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Mar 17, 2016 12:04:03 GMT
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thanks, rebel...Ill keep that in mind. I definitely need to do something on this truck as the rust monster is still lurking no matter what I do....I would like to keep it as long as possible..... anyway... Here are some pics and stuff..... I am taking the time to rebuild the front suspension with new control arm bushings, shocks and tie rod ends. I have little hope of saving the nuts that hold the upper control arm in place as they are rusted beyond service. any ideas there?  they are on there with 150lbs of torque so I am hoping I can get in there with a cut off tool and carefully cut them out...it wont be fun!  The body work continues as well with the front section of the outer sill cut and offered up for fit. This is a big step for me as it really looks great too....I have a little shaping to do but I am pretty psyched about this.    Hopefully Ill get some time in this weekend so I can get the rust treatment done and the metal prepped for welding! thanks for looking JP |
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I know its spelled Norman Luxury Yacht, but its pronounced Throat Wobbler Mangrove!
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Rebel
Part of things
Posts: 343 
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Mopars suffer from rusted upper control arm nuts and bolts as well, might be worth looking at rockauto.com to see if they have any, if not, your local car parts place or a junk yard maybe
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1968 Dodge Charger
1985 Chevrolet Camaro
1993 Toyota Hilux Surf
2001 Ford Mondeo
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Mar 18, 2016 19:29:21 GMT
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well, gang, I got luck wtih the control arm bolts...and they did come off without too much of a fight. then I cleaned up the uber-crusty area under the control arm ...man is it complicated under there...this panel overlaps that one, then the shock comes through, then there are the support bridges for the control arm mount.....
its all cleaned up and rust converted.....
Ill get new nuts and studs for sure for the control arm.
ball joints look okay...not perfect, but not worn either...new grease should be fine....
JP
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I know its spelled Norman Luxury Yacht, but its pronounced Throat Wobbler Mangrove!
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Mar 21, 2016 19:51:03 GMT
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Picked up some grade 8 hardware for the control arm mounts, and have the suspension components at least for the Drivers side refinished. Now, all that is left is reassembly...then its on to the other side!...  Its so much better when things are going back together! JP |
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I know its spelled Norman Luxury Yacht, but its pronounced Throat Wobbler Mangrove!
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I managed to get all the bushings and mounting rod reinstalled with fresh grease. The grease that comes with the poly bushings is stickiest thickest gooeyest stuff Ive ever seen...and it sticks to everything!...I wire wheeled the frame and mounts in that area and boy was everything crusty under there. I'm glad I am catching everything now....another year, and some areas would have been beyond saving.
in other news, I have found a used bed for the truck...at least one that I'm willing to go look. It has some accident damage but looks clean otherwise...no rust...a miracle for our area.
JP
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I know its spelled Norman Luxury Yacht, but its pronounced Throat Wobbler Mangrove!
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I made some good progress this weekend on the Dakota...
The Drivers side suspension: control arms are rebuilt and reinstalled. 4-5 coats of satin black and undercoating on the lower one should help protect them for a while. Everything was treated with rust converter. New grade 8 bolts, washers and nuts were used for peace of mind to secure the control arm to the frame.
I also installed a new thermostat today as the truck has been running cooler than it should and the heat takes forever to come on...I'm glad I did this as I found that the stainless steel coil inside the upper radiator hoses was toast!...a lot of rust drained out and the coils were coming out in bits when I grabbed inside the hose to check on them...Looks like a full flush in in order along with a coolant change.
While reinstalling the lower control arm bolt, I nicked the boot on the power steering rack and fluid leaked out...not a ton...but it looks like its time to rebuild that unit as well at least with new seals and boots, ect.
argggh...the more I fix, the more I find...but, its starting to go back together...
now if I could only get back to the sill cover!.....
JP
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I know its spelled Norman Luxury Yacht, but its pronounced Throat Wobbler Mangrove!
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I made some good progress on the Dak. Got the drivers side suspension put back together. It took much longer than I thought as I decided to rust treat the whole area and gave everything several coats of satin black.....the new shocks look good in the hammered silver I had lying around too.
I ended up getting a nice front suspension kit that included ball joints, tie rod ends both inner and outer, sway bar links, bolts, nuts, grease fittings, boots, ect. it all looks to be good quality. A driveline company in Ohio or something put the kit together and gives the parts a 10 year warranty!.....
I also received the upper and lower radiator hoses but had to order up some hose support "springs" for inside the hoses. I found these at Summit Racing. they are stainless....I probably don't really need them, but they were in the originals for a reason, so why not..they were only 20.00 for 8 feet of 1.125" spiral. (I did make the spirals on the ends bigger so they would not migrate...but since the hoses have factory bends, I doubt they will go anywhere.)
Ill get some pics out this weekend.
