Breakin' Bolts Build

You just about nailed it!!

Told the physical therapist aside from that and driving, no need to focus on anything else!!!

 

6th rotation (5k interval) with the GY Ultraterrains...uniform tread wear, 3 were @ 12/32nds, 1 @ 13/32nds and 1 @ 11/32nds

Wiped off the SPC UCA ball joint grease off the top of the spindle on Jan. 17, 2021. Plan to pull the tire and pull the ball joint, inspect the boot, reinstall it into the UCA, grease it and continue to monitor if the leaking ceases.

 

So I noticed pretty significant taco lean looking at the tailgate/bumper. I know I had the "normal" ~1/4" lean on the driver side. Here's what I measured back in July 2020:

Now it seems like I've dropped ~3/4" at driver front and 1" at driver rear (DF ~22.25" and DR ~24.25"). Passenger side measurements haven't changed from the quoted numbers above. Turns out I was off a bit...

Trying to get the truck up in the lift to:

• Finally pull the 4 degree leaf spring shims
• Uninstall/Inspect/Reinstall the driver SPC uca ball joint to see if that resolves the grease leaking from the bottom of the boot/top of the spindle arm.
  
• Drain and replace:
  • both Diffs,
  • T-case,
  • Transmission,
  • Power Steering
• Might as well check the full droop while up in the lift and after dropping, if any resolution (probably would be wise to try this immediately after getting it up on the lift, aka before cranking on the coilover collar)

Looks like a full day at the inlaws...so might as well try and tackle cranking down on the coilover to try and even out the front lean.

As always, if anyone has some ideas for the rear (FYI doesn't seem to change with or with 2 gals. of fuel vs. 21 gals.) being visually "off"...it's getting to me now that I have coworkers commenting!!

 

The best way I have found is to remove the gas tank and battery from the left side and center them on the truck. Once this is done you can proceed on linking the rear and installing coilovers, which will allow you to adjust the ride height at each corner.

 

Okay, sounds like a quick and cheap Sunday mod day at the in-laws.

Sounds like cranking down on the coilover collar is the normal front end leveling out that inch of sag that's come on over the last 7 months.

The coilovers are at the 1st thread, but not sure about that whole 700# spring worth of resistance!

 

Knocked out some service work at 55,863 miles this morning:

1. Oil and filter change
2. Power Steering Flush & Refill w/ATF dexron III/IV
3. Front & Rear Diff Drain & Refill w/Lucas HD 85w140 gear oil (front drain plug needed some torch love to break loose)
4. T-case Drain & Refill w/Redline MT-LV
5. Transmission pan drain & refill (2x flush and fill)w/Toyota ATF WS

Deferred to later this week:

1. UCA ball joint pull, inspect, reinstall, regrease
2. Removing leaf spring 4 degree shims and extended bolt & nut; replacing with original bolt & nut.
3. Grease 2 zerks on DL
4. Adjust driver coilover collar for taco lean
5. Schedule the all mighty firestone lifetime alignment

Also was able to remeasured hub to wheel well in my garage and my neighbors and came up with 15/16" lower on Driver Rear and Driver Front is 1 1/4" lower.

• Front Driver. = 22"
• Front Passenger = 23 1/4"

• Rear Driver = 24 11/16"
• Rear Passenger = 25 5/8"

 

Over the weekend I finally got the Milwaukee job site toolbox mod'd to hold the M18 chainsaw, wedges, sharpening kit, oil, eye & hand protection gear, batteries and a charger.
Guess the week of the ice storm and having to cut up downed trees around the house was enough or a catalyst to get this box mod'd up for truck use!

Also ended up having to pull the log splitter carb and do a full clean up. The main sprayer was gummed up...so I had to borrow a 1/64" drill bit to clear out the sprayer hole.

 

56,371mi --

Pulled driver side SPC UCA ball joint, wiped ball joint boot, threads and the spindle knuckle clean of grease.
Inspected the ball joint and boot for any damage, tears or premature wear...none found.
Checked the two purge holes on the bottom to ensure enough grease was in the boot, reinstalled ball joint, torqued castle nut and bj nut, reinstalled wheel and adjusted as best I could for camber.

Didn't have long enough cheater pipe to try and get the LCA cam bolt/nut free, and I didn't bring any of my short mm impact sockets to my FiLs. Since I'm pulling the off the leaf's tomorrow to remove the 4 degree shims tomorrow morning, I'll see about using a torch and short impact socket & stubby impact to get after the LCA cam bolts to try and get camber and caster mostly squared away. Pretty sure I'll end up with enough positive caster, as I have the SPC star plate on "C" setting.

