What did you do to your SMB today?

[killacks]

A few years back, I unknowingly commuted to work with a stray kitten sitting under the hood of my Dodge pickup. I discovered it when I went to check the oil shortly after arriving to work.. alive .

Also, finally painted and installed the rear door upper trim panels (pop-out window style) that I bought nearly 4 years ago! I didn’t even buy the pop out windows until a couple years after that. Used a shadetreevannin paint recommendation, which ended up matching the factory light grey nicely. It was Colorbond LVP Refinisher Ford Lt. Graphite #117.

[PRERUNNERCAMPERVANNER]

I just slapped on my new stainless steel Surco ladder! Seems to be decent quality for an el cheapo. The back of my van had been looking a little boring lately... now I gotta put something cool on my roof I guess?

[JoeH]

I finally finished a Dynatrac big brake upgrade to 14" rotors and front end rebuild with new drag links and tie-rod ends. Also upgraded to ProSteer ball joints and 35 spline axles. Calipers are Ford with Hawk LTS pads.

[vandiesel]

Originally Posted by JoeH

I finally finished a Dynatrac big brake upgrade to 14" rotors and front end rebuild with new drag links and tie-rod ends. Also upgraded to ProSteer ball joints and 35 spline axles. Calipers are Ford with Hawk LTS pads.

Joe, after all the posts lately on the big brakes I would love a clean build sheet of some kind if you are willing. I'm following behind you this fall. Even a simple bullet point list would be great. I've read all the posts but there is some gray between hydro/2wd big brakes/dynatrac. Nice work.


Brad

[JoeH]

Originally Posted by vandiesel

Joe, after all the posts lately on the big brakes I would love a clean build sheet of some kind if you are willing. I'm following behind you this fall. Even a simple bullet point list would be great. I've read all the posts but there is some gray between hydro/2wd big brakes/dynatrac. Nice work.

Brad

Thanks Brad! I'm just coming up for air on this project but was mulling over simply adding to the 3 or 4 valuable threads on this forum that I read repeatedly or simply doing a supplemental thread. But could definitely post a build sheet with all the part #'s as well as issues encountered along the way.

[Glen]

Originally Posted by Twoxentrix

Thought this worthy of sharing: ***WOODY WAX***.
https://www.amazon.com/Woody-Wax-Tow...5109575&sr=8-5

Rejuvenates the Aluminess bling & Bushwackers that have lost their luster over the years (and not that cheep oily look). Applied some 5 months ago on the recommendation of a friend whom owns a Yacht detail business...lasted 4.5 months. Very quick, effortless, and easy to apply (a little goes a long way!).
Wish I had taken before & after pic's, but this is the result when applied (applied it again this morning):

Did you have to do anything to remove the oxidization first? This is something I've been looking into but haven't gotten very far as I'm also in the middle of installing a HAM & GMRS radio, working on my roof rack set-up, figuring out where some lights are going to go, figuring out flooring & cabinets, and purchasing new Scheel-Mann seats... Damn these things are a lot of work

[gahamby]

The gasket on the rear door license plate box had rotted and was leaking water into the door. I had to remove the door handle trim,disconnect the lock switch,remove the rear door cover,disconnect two latch linkages,pull the lamp cover, and remove the box. Did a serious cleaning of all the mating surfaces and bedded the box down with some tan butyl tape I had leftover from another project. The captive fasteners on the gold bracket needed some penetrating oil to get them to spin. I remembered not to button up until I had checked for lock functionality. I did treat the rust on the lamp housing screw clips.About a 5 on the PIA scale.

[gahamby]

Plenty of rain lately and the repair held. woo hoo

[YoTerryh]

I finally bit the bullet and installed a Thule Hullivator. Before, it was two person job to load my kayak. Now loading is manageable solo. I took it on it's maiden voyage today and it will definitely make getting out on the water easier!

[killacks]

Originally Posted by YoTerryh

... it will definitely make getting out on the water easier!

Great point! Similarly, I recently bought a halfway decent bike rack and it has encouraged me to ride the bike so much more than before. I hadn’t realized what a hang-up it was to stuff the bike inside between the seats and random other family van crapola that lives in there.