My 1987 build..."Achillies"

[joeynational]

Got bored today, so decided to do full IFS rebuild and new brakes. My CVs were shot so I had to disassemble some of it anyway. Might as well do it all now. Has anyone done the control arm bushings before? I did my 2wd pickup before not sure if the 4x4 is any easier/harder?


Not sure WTH is going on here. I ordered 2 CV axles online and got two different styles, or one missing the seat part. The good thing is that i got them for autozone. So i'll just return the one missing the seal.

 

[joeynational]

Ive had these rims for a while and i finally got tires. I had to put one side on to see what it looked like. I couldn't get a good side shot cuz the truck is diassembled on the other side..but you get the idea. Im going to have to modify something on the rear bcuz the drum hub/lip is same size as center bore of rim. The rims wont sit flush.

Sent from my LG-D801 using Tapatalk

 

[joeynational]

parts have been trickling in and piling up! Still have a couple orders coming in but the entire front end is going to basically be new! It's going to be hot as balls here in Phoenix this weekend pushing 120, i bought a portable swamp cooler to help alleviate some heat but not sure how much its going to help. Needless to say i'm going to be busy for a while

 

[GeoRoss]

I guessing that you did not cut those 3rd gen springs when you added them.

 

[Nervo19]

I guessing that you did not cut those 3rd gen springs when you added them.

I was wondering the same.

I think I'll be buffing a license plate light lens soon. I never thought of it.

Hint on pictures. Hit "enter" after you post each photo and we won't have to scroll sideways. Like I'm any kind of photo expert.

 

[joeynational]

No i did not cut the springs if i didnt add the bj spacer i would have had to cut a coil to be level.

Thx for the tip on the pics i get annoyed with that too

Sent from my LG-D801 using Tapatalk

 

[youngr]

If it makes you feel any better i have been wrenching in my garage here in SC where humidity is a real issue. Btw, installed those same shocks last week on my 88 and well it sure makes a difference over original shocks from 1988 still on a rig. We have fam in phoenix and i sure get jealous of you guys in summer having very low humidity

 

[kc15842]

I'm in the process of doing the Upper and Lower Control Arm bushings and I'll tell you its kicking my butt. I have a press and had to make a couple tools for pressing and installing the UCA bushings. Removing wasn't bad but once you have the shaft installed its a bit tricky. I just returned the OEM style rubber bushings because once pressed in the front bushings wants to rotate vs the arm pivoting on the shaft.
The lower appeared easier until I pressed out the bushings and the arm bent at the inner side on both the front and rear.

 

[joeynational]

Wow your truck is clean!!!

Why do you have two interior door handles on the passenger side?

Thank you! Thats what i'm going for clean and solid. The rear most door handle is for the rear passenger to open the door from the back a little easier. I thought all 1st gens had em?

If it makes you feel any better i have been wrenching in my garage here in SC where humidity is a real issue. Btw, installed those same shocks last week on my 88 and well it sure makes a difference over original shocks from 1988 still on a rig. We have fam in phoenix and i sure get jealous of you guys in summer having very low humidity

Yeah it's really not too bad here i'm used to it, most people hate the heat, but you do have some serious humidity in SC. I was in NC for a while when i was in the Marines, pretty damn humid!

I'm looking forward to seeing how this thing rides, i almost went with some skyjacker shocks. Glad i didn't

I'm in the process of doing the Upper and Lower Control Arm bushings and I'll tell you its kicking my butt. I have a press and had to make a couple tools for pressing and installing the UCA bushings. Removing wasn't bad but once you have the shaft installed its a bit tricky. I just returned the OEM style rubber bushings because once pressed in the front bushings wants to rotate vs the arm pivoting on the shaft.
The lower appeared easier until I pressed out the bushings and the arm bent at the inner side on both the front and rear.

That sucks! I"ll probably take them to a shop and avoid the headache and frustration. I don't have a press anyway. They charged me $5 per bushing last time on my 2wd pickup

 

[joeynational]

Started to rebuild my brake calipers. I bought a re-seal kit but it didnt include any grease like the Toyota kits come with. Anyone know what type of grease is good for the square seals and pistons? I already called the dealer they dont sell those small packets that are in the rebuild kits.

Sent from my LG-D801 using Tapatalk

 

[joeynational]

I took a wire wheel attachment to my calipers. It cleaned them up pretty good. I also sanded them smooth as im going to paint them and this will give a much better look. I had a couple seized pistons that were rusted a little so i cleaned them up with steel wool.

Sent from my LG-D801 using Tapatalk

 

[joeynational]

Sent from my LG-D801 using Tapatalk

 

[joeynational]

Polished vs non polished

Sent from my LG-D801 using Tapatalk

 

[joeynational]

One down one to go...i was thinking of red or silver for paint on these what do you guys think? Red or silver?

Sent from my LG-D801 using Tapatalk

 

[joeynational]

Sent from my LG-D801 using Tapatalk

 

[joeynational]

Also did this cheap fix that makes your interior look 100x better. My HVAC panel was rotted to shit like im sure most of yours are i broke off what was left and ordered a new decal for about $5 from dealer. Here is part number in case anyone needs it.

Sent from my LG-D801 using Tapatalk

 

[da_mon15]

Don't like it

 

[Chuckles89]

Red calipers!

 

[joeynational]

I was gonna do red, but when i went to buy the paint this color kinda jumped out at me. Still a little subtle but different. Its VHT engine metallic titanium silver. my truck is going to be painted back to fatory silver i thought this color would compliment nicely.

I also wanted to ad a decal to the calipers. With the S12 cast into the caliper it was messing up my whole plan. So i covered it in epoxy and sanded it flat.



No more S12 and a nice flat smooth surface for my decal.



Pretty happy with the results. I may end up doing the other side as well and smooth the whole thing.

 

[joeynational]

Finally had a chance to work on my truck got allot done in day and a half. New bushings in control arms, new ball joints, BJ Spacer, New bearings/seals, new shocks, completely rebuilt calipers with new rotors, new CV axles.

Sent from my LG-D801 using Tapatalk