DFW BS Thread : ********NEW MEET!! CHECK POST #1*******

Good progress for 2 weeks less than me and a whole new platform

 

I think the 2nd gen model was just messed up from the start. The top of the snorkel wouldn’t line up with the A pillar no matter what I did. People seem to never have issues with any other vehicle but 2nd gens. It didn’t follow body lines well at all either. After tightening all the nuts, there was still a 1/8-1/4” gap between the snorkel body and the fender. Oh well, live and learn.

 

Damn thats good to know for anyone else considering Dobinsons

 

Yeah I really don’t recommend it for 2nd gens. It seems to fit great on 3rd gens and 4Runners.

 

Your A pillar required some adjustments. What’s different?

 

only adjustment i did for the a pillar was doubling up on vhb tape, in restrospect i should have just riveted the mount. I may eventually but that requires removing the entire snorkel and I dont wanna do that

 

Is that the same issue he’s referring to?

 

No. Mine still sat 1” away from the A pillar after ratchet strapping it into place and riveting it to the A pillar.

 

Have all the parts ordered for my upcoming mods! TG rear frame box kit/ shock relocate, ruff stuff 63 kit, Chevy 63s, bilstien 5125 12” shocks, extended brake lines, 4x sliders and skids.

 

Same issue I had. I had to get creative with it.
Based on that, I’d avoid anything with the Dobinson name on it. Shit sucks.

 

Anything else you plan to do to your truck, or just focusing on the trailer build now?

 

35's and super charger!

Nah, not likely. Trailer is main focus.

...though I do need to replace my LCA bushings, and probably body bushings/other maintenance items.

 

I'm just over 100k now, so while considering fun stuff to do on the truck, I also have to keep an eye on maintenance and wear items. Drive shaft was the first repair that I've done to the truck due to a parts failure. Next I'm looking at replacing the front wheel bearings & hubs when I add the gusseted spindles I bought. I've got a new Mevotech LCA for the drivers side when I thought I had a bad LBJ, but it never got installed. Might just buy a new passenger side one and replace with the spindles.

 

Do it.
LCA bushings are a pain in the ass; I'm tempted to just buy new LCA's instead of spending the time.
You may eventually need new UCA bushings and/or ball joints, but neither is a bad swap.

You're right about trying to do as much of it as possible.
If you powder coat your spindles a neat color, make sure the coater masks the holes, or buy a tap set to chase them. I did neither and had a rough day.
When you do, buy new cotter pins. Easier than reusing the old ones, and they're cheap.

 

It's really just a good idea to keep a big box of cotter pins in the garage 100% of the time.

 

UCA bushings may be a bit of a pain, but ball joints are super easy since I have SPC's. I can change those in 10 mins. I need to look at changing over to the new style Xwing bushings or whatever they call them.

 

I think I've read that change is as bad as the LCA bushings. I've thought about doing it also.

 

Like you gotta burn the old ones out with a torch?

 

Nah, old bushings come out super easy. Mine, yours, and total chaos all use the same bushings; maybe others, too.
SPC has come out with a new style "xaxis" that can replace regular bushings, but they're not bad.