Thanks!
We`ll it`s been a long while since I`ve posted here, so since I have the time, I`ll bring this up to date and you guys up to speed.
Back in April, I went to get my MTR's switched on to my new powdercoated Desert Runner rims, but the shop tore a bead (and broke the machine) on the first tire they went to remove. With that, I would need to replace the matching tire on the same axle, but at that point, I might as well replace all 4 and go with 33's, and the trailer will get the 32's. That being said, I can't legally drive the truck since she's got studded winter tires and aren't allowed after April 15th, and MTR kelvars in 32's or 33's were listed as back ordered everywhere until the end of May....so I took advantage of the time to get work work done on the truck.
With that, the main job is a new lower rad support
Next step was the power steering pump, which now is super easy to access (even moreso then with a body lift). I had a broked headlight bulb retaining ring that I replaced while removing the headligts. A new (proper I`d say, but the MT truck may come with the N/A rad) Supercharged radiator is waiting to go in after. I was deciding if I replace the flex line to the clutch slave and the remaining OEM line that it's attached to that wasn't replaced, but it was a 3 week backorder on that part. I also wanted to get back to working on the trailer since I need it camping-usable for mid July (ALMS @ Mosport). Of course the main goal is to get it to the CNTC Adventure Weekend, but she definitely won't be complete by then.
The truck progressed well, but since i pulled a bunch of muscles in my back that week, decided to take it easy, which wasn't a problem since most of the hard work was done last week, so it was mostly just prepping the parts and truck. Removed some rust on the truck as well, coated it all in 3 coats of POR-15, then it's to coat it in that marvelous Corrostop Yellow
And the big update: At the end of May, I was in a rush to put the truck back together AND the trailer got into a usable state with only a 2 week notice that I was going to be spending the summer in Kingston, Ontario and had to leavet on the Frontier's tires, waiting for my MTR to arrive in July. While I Kingston, I couldn't too much, but replaced the master cylinder, and went to KalTire to get the torsion bars cranked since it seamed like the front end was sagging, only to get a bunch of excuses about the teeth stripping on the torsion bars, and rust, bla bla bla...order some from the US in panic and decide to wait until after AW to arrange to get the truck done by my trusted mechanic down in Niagara. Also come July, found out that the MTR's have been pushed back to September, too late for AW, and then decided to add a 5th tire to the order. The girlfriend trained down to Kingston, I packed up the truck and trailer and headed to AW, and had a blast, but would of liked to of had more time to chat with friends.
Coming back from AW, I was following FyrTwr through Barrie to avoid the dreaded 400 long weekend traffic, when my rear U-joint let out at a light. Jon towed me to a nearby street and I looked at the truck and the situation. CAA couldn't do anything, having a trailer, I would need their RV service (new to me), and although I had MANY offers for people to come help with a tow (and with that VERY flattered for all my friends willing to help), I decided to devise a solution to drive back on my own power. After searching the local stores for a tin can of the sort, I went through my camping kit and used a cooking pot, some vice grips and tie wraps (to catch the vice grips if they came off) so hold the slip yoke in the transfer case to keep my fluid, while I drive 225km in front wheel drive, while towing a trailer. Took the 407 to avoid stop and go traffic to keep my CV joints happy, and with a stop in St Catherines after I started to smell some wheel bearing grease when we got on the 406, we successfully make it home.
Being back at my parents, the truck was dropped off at my mechanic to deal with the torsion bars, and replace the wheel bearings since I'm sure they weren't happy from the trip. In the end, the BS about the torsion bar anchors teeth skipping (as all my CNTC friends told me wasn't likely) wasn't, and it was actually my LCA's cracking and bending. This is apparently caused by the Rancho 9000's set to max stiffness, and I'm not the first reported case of this problem. I also needed a new tie rod, and my SLR UCA's bushings were worn that he wouldn't be able to align it and ordered them in priority from 4x4parts and shipped them and to a US address for faster delivery and acquisition, and my idler arm was also worn and needed to be replaced. And now my front end is new and solid for what would becoming close to the cost of a SAS swap I figure....but with 1000km away from home, it's not the time or the place to seal with that, unfortunately. Realistically, I would of had to drive the truck like that until spring to be able to do that (or pay a shop to do it), which just isn't feasible.
Oh, and my MTR's FINALLY arrived in November, but since they're not homologated for winter use in Quebec, they have to wait until spring to get installed. They're currently stored at the shop that ordered them for me. I will say I'm anxious to have them and have the X finally on 33's!
Came back for 2 weeks and was off for Portugal for a month. After coming back, the truck stayed in Quebec while we took her car to save on fuel for the trip back down to Niagara for Christmas.
Being back in Quebec, and some significant vacation to go, but no money since it's been an expensive few months, I decided to do another project since I'll need it come spring. And the plus side is that it'll barely cost me anything since I figure I have enough metal floating around from the trailer to get it started, if not finish it; My level fold-down receiver mounted spare tire carrier. Why work on this, and why this type of tire carrier? With waiting 8 MONTHS for tires, I figured it would be a good, if not, a smart idea to order a 5th tires as a spare, you know, if it happens again. And since the trailer is parked for the winter, I've got time between not and spring to work on a few side projects. And why this style? It's another idea I've had for a while, and it's in part the reason for the receiver in my rear bumper. I wanted primarily a tire carrier that would be receiver mounted so that I could remove it, and also move it to the trailer while towing the trailer.
Here's actually part of the design sketch I did back in early 2014, with the plans handed in with the intention of getting a fab shop to make it for me.
But honestly, I started to get afraid that this would end up being stupid expensive to get made. But with the trailer project and having bought a welder and learned how to weld, I figured this is something that's worth giving a try and that I could build it for a fraction of the price. I was honestly worried that the thing would cost me between $500 to $1000, so worth a try to make it myself. With the trailer parked for the spring, this is a good in-between project, and worked out well since I'll need the tire carrier come spring.
With a tire carrier blocking the hatch, it of course needs to move out of the way so I can access it. I didn't want what I've seen at some that fold down directly, which is fine for accessing the hatch, but not practical to actually remove the spare having no access to the nuts since their on the bottom; which would be a joy in mud or snow I would suspect, and even more fun trying to bolt it back up. That or you could lift a 100lb the tire like you guys do with your regular bumper tire carriers, but why not make things easier? There's a side swinging one that I came across several months ago, but I'd prefer to have it fold back then sideways.
A few weeks ago I started the section that goes into the receiver and started on the tubing. The Outter (2.25") tubing was actually notched wrong, and I had to cut that entire side right out.
Then the following weekend, worked on fitting and modifying the tubing (and some tweaking of the lower point/pivot points). This is it while in the up position.
And in it's lowered position.
If you look at the top bolts, you can see when it's in its vertical(up) position, the tire would have a slight angle back, while in the horizontal (down) position, it leveles out.
At this point, I haven't made the upper pivot/tire mount yet, and I want to get the mechanics working first. I'll then work on making it fit for a 33" tire. I couldn't really go much more at this point that weekend since I didn't have the truck with me to fit and measure. It was actually tilted a bit too much when up, and I needed the truck to confirm that.
This past weekend, I again worked on my tires carrier this weekend. Progressing well I`d like to say since I`m making, measuring and adjusting as I go
It`s maybe 75%-80% there, not including paint. I need to get the right hardware to take out the slack out of the movement, and a friend suggested to use nylon washers. I also want to get a spring loaded pin to hold it in the up position, but so far I`m pleased with it.