Then I'll get my free firestone alignment and see how well the diy attempt works out!!

 

Take 2 Taco Weekend Work:

1. Removed OE front bump stops and replaced with DuroBumps
2. Pulled 4° shims and longer leaf bolts/replaced w/orginal Dobinson leaf bolts
3. Retorqued all 4 sets of lug nuts, all 4 leaf/hanger bolts

Going into the dealer to see if the TSB-0092-20 can be applied (match on VIN, but not Years) tomorrow.

Firestone alignment Tuesday morning...we shall see what they can manage.

 

So now post leaf 4 degree shim removal and resetting the spc ball joint to hopefully keep it from leaking grease like a swiss cheese boat hull (and looks like I changed the driver setting for the spc uca/bj star plate).



Truck was pulling left/wheel was at 11o'clock, now it's pulling right and wheel is clocked at 1o'clock...but didn't cost me a dime.

 

So I'm ready for #RandyFAB'n longer frame bolts for the slimline bumper...also got the winch bundle ready for installing afterward!


UPDATE:
03/06/21
#randyFAB and it's done!

 

Stock vs. #randyFAB Replacement bolts

*Nuts were used to hold the bolts for welding

Now it looks like the front bumper reinforcement brackets will arrive Tuesday. Anticipating some minor grinding for fitment, then some primer and rattle can

Probably the only time I'll be "pulling" Betty White!
https://youtu.be/1YJpWrFQmeE

 

Well @EatSleepTacos our "let's mess with the uca adjustable ball joint" experiment that was...but wasn't, netted me 6.5° positive caster!!

This go around at Firestone is seemingly more positive. Tech was on the same page with what I wanted and came to share the rediculous caster and passenger camber was thrown off quite a bit and what he was shooting to get at the end.


Update: so much for getting the passenger side caster at 4° +/- a few degrees after getting the driver down to 4.2°.
So I was stuck with massive driver plastic and pinch weld rubbing...had to trim and wait to fuck around Friday. Here's where we ended...

 

Well well well, I gave in and took it to an alignment shop.

Now to plan the pinch weld hammer time for better reverse and offroad clearance.

 

57,158

Rechecked torque and applied torque mark paint on the u-bolt nuts and Hammer Hanger and front bolts/nuts, about 1k after removing the leaf shims

 

Finally got the JLT Performance oil catch can dumped...had to pull the bolt and throw a strap wrench on it.

Wish I had photos but it was like carmel creamer with a few splashes of coffee "color". There was a bunch of tanish color sediment caked on the bottom, brake cleaner to the rescue.

 

So 2021 looks like it'll be a Greg Modification vs. Taco Mod Year.

Going in next Tuesday on a doubleheader of sorts...I've got the hand surgeon lined up for what I hope is the final left hand/thumb/forearm surgery along with the shoulder surgeon leading things off with fixing my torn bicep tendon in my right shoulder.

These two surgeries will put me out collectively through mid-August. Top all that off with the fact that my left shoulder MRI follow-up yesterday confirmed the same SLAP tear. Surgery for that one can't happen for 6-8wks after the right shoulder surgery.

Wishfully hoping to get my preload adjusted on the front coilovers to gain back the lift and stop the newly developed passenger rubbing on the rear plastic fender trim, as well as rewiring the utility trailer wiring and upgrading the side marker lights to sealed/submersible option (lost the passenger side amber markers to corrosion within the circuit board).

 

Got my new toy home from Charlotte last week...coming in at 3,369 lbs., measuring 4ft wide by 6.5ft tall by 7.5ft long w/o attachments, and touting an impressive 10 inches of ground clearance is our ASV RT-25!


Only natural that I got a call notifying me it arrived a day before my surgeries in mid-May...so now I just have to get through the next few weeks of my right arm being in a sling.

So I had the fun job of coaxing the wife into being the household freight driver, so sure enough my amazing wife, who had never towed anything before, drove the entire 14+ hour round trip down to the dealer outside Charlotte and back home.

We took the Ram 1500 and with the trailer loaded she was pulling approximately 6,255 lbs., and she did a professional job!!


She's already getting time on the RT-25 already, and again I'm seriously jealous and anxiously awaiting getting my right arm back in action so I can get stick time and knock out some projects (assuming the wife doesn't do them all!!)!!

First MOD: removed extremely excessive loud backup beeper alarm fuse ---> Plan to wire in a rocker switch for easier on/off operation (for the occasions the beeper is needed/required)

 

Dang, that thing is slick! And go Mrs. Brakes Tacos, that's awesome.