Keystone State Thread

Can`t say I blame you .

I like my hills out there it is ravines .

Then those evil Tornado`s I can do without

 

Agreed.
Appalachia = No Flatlanders

 

Also the murders.

 

I have the same problem. Replacing my fenders and bed have been the only thing that hasn't involved a bolt breaking or the head being rusted to the point that a socket doesn't grab. Hopefully my frame gets replaced and most of it isn't ani going forward. I fluid film, but the welds on the front cross member area are way worse than the rest of the truck. No visual perforation, but also haven't taken a slag hammer to the frame either. I currently have 3 bolts that require drilling and re-tapping. One on each side of the bedsides, and one holding the charcoal canister in place. That one needs done asap, but also requires getting the rack and tent off, then the bed. Luckily I did the DD mod last year, so I don't need it. This summers focus is on preventative maintenance, as I've neglected it for too long, but want the next 100,000 to be as reliable as possible.

 

Most trucks have big a/f numbers on them for their station numbers. The color is just a thing... for example. We are currently delayed ordering our structural turn out gear because one guy likes black and the other guy hates black, it comes down to who ever is in charge making that final decision on breaking the tradition. They both do the same damn job. Typically that statement can be applied to the trucks. I just happen to have grown up on a Red fire truck and now I ride a weird orange-ish red with gold and green accents one, and work on one that's red, red. Hell, Newtown (where I volunteer) their first "fire truck" matches my truck. No lie.
But we now own the rights to "Newtown Red" which is that weird orange-ish red color.

 

Then where the Shop was is about 60 miles Southwest of the Loop .Downtown !!

It has been maybe 30 years since I was out there in those days kinda like where you live only so very flat

Farm Country rural towns .

Chicago tends to be a pretty generic term for anyplace in North eastern Illinois

 

Did He snap being under house Arrest ??

Parents tell him he was not allowed to go some place or do something ??

At that age running away maybe more spur of the moment camping trip was a normal for me I took my Horse or went on foot into the woods lots more woods back in the day came home when it started to rain hard or I calmed down enough physical altercation was not first on the list

Quite a lot different between the sixties and now .

Never though to steal a vehicle !!

I hope it all ends with no one getting hurt I feel sorry for kids today .

I can only hope it all works out

 

We used to just wander off to the woods too in the 90s.

Grab a couple of cans of spaghetti-os and a lighter.. drink out of the stream and come home when you want.

 

Anybody got any tips and tricks for replacing the leaf packs?

 

I've found it easier to put the front in first, then just pull the whole pack down with one arm, line the shackle up with the other, and slam the bolt home.

This probably isn't a good tip.

 

Buying this LAMAR car hauler tomorrow. Not sure yet if I'm getting the 16' or 18' (16' is $100 less than 18' and 150lbs lighter) 18' 2,150lbs 16' 2,000lbs. For around the city use I'm leaning towards the 16'. Was going to get a tandem axle utility trailer but for the price, weight and uses I chose to just get a car hauler. My truck is a 2013 Tacoma dcsb 4.0 auto, OME 886's with Bilstein 5100's set at zero for 3"lift up front, Bilstein 5100's rear, stock springs (overload removed) with Wheelers 3 leaf ad a leafs, Firestone ride rite airbags with daystar cradles and 285/75/16 load range E Duratrac's.

What brake controllers do y'all use?

 

Support Frame floor jack under differential .

Remove all the weight on the spring just barely supported by the floor jack.

Cut u-bolts off!!

All new hardware !!

Cut spring hanger bolt as close to the hanger on both sides spread hanger pry out spring.

This part of the world the bolt is not coming out of the steel bushing sleeve !!

Inspect shackle I learned to just have new shackle kits whatever works remove them.Torch zip disc etc

Springs are heavy don`t drop them on you .

Install new springs get all the hardware in tighten things up.

My first time I fought with the first spring hanger bolt most likely 8 hours I tried everything Torch Air Hammer every thing I could think of the nut came right off the bolt just would not come out of the steel sleeve .

This is now my method I don`t do it any other way

 

So what you’re saying is I should try to get some help before I try to get the old springs out?

 

Like Wyo9 said, frame up on jack stands, floor jack under diff, connect front first, jack up diff to align shackles.
Apply liberal amounts of anti-sieze if you will see road salt.

 

Looking at getting the Prodigy P3, anyone have it?

 

pipe stands to hold the axle. Replace one leaf at a time.

 

Anyone with a 3rd gen available this week? I have some prototype parts I’d like to test fit using the back of your empty bed lol

 

Well I do it myself good help is always good though

 

Doing it on a lift is a different ball game.

I would have no idea never having had that pleasure.