Re: Gas Gauge issue

« Last post by MY1978 on September 30, 2023, 08:17:56 PM »

Disconnect the fuel gauge wire at the tank sender.  It should simply unplug.  With the ignition switched ON the fuel gauge needle should rotate to about the 3:00 o'clock position and stay there.  Does it?  Now, temporarily ground the fuel gauge wire that was unplugged from the tank.  Make sure that you ground the wire to shiny bare metal.  With the ignition switched ON the fuel gauge needle should rotate and point directly at empty.  Does it?

Disconnecting the fuel gauge wire at the sender is going to be tricky.  My truck is a short bed and the fuel tank is tucked up under the cab and front part of the bed.  I cannot even see the sender.  Any suggestions to make this easier?  I don't have a lift so I have to shimmy under the truck and I cannot sit up under it.

24

Members Rides / Re: New truck in the drive

« Last post by Dr_Snooz on September 30, 2023, 08:09:46 PM »

The old brake drums mount on the outside of the hubs. The new discs mount on the inside. My nephew has been my faithful helper throughout this build, and he noticed that I would lose 1/4" of offset with this arrangement. He's taking beginning welding at the JC here, so he grabbed my old drums and took them to class. Then came home with these.



Those are hand-crafted, custom wheel spacers. I had him sign them and then put a hand-rubbed finish on them, just like you'd do with any fine, custom metalwork.



Awesome!

25

Instrumentation / Re: Gas Gauge issue

« Last post by bd on September 30, 2023, 08:06:42 PM »

Disconnect the fuel gauge wire at the tank sender.  It should simply unplug.  With the ignition switched ON the fuel gauge needle should rotate to about the 3:00 o'clock position and stay there.  Does it?  Now, temporarily ground the fuel gauge wire that was unplugged from the tank.  Make sure that you ground the wire to shiny bare metal.  With the ignition switched ON the fuel gauge needle should rotate and point directly at empty.  Does it?

26

Members Rides / Re: New truck in the drive

« Last post by Dr_Snooz on September 30, 2023, 07:56:27 PM »

...And we're back on the road!!!

I'm not sure why, but it took a little extra oomph to get the C clips on the axle shafts.



Axle installed.



Brake lines bent, flared with my crappy Chinese tool, and installed.





Brakes, shocks and everything else ready to go.



The parking brakes are not done. I thought I would be able to use the OE cables, but the one side was too long and the other too short. I have some cut-to-length cables on the way.

27

Instrumentation / Re: Gas Gauge issue

« Last post by MY1978 on September 30, 2023, 06:50:28 PM »

It moved up immediately to 3/4 full and then moved to "F"

28

Body, Glass & Paint / Re: Door swap question

« Last post by MJVAUGHANS on September 30, 2023, 05:53:55 PM »

Does anyone have the thickness measurement of the older vs. newer door glass?  Like with a caliper not measuring tape.  I have 4 I am trying to verify.

29

Instrumentation / Re: Gas Gauge issue

« Last post by bd on September 30, 2023, 05:51:55 PM »

It's not realistic to calibrate the gas gauge.  What did the fuel gauge indicate after the 8 1/2 gallon "fill-up?"

30

Instrumentation / Gas Gauge issue

« Last post by MY1978 on September 30, 2023, 05:27:47 PM »

I had my original sending unit replaced about 3 years ago because I had needle bounce when driving.  Everything was fine, at least I thought, until today.  I decided to drive my truck around today running as much of the gas out currently in the tank out without running out.  I started at 1/2 tank and when I filled it after running around and doing errands ( a total of about 50 miles) the needle was registering at just about 1/8th tank.  Went to "fill" my tank and I only had to put 8 1/2 gallons in.  I know this is a 15 gallon tank.   So if the guage registered 1/8th above empty, shouldn't I have had to put at least 12-13 gallons in my tank before it registered full?  Because of how low the gas fill inlet is, I always get some splash back.  I was manually holding the trigger and it splashed back.  I waited about 15 seconds until things settled and then started pumping again at low volume and again got splash back.  I do not!!!!  want to take this someplace again and have the tank dropped again.  This would explain how I can drive 20 miles and burn over 1/4 tank gas.  The gauge is not registering.  Is there anyway to calibrate the gas gauge?