Big Blue's Transformation

[Gary Lewis]

I suspect you are right, Jim.  And I've never gotten a part that was only partly there or had been previously installed.  And I've ordered lots of parts from Amazon.  So I just ordered the tie rods and tie rod ends from them.  Oh, and the adjuster sleeve.

So, when all of this comes in I should have everything to put the front axle under it.  But I still have the front driveshaft to do.  Its the double-cardon unit and I want to make sure the one I have is the right one before I put a new u-joint set in it.

[salans7]

There are hundreds, if not thousands of lifted pickup trucks running without front driveshafts as we speak. Take all the time you need, seems everybody else is too.

[Gary Lewis]

Good point, Shaun!  I'll be right in style.  

[salans7]

Glad you understood what I was referring to. It's really sad how people don't get their ducks in a row before they start modifying their vehicle.

[Gary Lewis]

Yep, I understood.  Someone on FB asked today about whether an F350 had a single or double-cardan front shaft.  His hits the crossmember.  

Sure hope mine doesn't.

[salans7]

What lift is that person running? That makes all the difference.

[Gary Lewis]

Didn't ask.  He just wanted to know what type of u-joints an F350 had.  I answered.  But I didn't tell him the type of shaft doesn't really matter if it is hitting the crossmember.

[Gary Lewis]

Well folks, I'm home!  Janey and I've been gone for a week, during which we drove 2067 miles to New Orleans, Houston, and the Texas Hill Country.

Meanwhile I ordered a "few" parts.  Here's the stuff that has already come in, with several more pieces due soon:




And, I realized today while driving that I didn't order the caster/camber alignment kits.  So just got these on order.  What do you see a bit odd with the advertising?  

[ArdWrknTrk]

Amazon is screwy.

How often do you see reviews for a different product than the one you're looking at?

[salans7]

Maybe you'll get a Motorcraft fan switch with your eccentrics. Or maybe you'll just get a fan switch and no eccentrics?

[Rembrant]

Gary,

What happened to the handle on your window opener?...lol.

[Gary Lewis]

Yes, y'all figured it out.  But at least Amazon thinks it is going to fit the '95 front suspension, so I doubt it'll be the switch.

As for the window crank, I have short grandkids.  

[salans7]

It's a shame the switch is for DOHC and SOHC V6 engines or else it would fit my Ranger.

[1986F150Six]

Welcome back, Gary! Is that snow on the ground?

[Gary Lewis]

Thanks, David.  No, that's the power-washed sidewalk you see.  One of the downsides of buying a power washer for cleaning up trucks is that someone might want you to use it on mundane things like sidewalks and driveways.  

But, we are to have rain in a couple of days and then a hard freeze.  So it looks like we might get snow this year.

[1986F150Six]

Gary Lewis wrote

Thanks, David.  No, that's the power-washed sidewalk you see.  One of the downsides of buying a power washer for cleaning up trucks is that someone might want you to use it on mundane things like sidewalks and driveways.  

Hmmmm, if the Queen is happy, there is peace in the kingdom!

[Gary Lewis]

Yep, David.  

As for what I did today, I was going to put the new caster/camber eccentrics in and install the ball joints.  But Amazon changed their promised delivery date from today to tomorrow.  

So I put new u-joints in the front axle shafts.  But, that makes it sound easier than it was.  First was the removal of the old joints.  Some might ask why I always replace parts like u-joints when I have things apart.  Does this answer the question?



Then with the old u-joints out I took things to the parts washer as they were covered with goo and crust.  Once they were clean I examined the eyes where the u-joints go.  Some were clean and some weren't so I cleaned things up, and found a ding that had to be taken out w/a round file.

That done I turned to the new Spicer SPL55 u-joints.  These are the high-dollar sealed-for-life joints with a corrosion proof coating.  However, they were corroded in the package from Jeff's Bronco Graveyard.  Bummer!  I took #600 sandpaper and cleaned them up, but it sure didn't endear me to JBM.  




Then I put it all back together, which was almost as easy as it sounds.  In fact, the hardest part of it was getting the well-sealed caps off the cross on the u-joints.  Man, those things are sealed and the vacuum you generate by pulling the caps off is hard to overcome.  But, I got them off and it all back together and ready for a family picture.

[1986F150Six]

Alright, Gary! I read your post and this came to mind... go to the shop, turn up the Bose speakers and enjoy your 2nd cup of Joe!!!

https://www.bing.com/search?q=Issac+Hayes+Shaft+YouTube&form=EDNTHT&mkt=en-us&httpsmsn=1&msnews=1&refig=2dbe9fcda3a54f60dd0f9b3cac7e961e&PC=HCTS&sp=-1&pq=issac+hayes+shaft+youtube&sc=2-25&qs=n&sk=&cvid=2dbe9fcda3a54f60dd0f9b3cac7e961e

[Danny G]

ArdWrknTrk wrote

Amazon is screwy.

How often do you see reviews for a different product than the one you're looking at?

They have a filter for that now lol, this used to drive me nuts. Under reviews click filter and show only reviews for the product your looking at.

[Gary Lewis]

The 2nd cup is on hold. We are in T-town for a long-awaited doctor’s appointment for Janey. Stopping for breakfast, at Cracker Barrel where I won’t drink their swill but love the food, and then home. Then I can have that second cup and will crank the sound up and listen to that!