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Tech => Projects => Topic started by: crazzywolfie on August 21, 2016, 02:20:32 AM

Title: crazzywolfie's 89RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on August 21, 2016, 02:20:32 AM
well since i think i plan on keeping this thing i figure i should start a thread for it. on sunday i check out this 89 RC and on tuesday i was dragging it home. it needs a good cleaning but is pretty solid for a vehicle around here. so far i have washed it off, replaced some brake lines and got it running fairly reliably but still got a bit more work ahead of me. i still have to replace the fuel pump, windshield, tires, fuel lines and who knows what else. i don't have my plans for it 100% worked out yet but the main goal is to get it back on the road so that i can enjoy it for the rest of the summer.  current setup is 318/727/NP241/3.21 on 33's. only thing that might change is the 33's. i might cheap out for the time being and run the old tires off my 93 ramcharger which will look a bit funny but keeping the cost down until get it to where i feel a bit more comfortable spending good money on it
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 89RC
Post by: SixGun on August 21, 2016, 05:26:02 AM
Real nice Mat.   Just in time for the winter snow.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 89RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on August 21, 2016, 07:19:10 AM
thanks. lol i won't be driving this thing in the winter. i might even see about renting an indoor storage unit of some sort to store it in over the winter so i can keep the snow off it and work on it at the same time                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 89RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on August 25, 2016, 09:09:42 PM
finally feel like i am starting to get somewhere with this thing a bit. got all the rusty brake lines replaced and bled. replaced the fuel pump and the main fuel line. i also got the interior cleaned out which made it look way better. things still need to be wiped down and steam cleaned since it has carpet flooring and material seats but it will look and smell way better once that is done. i am hoping to get plates on it tomorrow or Saturday but we will see what happens. still need to replace the wiper motor and windshield washer fluid pump since both seem like they are not working but it is pretty minor for the most part.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 89RC
Post by: SixGun on August 29, 2016, 12:29:02 PM
You've been a busy Beaver. :)
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 89RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on August 29, 2016, 10:06:59 PM
yup. been very busy lately. spent most of sunday working on it. has all new main fuel lines, new washer fluid pump and used wiper motor. i also removed the power door lock actuators and inspected the passenger side power window motor. don't know why the motor is not working but it looks in good shape. it seems to run and drive pretty good but have stumbled accross 1 pretty big issue. the transmission has no 2nd gear and i think it might just be cheaper to get it rebuilt instead of just replacing the band. i was pointing the temp gun at the transmission pan and it said it was running at 220*F which is a bit high. i am thinking about sticking a 180*thermostat in the engine and see if it helps. it couldn't hurt. i am hoping to get the oil changed on it tomorrow but we will see. i gave it to my dad to see if the shop has any time to squeeze it for the free oil change using the coupon i have.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 89RC
Post by: SixGun on August 30, 2016, 06:48:58 PM
How long has it been out of commission?  Trans fluid might be moosh.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 89RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on September 01, 2016, 07:47:15 PM
it hadn't been plated since 2009 according to the sticker that was on it. i haven't dropped the pan or changed the filter but the fluid is very fresh. the 1 transmission line developed a leak and it leaked lots of fluid out. i am pretty sure no damage was done from the leak but it help me change out most of the fluid. my dad also got the oil changed on it the other day and Canadian tire said it was safe for the road other than the tires and the door hinges needing to be oiled which i was happy to hear
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 89RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on September 12, 2016, 09:07:26 PM
well i took it to a shop to see what they thought it would need and the shop was pretty impressed with it for its age. it still needs a lower balljoint, some minor rust taken care of, the windshield replaced and the brake/fuel lines secured better. i figure that is a pretty small list. i think there is also a leaking rear axle seal but as long as no fluid comes out i am not going to tell the shop. i ordered new seals for it but i want to get this thing on the road asap. i will feel a lot more comfortable sinking money into this thing once i get it on the road.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 89RC
Post by: SixGun on September 12, 2016, 09:19:29 PM
Way to go !!   Keep at it.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 89RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on September 12, 2016, 09:36:24 PM
thanks. i have been pushing to try getting it fixed as quick as possible. i have even thought about dropping it off at my dads place just so that i can get the rust repair done while i am at work lol. almost been so busy working that i am having a hard time getting anything done. the shorter days don't help much either.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 89RC
Post by: SixGun on September 14, 2016, 05:15:11 PM
Sounds like you have been working full time now. 

