Rusty and Boring 1987 Sportruck getting fixed

[Turbotyler]

Well I didn't install the front airbags with the springs, but I got the springs on.  Shocks are blown, steering bump shock is blown, sway bar endlinks broke, but operation sketchy is complete.

 

How it sat before. I didn't take any measurements. They would have not been accurate anyway because of the bumper.

 

 

 

 

 

 

My "safety" strap.

 

 

After. I know the pictures suck. I will get new ones in the light.

 

 

Also got my new distributor in. It runs better, but I still have a hesitation when I initially start to accelerate. New plugs will be installed soon. The ones in it now are AC Delco. I bough some Champion Coppers. I have a new fuel pump to put in. The current one is loud, so I assume it is on it's way out. I need to order a new filter as well.

 

[Turbotyler]

Here's a better picture. It is a little higher in the front, but not as much as I was expecting. I can't wait for my shocks to come in.

 

 

 

I did another fuel pressure test after the new injectors. No more leakdown (that means FPR is good)!!! Since I still have low fuel pressure, so I am going to swap in a new Bosch 69302 pump I picked up. At the same time, I am going to clean out the tank and replace the fuel filter.

[Turbotyler]

I have had this entire week off so I decided to dig into a couple projects I wanted to get done.  I started with my fuel pump replacement. Tank has a hole in it, so I had to order another. The fuel inside it was basically varnish. Once I got it out,  I saw all of the rust in the tank.  I took the old pump off of the sending unit and replaced it with a new Bosch one. Someone has been in the tank before. The seal had RTV on it and the sending unit itself has some JB weld it appears.  

 

New tank should be in by the weekend. The straps and fuel filter will be in today.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Turbotyler]

I also installed my factory take off Rubicon Shocks. I pressed out the sleeve in the front shock and pressed in the the Comache's pin. For the rears, I pressed out the sleeves and forced the bushings over the shock bolts.  One broke while I was taking off the nut, so I have to fix that before I can finish the last shock. I can't wait to get the tank back in and take this for a drive! All 4 shocks were beyond done. 

 

 

[Turbotyler]

Made some brackets to fix the nutserts that started turning when I removed the gas tank skid plate. Hope they work out. The larger one is for the rear 3, the skinny one is for the front 2 on the unibody rail. The two on the inside near the driveshaft did not break loose removing them, so I'm hoping they don't when I go to put them back in.  If they do, I already have the bolts and nuts to fix them. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Turbotyler]

Got the shock mount fixed. I picked up a 12mm - 1.75 x 30mm bolt from my local Ace, cut the head off, tapered the end of it, cleaned the area, and welded it the best I could with the room I had. If I took the bed off, I could have gotten the top better. After these pictures, I dressed it with a grinder and dremel.  I got the shock on and the nut tight, so I am happy. 

 

 

[Turbotyler]

Update on the fuel pump swap, it works and is much quieter! Still have the slight initial hesitation when I bump the throttle, but I am not worried about the pump failing now. I am assuming it is one of the temperature sensors that go back to the computer or the O2 sensor, so I will be checking those next with the help of this link http://www.lunghd.com/Tech_Articles/Engine/Basic_Sensors_Diagnostics.htm

 

Discovered that the fuel gauge stopped working after I hooked everything back up. I was being gentle with it when I was installing the pump, but I guess not gentle enough. Anything you guys know to check with the unit?   

[Lthompson741]

Any updates?   I enjoyed following your build.    Looks like you were making some progress.     Did you get to use the plow yet?