Hello vanners! I haven't updated this thread in a while so I figured I better get on it. I moved all my pics to imgur.com and will be using their hosting site from here on out. So anyway.... We've been wheeling the SNOT out of the lunchbox, upgrading and fixing as we go. I think I've got most of the mechanical gremlins worked out, she's been pretty solid lately....
I installed some 6 degree shims from WFO on the front dana 60, in an attempt to correct the caster and get my pinion angle closer to where it should be (without cut/turn). My front driveshaft is now thanking me....:sombrero:
I've been through 2 reman steering boxes from advance auto parts (about to be a 3rd), and I went with a straight pitman arm that was an inch longer so I would get the complete "throw" from the steering. I think I may have to fab up a hydraulic assist steering ram to reduce the stress on the gear box though....
out with the old!
In with the new
I also put in a new power steering pump while I was there
flat pitman arm from partsmike.com
I was able to ditch the janky drag link end with an actual 1-ton TRE, so now it's adjustable and a readily available part!
I eliminated my wheel bearing issues for the most part. I was killing bearings because of the mud/water so I used an old mud truck trick, we drilled/tapped the back sides of the hubs for a grease zerk (in between the wheel bearings) so I could pump the hub full of grease. After a wheeling trip I just pull out the locking hubs and squirt grease in between the bearings, which pushes all of the water out. I wipe it out with a rag and re-install the locking hubs with fresh grease and we're ready to rock again. It's also worth noting that I moved up to marine grade/offroad grease that's waterproof.