Ola fellow truck lovers, its been alittle while since I've been here. I dislike working on my truck when its cold. The weather is finally warming up, time to pull the truck out of the garage, dust it off and start working on it. Just a recap, small block is in, front end is finished (sort of, took rack and pinion steering off and went back to a power steering kit), worked on the inside of cab when I put it in the garage for the winter. Been working on my 4x4, a few snow wheeling trips with the kids and friends, now its time to start crusin. Oh well, I look forward to more conversations with my fellow truck lovers, until then, lets start working! Big Mike
Show off Must be nice... I STILL have the now 2 1/2" of ice on the ground in front of my house. I'd hoped the rain we had back at the start of the week would have cured that, but instead it only made things worse. And then the temps went down below freezing and stayed there. Tomorrow it's supposed to get up in the high 40s! Where's my cutoffs? It'll be truck workin' weather soon- actually, as someone stated- being on this site's the next best thing to being there! Work some for us "ice-bounds" Big Mike.
Just got in snowing again tonight. Like you said Zig Must be nice ! Our week started off with 6 inch's snow/ice/sleet crap. Then deep freeze. But will be back up to 40 degrees by Tuesday. Hell I'm way behind had such nice weather all winter long I still need to pull my smoking/oil burning 235 for a overhaul Need to get to work but toooo cold
Yeah, like Zig said!!! Ice storm here on Wednesday and the frozen stuff has just gotten harder since it fell from the sky. I got my kids for ten days straight over the winter vacation. They're itchin' to work on the truck, but it's just too darn cold to crawl around on a garage floor for me thank you very much. Oh, how I long for a nice big shop space with a wood stove in it for just such an occasion. Get it nice and warm and work on the projects with the boys in a heated shop space. Unfortunately, that's not going to happen anytime soon. We will have to be warm weather mechanics for now. At least there is a garage for one of the projects. The mustang rag-top is exposed to the elements. Not that it could make that project any worse than it already is. Bought that one with the idea that it would take so long to finish, it would most certainly keep my kids off the streets (ha-ha, there's a method to the madness). Looking forward to better weather here too. How is it that Big Mike can be so lucky as to have the weather warming up in Fresno while the rest of us can't keep our toes warm in February? Andy
Uh , Not Really.... Overhauls are best done in frame.... Takes just a few days and you'll be back on the road when the ice melts.... -Nate .
Mike: What was your reason for switching? I've considered the rack and pinion kit that mounts to the stock straight axle and wonder if you have had bad experience with it.
I think the rack and pinion would be a great set-up for a straight six, but with the V-8, I had clearance problems with the steering shaft. I would have had to cut my header apart and make it wrap around the steering shaft. I really didn't want to do that. I had previously bought a standard power steering kit before I got the rack, so I just installed it. The complete rack and pinion kit is for sale now. $350.00 (I paid close to $600.00). I'm sure someday I will make up my mind on how I want the truck to look. Yesterday it was 70 degrees, beautiful blue skies. Went to a show car show yesterday. It was a benefit for one of the local elementary schools. There were a couple of 50ish trucks. One had hydraulics, other was a good looking Jimmy. Anyway, today, it rains . I guess its what I get for poppin off with how good the weather has been. About 3 weeks ago, we went through freezing weather. Around here, the freezing weather is harsh on all the crops growing, Oranges, etc. Anyway, for those who are having ugly weather, I wish you the best! Big Mike
