[allan5oh]

Sent the wheels off to a local polisher. They even picked them up for me.

A few things:

- Axle tubes in the rear have considerable wear, to the point where they need to be replaced. I can't set up the wheel bearings properly
- One of the grease nipple plates on the kingpins won't come off. It's completely seized. Probably put 800 ft lbs on it, eventually the nut stripped. Going to try to weld a bigger nut on
- Decided to do more work than originally planned. Added tie rod ends and drag link.
- Brake job in the rear is finally done
- Shocks in rear are done (what a PITA!)
- Anti-seize is your friend! Why don't people use it?

[rank]

Originally Posted by allan5oh

- Shocks in rear are done (what a PITA!)

Were the bottom shock bolts really close to those AG400 trailing arm things?

[allan5oh]

Yes they're really close. I'm guessing Gabriel makes their shocks a little longer than most. I looked at a new AG 400 setup and it's the same thing, but the shocks are shorter. The PITA was removing the old ones. I eventually cut them off but even that took hours. The nuts were those really shallow locking nuts and everything just skips off of them. Yes I put tons of anti-sieze on the new ones.

- Wheels turned out ok, not as good as I thought considering the money I paid
- Rear is almost done, just needs 2 air lines for spring chambers on front axle, all nuts torqued, brakes set up, then the diffs can be filled
- Front spindles are back on after kingpin job (Stemco Kaiser is an A+ product!) and the new tie rod and drag link are installed(with LOTS of anti-sieze), now it's s-cam bushings, s-cams, wheel bearings + races, plus brakes and the front is done
- My dad had to weld a huge rod to the bottom kingpin plate to get it off. More anti-sieze
- I told the GF to remove some rust under the mirror brackets with a polish and wow, the paint actually looks pretty good with some buffing, I plan on buffing up the whole truck now
- Truck is coming along pretty decent, but there's still lots of little things to be done

[allan5oh]

It's actually a 62" sleeper, seems big enough for now. Rear brake job is completely done, the fronts should be together by supper tomorrow. After it's together we're going to play with the wheel stops. I also want to take it for a spin to see if anything else needs work. I hope it rides good!

Up next:

- Finish the front, check toe in
- play with wheel stops
- fill diffs
- change tranny fluid
- swap batteries (3 for 4)
- finish rear brackets
- buff paint
- polish steps and tanks
- change alternator
- Install new radio/xm
- decals/plates/satellite
- full fenders
- alignment
- CAC test and overhead
- catwalk

I'm thinking it's going to take me another full week at least.

[rank]

Originally Posted by allan5oh

It's actually a 62" sleeper, seems big enough for now

I find mine fairly OK. I wish I had more room for the microwave up top behind the passenger seat. Not much room for a TV either but I don't have one anyway so that doesn't big me at all.

Sounds like yours is similar to my '98 with the studio bunk. You have the fold out couch right?

[allan5oh]

It's just the basic bunk with the bed. I'll probably take it for a spin Sunday. The clutch adjuster had a cracked tooth so the truck is yet again non-operable. I'm also finding the passenger steer feels "tight" for some reason, with the brake fully backed off. Drivers side feels great. Just have to change the adjuster and set up the clutch, lower the truck and torque the front wheels and hub caps, and torque the tie rod link nuts. After that I just check the toe in again and the truck should be operable. The only other major job it needs is the air compressor. The rest of the stuff is fairly small. I just hope the cracked tooth on the adjuster isn't due to a clutch at the limit. Sometimes guys will reef on it to try to get the clutch to adjust when it wont.

I'll get it running Sunday, go for a good wash, scale it, and hook up to my trailer to check the 5th wheel. After bringing it home I'll check the passenger steer wheel again. It should loosen up, if not there's an issue. It's probably just the brake dragging in one spot.

[allan5oh]

Lots done:

- Clutch is adjusted
- Upper fairing removed
- Rear brackets are all stainless
- Screws on fairings all stainless
- Alternator plus belt
- New hood latches
- New upper bushings for exhaust
- Bunk air ride set
- Toe in set
- Cab air filter
- Batteries almost changed
- Blowby tube extended (to see where oil is coming from)

Scored a free headache rack too. But it needs work, the middle hanger cracked all the way through so it needs lots of welding. Nothing my dad can't handle!

[mgfg]

You and your dad are a pair of handy fellows!

[allan5oh]

My allergies kicked into high gear (it's harvest here) so I've accomplished less than I should:

- Batteries turned out to be a bitch, the stupid bracket wouldn't fit over the batteries. After scratching my head for 3 damn days I figured it out, the batteries were in the wrong way! I'm used to my volvo where they're all in a line like this : IIII

- Headache rack is coming along, although I've spent about $450 on it (aluminum, new chain hangers, install kit)
- Truck is running again, going to take it for another test spin tomorrow, the rattles should be gone. Going to wash it for the first time as well
- After it's washed the GF is going to polish the paint
- After that's done she can polish the tanks

What's left:

- Headache rack
- Half fenders, might go with full fenders, probably Minimizer Poly Chrome
- Air compressor
- Finish stereo/XM install. All the hardware is done just have to finish the wires
- Rear tail light assembly
- Steal the rest of the TPMS sensors off the Volvo, may involve removing wheels

The other stuff can wait. After the above is done it's just a matter of getting the safety done, RIV inspection, Decals, Satellite, Plates.

[ground_pounder]

nice truck hows she running. as long as shes making ya money is all that matters!!