Last piece arrived.

 

Had a bolt on the rear shackle that we could not get seated when we picked it up. The frame side was always just a hair to low and we couldn’t get it in. Had to get creative to get some twist on the spring and got it in. Also retorqued my u bolts for the first time in 2yrs (relax they only had 100-150 miles on them). They were a good 2-3 turns loose. Tomorrow I’m going to try and tackle removing the body lift.

 

Body lift is coming off real easily. Last time I did this it took me two hours to do all 10. Today I spent two hours and got 6 and even those are only half done because the majority of the bolt holes don’t line up.

 

Not finished yet but you can see how much it dropped on the front end.

 

Finally in the shop. I start a new job next Wednesday that is full time remote so I’ll be able to start putting some time in on this truck.

 

Pictures don’t show much but old motor is about ready to come out. Bell housing bolts and motor mounts and it’s out. Im pushing to get it and the old transmission pulled and hauled off to the scrap yard on Friday along with the radiator, old gas tank, and old hitch. Maybe next week I’ll be able to get everything cleaned up and the following week drop the new engine in it.

 

cooling system looks like it has a little gunk in it.

 

I was surprised to still find liquid coolant in the radiator. Also found transmission fluid, power steering fluid, and a crankcase full of motor oil. Not bad for a vehicle that has been sitting on it's frame in west texas since 2012. Figured the rubber hoses and everything would dry rot out there and everything leak out but not at all the case here. Even pulling hoses off of the fittings was super easy to do.

 

What's the stuff inside the water neck in the photo?

 

I'm assuming scale and calcified coolant. It was there when I pulled the hose off.