Winter-ization begins

[Goofyexponent]

Today I picked up a case of straight antifreeze on my way home from the shop.

I NEED to get a wrench to fit my clutch fan....2" nut?

I am going to install a new return line kit, flush the whole cooling system, including heater core!!, install a new thermostat (ford or international parts only), redo my front end and install/balance my new tires all within this coming week.

I gotta bring home a 1/2 a load of chrusher dust to stock pile to throw on the ice when she freezes too!!

 

[HankHill]

nice, I've done most of what you posted I'm going to swap shoes on the rear, and then I need to swap the o rings on the driver side bank of the motor to vitons, did the pass side but got lazy to do the other lol

 

[Goofyexponent]

Well, I pulled the truck in the garage tongiht as soon as I got home from work....at about 6 pm. I got the passenget side spindle on the floor with the new upper ball joint in place, and the bottom one ready to go in. The alignment slugs are seized in and didn't move, so it should be CLOSE, but I am still having it lined up before my new rubber goes on!!!

Tomorrow, I have to drive into the city to borrow BigRigTech's ball joint press because apparently they are a popular item and everyone is sold out of them. I put one on order, but I won't have it for a month!!!

I snapped off the stud for the tie rod end on the passenger side...no biggie as I bot a brand new set of steering linkages to install anyways.

I will have it back on the ground and ready for the next job...thermostat, gasket and coolant...

One day at a time....and many beer a day!!

 

[Goofyexponent]

Oh, pics to follow....the truck JUST fits in the 24 x 24 garage and the door close behind it......fun....

 

[MIDNIGHT RIDER]

Oh, pics to follow....the truck JUST fits in the 24 x 24 garage and the door close behind it......fun....

Don't complain; I haven't had a roof or floor to work under/on in my entire life; and, I live in Kentucky, where it is either pouring the rain, just has quit raining, is a fixing to rain, or a combination of all.

 

[HankHill]

Did you check your local auto stores to see if you can rent the ball joint press?

 

[fury9]

Don't complain; I haven't had a roof or floor to work under/on in my entire life; and, I live in Kentucky, where it is either pouring the rain, just has quit raining, is a fixing to rain, or a combination of all.

had a garage when I was a kid but, yep it's all outdoors fising for me too. It's either hot as hell or freeezin balls out when I gotta fix something!

 

[gatorman21218]

Having a ladder rack removes all possibility of my truck fitting into a garage. I cant even go into most parking garages.

 

[Goofyexponent]

When I pulled into the garage, I had about 1/4" clearance above.....when the new rubber goes on.....it will be fixin in the cold unless I air doen the new sneakers lol.

I got the BJ press this morning...A BIG THANKS to BigRigTech for that! One side is done with new bearings, seals, ball joints and tie rod. I just installed the drag link and am fixin to do the driver side with new bearings, seals and ball joints.....I can't wait to have it lined up and the new sneakers on!

 

[MIDNIGHT RIDER]

had a garage when I was a kid but, yep it's all outdoors fising for me too. It's either hot as hell or freeezin balls out when I gotta fix something!

I got smart a few years ago and bought one of those tarpaulin car-ports, about 20 X 20; the kind that has a top, but no sides.

I got to use it for maybe six months.

Then, one night, it came a tempest and that was the end of that.


I have another one that has the sides covered all the way to the ground and it has surprisingly stood through many a blow; it is full of stuff and not big enough to get the truck in anyway.

 

[Goofyexponent]

Well, the front end is complete! New tie rod, tie rod end, drag link, drag link end, sleeves, clamps and 4 new ball joints!

It's not really a hard job, but it's definitly one that takes a lot of time!

Next, the cooling system. Anyone know what size nut holds the clutch fan to the water pump shaft? I gotta pick up some SCA's when Parts For Trucks is open on Monday.

 

[Goofyexponent]

Well, I licked out and won a thermostat on Ebay for our trucks...NOS in the box, Motorcraft part WITH the gasket (s) for $5.50....better than the $60 Ford wants for a thermostat WITHOUT any gasket.

I started doing more bodywork this morning, but ran outta welding wire with some pretty major parts cut off the truck....cab corner, so I am surfin ebay and spending money until Vicki gets home from work with the car....

 

[gatorman21218]

http://www.google.com/products/cata...ult&ct=result&resnum=5&sqi=2&ved=0CDQQ8wIwBA#

Get a good long chain/strap wrench to hold the pulley while you turn the fan clutch. REMEMBER ITS LEFT HAND THREAD!!!! I put some blue threadlock on the fan clutch upon assembly so the fan doesent fly off through the radiator when you shut off the engine

 

[vegas39]

Well I guess since my garage is heated and cooled, not bragging, just damn hot here, I shouldnt complain that I have to fix my truck 3 or 4 times a week.