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Project Wild Weasel M1009

cucvrus

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As much as I wanted to slack off, I just couldn’t do it. It wasn’t raining and it was fairly comfortable, so I aligned the front-end sheet metal and doors. The doors were fairly easy the driver's door I had to remove and loosen the bottom hinge on the cab. The door had 4 bolts tight, and the others were rusty and 3 were metric and loose. I dug and found a few correct bolts greased the threads and ran them in. They are self-tapping bolts, so they done their job as designed. The right fender required a few shims and a correct greased bolt to be run in the bottom of the fender. I also adjusted the core support right to left and tightened that down with all new hardware. After I get the hood cable attached to the latch, I will adjust the back of the hood. It seems a bit high at the cowl. All in a day's work and I am done for the day. The sun went down on me and the outside light came on. Today is over for me. Take Care and Be Safe. IMG_0312.jpegIMG_0312.jpeg
 
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cucvrus

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The doors are not heavy. One man can R & R a door. It works out better to have a helper. You really only need to hold the full weight of the door for a short time. After the first bolt is in you can relax a bit and getting the last bolt out gives you the full weight really quick. I always remove and install the top bolt first. Good Luck. Make sure the pins and bronze bushings are greased/oiled a bit when driving them in.
 

WWRD99

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Lining up doors takes some time and patience but once they're set they look and close easy...r.

Sent from my SM-S906U using Tapatalk
 

cucvrus

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I have the front axle knuckles back on and have slid in the axles after the picture. IMG_0327.jpeg
The shock absorbers are a one size fits all. I am still not a fan of lift kits. The steel bushing must be installed into the grommets of the shocks and there are also spacers no it allows room for error. IMG_0328.jpeg
The instructions are printed on a clear plastic bag with the bushings and spacer. IMG_0329.jpeg
I think I have it right. Next, I want to get the shocks on the truck but need to find some new bolts in 1/2” grade 8. The lightbulb in the sky went out and things got dark and cold fast. Have a Great Day
 
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cucvrus

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In my last post on this thread I mentioned my deep hatred of lift kits and one size fits all parts. Here we go. The shock bushing sleeves came in a bag assorted sizes. Well ain’t that special? None of them were the same as the OEM sleeves. I dug out the old shocks and pressed the sleeve out of the bushings.[
IMG_0336.jpeg
That looks a bit different to me. I could have just squeezed them brackets together when tightening the top shock bolt. Not going to happen. IMG_0337.jpeg
The old shock served a great organ donor.IMG_0338.jpeg
Ready to installIMG_0339.jpeg
That’s enough for one night. Tomorrow after work weather permit I want to get the front end back together. This M1009 was missing the starter support bracket. That’s a common issue. Must be that hard to put on. Change a starter on Chevette diesel if you like hard. Or a BMW. Take Care and Br Safe.
 

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Mullaney

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In my last post on this thread I mentioned my deep hatred of lift kits and one size fits all parts. Here we go. The shock bushing sleeves came in a bag assorted sizes. Well ain’t that special? None of them were the same as the OEM sleeves. I dug out the old shocks and pressed the sleeve out of the bushings.[
View attachment 909136
That looks a bit different to me. I could have just squeezed them brackets together when tightening the top shock bolt. Not going to happen. View attachment 909137
The old shock served a great organ donor.View attachment 909138
Ready to installView attachment 909139
That’s enough for one night. Tomorrow after work weather permit I want to get the front end back together. This M1009 was missing the starter support bracket. That’s a common issue. Must be that hard to put on. Change a starter on Chevette diesel if you like hard. Or a BMW. Take Care and Br Safe.
.
Looking awful good.
Almost seems like you can see the end of the running gear work.

Stock / Factory without "rigging' is definitely a plus - and I'm proud to know you for it!

.
 

cucvrus

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I needed a lift kit for the M1009. IMG_0347.jpeg
It was too low for me to install the hubs and steering linkage. This should work. IMG_0348.jpeg
I know we all see these seals in the axle spindle areas but most times they are neglected and not replaced. I have new ones and cleaned and will re-grease the spindle bearings.IMG_0349.jpeg
Now to make it fun in the unseasonal Pennsylvania fall weather. Be Safe and Take Care. I will post my progress later.
 
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Mullaney

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I needed a lift kit for the M1009. View attachment 909224
It was too low for me to install the hubs and steering linkage. This should work. View attachment 909225
I know we all see these seals in the axle spindle areas but most times they are neglected and not replaced. I have new ones and cleaned and will re-grease the spindle bearings.View attachment 909226
Now to make it fun the the unseasonal Pennsylvania fall weather. Be Safe and Take Care. I will post my progress later.
.
I like your "lift kit".
Nice and Orange and it looks like it may have been around for several days...

:cool:

.
 

cucvrus

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I learned an expensive lesson. I guess it wasn’t” anyone fault. It has been a few years since I bought and used the big caulk tubes of The Right Stuff. I went to use it and it had cured inside the tube. IMG_0356.jpeg
The gears look good in the front axle. IMG_0355.jpeg
The center of the tube was still useable so not a total loss. IMG_0357.jpeg
I am moving along to the tie rod ends.
IMG_0357.jpeg IMG_0358.jpeg IMG_0358.jpeg
More later when I can see.
 

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cucvrus

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I was sad to see that the front driveshaft was toast.
IMG_0362.jpegIMG_0363.jpegThe slip joint boot is torn and full of rust and the tube is bent at more then one place. It was picked up with a loader from the side.IMG_0364.jpeg IMG_0365.jpeg
IMG_0366.jpeg also looks like it has not seen a grease gun since it left Flint GM. IMG_0367.jpeg
In case you need the Felpro part number for the front differential cover on the M1009IMG_0368.jpeg
I disconnect the stock rubber brake hoses and calipers. The hose were bad and made my hands black like burnt rubber. IMG_0372.jpeg
I am all done for the day. IMG_0373.jpeg
Be Safe and have a great weekend.
 

cucvrus

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Check out the nice repair on this piece from the Wild Weasel, I think someone needs some welder training. This is the price that supports the upper core support and the lower core support and gives a place to attach the lower bumper to grill filler panel. This one is officially retired. I bought one of these from the K5 guy. He told me not to send people his way he had had nothing but trouble from people wanting parts. I met him when he was looking for an OEM Blazer gate. IMG_0376.jpeg
Well it should last a while. The patch weighs more than the entire stock part. That puts the grille and front end out of balance. That piece had got to be recycled.
 

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