Ahhh... the challenge.  More hours worked = more money but more hours worked = less time to work on vehicle. LOL

Does your Dad do body work?  That would be a definite plus.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 89RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on September 15, 2016, 09:24:44 PM
ya. i have been working full time for about 4 month now. it is definitely making it hard to work on the thing but it will help pay for the work that it needs. i was pushing myself to get stuff done when i first got it but i started running out of steam. even the other night i ended up sleeping for nearly 12 hours.

ya he use to when he was in better shape. he is still willing to help out a bit here and there when he is feeling like it. i am pretty sure he would definitely be willing to do a bit of work on it so that he has something nice to drive when his ford breaks down again.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 89RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on September 27, 2016, 09:10:20 PM
i am getting a bit tired of being dirty but so close to re-assembling the hub. should look real nice when i am done. brand new ball joints and universal joints
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 89RC
Post by: SixGun on September 28, 2016, 01:24:23 PM
Lol, front axles are a PITA.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 89RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on September 28, 2016, 07:26:18 PM
other than the installing new ball joints and getting the spindle off, everything else went fairly smooth. that ball joint press popped the old joints out like nothing but it was a fight to get the new ones in.  i am pretty happy with it other than the old calipers looks like crap compared to all my freshly painted parts. that may change soon tho since i think the caliper on the side that i was fixing might have seize up or crapped out. going to try tossing some brand new pads on to see if it makes a difference but i am not going to hold my breath.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 89RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on December 11, 2016, 06:11:29 PM
i haven't done too much to this thing lately due to the weather but i did end up replacing the power window motor a while back. what a pain in the ass job to do. also a couple weeks back the stores had a killer deal on a 10,000lb winch and i pick one up. i was possibly thinking about doing something similar to what Richard did with his 91 but we will see. i have also considered using a hitch mounted winch setup but i guess we will see. i know the hitch mounted option will be pretty expensive but it would be nicer option to have.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 89RC
Post by: SixGun on December 13, 2016, 08:47:29 PM
Nice, you might want to consider synthetic rope with a receiver mounted winch.  It will cut a lot of weight. 
When you add the weight of a a receiver, cradle mount plate, winch and steel cable it quickly can become a 2 man job.
You will also need to install some quick disconnects front and rear. Post some pics when you get it done.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 89RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on December 14, 2016, 04:21:21 PM
i was thinking about switching but we will see. even just the winch alone is pretty heavy heavy. i am hoping to score some welding wire and quick connects off my buddy. he ends up with scrap welding wire every so often. i would just need to go through the wire and find a couple good peices that are long enough. i will definitely post some pics when done but i will likely have to wait. i have run out of good whether for the year
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 89RC
Post by: SixGun on December 14, 2016, 05:17:38 PM
I may not have the extreme weather that you have but no garage space means working outside in the elements. It sucks sometimes because I have so many things I want to do.  Noah has been great about letting me use a bay at his shop but it's a lil bit of a drive. Not a bad drive but my wife relies on me for a ride since she doesn't drive. That eliminates all the bad weather days. Oh well, I wouldn't trade her for the world.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 89RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on December 16, 2016, 10:19:39 PM
ya the extreme weather here sucks. i really wish i had a garage. even if it wasn't heated it would still be nice just so that i wouldn't have to pick up all my tools and crap when i decide to call it a day. been doing snowblower repairs for the last 2 days and i am feeling it. i really hate the cold. yesterday we had such a bad storm that you couldn't see 10 feet in front of you. was definitely scary to be driving.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 89RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on January 15, 2017, 10:31:40 PM
been getting pretty lucky around here lately. have had some strange weather but not too bad. been driving this thing over the last week and it didn't take long to realize the heat sucked. i think i might have found my issue. there was at least 3 mice or rats in the coolant reservoir. cleaned that out and flushed the heater core with some vinegar and compressed air. so far it is blowing way better heat. almost can't wait till summer comes around to start doing some serious work to this thing. i have also been pretty busy fixing my 93 and 81 but the weather has been pretty decent  so it has not been too bad working on things. i think i got enough fixed that i shouldn't have anything else break this winter.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 89RC
Post by: SixGun on January 16, 2017, 12:33:19 PM
Poor Mickey and Minnie got drownded...Lol
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 89RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on January 16, 2017, 03:28:57 PM
lol. that is what they get for taking a bath in my coolant reservoir lol
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 89RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on March 22, 2017, 12:02:32 AM
well i wasn't quite expecting it but came accross a pretty good deal on tires the other day. they are used but looks to be in very good shape other than 1 having a plug in it. i figure i can get that fixed when getting them mounted. when i seen them posted i thought there might have been a mistake in the price since the person had them so cheap but i guess i will find out once i get them mounted and start using them. they are just 31x10.5 which is smaller than the 33's that were on it  but it should fix the speedo. it is still setup for 31's.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 89RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on April 21, 2017, 09:49:43 PM
well i haven't done anything to it lately other than shuffle it around but have made some decisions about paint. thinking about giving it a 70's paint scheme similar to the picture that i attached. i don't plan on painting power wagon on it or that yellow stripe straight along the bottom like in the picture but i do plan on following the body line and painting above the wheels black and pinstriping yellow to match the rims. i think it will look cool especially since you don't really see any cool paint schemes on anything anymore. even when i was looking at 80/90's ramchargers most of the time they are just a basic 2 tone. nothing really cool. i am also possibly thinking about building a roof rack to put on it so that i have a place to mount some of the horns i recently picked up. i think they would look cool up where you could see them kind of like a big rig with their air horns. these have a air horn look to them but are electric.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 89RC
Post by: SixGun on April 22, 2017, 12:08:54 PM
I like the paint scheme idea.  Looking at the old Macho Power Wagons was the inspiration for me.  The old school paint schemes and graphics were so much cooler but show us a pic of yours.  It looks very different with that small view of the tail end.

