CVyota's "gonna take a while" build

I think it's from relentless, but they don't make them anymore, it was an early relentless fab

 

Turns out it was the IFS skid he didn't put back. The mid skid is hanging. That's not good

 

And here is the IFS and Mid skids. I guess the IFS was worse than I thought

 

Damn Andy, I had no idea that you used your Taco so hard.

 

And here is why it won't fit back on.

Looks like I bent the frame horn crossmember up and back

I need to get the torch and bfh out. Because unlike every other crossmember, this one is welded in place

 

As I am on vacation this week, I am Working on the truck. Today I tried the torch and bfh on the IFS skid.

That didn't work.

Then I worked all day and got 4 of the 6 bolts in. Tomorrow I will cut a corner to fit and drill and tap new holes. The old ones don't come close.

 

Holy cow! That must have been a BIG parking curb at the mall

 

Aint no mall crawler, Florida man
https://youtu.be/owhbrBrqLy8

 

Were you cloudbursting?

https://youtu.be/jjs8SDCyKiI

 

No sound? I wanted to hear the crunch lol.

 

Lol. No clouds, no goats

It was the only big rock around.

 

Got the skid plates on yesterday, all 6 bolt on the IFS.
I bolted in 3 of the 4, used a ratchet.strap to bend the 4th one in place. Yesterday I cut a piece off to make the front go in place but had to drill and tap 2 new holes in the cross member, the original holes were about half to an inch off.

But it is in. The mid went in with no issues.

Got some organizing to do today but still need to fix the torn radiator core. Going to try brazing it again.


Note to self: when using the angle grinder, the metal is still too hot to touch after a minute.

 

Did the brazing on the radiator core, seems solid, a trip or 2 should test it.
Realized the passenger headlight is held on with one screw. Time for a new one. Don't get the cheap ones the light output is bad.

 

Got the headlight delivered today.
Nice to have all the fastening points again.

Of course the one adjustor I need to get to is hidden.

 

Had an issue with the winch last outing. It wouldn't move. So...

So now to tear it apart. Couldn't be because of the several water crossings.



Or no maintenance for 10 years...nah

 

Dust and Grease make for muck.
Went through a can of brake clean, no broken teeth and just surface rust.

I will get out the tooth brush and Grease tomorrow.

Although a wireless winch would be nice

 

Annnnd the motor is dead.

Time to buy a new one

 

the more I removed, the more issues I found.
Seems like the radiator core is in 3 pieces and all but 2 of the mounting holes have been torn out.
Also the center support that holds the grill and oil cooler is broken in half.

I know if I order a new core, I would have to remove the ac line and radiator lines and spot weld, And I would just have the same issue with thin sheet metal tears. So I am going to replace the top of the core and reinforce the rest.

Not sure what that means yet...stay tuned.

 

Ugh

 

Wow, lots of damage.

I have been having trouble with the main hood latch and now I know why.
The center support that goes from the top of the radiator core to the bottom, supports the latch, the intercooler and the grill.
Here is mine (it is upside down)


When I closed the hood, it would flex down and not allow it to latch. The fix is to run a stiff bar from top to bottom, or just use the hood pins I already have in place.
I did run a bar for the intercooler and will figure something for the grill.

Then on to the main break on top