My Build Thread - Clifford

[bigmuddy]

Dawg, your rig is really coming along nicely! Looks to be a sano stock bumper you got there!

Ben

 

[kbldawg]

Thanks bigmuddy, I appreciate the kind words. If I can get my rig half as nice as yours, I'll be good to go. As you know, I've got a long way to go still yet, but I've been inspired lately with our good success on the D44 and Hydroboost upgrades.

The front bumper really makes a huge difference; I'm glad I swapped with ryan_289. I'm not sure exactly how I'm going to do it, but...I got work it out so that I can mount a winch somehow.

The last couple nights I've been burnin' the mid-night oil out in the garage installing my ARB Compressor. I've got everything installed except the switch mounting plate, I'm waiting on Piper to bring me some more cut-off wheels then I can finish her up. Depending on how much the cost, I might have been worth it just to buy one from COR. I may still do it if I'm not happy with the one I'm fabbing up. I think I'm gonna spring for the air hose adapter kit sometime down the road too.

I think it turned out pretty good! Here's a teaser pic...

 

[bigmuddy]

I wondered what you were up to! looks good to me, but what did you fab? I am into a couple of beers at the moment and can't seem to figure it out? Mounting plate? By the way, yours is already nicer than mine; At least you can drive yours 8-(

Ben

 

[bigmuddy]

Got me to thinkin, you should buy that explorer motor in the shop and really get this project movin! where else can you buy a motor and have the same guy help you install it would want to buy some different heads though??

Ben

 

[kbldawg]

I'm fabbing up a mounting bracket for the switches. I didn't know the kit didn't have one or I would have just bought the ARB Bracket for $6.00.

 

[bigmuddy]

Oh yeah, I guess I will need one myself.

Ben

 

[kbldawg]

Got me to thinkin, you should buy that explorer motor in the shop and really get this project movin! where else can you buy a motor and have the same guy help you install it would want to buy some different heads though??

Ben

I forgot about the exploder engine, what kind of warranty do I get with that? ;D

Seriously though I am definitely interested in it. I'd rather buy yours than one from a junk yard.

 

[BroncoJAK]

Looking good Chad. Glad that steering worked out for you.

 

[joe]

nice work, looks good

 

[bigmuddy]

Well at least you know who to complain too when it craps out

Not to mention, you already now who will help you yank it back out to check out the damage.

Ben

 

[kbldawg]

Thanks guys!

John, the front-end worked great. I think I may have had to adjust one of the sleeves about half a turn, but it pretty much bolted right up.

I still need to get the front-end aligned, but she drives pretty darn good the way it is. One reason I think I need the alignment is when I hit the brakes (moderately hard) she wants to pull to one side. I'll get that done soon.

 

[kbldawg]

got my bracket done today, so that pretty much finishes up the compressor install.

I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out.

 

[kbldawg]

The previous owner had gone through and replaced all the Weather Stripping, but the adhesive he used was either bad or improperly applied. So, for the past 9 months it's been falling down and wouldn't seal up very well at all.

I went through and removed it all, cleaned up the metal and re-applied it with 3M Black Weather Stripping Adhesive. I suppose time will tell if it holds up this time, but it looks to be on pretty good now.

I am having a problem with the peice on the lift gate. It's the one that goes on the bottom of the lift gate and makes the seal at the top of the tail gate. The last picture will show how it's pulling up. It seems like there should be a metal trim peice that your screw in to the lift gate and sandwich the seal on with.

Any ideas on this?

 

[kbldawg]

Well a little progress has been made.

About 3 weeks ago I took my Bronco in to have the ARB, 4.56 gears, D44 Carrier, and 31 Spline Axles installed. Shortly after I took them in, my Mechanic called and told me my axles wouldn't fit.

Well, after talking with Mike at COR, we figured out that I have a small bearing F9" housing. So, off they go and today I got the new axles in.

These are 1541 Forged 31 Spline Moser Axles.

Hopefully nothing else will go wrong and all this will be done the weekend before the Trail Ride at Hotsprings on the 19th. Then I need to get the front end aligned and do a tune-up on the engine. Sheesh, I hate cuttin things this close.

 

[BroncoJAK]

Saw that your truck was still there today. Hopefully nothing else will go awry.

 

[kbldawg]

After all the great success Ben and I had on the D44 swap and Hydroboost Install I knew something had to get all screwed up soon.

Oh well, hopefully James can work his magic and get it done for me.

 

[bigmuddy]

Sweet looking axles! You will think you have a new motor under the hood when you get the gears in and the truck back together. LOL!

Ben

 

[kbldawg]

With all the cash I've thrown down on it the last 9 months, it better do something different. HA!!

What do you think about the Moser axles?

I'm so stupid, when Mike told me they were being dropped shipped from Moser, I just figured that was one of his Vendors, I didn't realize it was a different Manf.

 

[kbldawg]

Well, it took a while but I finally got my rig back from the Mechanic and the new 4.56 gears are great! I need another gear in the tranny now, but I can deal with it till that day comes.

I tested the ARB out according to their instructions and everything works perfectly!! Can't wait to get her out on the trails this weekend and see how well it all performs. Should be a fun time!

I also found out that my Front Driveshaft was worn pretty badly and rebuilt that. What a pain in the butt that CV is. My first attempt resulted in getting some needle bearings down in the bottom of the cap. I had to tear it all apart because the zirk fittings was being a pain. Just a little tip, put the zirk fittings in last.

 

[kbldawg]

Rock Skis

A little more progresss...

The ole girl had a little damage done to it...

and it was a real good excuse to get some rock skis. John (BroncoJAK) is the artist of these bad boys...

BroncoJAK did a killer job on these, I love 'them!