reh5108's 4 Banging SHITBOX tUrBo 4x4 Build

I've never had a stock bottle jack. This was just laying around the garage. No idea where it came from. If you use one make sure you can still access the valve to open it. Almost couldnt get to it the one time to release.

Yep that rusty metal isn't doing anything. It basically bent out of the way under its own weight. Hopefully I can get the rear two mount bolts undone without breaking them.

 

Got the bed back on last night.


20180413_172048 by Ryan Heintzelman - Flickr2BBcode



20180413_175634 by Ryan Heintzelman - Flickr2BBcode



20180413_172056 by Ryan Heintzelman - Flickr2BBcode

Should be able to wrap 99% of this project up this week. I'll just be waiting on the Kings

 

Bed is back on. Wish I would have measured full droop before to compare.


20180416_173049 by Ryan Heintzelman - Flickr2BBcode

Sketchy trying to measure full droop for the shocks. Shock eyes are 26.5" from each other at full droop. Ride height is around 22.25"


20180416_173037 by Ryan Heintzelman - Flickr2BBcode

I cut the stock shock mounts off and made sleeves to be able to use the current bushings in the shocks to fit snug around the bolt. That was a 2.5 hour project that should have taken at most an hour but trying to find something to cut them with and a drill bit that was more useful than a paper weight took awhile. Probably could have done it quicker in my own garage...



But... I may have to cut off my lower mounts again. I didn't account for the flip plate sticking out so far and my make shift plumbob wasn't accurate. Both sides are slightly flared out at the bottom. I think I can get away with trimming the corner on the plate though. It's also going to be very close when the shock is fully compressed to hitting the axle tube. I think I'll have about a 1/16" of clearance. Really wish I had some miles on these springs so I wouldn't be afraid of voiding warranty. Most likely they will be fine but just incase there was some manufacturering flaw I don't want to void it. Probably going to make new brake lines too and also make new lines to delete the abs module.


20180418_194053 by Ryan Heintzelman - Flickr2BBcode



20180418_194024 by Ryan Heintzelman - Flickr2BBcode


Still need to install the cab mounts, reroute the exhaust and make custom bump stop mounts.

 

What’s wrappped around the rear crossmember?

 

Shock boots so the Jerry's aren't rubbing on metal.

 

Gotcha, I have had good luck with bike tubes for similar situations as well.

 

Finally pulled the truck out of the garage and took it for a spin! Springs feel great even with about half the usual load. I do have about 2" of rake though.

I wasn't to impressed with the hardware included in the Daystar kit. I had to get some smaller washers than the huge 2" ones they said to use inside the cab. The bolts on the driver side were a smidge to big and needed some coaxing with a hammer to get through. Other than that it seems to ride pretty well.

Also found mold under my floor mat. guess it's time for some Husky liners.

Also I've got an electrical gremlin. My left blinker arrow is always on but dim. When I hit the brake it gets bright and cancels out the blinker when it's on. Left front blinker is also very dim. Hopefully it's something easy to fix. Not sure if this is related to that but I had to start the truck with the clutch start cancel a few times. I'll check the switches on the clutch pedal tomorrow.

 

That’s a weird gremlin. Hope it’s an easy fix.

 

Do you have a trailer light wiring harness? I had one go back and caused some funny issues like that.

 

Could also be the blinker relay too. Just something else to consider checking.

 

Yep. Easy enough to unplug and see if anything changes.

Thought this too since it does occasionally go off.

 

Did you pinch two wires putting the bed on, sounds like your brake light is back feeding current through the blinker because it is using it as a path to ground.

 

What he said ^^^ some of tail light wiring brake off from the harness plug when they get old. That’s happened to me. A wire pulled out of the plug and was just hanging there. Didn’t even notice it.

 

Nothing looks pinched or disconnected. Removed the trailer harness. Still doing the same thing. Giving up for now and trying to get other things done before weeks end.


Filled the jerrys and installed them. They sit quite a bit higher with the new crossmember.

20180423_131655 by Ryan Heintzelman - Flickr2BBcode

I've had some play in my rack so I thought I'd try and tighten up the bushing before I go replacing the whole thing again. I didn't have a 24mm allen wrench so I made a tool with two nuts to tighten my steering rack bushing. The lock nut was loose and I was able to eliminate the play in the rack. I jacked the front up to make sure I didn't tighten it to much. Haven't taken it for a drive yet but I think it will be fine.

20180423_130352 by Ryan Heintzelman - Flickr2BBcode

Quick fix for my topper window opening on hard hits on the trail. I can also securely lock it now too.

20180423_131142 by Ryan Heintzelman - Flickr2BBcode

 

Redneck engineering, love it.

 

Did tightening the nut on the steering rack make any difference. Just found mine was loose as well.

 

Yes. It removed the play from pushing and pulling the tire laterally (9 and 3 position with my hands). I've checked my tie rods numerous times so I knew it was the rack. I haven't taken it for a drive yet.

 

Mine has that same play in it, and I was told I need a new rack. But maybe the nut is just loose. Thanks for the response.

 

It's worth a try before dropping the coin on a new one.

 

Put about 2500 miles on the truck the last two weeks, ~ 350 being dirt and it rides like a dream! No where near the amount of body roll I used to have and the springs handle the weight perfectly. I'm pretty sure I caught some air a few times and things felt smooth and controlled when landing. Can't imagine how it will be once the Kings are in. It was definitely worth all the work and frustration.

I do have a vibration at highway speeds. I'm guessing it's the driveshaft or pinion since that seal gave out. Had to top off the diff once. Hottest temp on the 3rd was 191°. Not sure where it's supposed to be though for pushing 5500lbs and it being 100° outside.

Hopefully I'll get around to posting a few pictures from the Grand Canyon tomorrow..