Not the way to start the week - Page 3

jage · 10-10-2008, 09:02 AM

Come on Jeff, once the seal is broken you know you'd just buy a new truck!

**BroncoHauler** · 10-10-2008, 09:12 AM

Got the SMB back yesterday. The wallet's a fair amount lighter, but the SMB drives quite a bit smoother than I remember. Amazing how the small, incremental changes build up over time (e.g. vibration), so you don't notice them until they are suddenly gone.

Both u-joints were replaced, and the driveshaft was rebalanced. Oh, and they washed the SMB too. Maybe I should just consider it a really expensive car wash.

What other maintenance have I neglected or forgotten about?

Please learn from my lesson.

Herb

deminimis · 10-10-2008, 09:18 AM

Just to clear up the U-Joint lube issue. This is directly from the Spicer maintence doc:

Use the recommended lubricant to purge all four seals of
each universal joint. This flushes abrasive contaminants from
each bearing assembly and assures proper filling of all four
bearings.
Make sure fresh grease is evident at all universal joint
bearing seals. (See photo 14, below.)
2. If any of the seals fail to purge, try to move the driveshaft
from side to side while applying grease gun pressure. On
two-headed zerk (nipple) fittings, try greasing from the
opposite lube fitting.
Note Ã

myriadmyriad · 10-10-2008, 10:37 AM

Ya, Jage those 2009s look nice.

deminimis, its nice to see current printed info.

My info came from my auto shop class in 1965. However I do rotate the shaft to get the grease in all the cups.

Latest update on my Deaver springs and Bilsteins.

I put dual shocks up front, 255/70. Lowered bottom mount (5inches of up travel)

Revalved rear shocks and lowered bottom mount.

Rewelded all spring mounts.

Removed front trackbar.(wow what a difference, much freer movement)

But the absolute best thing I did is remove the front bumper with the 15000 lbs winch. Getting rid of so much front end weight helped free up the suspension. The power steering is not working so hard( you can feel it) Off road it feels like a much lighter truck, it runs cooler,much more air hitting the radiator. The front end loves being lighter.

I put a custom tube bumper with a Husky 10000lbs winch. I also put light tabs all over the bumper.

I now look forward to going off road.

I finally got the van to have a working suspension....

Cheers

Jeff

deminimis · 10-10-2008, 10:48 AM

Jeff!! Where are the pics of your mounts! I'm curious just how low you went on your rear mounts. I'm guessing I'll be hanging a little belong the plane of the axle tube, but not as much as the stock mounts (factory stock, not the modified SMB mounting location). I'm hoping to start tackling mine this weekend (if I finish the mandatory fence building).

Joanna · 10-10-2008, 05:45 PM

Jeff,
Do you have a photo of the changes you made to the front of your van regarding the winch and the bumper? What was the make of the bumper you removed?
Thanks, Joanna

jage · 10-10-2008, 08:15 PM

It was an aluminess but he stuffed a "proper" 15K winch plate (L shaped) and a 15,000lb winch in there. In other words, Heavy and Heavier.

I've kind of wondered about dropping my Warn HS 9500 in there on the principle that something is better than nothing, now I'm thinking the 9500 and 2-3 snatch blocks might be where it's at. Hmmm...

myriadmyriad · 10-10-2008, 09:56 PM

I put a Warn 15000lbs winch in the Aluminess bumper, with the feet mounted forward on a mounting plate (per warn).

I will put pictures on my site soon.
The Husky winch is wormgear driven and quite strong.

deminimis To do the rear shocks for the most travel you should really raise the top mounts also. I didnt because its almost impossible without going up into the van floor.

I lowered the bottom mounts one and a half inch. The droop was shortened by a bit but you cant have it both ways. I thought more up travel would be better....

By the way Ill sell my Aluminess bumper and winch for 1000.00. Cost for both was 3700.00 You can see it at...... gallery.me.com/myriadmyriad

jage I would go with the 9500 with snatch blocks. I have, a never used Warn 9500 with cradle mount for sale.

I also put a winch in the rear bumper. Its a mile marker and fits almost perfect.

I cant stop playing with this Van. Next is dual alternators.

Somebody HELP me !!!!!

Jeff

myriadmyriad · 10-10-2008, 10:04 PM

jage
I forgot the 9500 warn is for my Jeepster. So I better keep it.
I need to cutback on my Meds. Sorry

Jeff

**BroncoHauler** · 03-07-2009, 10:52 PM

Going back five months to adventureduos recommendation, I finally got around to buying coveralls; one to keep in the SMB, one to keep in the Bronco. Got a GREAT eBay deal on two, brand new, never issued, still in the bag, US military coveralls. These are high quality coveralls, made out of Nomex (Aramid). $15.50 each, shipped.

Herb