Project: STX Rehab

[Lonesome7.3]

I finished up the exhaust and it is horrible. Those were by far the worse welds I have ever laid down. The material was terrible and the product I started with should have been scrapped. However, I tried to make it work anyway. I knew better and went against what I knew to be true. So, now I get to do it all over again. But this time, I will use new materials and go with the design I prefer.

 

[Bigredmariner]

Cool project, that thing looks straight as can be. No dents anywhere?

 

[Lonesome7.3]

Some very minor dings on the top edge of the bed sides. Other than that is is pretty straight.

 

[Lonesome7.3]

Drove it for the first time today since my last go round. It still does not shift right. I did not drive it long enough to say for sure if there is any noticeable improvement. But I can say for sure there are still issues. I think there is something going on in the valve body.

The exhaust is going to get on my nerves until I correct it. It does feel like the engine is putting out a bit better. But at the same time, it feels like I am pulling a trailer. I have had not a chance to check the brakes. Maybe they are binding. I know the rears are adjusted a little too tight.

 

[Lonesome7.3]

I pulled the drums to check the adjustments. All is well and the resistance I felt before was not there this time. Also, the brakes look new. The drums look like they were just installed.

 

[Lonesome7.3]

I just drove the dog snot out of this truck. It is running so much better. It shifts better and pulls better. The cats were clogged as I suspected. The exhaust drone makes me want to strangle kittens, but I will correct that later. It still labors with hills though. I think it might be a fuel issue. I was pricing tools for cleaning fuel injections systems. That may have to happen soon.

 

[Lonesome7.3]

Installed newish windshield wipers. One I bought new from the store and the other I found in a salvage yard. Yeah, that is all I gotten done lately.

Took the STX out of town yesterday and it did pretty well. I have seen an improvement in fuel mileage and it shifts much better. But it still idles high though. I guess I have a vacuum leak somewhere. I just do not know what else to look for. Anything thoughts?

 

[Lonesome7.3]

Nothing real glamorous to report on this build, I am still sorting out the basics. Yesterday I repaired a pretty significant power steering leak. It left puddles on my driveway it was leaking so badly. That leak contributed to the nastiness under the truck. I have been working to clean it all up and have made a lot of headway. Next will be an oil leak I found. I am still having an idle issue but it comes and goes. I am planning to get into the fuel system soon. Today I found a few things at the salvage yard. I got a very nice spare. Now I can get rid of the 14 inch rim and tire and I have been driving around with as my spare. I picked up a few minor things that will help update the interior just a bit. I do not want to change too much though. I will get into those details when I gut the interior.

 

[Lonesome7.3]

Now this really sucks. I have been slowly accumulating the pieces and parts I need for a while now. I was planning to get started on the suspension very soon. And I almost have what I need to finish interior. I also have a new set of tires coming from a buddy of mine. Then this happened. Another driver tried to shoot across four lanes of traffic because he “thought he could make it”. I broadsided his car as a result. This is what really pisses me off. We have the same insurance company but there is talk of them totaling the truck. I am very angry. The bad part is the whole truck will have to be painted. There is just no way to match the new fender with the old faded paint. I love the old faded green on it. Painting the whole truck will easily exceed its value. Luckily I have a friend that works at the body shop the insurance company uses. He and I are working to keep the cost down.

 

[DofD]

Oh man! That so totally sucks!!

Hopefully something can be worked out.