Project Wild Weasel M1009

[cucvrus]

Not bad for just scuffing washing and painting

 

[cucvrus]

I was working on the Wild Weasel and found it was missing the rear outer bumper bracket s :braces. The owner ordered 2 new ones from LMC and I was looking at getting them on. Surprise.
Nothing a 12” sawzall blade won’t fix. Take Care.

 

[cucvrus]

Tonight I decided to change gears. This is a typical rear body mount caged nut bracket from an M1009
It is used to hold the rear body mount in place and secure the caged nuts to attach the rear outer bumper brackets. The brackets were missing on this vehicle.
After giving this much thought I decided to remove the center bumper brackets as I was going to have to anyway and use a sawzall to get in there and cut the part of the brackets with the caged nuts and the broken 7/16” bolt. I allowed an hour to do this job and I was 99% on time after getting the tools put away and scrapping all the fasteners.
As you can see in the image above there is an issue with the drawbar and Pintle hook mounting.

 

[cucvrus]

I was successful in getting the caged nut part of the bracelets off with minimal effort. I used extreme care as to not cut thru the wiring harness in the left rear.
I think that about covers it. Had I been restoring this I would have removed the fuel tank or maybe the body off frame. I hope this is useful but as you can see it is not hard to get in deep and find things that need attention on these old rigs. Someone unknowingly and uncaring has been at this M100. I hope to make it better.and fulfill the owners wishes. Take Carr and Be Safe. More later as it happens.

 

[WWRD99]

Those cross bars like to rust bad. Was one of the first things I found nos and bought several. I got some pintle mounts too. Those mounts you replaced would be hard to find I think they're part of the frame? You still have that roller frame?

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[cucvrus]

I don’t need them caged nut mounts. I will just put a 1/2” bolt facing outwards and nut the bracket on. It is a bit tight in there but can be done fairly easy. When you add energy suspension body mounts to an M1009 you do away with them brackets anyway. I made them draw bars from tubing I bought 3 full lengths and cut them to length. Nice that you have the OEM ones. They are always rusty and weak. I was told that an order came out later in the CUCV years that an M1009 was not supposed to pull any trailers. IMO they were weak from new. They were attached to the center bumper flanges. Take Care and Be Safe.

 

[cucvrus]

I came here to post a picture of the core support for the Wild Weasel. I worked till 12 noon and came home directly to get some progress done. I cleaned it washed it and painted it.
I want to tap out the bolt holes in the fenders and get this support attached today. Busy busy.

 

[cucvrus]

Sometimes I have to wonder what were they thinking?
Then sometimes you just empty a hole can out to solve the problem. Still working in the fine mist of rain.

 

[cucvrus]

Found what I was looking for

 

[cucvrus]

Any clues as to why the radiator is flopping around in the mounts? Not my choice for a radiator and it is very loose.

 

[cucvrus]

Loose as a goose

 

[cucvrus]

I was able to use the oil cooler clamp that I resurrected after I found it along the road near a tavern at Indian town Gap.
I was able to get all the bolts in and the fan shroud is also in place. It was not on the truck when it arrived here. I also installed the grille trim, radiator, engine oil cooler lines and get the radiator semi tight. I think it will sail the way it is. I removed the left front side marker so I could use a nut on the inside to replace the one I had to sawzall out.
The trim and core support look good to me.

 

[cucvrus]

My next task is to get the front sheet metal aligned. It is very out of whack. The right lower fender bolt is crooked and stripped JOY. I left the core support to frame bolts loose until I get it all aligned. I could just say F it. But that’s not the way I rock. Take Care. See you in church.

 

[cucvrus]

I waited for someone to show up and put this set of lift kit springs on. I guess they aren’t coming. As much as I hate lift kits I will put it on. It all pays the same.

 

[cucvrus]

That’s different. Very interesting.

 

[cucvrus]

I exceeded my goal today I only planned on getting the springs on the frame and things went so well that I blocked the axle up and have the Ubolts all tight. Not torqued but tight. I moved along and attached the sway bar to the spring plates. I suppose it needs weight on the springs to get the sway bar attached to the frame. Have a Great Day and Be Safe.

 

[WWRD99]

The sway bar is a bear to hook up!! I think they make drop kits to use with a lift kit since they don't like to reach.

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[cucvrus]

Long bolts will pull it up into place. After they are tight you switch the bolts 1 at a time to the standard bolts.

 

[SCM35A2]

Subscribed for updates.

 

[WWRD99]

I've used these in the past for lifted ones. Think it lessens the preload on the bar and moves it back a little.

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