My New Knuckle-Boom Deuce Thread.

[M37M35]

Figured I'd start a thread for repairs/mods/info on BFR's/Papabear's/Patracy's/My deuce. (Does this deuce have a name? Wasn't sure what to title this thread.)

Getting it from GA to OK.
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthread.php?143201-GA-to-OK-in-BFR-s-Papabear-s-Patracy-s-Deuce

I've had a little bit of time to play with it, run the crane, and just sit and look it over. Hoping to get it registered and tagged today.

Found and fixed one big issue. The driver side front spring U-bolts were so loose I could wiggle them by hand! Maybe that's what was causing the shimmy and bump-steer.

It had been that way for a long time because the nuts were rusted in place. I had to break them loose and work them on and off before I could re-torque them.

 

[M37M35]

Got it registered and tagged today but still have to drive it in so they can verify the VIN and issue a title.

Tightening the U-bolts helped the handling quite a bit.

One of the rollers the right outrigger rolls in and out on was seized. Worked it around and got it freed up.

 

[gimpyrobb]

I'd keep an eye on the U-bolts with all that weight on the front axle!

 

[M37M35]

 

[M37M35]

I will. The other side didn't appear to be loose, but I'll re-torque them too.

 

[rustystud]

I will. The other side didn't appear to be loose, but I'll re-torque them too.

A better solution would be to replace them. But if your not replacing them then at least take them off clean then up and run a tap down all the threads. Then install new nuts and lock washers ( grade 8 ) .

 

[73m819]

I would replace BOTH sides along with the hardware, there is a reason they became loose. stretched maybe ??

 

[wheelspinner]

I would replace BOTH sides along with the hardware, there is a reason they became loose. stretched maybe ??

/\ /\ This! Once a bolt has passed its "plastic stage" which is what happens when over tightened, this happens. The U bolts are most likely junk and will continue to loosen. Picture a little spring from a click-pen, you pull and pull and it pulls back-then you pull just a hair more, and it doesn't pull back. That is what happens when a fastener is overtightened. And it cannot recover ever from that and must be replaced. Maybe, just maybe yours were just loose.......but I wouldn't bet on it.

 

[rustystud]

I would replace BOTH sides along with the hardware, there is a reason they became loose. stretched maybe ??

Broken 'U'-Bolts on the front axle is a real safety concern ! You can loose total control of the vehicle. That is why I first mentioned replacing them. If you cannot afford to at this time then at least take them off, clean them up. Check them over, and run a tap over the threads. Then install NEW nuts and lockwashers. This would be the "bare minimum" of maintenance I would perform.

 

[M37M35]

I agree replacing them would be best. Does anyone have a source for deuce U-bolts, or will I have to have them made? The rear U-bolts that hold the spring to the 'pivot' are badly rusted and need to be replaced too.

 

[rustystud]

I agree replacing them would be best. Does anyone have a source for deuce U-bolts, or will I have to have them made? The rear U-bolts that hold the spring to the 'pivot' are badly rusted and need to be replaced too.

I have found some "NOS" on eBay. I cannot remember the name of the company right now but they have been around for a long time now.

 

[oboyjohn]

Broken 'U'-Bolts on the front axle is a real safety concern ! You can loose total control of the vehicle. That is why I first mentioned replacing them. If you cannot afford to at this time then at least take them off, clean them up. Check them over, and run a tap over the threads. Then install NEW bolts and lockwashers. This would be the "bare minimum" of maintenance I would perform.

I may be wrong but I think you should have said " then install NEW nuts and lockwashers."

Cheers!

 

[rustystud]

I may be wrong but I think you should have said " then install NEW nuts and lockwashers."

Cheers!

Yes I should have said NUTS and lockwashers. Sheesh you guys are killing me here ! I've been having to take more pain killers then normal lately and I don't always get out what I'm trying to say.

 

[M37M35]

I've been busy the last week or so, but managed to do a few little things to it.

Topped off the oil in the trans, t-case, and diffs. The t-case PTO is leaking oil onto the parking brake, so I'll have to do something about that.

Mounted the 24v-12v converter and wired it to a cig-lighter plug.

Tracked down a fuel leak. Turned out to be the rubber hose going into the IP. Took a little doing to replace it since it has brass fittings on each end.

 

[M37M35]

I figured I could reuse the brass fittings instead of trying to find a new line or adapters, or have one made.


Bad line.




Cut the outer crimp off.



Flared the ends a little to keep the new hose from backing off.



Done.

 

[M37M35]

Did a few more little things to it.

Fixed the horn button, it was missing a spring.
Tightened some loose bolts.
Zip-tied some loose wires.
It has a coolant filter but it was by-passed - Hooked it back up. Not sure why it was by-passed, it looked okay and didn't leak.
Did a few other little things that I don't remember right now.

 

[M37M35]

I acquired an old boat and needed a way to haul it. Guess what got used?

 

[M37M35]

Well I've driven it around town a bit and it's running good. It gets people's attention! So far I've got a couple complements, a thumbs-up, and lots of what-the-heck-is-that-thing stares. I even noticed someone behind me taking pictures or video of it as I went around a corner.

I haven't needed to use the crane for anything else other then friends wanting to see it work, and they're finding uses for it. A friend is wanting a small ham radio tower taken down and moved, so I'll probably end up doing that.


I've done a few more little things to it...


One time I hit the start button and it just clicked, hit it again and it started. Checked the wires around the starter and found that most of them were loose. This one was VERY loose! I'm surprised it cranked as good and reliably as it did. Even the main cable from the battery was loose.



The transfer case PTO has a small leak that drips oil right onto the parking brake drum. I made a shield from thin sheetmetal to keep it off the drum.



Added a tag light.


Found out why the inside gets so wet when it rains! The top is in pretty bad shape. I put some tar on it for now, but I'm not sure what I'm going to do for a permanent fix.


Added a keyed Ignition switch.


The 24v to 12v converter on the lower left.


Found a suitable 'door lock'. I'll paint it OD.

 

[gimpyrobb]

I like the door lock, I may have to use that.

 

[lino]

I like this thread.
If and when you get a chance, could you post more pics of the crane and how it's mounted. How the truck is adapted for the crane. I've searched on this truck trying to find a build thread, but haven't been successful...

ciao
lino