Could I perform these repairs myself?

whats excessive is the unknown cost to remove and reinstall the bed from my truck with no fuckups

this could literally cost me in excess of $1000
and multiples of that if there is a mishap

 

What do you mean? You worried you're going to damage the bed in a way?

I've done it recently and the hardest part was lifting the thing. Needed two other people to help me out

 

yes and most likely will need a complete repaint job if a small damaged area cannot match the rest in the 1000s of dollars, i have to flip it upside down for a couple months to do needed preventative maintenance, hopefully will not take that long, its just a rough estimate from earlier work done, i have no clue and nobody around my area seems to either
i also have to transport it on a Uhaul trailer or flatbed towtruck maybe about 7 miles since the body shop nearest to me will not touch it it is too old or they only do collision type of work there, they kind of hurried me out the door when i was shopping for quotes and was getting a bit disgruntled about the whole mess

 

Why are you flipping it upside down? I had mines off for two days, and all I did was take off the mudguards, and lay it on the backyard lawn with some old bed sheets as cushions for each corner that is lowest to the ground.. I'm honestly having a hard time seeing how one could damage it as much if just taking it off and placing it somewhere

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBubnYKS8y4

 

This is Mr. Rope Hooks we're talking about. No offense to Jay, he's just OCD about this stuff.

 

RE: OP if you have experience turning wrenches and a spare vehicle I'd go for it. First time I did the job the UBJ took me a bit of figuring and a couple hours. A free loaner ball joint press 4wd kit and 2/3 jaw pullers will be necessary for this.

After doing one side the other is 45 minute job (assuming no rust or major roadblocks)

all the money you save can buy a lot of beers

 

Where exactly is the transfer case leaking? if it's an input/output seal it will need to be pulled

if it's the case half you might be able to get away with cleaning it really well and RTVing externally

 

Yeah, I've been thinking about one, too. So much you can do with a press.

I just need to find a place to put it. I built a new shop and it's already full, lol.

 

I thought a 16x20 would be "plenty" with room to spare. But once you fill it with shelves and cabinets and work benches, it fills up pretty fast.

I have a largish rolling table I use as a fabrication station. It's like a center island in the shop. I still wheel it outside to do most of my metal work.


My "welding nook" lol

I'm always in the middle of some project, right now it's a bathroom remodel, so I'm always finding excuses not to really organize my shop and make use of all the storage I have.

 

Advanced Auto loaner kit #3 for the lower BJ.

 

I think I see now. Looks like you want to get access to some angles that are tricky to get to.

 

yes, safety first is numero uno, i care not to be hospitalized, rehab or worse trying to keep the truck in good shape to last awhile longer with no worry
TW definitely introduced a new element unknown before and made me worry worry

did that guy have to use a torch on the rear nuts & bolts, there was not much for details there

 

I saw that somebody suggested just getting complete replacement OEM UCAs instead of replacing the bushings. While this is certainly an option, it's a huge waste of money. This is the kind of things shops suggest because they know their labor rates are sky high and the price tag for the labor to replace the bushings would be the same cost or maybe more for the customer if they just replaced the entire arms. A Harbor Freight Press is super affordable and very handy to have. If you like wrenching, make the freaking investment in the tools you need to be successful. I've used my press, press sleeve kit, and bearing splitters for all kinds of jobs and I've saved myself and many others thousands of dollars doing the work myself and keeping these rigs out of shops that charge will charge you an arm, a leg, and maybe your left nut as well.