CK5
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One Piece at a Time: My 1985 Diesel Suburban

Was it to much of a pita to make them more vertical? Btw nice work as always!
Thanks man.

Moving the shocks vertical would've required rework on my downpipe and intercooler tubing. That's just not a packaging problem I want to solve right now when a new turbo is in the offing, which will significantly change the exhaust and intake layout, but I do recognize that vertical (or at least a more vertical) orientation is the long term preference.

Compromises.

David
 
Is the shock misaligned with the shock tower? :dunno:

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I've never seen those in the wild. Looks like a good balance between TIG and regular work gloves.

David

I have never seen them either.
Most auto places don't stock them because that's not their market.
And most Welding stores want to push their Miller and Lincoln products along with black stallion, Tillman, 3M and the like.

But most Welding stores can get them.
The original fabricator gloves had brown leather inlays. You can still buy them for around 30 buck NOS from online stores.
I still have my original fabricator gloves from 2005. I pretty much have only used them for light work and tig. But I have wore out many other brands of gloves with alot less work. The newer style I just picked up a year ? Or so ago. Seem to still have the good quality I am looking for.

Another pair of gloves I really like are the Tillman trufit. In Black and pearl.
Really like these gloves for the price point.
Around 15 bucks. I'll wear these for alot of general fab and then just pop on the fabricators to weld.

http://www.airgas.com/product/Safety-Products/Gloves/Anti-Vibration-&-Mechanics-Gloves/p/TIL1490L?gclid=CjwKEAjw_bHHBRD4qbKukMiVgU0SJADr08ZZQHSo9z87tpdubMZ73ysv9SupPgfGN4zKR1vV_tu1ghoCrljw_wcB&fo_c=306&fo_k=988145050e398e9d6f58282c12d40988&fo_s=gplaus&utm_arg=SEM:Google:PLA.US:41015534372:Non-brand:pla:Airgas:PPC::TIL1490L::PLA&s_kwcid=AL!4811!3!154087093564!!!g!73106777242!&ef_id=VjhFNgAAAWRS4THX:20170411122119:s

Anyway, happy Welding.
 
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Another pair of gloves I really like are the Tillman trufit...
About a year ago, my niece was starting to weld. To kick things off, she spent some time with me in the shop - safety walk, PPE rundown, lose the synthetic fibers, take those rings off, tie your hair back....now we can make some sparks.

This Intro101 included a trip to my favorite welding shop, where she picked out that same pair of Tillman's. Good call.

David
 
Completed the passenger front last night.
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The "'round the block" test drive went well, so I did a slightly longer trip to my favorite hardware store - Elliott's Hardware in Dallas where they have a well organized and expansive hardware selection at very reasonable prices - over the poorly maintained roads that are loaded with rough pavement and lots of transitions. I guess this is the upside to degrading infrastructure?

Firsts impressions:
Everything is more controlled, and it seems like these shocks read dips and gaps very differently from slower shifts in the suspension: a good thing.

Front:
IMG_9668.JPG
With two leaves removed, it was easy to notice just how soft the front had become prior to assembling the lower 1/2" hardware. The 347/70s seem well matched to the weight of the truck and managed this 'new' spring pack through broken pavement corners without complaint.

The rear is noticeably more stable. In a 20-40mph curve, the suburban used really show its size, and pitch far to the outside. I think these valves read slow suspension movement very accurately and resist strongly keeping the suburban from behaving badly.

I don't think my 5125s were worn out, but they were definitely outmatched for what this big girl needed. More road tests this week, and next week I'll be loaded and headed to Katemcy.

David
 
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I've been itching to service the coolant filter and see what's inside. Changing the oil this morning, and took the opportunity.

Decapitation:
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Lots of scale and rust and grime and crap. Didn't see anything non-magnetic (aluminum), so that made me feel good as it has been a while since I checked voltage leaks through the coolant.

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Interesting. Wish I had put something like this in the cooling circuit a long time ago.
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David
 
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I've installed tons of coolant filters on powerstrokes. First time I heard of them, I thought it was almost as silly as exhaust fluid. Turns out, they are pretty useful.
 
Random off topic thought.

The cut off of the filter would make a cool cover for your garage drinking cup. The one that doesn't have Mr Coors name on it that is
 
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