Black Betty - Formerly Blaze the Monster Machine

[84k5oleyeller]

I think it’s time to schedule a trip out there and break it in. It’s about as ready as can be. I want to find a trailer though just to be safe. I don’t want to risk breaking something on the maiden run and be stuck there.

I’m a good 5 hours away...I’d like to go I know a few that have gone and said great things about it...it’s just taking the time to plan a weekend to go.

 

[centexk5]

It’s a blast. I’d like to go with some other squares out there that have more experience than me. I know the truck is far more capable than my skills, I just need someone to guide me through and show me what to do.

 

[fourwheelerjeff]

I’m a good 5 hours away...I’d like to go I know a few that have gone and said great things about it...it’s just taking the time to plan a weekend to go.

It’s a blast. I’d like to go with some other squares out there that have more experience than me. I know the truck is far more capable than my skills, I just need someone to guide me through and show me what to do.

I've been there. I had fun. granted, I was in a buggy.

 

[centexk5]

It’s tight trails for sure.

 

[centexk5]

Nothing blazer related but still fun. Wife caught me looking at boats the other day and promptly rented a camper for this weekend. Took the kids to jelly stone park in Fredricksburg. Fun place. Today we took the long 4 mile trek to a relatively unknown town in Texas.



Had to have a cold shiner.

 

[obijuank5]

Did you see willy and waylon and the boys?

 

[centexk5]

Yup.

 

[centexk5]

Started pulling the rear apart to fix the emergency brakes and other than dealing with an axle shaft that was siliconed on it wasn’t terrible. The drums slid off without me touching the adjustment so I’ve probably only got one wheel actually stopping. I’ll probably go ahead and throw new shoes and hardware in it while I’m here. No clue what the other side looks like. Stuff has definitely gotten wet in here.

 

[centexk5]

Tired of walking around and unscrewing valve stems individually and airing tires up individually every time I want to pull the truck out of the garage so I bought a new toy.

https://morrflate.com/shop/morrflate-multi-tire-air-kits/morrflate-quad-4-tire-air-kit/

Don’t know or care how accurate it is but doing all 4 at once will be way easier than individually.

 

[centexk5]

Dropped the trans pan to replace it and see what it looked like. This is after maybe 30 miles of driving. Hopefully another round of fresh fluid will help finish cleaning it out although it’s still real gritty.

 

[centexk5]

Looks like I caught a leaking seal before it got to bad. Bearings feel kinda rough also. Looks like the rear end is getting new bearings, seals, hardware, shoes, and drums. Yay.

 

[6872xtc]

I don't really believe that those two posts are something to hit the like button for..
Dirty stuff that is requiring more work and money.

But after you get the work done,

 

[centexk5]

I can’t say I’m shocked. After pricing out replacements I’m just going to convert to discs but that’s on hold for a while as I’ve way over blown my budget for this year and the other vehicles have more pressing maintenance that needs done.

 

[centexk5]

Well I decided to have the drums turned and just throw new shoes and hardware on it. All said and done for new bearings, races, seals, shoes, hardware, cylinders, and turned drums was a $190. Parts showed up yesterday but haven’t had a chance to mess with it.

Wife and I have been spending time at the range sharpening up for our CHL class and getting used to our new pistols. I bought a Springfield hellcat (because I’m a dodge guy at heart) and she got a smith and Wesson shield 2.0. Today I swapped in a new trigger for the kitty. Dropped the pull from 6.5lbs to 4.2lbs.

 

[obijuank5]

I'm a fan of good functioning drums. And my shield.

 

[centexk5]

If I hadn’t pulled them down I’d have never known they were in the shape they were in. No issues locking up the 37’s with ease.

 

[centexk5]

Awesome bearings and races. I can’t wait to pull the front end apart.

 

[stump_puller]

Oh nice.
Wow those races are pitted up.

 

[centexk5]

My new favorite tool for fluid changes.

 

[centexk5]

One side done. One to go.