1970 Gladiator Restomod

[ntsqd]

Had to look up the GF 481. I've been using the Wix version of it (#33481) for about two decades worth of various projects. Usually I'm plumbing with Push-Lok -6 AN/JIC hose ends on Emissions Barrier hose so I use -6AN X M16 O-Ring Bump adapters into and out of the filter. Simple, seals, and no bloody hose clamps!

[Yeller]

I too hate hose clamps for sealing hoses. They are fantastic for attaching things to tube, even motor mounts, hate them on hoses lol

[Yeller]

Well…… frustrating and happy update.

I crawled under the truck to change the fuel pump and filter. Upon disassembly I discovered that the ground wire was broken….. replaced the ground wire and the pump is all good

However there is this broken wire. If you look back in this thread I had found that in my box of wire I had some copper clad aluminum wire from somewhere, so I now check when before I use random wire and thought that I had replaced it all. I guess not, the aluminum corroded and fell apart. Well it now has some really nice SXL wire that should last the rest of my life lol. Very frustrating that you have to check all unknown wire to make sure it’s copper and not aluminum with copper cladding so it looks like copper…..

[ntsqd]

for AL wire.

for easy-ish fix.

[devildog80]

Got the easy button today

[Yeller]

Something is changing before winter

[ntsqd]

I used those Ranger caps on the Dodge cop car wheels (look like a Chevy Rally, only with 6 slots instead of 5) on the '67 Ranchero. They looked good there too!

[Yeller]

Working on something special for the center caps, we’ll see how that turns out

[Yeller]

Funny in another thread how we were just talking about frame swaps. Not going there yet… but it’s in my head. If it happens a rectangular tube frame will get built but until I’ve had enough fixing small stuff, it will just stay a thought. Here’s what I hope to be one of the last frame repairs.

The rear shock mounts were not happy with nice plush modern leaf springs that actually move and shocks that are valved heavy enough to actually control that new found motion. The passenger one broke off a few months ago and I didn’t get any pics of the repair, but it is similar to this one except a new shock stud got machined up. Notice the frame is cracked… that’s a 3/16” thick frame section. So made a 3/16” thick washer large enough to cover the crack. I also took some flat bar and braced the shock mount. Time will tell if it is enough support. If it is not there will be some serious remove the bed and make it better stuff going on.

Amazing how when you exceed the design parameters how things begin to fail.

[Yeller]

Been busy getting ready for tires later this year. Can’t believe I’ve put 40k on this truck new wheels are done and ready when the time comes.

[sierrablue]

Funny in another thread how we were just talking about frame swaps. Not going there yet… but it’s in my head. If it happens a rectangular tube frame will get built but until I’ve had enough fixing small stuff, it will just stay a thought. Here’s what I hope to be one of the last frame repairs.

The rear shock mounts were not happy with nice plush modern leaf springs that actually move and shocks that are valved heavy enough to actually control that new found motion. The passenger one broke off a few months ago and I didn’t get any pics of the repair, but it is similar to this one except a new shock stud got machined up. Notice the frame is cracked… that’s a 3/16” thick frame section. So made a 3/16” thick washer large enough to cover the crack. I also took some flat bar and braced the shock mount. Time will tell if it is enough support. If it is not there will be some serious remove the bed and make it better stuff going on.

Amazing how when you exceed the design parameters how things begin to fail.

What? You're telling me that if I start using it differently and harder than it was designed, I'll break stuff????

Very clean, nice looking work as usual. Looking forward to seeing how the wheels turn out.

[sierrablue]

Funny in another thread how we were just talking about frame swaps. Not going there yet… but it’s in my head. If it happens a rectangular tube frame will get built but until I’ve had enough fixing small stuff, it will just stay a thought. Here’s what I hope to be one of the last frame repairs.

The rear shock mounts were not happy with nice plush modern leaf springs that actually move and shocks that are valved heavy enough to actually control that new found motion. The passenger one broke off a few months ago and I didn’t get any pics of the repair, but it is similar to this one except a new shock stud got machined up. Notice the frame is cracked… that’s a 3/16” thick frame section. So made a 3/16” thick washer large enough to cover the crack. I also took some flat bar and braced the shock mount. Time will tell if it is enough support. If it is not there will be some serious remove the bed and make it better stuff going on.

Amazing how when you exceed the design parameters how things begin to fail.

What? You're telling me that if I start using it differently and harder than it was designed, I'll break stuff???? On a serious note I can imagine frame repairs like that have to be frustrating.

Very clean, nice looking work as usual. Looking forward to seeing how the wheels turn out.

[Yeller]

I know right?!

[ntsqd]

Must be a mistake, somewhere.

OTOH if you want to fail something on purpose, I know The Guy to do that for you.

[Yeller]

Must be a mistake, somewhere.

OTOH if you want to fail something on purpose, I know The Guy to do that for you.

Certainly your not talking about me

I have had a reputation of being able to brake a steel ball in a sandbox with a rubber hammer

Example: broke a front dana 44 that was final assembled 2 hours previously. Broke all 4 axle shafts, broke both axle joints, broke the ring and pinion, and the Detroit locker. It didn’t make a sound, the front just stopped pulling…. At least the wheels stayed on, winched it to the top and drove it to the trailer. At that time I was testing axles for a well known “upgrade from stock” axle manufacturer. I told them they needed a new test subject and built a Dana 60, still running that axle today with no catastrophic failures, been 24 years ago this month lol.

[ntsqd]

Nope, referring to "MISF" (My Infamous Scout Friend). You and he would have great time together, so long as you don't rely on him for Navigation. Broke his back (only partly his fault, mostly that of the 16 yo girl Fiero driver driving in the bike lane), they put titanium pins in him to support the break. He broke those, likely while putting the IH 392 into his Scout. They took the pins out and told him that keeping his core in good shape would be the key to no back pain. Hey! YZ-250 MX bikes work your core pretty good, don't they! His relaxed pace is 120% of anything. He's fun to watch.
Sometimes I get sucked in. We're out screwing around in a local-ish OHV area and we've got his 7600 lbs. (CAT Scales) Scout II wedged between a rock and an embankment. Got his 60" Hi-Lift out, jack it up, push it over, jack it up, push it over. Only the front suspension is slinky enough that we're not getting very far with each push-over because it takes nearly all 60" to get the front tire almost off the gournd. AND the Hi-Lift beam is taking on a serious bow each time we get close to the top of it. It's about 85°, dry, and we' working up a really good sweat. I'm thinking that there's got to be a better way. What if we could lasso that boulder over there, how could we pull the truck over using it as an anchor. Then I look down at the Mega-Winch bolted to the front of the Scout.....
About 1994, playing in a "Sippi Hole" On Miller Jeep Trail (way, way pre re-route):