Project Guinea Pig

[Rowdy Fitzgerald]

Progress is progress no matter how frustrating it was to get there. Keep at it and don't get discouraged!


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[prerunner]

Progress is progress no matter how frustrating it was to get there. Keep at it and don't get discouraged!

It has been frustrating, for sure. But the progress makes it worthwhile. Thanks for the encouragement, Rowdy.
The left shackle hangers are bolted in place so they should be easier to get at the junkyards. Newish trucks should have a lot less rust.
I might try Ebay for the spring hangers. Too much work to liberate used ones.
Also, since I have everything apart it might be time to swap in the Chebby leaf springs.... really, no better time.

 

[Rowdy Fitzgerald]

That would be a good idea! I love my leaf packs. They ride like a dream but they're soft. I can't load all my dogs up without making her squat like a prerunner


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[prerunner]

I might have caught a lucky break. Left spring hanger bolt is coming out. I was worried about this as I didn't want to grind so close to the fuel tank, who knows if there are fumes around there.
I was actually contemplating hacksawing the bracket in half...
Hopefully I'll get the ranger axle under the explorer today and get it the hell out of here. Its been too long already. It can take its rats too.

 

[Rowdy Fitzgerald]

Lol take the rats!....


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[prerunner]

My lucky break wasn't so lucky. After torking out on that bolt for a few hours I crawled under and the nut had started spinning. So f@ck it, I cut the bracket off and now that axle is out. But I didn't get it under the explorer because the bracket was on one side and I couldn't punch the other bolt out through the spring.

Now it'll rain for a few days...
But progress is progress.

And I found the receipt for the Detroit locker and 8.8 'master overhaul kit' in the glovebox totaling $1036.18 from NSOR. A great way to end the day.

 

[Rowdy Fitzgerald]

Damn that sucks, I'm real glad I don't live where the roads are salted!
That's sweet to find that receipt.


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[prerunner]

Damn that sucks, I'm real glad I don't live where the roads are salted!
That's sweet to find that receipt.

Actually the red thing is from Alberta originally ( one province over ) where winter lasts a lot longer. We don't normally get much snow around Vancouver, just a lot of rain. Which is good since we're supposed to have a really dry summer.
That receipt made my day! The explorer easily paid for itself with that. So far, no bites on the Duff stuff on Craigslist - that would be gravy.

 

[Rowdy Fitzgerald]

For sure!
That'll get you stuck worser though lol. Someone will bite on it. Just post it in more places!


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[prerunner]

For sure!
That'll get you stuck worser though lol.

It'll make me braver in dumber places for sure. Still I'd be willing to bet you'd have one in the back of your truck lol. Imagine how you would have done on that ramp with one...

Actually, the longer wheelbase and overhang or a lousy tire on the Ranger will kill me before the Detroit does. My Bronco II would be a better choice for lockers.
If the Duff stuff don't sell I might think about putting the TTB lift in the Bronco.

 

[prerunner]

Ranger minus axle and springs. I did it the hard way leaving the box on.

Cuz I'm poor and lazy. It still worked.

 

[SenorNoob]

You should post the parts up here. I'd be willing to bet there is someone close enough to be interested.

 

[prerunner]

I dunno. I find most guys wanting their RBV's taller and to work better off road want to do the SAS. People here tend to be knowledgeable about their rides.

My sense is that TTB lifts are a compromise between stock and where guys get serious about wheeling. There are some who get everything they want out of the TTB where others either change brands or go solid axle. I've seen many put off of RBV's after their cheap TTB lift broke or their bearings went out or something.
Just because the factory put something under your rig doesn't mean its the best thing ever or even that your stuck with it. You can put anything you like under your rig.

Just my humble opinion, of course.
I'm giving the Duff stuff till the end of the weekend then I'll pull it off Craigslist. It might end up under the Bronco. I'm not sure yet.

 

[prerunner]

Typical Craigslist. A couple light nibbles and nothing happened. So I'm pulling the ads down now. I gotta stop selling stuff on that site, it disappoints me pretty regularly.
If the Picknpull has two late Rangers (their site says they do) I'll see about getting replacement shackle hangers for my junk tomorrow. The left sides unbolt so thats somewhat easier...

Anybody have advice to remove bolts stuck in leaf spring bushings? I'm stuck on that.

 

[Rowdy Fitzgerald]

I use a hammer, a punch and a pry bar.


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