3 day weekend

Got the benefit of a floating holiday on this past Veterans Day and got quite a bit done.

I finished rebuilding the Dana20 Transfer Case.  Meaning that I took it completely apart and replaced the bearings, races, needle bearings, seals and gaskets.  It was interesting and created a couple stories itself - like trying to track down a set screw for a shift fork.  Nobody even knew what I was talking about.  Yes, I stripped out the existing one forcing a hunt for a replacement, but I did eventually find one.  Transfer case is reassembled and painted blue.  And yes all of the tolerances for endplay are in spec.

I was also able to pick up both the front and rear axles that had been out for overhaulin for over a month.  I was starting to get a bit pissed it was taking so long, but in the end, I don't yet need them since the frame is still at the bodyshop.  Anyway, the rear now has a 31 spline true trac diff and 4.10 gears, while the front has all new kingpin ball joints, u-joints on the axles, and 4.09 gears.  Both got steam cleaned and are ready for paint.

I started working on the gas tanks by cleaning out the insides of the gunk - although there really isn't much in there.  Anyway the plan is to seal them, and the instructions say if they are not clean the seal won't stick.

I am still mostly amazed at the overall condition of the body and I have been scratching my head at how the body can be in such good shape while the drivetrain is almost completely replaced.  The motor was not the original but rather a 1968 289.  The transfer case is from 1973.  The front end is 1976, the front axle is 1974.  Both driveshafts are from the 1990's.  I think the rear axle is original and maybe the transmission, but I am replacing the transmission.

We got paint

The day is getting closer that I may actually drive this thing.  4 coats of color and 4 coats of clear, and the body is out of paint - here is a teaser

That is the factory 1969 color called Reef.  Looks alot nicer fresh than the 42 year old faded version I started with