Mike's '93 4x4

[MountainMike]

Going front to back here are the things I need to get done before I get it safetied.

-DRL's
-Ball joints
-Try other IAC to see if it lowers the idle
-Windshield
-Repair drivers seat
-Basically overhaul the whole rear suspension.

Not to bad but it's been raining for a solid week and I'm not getting anything done.

 

[multiranger]

Any tips? I'm just thinking of busting out the heat wrench and pounding them out. Then using some stubby grade 8 bolts with red loctite to hold them in place.

I used a die grinder and cut an X in each one on the outside of the frame then used an airhammer to chisel out 1 slice at a time... Then use a punch and a ball peen to pop them out the back...Take the bed off makes it easier and I just used a floor jack to hold the truck up.. comletly finished each one before moving to the next.. eliminated the need for jack stands...

 

[MountainMike]

I used a die grinder and cut an X in each one on the outside of the frame then used an airhammer to chisel out 1 slice at a time... Then use a punch and a ball peen to pop them out the back...Take the bed off makes it easier and I just used a floor jack to hold the truck up.. completely finished each one before moving to the next.. eliminated the need for jack stands...

Technique sounds legit but I've got some dilemmas, I would like to get both leaf springs done in one day at the spring shop but to save some headache maybe one side at a time will be better. Plus my bed it absolutely full of stuff (upper end parts, another A4LD) and with my body lift I think I may have enough room to work under there.

 

[Andres629]

It's a 3" BL, yeh? If it is, you'll have plenty of room. I did mine with the box on.

 

[MountainMike]

It's a 3" BL, yeh? If it is, you'll have plenty of room. I did mine with the box on.

Right on, that's what I wanted to hear.

 

[Ranger Kip]

Comin along nicely =D

 

[MountainMike]

Thanks Kip. Got my U-bolts from work today. Ordered nuts too because the computer said they were sold separately, turns out it lied. I didn't mind though, some more change in my pocket. All I did today was hang them on the axle to make sure they were the right ones. Going to buy a new air chisel tomorrow.

 

[MountainMike]

Well I got my new air chisel today. After a lot of humming and hawing I surprisingly went with the Mastercraft over the Campbell Hausfeld. They were comparative in specs but the CH had a much chintzier trigger and overall feel to it. Plus the MC came with 4 new chisels.

 

[Kyle M.]

Air chisels are the BOMB! I have a snap on and it makes taking those rivets out fun! Just be sure to cut a nice deep X in em. I removed about 30 of them on my truck for my build.

 

[Andres629]

If you don't mind me asking, what did you pay for u-bolts? I know you get a discount and all, but just curious. And were they 1/2" or 9/16"?

 

[MountainMike]

I don't even think they are 1/2" to be honest Andres. I think it was around 80 bucks for all four with nuts, but I don't remember.. Getting them made for the other truck was cheaper but I like how the Ford ones are black painted and have a flat bottom.

 

[Andres629]

Holy crap! Sorry, but that seems like a lot... I was just curious though, because i wanted to see how it compared with what I pay to have them made. I won't make you mad and tell you what I pay for 9/16" u-bolts then... haha.

 

[MountainMike]

Holy crap! Sorry, but that seems like a lot... I was just curious though, because i wanted to see how it compared with what I pay to have them made. I won't make you mad and tell you what I pay for 9/16" u-bolts then... haha.

I know, but when I got them made it was not that much cheaper. If the difference was that severe I would have done it again. And I found my receipt, it was 70 bucks not 80 lol.

 

[Andres629]

Fair enough. I got lucky, I found a wicked shop here that builds all sorts of cool rigs and 4x4 stuff, and they make u-bolts. I would imagine in the Yukon it's a tad harder to find somewhere like that... haha.

 

[MountainMike]

So little update. I cut X's in the passenger side front hanger rivets and proceed to try and chisel them off. It didn't work one bit. Tomorrow I'm going at it with the angle grinder and them going to use a punch fitting on my air chisel to pound the ground off rivets into the frame. Should work but makes me worried about grinding on the gas tank side after.