Wishbone Runner's Build

Operation turtle race has commenced, Atlas build starts this week and should be here by middle of Jan. Got the interior ripped out and ready to cut some holes in it.



On top of the Atlas, banging out a bunch of other crap that kind of ties in to it, other stuff that just needs to get done. First on the list is body mounts so I know exactly how much room I have to clock the Atlas. Started looking for poly mounts that would fit the body mounts, but the holes are too big for any existing poly bushings. I also found this nice hole in the front cab mount.



So, I’ll be chopping all the mounts off and using square tube like I did on the radiator, along with Energy Suspension poly bushings.

 

Also on the table is a front end rebuild, going to melt in the Lca mount gussets I’ve had forever, and replace the lca bushings. During tear down found cracks in both spindle gussets, going to grind em down and patch them up.

 

Also pulled the rear diff to finally fix the oil leaking into the air line, as well as upgrade to the new banjo bulkhead setup and 6 mil air line.

 

Add a F'd CV to the body count, one has a weird binding issue.

 

Dang this is looking like a full rebuild.

 

I had a NAPA one do that. Still functions but wasn't smooth when articulating the outer end.

 

Yep, that is exactly the issue, this is a CVJ one. I am just going to get another one from them.

 

Pretty much, the motor and tranny are about the only things left in the truck right now lol.

 

I say you LT or SAS that thing since you have everything out. Also you should super charge it.

 

I am surprised he hasn’t went LT yet. Did everything else to the suspension and he likes to go fast.

 

Probably LT at some point, SAS doesn't really seem to offer too much right now for what I do with the truck, it will never have the capability that a full on crawler will. If I get this truck where I am satisfied I might buy an already built 3rd gen, or so I can dream.

Also, while admittedly beating the shit out of the truck in its current state, I am trying to do all of the upgrades that go along with LT prior to the LT part. Stupid charger would really help with the weight this beast is putting on, but not really a priority, plus they are more complicated to get onto the 4R vs the taco.

Someone go shake the money tree and I will go rake it up.

 

LT isnt all rainbows, sunshine, and unicorns. I've discouraged people from buying kits and other mods that come with big compromises. A lot of people circle jerk about doing all those mods without realizing what comes with them.

 

Exactly, though I don’t really anticipate any other issues/maintenance that I’m not already doing, other than cost. Still not totally convinced, I’ll probably do the rear end first and see how I like the truck there, 9”, 4link and coilovers.

 

Couple years out anyway.

 

Oh. I'm on year three with trying to finish my LT install. It's one hell of a rabbit hole

 

i like where this is going....

 

Nowhere fast!

 

But one day it will go places fast!

 

Finished up the body mounts this weekend, what a giant PITA. I encourage everyone with an older truck to check out their frame at the body mounts, every single one was a rusty pile of shit due to the design trapping mud and crap where it can't get out or breathe.





That pesky low hanging crossmember in the bottom pic is coming off next!