The Wanderers build

[superbuickguy]

today's task was an idler. The problem is I don't have an air pump. They do make an air pump eliminator, but with the large alternator and the H1 design, the pulley is too large... but that doesn't mean I can't use parts from that

first, the hole

so for all of those people doing a 6.5 turbo side-mount turbo on a H1 motor in a Square.... this is how you do that... first you take a mercedes idler pulley then bolt it onto the bracket that you'd use for an air pump eliminator.... time to void the warranty

yeah, I know, millions will be doing this swap...

you can slightly see where the bracket is going

test fit

weld it up - yes, that bracket above became this

then finally, work on the front shock spacers

bracket minus the pulley

love welding chinesium.... not

anyway, get the right belt (that was a story all by itself) tomorrow... then finally that's marked 'done'
finally, starting on bolting the springs in... Canadians, look away

 

[superbuickguy]

belt on, then I realize I could have routed it another way.... c'est la vie

round 1, in the end I only use the spring

in an effort to completely flummox the Canadians, I replaced the hockey pucks (after I drilled a hole in them)

and now it's correctly suspended

the springs hang the axle, not the shocks

 

[superbuickguy]

driveshafts are here

and installed

no bluetooth driveshaft here

now for the fun. the 86 doesn't have a removeable trans cover... it will when I'm done

so for unknown reasons, GM covered the floor with a plastic cover... which trapped moisture... yay, more rust

and the floor.... it has a story, and I'm sure it's good, but it's puzzling me... such as this crack

we've talked about this seat hole

and this random rust

this rust we knew about

however that hole? no clue

it was covered by the plastic... it looks like someone got after it with a pick... but there's no hole in the plastic cover...
there will be many patches... but for now, remove cover so I can build the shifter for the t-case (yep, method to the madness)

 

[superbuickguy]

grinding and welding is going to happen inside, so time to clear it out

eww

I really wish I knew the story of this rig... it has some interesting other stuff, like the entire area behind the seats is covered in tar.... to the point it filled the seat anchors

back the spark generation - so here's another puzzler... the center hump is welded down - that was a 2wd only thing... and the vin is right on the cowl...

and even this has some interesting bumps in it

free tools

and more rust... but not terrible.... some needs patching but as I said before, there is no rhythm or reason to it - for example, the fill cover... is utterly rusted out but the floor is fine... why there? there is no way for anything to pool at that point but the lower portion of the cover is gone....
anyway, more tomorrow.

 

[superbuickguy]

the hole in the fuel filler... I'm guessing there are RUSes in Idaho?

so part of tonight was removing this

removed

next problem, notice the edge? ah well, lots of little fixes

cover, however, was removed

all of this for that bracket.... I'm still on mechanical, in this case, transfer case engagement

yep, a lot of little rust spots but that's not today's problem - I'm going to make this drive before I get to bodywork

 

[superbuickguy]

big plans, small steps
plan was install the fuel system

not a pump, a sensor....

plan B - fuel pump from when the Corvette was carburated

rather then wait for a part to arrive, I made an adapter for the fuel pump

cut (void warranty)

and welded

installed

problem is it requires one more connector... smuck

 

[superbuickguy]

I never thought that'd clear, but it clears
ride height

full drop

has about 3" of clearance, only needs 1"..I'll take it
now to just connect the dots

new parts... shifters

more hook up to do, but had to work on the '40 tonight

 

[superbuickguy]

finish up shifter... I'm not sure how they planned on getting the nut on this - so I welded it on... problem solved

sway bars... the aftermarket does have options - but all of them are $500 or more. This is $200
and takes a chance

steering is hard left - clears

close, for certain, but not will never hit

plenty of room on the passenger side as well

comes with stands that you can use or simply bolt it in place of the old system

what is this sway bar that works for a cross-steer swapped K5 Blazer? a Classic Performance Parts (CCP) sway bar for a 2wd lowered Chevrolet truck... the only thing missing is how to attach it to the axle

 

[superbuickguy]

first, the most important task... get these mud flaps OFF my Blazer - granted, fender flares are coming but still... time for them to go

then finally finish the t-case with the correct motor mount (from a Corvette)

only thing I had to do was add more holes to the frame to mount the cross member

I hate drilling holes over my head but I got the full monte of it today... it was only 99 degrees in the shop

however, this works even better

I did have the clearance the bracket so the steering arm didn't hit it

but clear it does. I'll buy some bar clamps to prevent the sway bar from walking

anyway, thanks for watching

 

[superbuickguy]

now that the '40 is back in operation (almost), getting back to fuel lines

 

[superbuickguy]

So I'm kind of in a holding pattern waiting for parts, not just that but it's been really warm and there's been a lot of drama in the background.... but still, progress was made
tabs for the sway bar

 

[superbuickguy]

onward

mouse problem, soon to be solved
they not happy (wild kitties)

time to make the links

wong ones

flex comes soon, but they seem to fit fine

paint comes later

they're still not sure about Luigi

but he will sway them

 

[superbuickguy]

More parts.. .a day early, even

and, of course, warranty voided

more pictures tomorrow....

 

[superbuickguy]

Today's update... flex, finish sway bars, install cross over pipe and fix the resulting problem with the oil lines
to remind, round 1 of the exhaust - using the 6.2 exhaust manifold

problems are it's smaller, and it makes a circuitous route to the passenger side

problem was I didn't have a useable 6.5 manifold.... thankfully, they're really really cheap for new ones

compared to the 6.2

new manifold in place but now it interferes with the oil coolers

thankfully, one fit back and the other just took a bit of trimming and some fittings... and finished

a bit of DEI wrap and send it

crossover in place

sway bars... needed adjustment

time to flex
it's not my FJ40 but it's good enough

basically any corner can be at least 3' off the ground (and I'm sure I could flex it a lot more but this was to see what I needed to clearance

everything clears (not by a lot but clears)

one thing I will change, that e-brake cable is going above the axle

anyway, that's it for now... next step is test the fuel system for leaks (and it was leaking when I had the rear up on the forklift from the front of the motor); then get the intake, install the turbo and start running exhaust... I may try to make noise with it after checking for leaks....

 

[Mekcanix]

Gotta say I am really enjoying this build Thanks Muchly for posting