1994 BRONCO/CAMPER BUILD/TRANSFORMATION

[CDA 455 II]

 

[CDA 455 II]

SERIOUS nOOB QUESTION:
Is it a poor idea to use jam nuts on leaf spring U-bolts and wheel lugs?

The thought came to me when I was adding leaves to leaf spring packs.
I bought a set of fresh longer U-bolts/nuts of same size and thread.
After installing new U-bolts/nuts and rechecking nut tightness after a drive; I added the used nuts as jam nuts on the driver side for the halibut.

Any reason to NOT do the same on wheel lugs?🤷‍♂️
Grant it; my rear axle is a dually, hence, real long lug studs.

 

[JR4X]

On the leaf springs as long as the extra stud isn’t getting into anything I can’t se a reason not to.

However I wouldn’t do lugs because jamming two nuts together can damage the thread on the stuf between the two nuts. Since you want those to be able to be easily removed road side or trail side I wouldn’t want to risk it.

 

[holdmypocket]

If you're never going to run dual rears can you just replace the wheel studs with normal length ones?

 

[CDA 455 II]

I Thinking I'm dealing with something loose:

Maybe a loose lower radiator hose.

 

[CDA 455 II]

I'm W.A.G.'ing the bolt that broke when I replaced the water pump is leaking/pissing.

 

[CDA 455 II]

nOOB question:
Are dually rims universal when mounting; meaning it doesn't matter what position the rim is mounted (inner vs. outer)?

 

[CDA 455 II]

I have a coolant leak behind the water pump.

What does it mean when I run the defroster/heater full-blast, the leak stops?

 

[holdmypocket]

That would direct water through the heater core of course, perhaps that's enough less pressure/volume in the water pump to keep it from leaking? Or you're out of coolant

 

[bdkw1]

The coolant flows through the heater core all the time. Turning on the fan shouldn't effect any leaks.

 

[CDA 455 II]

The coolant flows through the heater core all the time. Turning on the fan shouldn't effect any leaks.

Coincidence then?🤔

 

[bdkw1]

Probably, have somebody rev it up when you watch. If your T-stat isn't opening all the way you will get more pressure in the block. This may cause things to leak that normally don't.

 

[CDA 455 II]

Probably, have somebody rev it up when you watch. If your T-stat isn't opening all the way you will get more pressure in the block. This may cause things to leak that normally don't.

There's a leak/pissing at the 2 O'clock/3 O'clock bolt positions behind on the water pump.

Those two positions is where the previous bolts broke:
1) One was drilled out/re-tapped
2) Second bolt; half was left in.
....a) So new bolt is half the length.

Interesting point on the thermostat.🤔

 

[CDA 455 II]

 

[CDA 455 II]

Took two leaves out of the driver side leaf pack:

The carport and camper roof lines are accurate representations of the lean angle.
Tomorrow I have to buy a center pin for when I do the pass. side.

 

[CDA 455 II]

Probably, have somebody rev it up when you watch. If your T-stat isn't opening all the way you will get more pressure in the block. This may cause things to leak that normally don't.

You may be on to something.🤔

After the engine had cooled I noticed the upper radiator hose was collapsed.
I removed the radiator cap/said hose expanded.

Google-fu'ed it; faulty cap or clogged overflow tube, I'm going with clogged overflow tube.
Ordered new cap and will replace overflow tube in the A.M., and go from there.

 

[CDA 455 II]

Replaced the overflow tank tube.
So far upper radiator hose hasn't collapsed again.

Waiting for the new cap to be delivered.

 

[CDA 455 II]

Finished removing leaves from pass. side leaf spring pack:

 

[CDA 455 II]

WHen I removed leaves it lowered the rear.
Lowering the rear subtracted travel on the 1ton longer shocks.
So I started experimenting with shocks:

The forward leaning shock is the 1ton bolted to the factory-original mounts:

The more vertical shock is the 'old' Bronco 1/2ton bolted to factory replacement upper mount I added for a more vertical angle.

Needless to say; a stiffer ride.
I'm curious what the ride will feel like with the HMMWV tires.

Why this experiment?
Because I can; I already have/own everything.

 

[CDA 455 II]

Got the HMMWV tires back on:

 

[CDA 455 II]

 

[CDA 455 II]

Replaced the cap:

 

[CDA 455 II]

After lowering the suspension I checked the front shocks; found I only had 3" between the top of the can and top shock stop with Bronco at rest.

So I unbolted bottom shock mount and let it droop with Bronco at rest:

Between the bottom shock eye-bolt hole and shock mount is where said bottom shock would be at full suspension flex.

Now have to figure out how to relocate lower shock mount.🤔

 

[CDA 455 II]

After lowering the suspension I checked the front shocks; found I only had 3" between the top of the can and top shock stop with Bronco at rest.

So I unbolted bottom shock mount and let it droop with Bronco at rest:

Between the bottom shock eye-bolt hole and shock mount is where said bottom shock would be at full suspension flex.

Now have to figure out how to relocate lower shock mount.🤔

Took the existing shock mount and modified it:

At full lock:

 

[CDA 455 II]

Going to upgrade/replace the front lower shock mounts with 2.5"X2.5"X.25" square tubing.

 

[CDA 455 II]

Looking at adding a 2nd front shock:

 

[WaterH]

Are you going to get a stock duel shock bucket?

 

[CDA 455 II]

Are you going to get a stock duel shock bucket?

Yeah; the price has really come down from a few years ago on the OEM replacement buckets.

 

[WaterH]

Are the rivets in your current buckets the metal you are drilling? Ive drilled a bunch. They suck.

 

[CDA 455 II]

Are the rivets in your current buckets the metal you are drilling? Ive drilled a bunch. They suck.

No; with rivets, I use my angle grinder to cut the heads off and then use a punch and a 4lb hammer to pound out what's left.