Once you get the tube bender that will open up all kinds of projects. Will be looking forward to what you come up with.

 

Thanks Terry! I am excited about all of this.

I got the Bender last week and getting it all setup this week.

I also Purchased a 4x8 CNC Plasma Cutter!! I am very excited about this.

I want to make so much stuff!! I cant wait!!

 

Nice! can't wait to some of the stuff you build!

 

Thanks ED!! I am pretty excited as well are most of the current students.

I really want to build my own Roll Cage for my Runner, and refab some new bumpers for it while Im at it.

I told the kids that they can build whatever they want, they just have to buy the metal!

 

Got the Bender up and running today.

I had the kids modify an old engine stand so we could mount the bender on top of it, making the bender mobile now.

I did not want it fixed in one spot on the floor.

Here are a few quick pics I took of some kids using it for the first time.

 

That is a great idea making it mobile. I bet the tube supply shop gets busy soon. lol

 

Oh yes. I am going to try and start fabbing up a new rear bumper with a tire carrier sooner than later.

 

Well after much thought and consideration........I have decided to go with some HD OME springs. The cost, ease of installation and ride quality have all come into play here. I am still considering doing Hi-steer as well.

I was really on the fence for some 4" All pro's.........but I DD this thing, cant afford anything larger than 35's and want to keep it tame enough that I can still drive it 1000 miles across country if the need arises.


I also unfortunately found a spot on my frame that needs cut out and repaired.

It is in a very weird spot. Not one that I have ever encountered before. It is actually on the Drivers side of the frame in front of the Front cab mount.

I stuck my borescope in the frame and it looks as though the laminated section of the frame is starting to separate from some rust.........Could I let it go......SURE......But I want to cut it out and apply some eastwood frame coating and make sure everything is sealed up after I make the repair.

I cant lie......Finding that kind of took the wind out of my sails. But I cant let this get me down. And I certainly cant let this be the demise of my runner. So I am planning on making the repair before winter...



I also really need to do the front seal/rebuild kit. I have been putting this off for so long now. I just really want to get it done.

 

Hey Mark, hows it going?! Are you replacing both front and rear springs? I thought about getting some OME 2" lift rear springs and use them up front on mine to replace my current RUF spring pack...maybe next summer.

That sucks about the frame rust, but with your skill set you'll have it fixed as good as new in no time! Look forward to seeing your rear bumper/tire carrier build. I still need to build one for mine too!

 

I have seen the front rotted out on a truck one time. Usually it is on the rear. It was even rotted behind the front axle. Not sure what causes that. At least you are able to fix it and it isn't anything that will take the truck off of the road. Still feel for you having to repair it.

My 85 has OME springs. I don't know if I have the heavy duty or not. A friend of mine says those automatically give you a 3 inch lift. I am eventually going to the stock springs as I plan on just staying with 31 inch tires. I will say that some of the things I don't care for is probably a combination of springs, shocks and the tires I am running as when I hit a bump or a bounce, it just doesn't feel like the truck is sticking to the road. Feels like I am driving on ball bearings.

I know my fronts are OME as it is painted on there and not sure about the rear springs but my friend that knows things like that so much better then I do says they are even though I don't see the painted markings on them. My front springs seem new and not sure about the rears but if you are interested, I would be willing to meet you half way and swap out for your stock ones if you are interested. I am sure the fronts are interchangeable between 4runners and trucks but not sure about the rear.

I know solid axles may not ride as nice as IFS but I really don't like the way mine is riding and they are coming off. I have ridden in solid axle trucks that ride better then mine and I want to ride as nice as I know it can. Also I don't want the extra height.

I can get you some pictures of the springs on the truck if you are interested.

 

Hey Ed! I really want to get the OME springs as It sees a lot of street time.

I really want o get started on the Rear tire carrier.

Hey Terry!

I would be up for doing something like that. My current front springs are very worn out though. However, I might have an extra set of stock fronts sitting around that I would give you.

I will PM you my number.

 

So after much deliberation and dragging my feet.........I have decided to tear my front axle down and put my marlin kit in.

I cannot believe how nasty dirty this thing is! I bet there is 30lbs of crud on the axle and knuckles.

I was showing the students how everything comes apart. A lot of them found it pretty interesting as they have never seen a front axle like it before.

Overall, everything came apart fairly easy.......but I was also using a hoist, and air tools.


I also contemplated on doing springs now or high steer............I decided to bite the bullet and get the High steer now and wait on springs until I can save a little more money.

Well enough talk.....Here are the pics.


Getting everything pulled apart and sorted out.






Surprisingly only one shim under each side. I figured there would be more.





Drivers side was leaking so bad that there was almost no grease left in the knuckle. And the Birf came out clean.












Off and on the ground for some good cleaning. I decided to take Terry's advice and use some Oven cleaner on the parts. It is soaking as I type.













So hopefully the High Steer will be here next week. I also picked up an Axle gusset while I was online. I figured, I may as well put it on now while its apart.

I just need to figure out what I am going to do with the springs in the meantime. I absolutely hate putting old beat up parts back on!! Drives me crazy.

Also thought about adding a leaf to the front to give them some arch to keep from sagging while I am waiting to buy the replacements.


Thanks for looking guys.

Ill update with more pics and info as I go.

 

Cool man. I'm sure you know about the potential for warping your axle housing when welding on it. Or so I've read. Be careful.

 

Roger that buddy!


Gusset came today in the mail!!

 

Nice work on the front axel! I want to get an axel truss too....someday, lol.

 

Thanks Ed! I figured while I have everything out, I may as well do it. I know that I wanted one, so I bit the bullet.

 

I just placed an order through Lowrange for Front OME springs, Bushings, Front Pin kit, and U-bolt flip kit.

I also have coming the High -Steer, IFS Box Brace, and Just picked up a PS pump from a buddy earlier this evening.

 

Rebuilding the front axle really isn't that bad but is messy and getting the knuckle on and all the top and bottom bearings is kind of like a jigsaw puzzle.

If your old power steering pump is leaking, sometimes adding an ounce or two of brake fluid will soften the seals back up and get one sealed back up again. Usually it is just bad seals when a pump is bad. If the bearings are bad then it is junk.

Hope the Easy Off worked great for you. The best I have found for cleaning heavy build up.

 

Thanks Terry.

The easy off worked great. I also used the Rust converter to coat some of the surface rust that would not come off.

 

So parts started showing up this week, and I am trying to get this axle finished up. Just so much going on lately. Did an engine swap for a former student the last two days also.


But I ended up ordering an OME Front Greaseable pin kit, OME front springs, TG greaseable front Shackles, and a U-bolt Flip Kit.

So far the High steer showed up yesterday. So now I have the IFS Box, Brace kit for the IFS box, and High steer. Everything now is waiting to show.


Im hoping to get the axle back together by the end of the week.

I started to tack in the Gusset just now also.


Also cut off everything I did not need.

Enough talk here are the pics.