Fully polished TuRD

Damn I just spent half the day reading this thread. . Makes me want to attempt going out to URE again but it was so much closer while I was stationed at Cherry Point.

 

Thanks for reading! I try to post up the struggles and fuck ups as I think a lot of build threads mask that stuff.

URE is cool because it's close, but there are WAY cooler parks between Utah and here LOL!!

I have been driving the truck and putting some miles on it, I have been half-ass working on house projects and fighting off some sort of sickness so the trucks been taking a backseat for now. I really need to bang out the bump pads, and start working on getting my parking brake fabbed up and working before I need to get this pile inspected in March. Then it's time to chop the ass end off and rebuild my rotted frame.

 

I was all lined up for a group run out in URE and then some proverbial shit hit the fan and I had to fly back to Utah to deal with it and then I made another attempt to get out there on the trails but when I got there (according to the GPS I was blindly trusting) there was a locked gate and several Closed signs posted so I ended up driving back to New Burn with my tail tucked between my legs like a sad puppy. Maybe someday I will make it out there again but the drive is a lot longer now haha. I definitely miss how green everything was out there, Hurricane Irene was something I'll never forget and the dog sleeping at my feet is one of the last things I have left from my time in NC we picked her up in Rocky Mount and brought her back to the Rocky Mountains

 

I think it helps others feel better when they see they aren't the only one not driving a perfectly functional vehicle all the time. Some of the things that knock you down a bit are what make you appreciate the vehicle and effort more. The whole Blood, Sweat and Tears thing and of course always a few fucks being said and maybe even had hah.

You talk about parks between here and there and I literally just drive through Moab and only stopped long enough for gas just this last Sunday.

I feel you on the lack of progress while fighting sickness. I was rocking a temp of a little over 102 the day after getting home from out trip and I have that Low Range tank Skid sitting in the garage not even primed yet. I thought it was funny you had 2/4 mounts bolts snapped off because I'm sitting in the same boat I'm hoping with a little heat and WD-40 I can back the studs out. My plan is to use a dremel tool and cut a groove in the broken stud that a strong flat head screw driver can fit snugly into. I've had success with this method in the past but for now I'll just keep reapplying WD-40 and letting it soak while I get feeling better.

Did you ever manage to attach the other side of your tank skid to the tire carrier I assume it probably got thrown on the back burner as "good enough for now" with the handful of bigger fish that need frying

 

I'm going to mount it to the crossmember when I pull the bed off and rebuild the rear end this spring. I did get a few suspension tabs to mount the front of the skid right to the horse collar. The 3 bolts up front will only be holding the gas tank on after that.

 

I felt those bolts were a little inadequate the last 2 times I dropped the tank for maintenance, seems like a good idea. I guess I'll have to lay under the truck and ponder a few things and see what redneck ingenuity I can come up with. I also have a bit of a dent in the very back of my tank I have wanted to find a way to pop out. I think I'll try one of those pneumatic dent pullers with a slide hammer or probably most likely continue to live with it haha

 

Haven't done much of anything to the truck this winter besides drive it a bit. I do have to get it inspected in March so I'm going to be finally building the parking brake for the 80 axle. Also I need to do some hardcore maintenance to this truck before wheeling season as it was kind of a POS towards the end of the season. I neglected a bunch of maintenance on it from 2019 to 2021 and I think it caught up with me.

I did join an offroad club so I plan on wheeling like a mofo this summer and learning about more local parks that people seem to keep on the down low around here.

 

There's a lot of them. Some are more buggy parks. I gotta get out with them this year too and join. They're more active which I like

 

Pre wheeling season worklist to keep me organized:

• Parking brake needs to installed by March so it passes inspection. Coming right back off after LOL
• Bigger hub bolts in March when it's all apart
• Front bump pads ASAP
• Weld new plate on where frame bent
• Move battery to bed
• Fluid storage in bed
• Smaller action packer/SWAG offroad mount
• Fix my failing gas tank mount
• Fix the skid plate mounting

 

If you ever decide to get this style oil drain pan/container, punch yourself in the dick until the thought goes away.

I'm fairly sure I could make less of a mess just draining my oil onto my garage floor.

Anyway changed the oil for the first time in God knows how long (probably 2yrs and less than 10k miles) and nothing shiney. Next week is my favoritist maintenance activity, changing the fluid in my crawl box :barf:

 

Dang surprised you don’t like it? I have the big one and little one and never spilt nothing. Little one works well for holding oily third members lol

 

That thing overflows instantly it seems and the stream of oil hits the raised fins and sprays oil all over the place.

 

I could see why, it looks super shallow.

This is the one I have and I love it. Handles the 15 quart oil changes on the 7.3 fine and you just put the caps on to run the used oil back for recycling

FloTool 42003MI 16-Quart Drain Container

$34 FloTool 42003MI 16-Quart Drain Container

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0171QLC4S

 

I use this one for oil changes as well. Just dumped 3 gallons from the dodge into it with no issues

 

Yeah screw this thing. I have one and it just ramps the oil all over the garage floor when I do my Sequoia. Swapped to one of these and didn't look back. The old one is still good for non-engine oil.

$23 NEIKO 20762A Oil Drain Pan | Black Plastic Anti Splash | Motor Oil Drip Catcher Pan | 2 Gallon (8L) Capacity

https://www.amazon.com/Neiko-20762A-Splash-Gallon-Capacity/dp/B00JJ63MDS?pd_rd_i=B00JJ63MDS

 

X2 that's what I use

 

I use this style and it's mint. Mine has the ability to cap the drain too.

 

@Snowy spoon-feed me everything I need to do the rear axle hub stud to bolt swap! Bolt size, drill and tap size please!!

 

7/16 x 20 tpi tap and 25/64" drill bit. Be careful, the cast hubs are soft if you wobble doing it by hand.

$10 Irwin TAP 7/16-20 NF PLUG

https://www.amazon.com/CHANNELLOCK-...84&s=hi&sprefix=7/16+-+20+tap,tools,67&sr=1-3

$5 Drill America - KFDRSD3/8X25/64 25/64" Reduced Shank High Speed Steel Black & Gold KFD Drill Bit with 3/8" Shank, KFD Series Round

https://www.amazon.com/Drill-Americ...36945&s=hi&sprefix=25/64,tools,80&sr=1-4&th=1

Go to Fastenal for 7/16" x 20tpi socket head cap screws. I think mine are 1.25" long or 1.5". Get some spares to carry with you just in case.

 

I will grant you one beer out of my cooler next trip for this info!

Thanks man!!