Red's deuce/camper project

[welldigger]

The problem I find is paint makes the imperfections even more noticeable. At least when they are that rough.

Don't use flux cored wire. Too much slag and spatter.

 

[VPed]

It's too bad I did not know you wanted to get rid of the paper clips on your bumper. I would have traded you bumpers. I am going to make and install some on my truck.

 

[red]

Wish I'd posted it, would have saved some trouble haha.

This is the idea with the setup, mounting an 18k winch behind the bumper without losing too much on the approach angle. Also want to use the areas outside the frame rails as storage.

With the bumper mounted on the last bolt holes I have just enough clearance with the radiator and winch.

 

[USAFSS-ColdWarrior]

Red,
By sliding your bumper to "the last bolt holes" you've compromised the structural attachment and hence the SAFETY of the bumper for protective purposes. You've also lost the torque moment effect of TWO bolts on each of the Bumper Gussets, effectively creating HINGE POINTS the will allow your bumper to bend in the middle when you put a load on your winch cable.
From the structural perspective, you may have made a big boo-boo here. IMHO.

 

[red]

The bumper mods are far from complete. Planning to add a 3/8" thick 34x12" plate to the underside of the frame for the winch mount along with 1/4" plate reinforcement panels.

 

[red]

Correction, 1/2" thick plate. Got my hands on some big scrap plate, will make for great winch mounts.

 

[red]

Got the reinforcement brackets built and installed, will try to get pics tomorrow.

Drove it to Odessa (bout 20 miles each way) and started noticing a intermittent vibration throughout the truck at speeds over 40mph (I cruise at 50mph). No feedback through the steering wheel, but would shake the truck for a few seconds then everything would smooth out.

I'll crawl under it tomorrow evening, thinking a wheel bearing might be going bad or a tire issue.

 

[rustystud]

Got the reinforcement brackets built and installed, will try to get pics tomorrow.

Drove it to Odessa (bout 20 miles each way) and started noticing a intermittent vibration throughout the truck at speeds over 40mph (I cruise at 50mph). No feedback through the steering wheel, but would shake the truck for a few seconds then everything would smooth out.

I'll crawl under it tomorrow evening, thinking a wheel bearing might be going bad or a tire issue.

Check your driveline bolts !!! They are notorious for coming loose !!!

 

[red]

Found it. Passenger side rear rear axle has a flat tire. Since I'm going to the 395's in a few weeks I'll just remove the inner dual tires before the trip to El Paso.

 

[red]

Keep forgetting to post these about the bumper. Not fully reinforced until the 1/2" thick plate for the winch mount is added

 

[red]

Traveled to El Paso over the weekend to meet up with VPED and purchase some items. Was a good time hanging out with him and his wife and exploring some of the off road areas in the area, thank you.

Should have the seats in this weekend and have the tires mounted in a few weeks.

 

[red]

Decided to work on the fuel filter upgrade this weekend. The filters were changed right before I bought the truck and it's been spoiled on a straight diesel diet. Going to spin on filters for the better filter ability, ease of maintenance, and standardization of filters between my trucks.

Started off by removing the mounting bracket for the primary filter. A wrench up top to hold backup and a socket with a swivel and 7" extension underneath made it quick. Left the bolts in while I removed the feed line (from the tank) and decided where to disconnect the line leaving towards the second filter. Removed the line where it connects to the bottom of the injection pump (secondary lift pump?).

After that I went to the passenger side and moved the filter mount until it fell to the ground. Didn't think about what brass fuel line would do falling a few feet with weight on it. Gives me an excuse to upgrade to a field serviceable fuel line though.

Definitely trash getting through the filter, could see it floating.

 

[red]

Mounted the primary fuel filter setup as well as a filter for the cooling system. Both need to be plumbed in.

 

[red]

Looked at the tm's and can't find this info. Which way does the coolant flow in the deuce? Is it from the water pump up towards the intake manifold, or the other way? Going to be pulling the plugs on the intake for the coolant filter plumbing.

 

[rustystud]

The coolant in the intake manifold is going back to the radiator. The plugs at the end by the thermostat are where you should tap into for the pressure side (intake). The plugs on the pump are where you tap into for the suction or return side.

 

[red]

Thank you.
Have the coolant plumbed now, onto the fuel

 

[red]

For those curious the hose is rubber lined steel braid, with a cloth outer lining. Same stuff we use for low pressure fluids at work. Running reusable JIC fittings on the ends, 1/2".

The cooling system required a 1/2" and a 3/4" pipe thread adapters for the plumbing. Fuel system uses 1/2" pipe thread at the primary filter, and 1/4" at the FDC connection. Was able to use the stock metal fuel line from the tank to the primary fuel filter mount by bending and adjusting the line. Could not use the stock line from the primary to the FDC because I damaged it during the removal of the primary filter mount.

 

[red]

The adapter plates have arrived, should be a busy weekend flipping hubs and installing the new wheels.

 

[red]

Finished faster than expected with the tire install. Converted the left side of the truck to right handed threads with the lug nuts. Flipped the hubs, regreased all the wheel bearings and changed out a leaking wheel cylinder.

 

[red]

Pic from the test drive