tom's '82 build: Long Live The Minuteman Buildup...

[AZman]

looking good. What lockers are you using?>

[tom w.]

stock 4.56 diffs... so... none...haha unless you wanna give me some

[tom w.]

ok... got my air tanks today. i was told they came off a semi. they look perfect for what i want to do with them too. my brother in law is supposed to have an a/c pump for me too. priced some parts for my rear end at napa, probably redo the rear brakes while i'm messin' with it already. i'll be gettin' a good sized pay check in a week or two, and then i'll be makin' an order from marlin

slowly but surely.

[4inchToyotas]

Rather done right the first time and take a while that to do it twice!!

Keep it up!

[tom w.]

well... let's hope i don't have to do it twice anyways...

[4inchToyotas]

that's what I said about my engine....hehehe I like it better now anyways.

[tom w.]

i really wish i would've remembered to ask my brother in law about that a/c pump while i was there....

[80crawleryota]

lookin good first gens rule

[tom w.]

i'm kinda wonderin about somethin...

if anybody around here did rears up front, i'd appreciate hearin about what you did with the front bushings..
with the new hanger the holes are too small for the bolts.

[MiniSimp]

i'm kinda wonderin about somethin...

if anybody around here did rears up front, i'd appreciate hearin about what you did with the front bushings..
with the new hanger the holes are too small for the bolts.

I used some Kragen bushing set for mine. Used the stock hanger bolts.

[tom w.]

thanks mini.  we ended up just heating the metal insert/deal and pushing it out. after we did that the bolts fit perfectly.

it looks like next weekend my brother's comin down and we're gonna order the rest of the parts we need. then hopefully another week after that i'll be able to get the wheels... probably just get some rockcrawler wheels.

then after that it's on to mounting the shocks, and all the tubework.

[tom w.]

question...

what do i need to know about backspacing when lookin for wheels?

[MiniSimp]

The less backspacing you have the more your wheels will stick out and the harder it will be to steer because of your scrub radius.
An 8" wide wheel with 4" backspacing will have the least resistance because the center of the wheels is centered on the WMS.
I'm running 0 backspacing because I have 2" BS wheels with 2" wheel spacers. Basically my wheel starts at my WMS (wheel mounting surface).
Oh yeah, and skinny wheels on wide tires almost eliminate the need for beadlocks.

[tom w.]

thanks mini

[Hottrod81]

The less backspacing you have the more your wheels will stick out and the harder it will be to steer because of your scrub radius.
An 8" wide wheel with 4" backspacing will have the least resistance because the center of the wheels is centered on the WMS.
I'm running 0 backspacing because I have 2" BS wheels with 2" wheel spacers. Basically my wheel starts at my WMS (wheel mounting surface).
Oh yeah, and skinny wheels on wide tires almost eliminate the need for beadlocks.

How does it steer.  I am looking to do the same sort of thing, but I also am going to go with hydro assist.

[MiniSimp]

Not too bad, but better when I had more backspacing.

[tom w.]

what do you guys reckon... dual cases, or locked thirds first?

[MiniSimp]

Lock the 3rds.
Dual cases is a lot more work and cash, but great when you finally get to it.

[tom w.]

that's true...

[OldSkool]

GOOD PROJECT lots of props to u that will be a fun ride when u are done with her u seem 2 be going the right way.

[tom w.]

thanks man

[tom w.]

i love how i never get anything done on this when i say i will...i guess that's just the price of laziness.

but.. anyone have any idea why i can't get the drums back on after redoing the brakes?

got the right pads... and everything is in the right place as far as i can tell.

this is really bothering me...

[yotadork83]

probley got to much tension on the adjuster.

[tom w.]

ain't got no tension on the adjuster

[tom w.]

update...

just ordered my...

u-bolt kits
brake lines
steering stabilizer
steering box mount kit
knuckle rebuild kit w/wheel bearings
knuckle studs
vented rotors
red flexfit cap
and 27" hood sticker....

[tom w.]

edit: pictures accidentally deleted.

[yotadork83]

diffently worth buying the premade cut out i made my own not worth my time.

[tom w.]

just nice not to have to mess with it at all...just bolt 'er up and make some arms...

[tom w.]

small update...

edit: pictures accidentally deleted.

[tom w.]

ok... update time i guess...

i got the bed put back on, still need to paint it.
got my front end rebuilt and ready to go.
i just got my brake lines, wheel spacers, and some d-rings in the mail.
got four bilstein 12 inch shocks for christmas.
got my tranny put in, but haven't finished the cross member yet.
and.... the steering box is waiting to be put into place.

after i started workin' i didn't have much time to do much else, and it was even harder to get my brother to help out. but i ended up quitting my job so i could finish my school so maybe now i'll do somethin'.

i think i've got everything i'll need to finish it... just a matter of doin it.

it's good to be back.