Dana 60 kingpin replacement. Is a 600 ft pound torque wrench really needed?

[pholliday1]

Sorry meant 6 to 12 play, but I see you caught that. Your 6-12 should little (very little) to none. The bottom bearing on the knuckle is your pivot point and on top your spring provides the preload that keeps things "snug".

[fitz]

Its a victory.
I checked the 6-12 play with a crow bar and everything seemed tight.
On to the tie rod & steering stabalizer.
I set up the new tie rod using the same method I used on the drag link. I used my $10 Harbor Freight micrometer to measure the exposed threads on each end of the old parts at the adjusting collar. I installed the new parts to the same measurements, then verified overall length with a tape measure.
One more thing I did to check my work was the "poor mans alignment". I bolted a piece of 30" angle iron to the rotor on each side of the truck ( using the lug nuts). I then measured the distance across, and verified it was the same with the new tie rod installed (it was). I figure the truck went down the road straight & the steering wheel was straight before my work, I'm just trying to cure the DW.
I also installed the new steering stabilizer. Once I removed the old one, I could push it in/pull it out with no resistance (not a good sign).
I finished up and drove it down "death wobble road" as I call it. Smooth as can be, or at least as smooth as a 5/4 ton Military truck with 2" HD springs can be. I couldn't believe it. I did a u turn and tried it again, no death wobble.
Pholliday1 made reference to a "well maintained Dana 60", I think I'm getting there. I adjusted the wheel bearings, but I will pull them apart and repack the bearings, then I should be done.
A sincere thank you to everyone who offered me advice.

[pholliday1]

Big win for the home team!!!

[fitz]

After declaring victory on the Dana 60 my next goal was to figure out how to post pictures on my so called "smart phone".

[ehjorten]

what were the boxes on the driver's side of the bed for?

[fitz]

Those brackets are the antenna mounts for the Military communications radio. These old trucks have some cool features. Those hooks on the front & rear bumpers tie into the frame and can be used to airlift the truck. The rear pintle hitch swivels 360°. Check out the tool kit behind the seat.  Lots more cool stuff on it. I can take more pictures if anyone is interested.

[bd]

I can take more pictures if anyone is interested.

I'd enjoy seeing more.  Those are neat, purposeful vehicles.  Thanks, Fitz!

[fitz]

These trucks have a 24V/12V electrical system. The starter & glow plug system operate on 24 volts. Everything else is 12 volts.   The way  I understand it is that it was designed so you can jump start it of any heavy equipment (24 volts) that the Military owns. If the pick up has dead batterys, a big rigs 24 volt system  can power up the pick ups starter and glow plugs to get the 6.2 to fire up. The 6.2 diesel has dual altanators. That round port on the passanger side grill is where the Military slave cable ( jumper cables) plugs in.

[fitz]

The Military chains everything down on these trucks. Check out the security system (chained up steering wheel), fuel cap chain, and wheel chocks.

[ehjorten]

That behind the seat shovel, axe and pick-axe set is pretty cool!  How does the pick-axe head attach to the handle?  I would like it to be very secure!

[fitz]

I've never had the toil kit out to check on it. Another cool feature is the riffle holders behind the sear for the passanger and driver.

[bd]

I like that... a "toil kit."