Black Betty - Formerly Blaze the Monster Machine

[Bent77]

Yay! Drum brake pictures! So us old guys remember what we took apart!

 

[centexk5]

Old guys? I don’t know how to do them without one and I’m 35. This is what I took before I started.

 

[beags86]

In my high school shop class we have to do one by memory for a test.
Guess my teacher couldn't see the future that the rear drum was quickly becoming obsolete.

 

[centexk5]

Beautiful.

 

[centexk5]

I’ve got parking brakes again!!! The project that led me to rebuilding the rear hubs is finally done. Of course I had to modify the cable because the one LMC sent me was to long but whatever. I only need it to pass inspection.

I also started on the front hubs today and got one off. Had to put some effort into breaking the first lock but off. This is the hub that would scald your hand after a trip around the block. It’s burnt for sure.

 

[centexk5]

Front hub bearings and races on the hub that was getting hot.

 

[centexk5]

Got the new power steering pump mounted. It’s apparently a 1/4” larger than the last two so I made a quick spacer and got it mounted. Passenger hub looked fine but I put new bearings and races in it anyways since I was there. Started getting light headed and winded from the heat so packed it up for the day. Couple more hours and I’ll have this truck back on the road.

 

[centexk5]

It lives again. And other than an oil leak that got worse, the power steering still groaning turning left, and the brake pedal going to the floor before engaging, it runs good.

 

[centexk5]

Found my oil leak. Overtightened line. Got that fixed. Got the rear brakes adjusted and this thing stops on a dime now. I think it’s ready for an inspection and some serious drive time.

 

[Bent77]

The groaning only left on the steering is weird

Diff must’ve gone smoothly?

 

[centexk5]

It did it with the stock pump and reman’d pump. PSC said I needed a new pump. I laughed and told them it’s their box and not the pump but fine. Bought a PSC pump and the fancy Swepco fluid and surprise, the problem still exists. I’ve never had luck with PSC. Went through 6 of their boxes in a year on an old dodge. All had different problems. Went to an o’reilly’s box and never had an issue.

I just redid hub bearings and new fluids. I’m planning on gears and lockers early next year assuming the world doesn’t explode. I got as much of the old fluid and mud (literal mud) out and hosed them down with brake fluid and filled them with redline.

 

[Bent77]

Not sure how old your box is...
http://www.howeperformance.com/

What lockers did you pick?

 

[centexk5]

Box is brand new. Bought it from ORD when I did my crossover steering earlier this year. It’s got maybe 50 miles of street driving but it’s done it since I bolted it on.

I’m going with 4.88’s and a Detroit in the rear. Front will probably be an ARB.

 

[Bent77]

I had to warranty my PSC box already

4.88s with 37s is a good number. I get away with the 4.10 just because of the low gear in the 465. But its a compromise
Big fan of the ARB in the front, but went with a Power Lok on this build. Also talked @4door99 into trying one in his for this Moab trip. Guess we'll see what he thinks of that

 

[centexk5]

Figure it’s gonna suck with a 3spd auto but once I change to either an nv4500 or an auto with OD it’ll be fine.

The front needs to be selectable and ARB is about the best there is. Detroit is always solid but I’m open to suggestions.

 

[Bent77]

ARBs are high on my list, actually run one in the rear. Power lok is like a very very angry posi, but you can actually steer it.
The bonus is that they are significantly cheaper. See what Chad thinks of his after a week in Moab

 

[centexk5]

For sure. Maybe next year I’ll be able to join.

 

[centexk5]

Woohoo!! Made my first successful highway drive in almost a year! Drove it the 25 miles to the office. 65mph and it tracked straight and rode smooth as a Cadillac. So nice. Of course the gas gauge broke when I filled it up but meh. Time to get it inspected and let the good times roll.

 

[Truckman4life]

I know the same feeling. Mine was down for like a year and a half and I just started driving it again. I love it way better than my little work beater Mazda truck.

 

[centexk5]

Well shit. Apparently it’s not that you have red plastic over the brake light, it has to be a sealed lens with gasket. So I gotta buy a tail light before I get it inspected. Oh well. Still a blast to drive.