Build update 2

[Ifitaintbroke]

It isn't broken so I assume it's fine. What would be the proper check for wear? Just making sure there's no play in it? Also I found a good lower shaft at the junkyard yesterday. And a few of the unobtanium black interior switch knobs like go on the fuel selector switch.

[Ifitaintbroke]

That ND weather stinks.

[Gary Lewis]

Is the lower shaft the later one with an exposed u-joint?

As for checking the lower bearing, see if you can move the shaft side to side very much.  Should just be able to move it.

[Ifitaintbroke]

Yes, it came from an '89 F150.

[Ifitaintbroke]

I can't seem to find a phone number for Bluetop anywhere. Do you have their number or are they not taking calls right now?

[Gary Lewis]

Just email them.  They are very responsive, although today is the day before Thanksgiving so they may not be in.  [e-mail]

[Ifitaintbroke]

Sounds good. I've got to get the old box off anyway. Taking off that pitman arm does not look like fun.

[Gary Lewis]

It takes a special puller, and even then I tighten the bolt with my impact, rap on the side of the pitman arm, tighten, rap, tighten, rap, and then it comes off.  But I leave the nut just barely on to catch it.

[Ifitaintbroke]

I sent it off with the pitman arm still attached. Apparently they don't mind because there is a box to check for that on the printout sheet.

[Gary Lewis]

That will make it easier.  Won't have to torque it back on either, and that was a bit of work.  

[Ifitaintbroke]

Adding another project or three. Found a cool over head mount switch box. Screenshot_20231126-213219_Amazon_Shopping.jpg
Will use for the switches for the on board air(when that happens), winch(when that happens), and power inverter(if that happens). That still leaves me with three for a light bar and whatever else.

[Gary Lewis]

Why not put it here?  It is cool, as you said, so let's let everyone see it:

[Ifitaintbroke]

Oh. I didn't know how to do that. Also, I saw a bull nose with a Warn winch bumper yesterday. Can you say JEALOUS?

[Ifitaintbroke]

I bout threw my back out torquing them 460 head studs to 140. I don't think I could do 200 ft-lbs.

[Gary Lewis]

I have a large 1/2" drive digital torque wrench that lets me get to 200 ft-lbs.  But it is about all I can do at this antiquated age.  

[Ifitaintbroke]

What's bad is that I'm pretty young. My back just can't handle it. At work I regularly move 30~40 batteries of various sizes in a day, plus 3 to 4 dozen brake rotors. It wears on you after a while.

[Ifitaintbroke]

Bluetop received the gear box today! Bracing for the invoice...

[Ifitaintbroke]

Box has shipped back, expecting it Tuesday.

[Ifitaintbroke]

My completed belt drive:

Finished engine harness:

Trigger wire harness with grounded rfi sheild:

Oil filter relocation:



And plug wire routing:

[Gary Lewis]

Looking good!  You have almost 180 degrees of wrap on the alternator, and that should work out well.