AWOLs 1997 M1097A2 Build

[Awol]

Laying down some primer and base coat. The doors are pretty straight right out of the box. One had a gouge in it from shipping, but that was easily filler and blocked smooth. I will say, they have been a nightmare for fish eyes. It must be the release agent used when building the doors. I chased those for a little while, but got thru em.

 

[Awol]

Three coats of clear!

 

[Awol]

Got a chance to mount them on the truck today. They look awesome! Next step, window tint!

 

[Awol]

Got some new shoes put on today. The truck rides sooooo much better.

 

[Awol]

Pulled the rear shims out of the upper control arms today. That was fun. The rear most upper arm brackets are a PITA to get to.

Up next is a homemade alignment.

 

[Awol]

Alignment day. Just for reference, the shims on the upper control arms were decently thick. I took a pic with my micrometer.

As for the tires. They were toe out 3" overall. The measurements before aligning it were 87" rear, 90" front. lol

Now they're set at 88 1/2" front, and 88 5/8" rear. I took these measurements from outside to outside on the levels placed against the tires. I made sure both levels were set at the same height via jack stands.

The first pic shows how bad the toe out was.

 

[Mogman]

How many shims did you have in the rear top brackets and how many did you remove?
I was looking at a M1097R1 I have in the shop and it has three shims under each upper bracket, one shim under each bracket looks fairly easy to remove as they would drop down and two that would need to be brought up which would not clear the body so I assume the brackets would need to be completely removed.

 

[Awol]

How many shims did you have in the rear top brackets and how many did you remove?
I was looking at a M1097R1 I have in the shop and it has three shims under each upper bracket, one shim under each bracket looks fairly easy to remove as they would drop down and two that would need to be brought up which would not clear the body so I assume the brackets would need to be completely removed.

Mine also had 3 shims per bracket. Fortunately all mine were able to be removed downward, so I only had to loosen the bracket bolts, not remove them entirely.

 

[Mogman]

Mine also had 3 shims per bracket. Fortunately all mine were able to be removed downward, so I only had to loosen the bracket bolts, not remove them entirely.

Did you remove all of them?

 

[Awol]

Did you remove all of them?

Every single one. Still has slightly positive camber, but it's soooo much better.

 

[Awol]

Did front brakes today. Whoever decided to place the drivers side front caliper where it is, needs a swift kick to the dick.

 

[Awol]

Windows tinted! I wanted to go with 20% all around, but all I had left was 5% and 35%. I bitched out and did 35% all around. I guess it's not a huge deal, as the sunset around here is getting closer to 5pm now, and will end up damn near almost 4pm soon enough. So it'll be easier to see out of in the dark. I think in the spring I'll redo them darker, but for now they look good.

 

[Foxclub83]

Took it for it's first trip down Rt95. Did very well. Maintains 70mph pretty easily, and no weird vibrations or any pulling.

I've put almost 200 miles on it the last few days.

View attachment 925987

Nice rig! You’ve done an awesome job. I’m planning to put a 4 speed in my 1097r1. I can barely get to 55 with 3 speed. Is yours stock 4 speed and can do 70 comfortably? I only ask because I figured just swapping the trans might not help enough to cruise at hwy speeds.


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[Awol]

Nice rig! You’ve done an awesome job. I’m planning to put a 4 speed in my 1097r1. I can barely get to 55 with 3 speed. Is yours stock 4 speed and can do 70 comfortably? I only ask because I figured just swapping the trans might not help enough to cruise at hwy speeds.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yup, stock 4 speed truck. It maintains 70mph pretty easy. The only time it needs to work a little hard is when the hills start. Even then, it's not bad.