Can you post a video for the sound of those horns.  They look pretty cool.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 89RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on April 22, 2017, 05:22:28 PM
ya your truck is part of the reason i wanted to paint it like this. i figure since i plan on keeping this forever and using it as a summer toy only minus well go all out on it and choose a cool paint job. i was originally thinking about keeping it the metalic blue that was on the 1 side but figure it would be pretty plain and no character if i did. at least the Macho wagon look would look good. it would also make the vehicle draw in attention everywhere it goes.

some of the horns still need some tuning/repair but this is about what i got done now. i even had my dads 1 horn over for testing/tuning. i am definitely starting to understand these horns pretty good. no expert but ahead of most. there is almost no info at all on the web for them other than people just selling them.
here is a video of them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6vrgDGfe_c
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 89RC
Post by: SixGun on April 22, 2017, 06:31:28 PM
Thanks, I wish I could afford to give it some real paint instead of rattle can. I've been thinking about doing one of those Rustoleum roll on paint jobs.

I bought an unusual older horn at the JY but it must be rusted inside.  I have to rap on it to get it to work a few times.  It sounds good like a larger commercial truck but not a big rig.  If I could figure out how to keep it working all the time, it would be awesome.  I wonder if there are horn repair places.  It only cost me $5 so not a lot invested. Not at home or I would post a pic.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 89RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on April 22, 2017, 07:30:31 PM
well i am not going to go that all out on it. i was thinking about trying to spray it myself first and see how it comes out. someone did offer me a paint booth to use but we will see

i think i might remember seeing you post a picture or mentioning it but don't remember. sometimes horns are not too hard too fix on your own. just have to determine what the issue is. if they are horns like what i have it might just need the points cleaned or just be adjusted so that there is a gap between the points when the electromagnet starts pulling the metal plate. if the horn is old enough or more like an ooga horn it could possibly have a weak or bad motor. i had to replace the motor in my ooga horn when i got it to make it work reliably. i think it might have had a bad winding in it or something because it would work on and off.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 89RC
Post by: SixGun on April 22, 2017, 08:20:32 PM
From my experience, clear coating the paint made a world of difference.  I can't wait to see how it turns out.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 89RC
Post by: SixGun on April 22, 2017, 09:24:50 PM
http://www.secondchancegarage.com/public/198.cfm

Found this while at the in-laws house.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 89RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on April 23, 2017, 09:10:18 AM
ya if i go through all that work i will likely clear coat it. i think that way i can use cheaper paint but still get the same look. i guess we will see. i got to talk to my dad about it since he has lots of experience with this area of expertise.

ya i found that article also. other than that and another and a few bits here and there there was not much other than just lots of these horns for sale. i also found this PDF on the internet with some good info.
http://www.thecj2apage.com/storage/1950_Autolite_Service_Manual/horn-circuit.pdf