JP
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I know its spelled Norman Luxury Yacht, but its pronounced Throat Wobbler Mangrove!
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Finally got some pics to show.... Suspension: I still have to rebuild the steering rack, so left the tie rod ends off for now...New racks can be had for under 200.00 if I screw this up too badly.....    I'm taking a bit of a break on the truck for a few days...gotta finish the electrical work and sheetrocking in the space above the garage...plus I could really use some more light in the garage itself...drop lights and headlamps only get you so far..... JP |
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I know its spelled Norman Luxury Yacht, but its pronounced Throat Wobbler Mangrove!
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In case you think no one's following this, we are. You're doing a cracking job of saving this truck. If you haven't already seen a forum called garagejournal.com, you can get all sorts of info and advice on redoing your garage and workspace if you need it. You might even recognize the odd poster - I found Retro Rides through grizz posts on there. |
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In case you think no one's following this, we are. You're doing a cracking job of saving this truck. If you haven't already seen a forum called garagejournal.com, you can get all sorts of info and advice on redoing your garage and workspace if you need it. You might even recognize the odd poster - I found Retro Rides through grizz posts on there. Thanks very much, Morris63!....yes, I was beginning to wonder....but sometimes I just lurk myself so I understand!..... I have gotten a great deal of inspiration from Garage Journal. I was able to better install my garage doors, lay out the space and design the electrical outlets and switches, ect.....its a great resource! thanks for the encouragement! JP |
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I know its spelled Norman Luxury Yacht, but its pronounced Throat Wobbler Mangrove!
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My lower radiator hose was in bits, so I had to buy a new one as well.
Funny how it just gets more and more crazy as you find flaws.
Your build always makes me smile.
Best part is, we learn stuff all the time.
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argggh...the more I fix, the more I find... ha ha, that's the beauty of old car ownership! Keep on keepin on, you'll get there! |
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hi there
another lurker here, I just comment when appropriate.
Good luck with the truck
cheers - mike
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thanks, you guys!....your builds and stories keep me going!
JP
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I know its spelled Norman Luxury Yacht, but its pronounced Throat Wobbler Mangrove!
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Apr 15, 2016 19:30:50 GMT
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starting in on the second side and its more of the same...CRUSTY!  I was able to get the hardware loosened more easily and thought I was making good progress, then the upper control arm mount would not come loose no matter what I did...so I ended up using heat, chisels, more heat, penetrating oil...and its finally starting to budge...slightly! Ill get it if I have to cut it out! The ball joints and tie rod end on this side are in good shape...but I got the kit so might as well change them all out while I'm doing the control arm bushings. what the heck, right?...then I don't have to worry about the front end for a while....Ive decided to just work my way back and the rocker panels will finally be next! JP |
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I know its spelled Norman Luxury Yacht, but its pronounced Throat Wobbler Mangrove!
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May 10, 2016 15:13:12 GMT
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How's it going? Any updates on the progress?
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May 18, 2016 18:26:37 GMT
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Hey, guys
I was able to get the passenger side back together without much issue....there is definitely power steering fluid in the steering rack boots, though. a tiny bit is okay...but I'm pretty sure the seals are starting to go. the question is...rebuild, or replace?...I have had mixed results with aftermarket parts so am considering rebuilding this unit if it is salvageable.
I know what to look for but have not done one of these units before. Hopefully I can get it all apart and it is not worn out. 160,000 miles is pretty good....
rebuild kits with seals and whatnot is roughly 40.00 bucks...a new (refurbished) rack around 200.00....
Ill get some pics up soon....
thanks for looking
JP
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I know its spelled Norman Luxury Yacht, but its pronounced Throat Wobbler Mangrove!
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May 23, 2016 20:38:35 GMT
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More suspension pics!......they are all beginning to look the same to me...but I swear I remember doing the all the work to both sides!  I'm not sure what to with the steering rack yet, but we are going on vacation in 3 weeks so I had better get cracking and decide one way or the other.... thanks for looking JP |
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I know its spelled Norman Luxury Yacht, but its pronounced Throat Wobbler Mangrove!
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May 23, 2016 21:00:01 GMT
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My first new vehicle was a 97 Dakota R/T, crazy to see how badly these have rusted! My second first gen Dakota looked like it had done time on the titanic!
Nice job on this glad to see you rocking it!
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Thanks, Chandlergti,
yeah, New York roads can be pretty nasty in the winter time. salt, pot holes, more salt!
The R/T were a nice package......
Ill tackle the Steering rack this weekend....either way its coming out....
JP
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I know its spelled Norman Luxury Yacht, but its pronounced Throat Wobbler Mangrove!
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they are on there with 150lbs of torque so I am hoping I can get in there with a cut off tool and carefully cut them out...it wont be fun!
