bkahler Posted Wednesday at 10:10 PM Author Report Posted Wednesday at 10:10 PM I managed to finally find time today to install the rear fenders. Overall the job wasn't all that difficult. Biggest issue was the lower front bolt on each fender. It took a little bit of pushing and pulling along with a few choice words to get the holes lined up but I prevailed in the end This is the first time since 1996 that I've seen this truck with all it's sheet metal in place. Once the fenders were on it was finally time to take it for it's first real test drive so I drove 4 miles to the gas station and 4 miles back. Guess what, it drives like an old truck 😄 It became obvious pretty quick that the speedometer was not accurate. I had my phone GPS open so I could see how fast I was going and where the speedometer read 30 mph, I was actually going about 45 mpg. Not sure how I'll deal with this just yet, but I know I don't want to leave it that way. I think I hit the top speed of 47 mph. I didn't want to push it because the 29 year old tires are hard as rocks and I haven't really set the toe-in yet other than an eyeball setting when I was installing the steering components. Once I got back and parked it in the shop I found two leaks. I have a glass bowl filter right off the gas tank that feeds the electric pump and it was dripping gas. I tightened the bowl retainer nut a little and that seems to have resolved that problem. The other issue was the brake master cylinder had brake fluid all over it and it was dripping on the floor. It did not appear to be coming from any of the fittings. It's possible I had over filled it. I'll look at it again tomorrow and monitor it to make sure there isn't something I'm missing. Other than the ABS headliner and rear window surround panel the truck is pretty much done. There are a bunch of minor details I still need to take care of but, assuming the brakes are ok I think it's a driver now 6 Quote
JBNeal Posted Thursday at 02:34 AM Report Posted Thursday at 02:34 AM Lookin good...you're not gonna letter that tailgate? 😁 1 Quote
Brent B3B Posted Thursday at 05:22 PM Report Posted Thursday at 05:22 PM 19 hours ago, bkahler said: I managed to finally find time today to install the rear fenders. Overall the job wasn't all that difficult. Biggest issue was the lower front bolt on each fender. It took a little bit of pushing and pulling along with a few choice words to get the holes lined up but I prevailed in the end This is the first time since 1996 that I've seen this truck with all it's sheet metal in place. Once the fenders were on it was finally time to take it for it's first real test drive so I drove 4 miles to the gas station and 4 miles back. Guess what, it drives like an old truck 😄 It became obvious pretty quick that the speedometer was not accurate. I had my phone GPS open so I could see how fast I was going and where the speedometer read 30 mph, I was actually going about 45 mpg. Not sure how I'll deal with this just yet, but I know I don't want to leave it that way. I think I hit the top speed of 47 mph. I didn't want to push it because the 29 year old tires are hard as rocks and I haven't really set the toe-in yet other than an eyeball setting when I was installing the steering components. Once I got back and parked it in the shop I found two leaks. I have a glass bowl filter right off the gas tank that feeds the electric pump and it was dripping gas. I tightened the bowl retainer nut a little and that seems to have resolved that problem. The other issue was the brake master cylinder had brake fluid all over it and it was dripping on the floor. It did not appear to be coming from any of the fittings. It's possible I had over filled it. I'll look at it again tomorrow and monitor it to make sure there isn't something I'm missing. Other than the ABS headliner and rear window surround panel the truck is pretty much done. There are a bunch of minor details I still need to take care of but, assuming the brakes are ok I think it's a driver now ATA boy Brad! I see a road trip in your near future! What better way to work the bugs out 😁 3 Quote
JBNeal Posted Thursday at 05:34 PM Report Posted Thursday at 05:34 PM might need to adjust something climbing them Colorado hills 🤔 Quote
bkahler Posted Thursday at 09:13 PM Author Report Posted Thursday at 09:13 PM 18 hours ago, JBNeal said: Lookin good...you're not gonna letter that tailgate? 😁 Lettering the tailgate is on the bucket list. It won't be done by me. When I was a kid I never could color within the lines, so I'll find someone better qualified 1 Quote
bkahler Posted Thursday at 09:15 PM Author Report Posted Thursday at 09:15 PM 3 hours ago, Brent B3B said: ATA boy Brad! I see a road trip in your near future! What better way to work the bugs out 😁 Your little mileage chart only lists the fastest time, it doesn't list the slowest Two weeks at best would likely be more appropriate, one way. That is assuming I have the wind behind my back both ways 🤣 1 Quote
bkahler Posted Thursday at 09:16 PM Author Report Posted Thursday at 09:16 PM 3 hours ago, JBNeal said: might need to adjust something climbing them Colorado hills 🤔 That's when you get up behind a semi and draft.... 😉 1 Quote
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