ggdad1951

ok, got up WAY too early this AM and headed into the garage prior to work (hope the neighbors didn't mind too much at 5AM) and got the rear springs off. In taking off the springs I had to do this: front of the rear spring: pin/bolt slipped right out with use of the locking bolt threaded into the zerk hole! SWEET! thanks for the tip on the video! top of the rear spring rear shackle: NOT coming out w/o some "help". Found a hole already drilled in the frame that lined up w/ the pin/bolt and used a drift to pound out w/ a 12oz. claw hammer, pretty sweet.... bottom of the rear spring shackle: Had to use a 3/8 extender as a drift and a 2 pound sledge to POUND the fraking things out! But I guess more rust fell off the frame that way (and the nieghbors had an nice alarm clock)! Now on to the SERIOUS question: the lower pin/bolt on the rear shackles are WORN! And worn badly! Any sources for those out there any where? Thanks!

is the tailgate still available and if so what size is it? If it works for my truck I'd GLADLY pay shipping charges and whatnot!

At least yours came with a radio! Mine has a cover plate

so I understand the engine and tranny get silver for a 51, what about driveshaft and rear diff?

HOLY SHNIKES! that's a ton of hunnies!

here ya go! Picture of the sticker from the rear window

ok, thanks everyone! I have NO desire to have to find replacement pats so your help is MUCH appreciated! I have the locking bolts out but those pins are IN there good! I'll keep soaking them w/ smutz and I like the suggestion of the slide hammer! WHEN I get thme out, I'll have to post a picture of them and my method!

ok, but what if mine look like this? front of rear spring rear of rear spring are these puppeies threaded in somehow? Notice the cross locking bolt ala the king pin from the front axle/spindle....

yep that's it. I'm pretty sure when we stripped down the engine we got the spring in the ziplock with the bolt but didn't know about the plunger and it just fell out.

I started about a month and a half ago and have an out of work buddy helping every Friday all day so I've got lots of hours in already. I'm also very mechanically inclined (I'm an ME), but never had worked on vehicles in my past (divorced now, any correlation?) I don't like to waste time, I want to get this running by fall hopefully (maybe no body panels done by then, but the power train good), but yes I'm busting on the project and it doesn't hurt that it's in REAL good shape and came down for the most part really easy. Plus, I want my garage back for the winter! I joined the board here when I really started to get into trouble and after reading a few post realized you guys know your stuff and could solve some mysteries for me.

Excellent! Thanks!

I've been soaking them with my good shmutz, so I guess I keep waiting. According to the parts manual they don't look to be threaded in? They look to be a slip in with a keeper bolt that lives in a keyway? Or DO they thread out?

yah, I had no intention of throwing away! Bigger question is does it pay to tear that down? Seems fine, but since everything else is in pieces it seem a shame not to do that since it is all off and just sitting there! How do the plugs come out?

yep that is what it is, the shop manual shows it plain as day...now to see if I have that spring somewhere...if I don't, where can I possibly find one?