Bgbldodge

Got it done. Still need to do some tweaking on the door to make it fit better but they are both installed and latched.



Much better sight line with these doors.

Bgbldodge

Went to fix what I thought was a leaky transmission pan gasket and do a fluid change. What I found was three stripped pan bolts causing my leak and a bunch of grit, a weldedcrack, and what looks like a piece of clutch material.

Bgbldodge

Replaced three of the stripped bolts with longer ones and that solved that. Found a 4th when I was retorting that’s I had to drill and tap one size larger. Also realized that I’ve got a warped pan because one bolt on the corner starts to leak the moment you torque it down. Loosen it up and it nearly stops. I think the copper line on my oil pressure gauge is cracked and causing the oil leak I’ve got but that’s a fix for another day.

Bgbldodge

Took it to the exhaust shop to have a complete new exhaust put on the truck. They said $600. I said make headers slip fit and put an h-pipe in and be done. $160. Much better. Now I don’t have toworry about header gaskets any more and haveplenty of clearance around my shackles.

dantheman1540

Exhaust looks good. Trans feel alright still?

Bgbldodge

Ran great yesterday. The new pan shows up today so I'll get that swapped on and hopefully cure the leak from that. Truthfully the truck is about as ready for it's first adventure as it's going to get. I just need to find a trailer I can put it on because I don't want to rely on it getting me there and back on it's first time out.

I really want to get the exhaust out from under the cab but there is not a good path way straight back and I don't like the 45* look. I'm starting to contemplate cutting it in to the fenders. Would be something different and keep it tucked out of harms way for the most part.

dantheman1540

I like the fender exit idea, excited to see how it performs for you.

tjmath

Through fender exit would be great on this. Keep it tucked up a little and out of the way for a tiny bit more clearance.

Bgbldodge

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.

Bgbldodge

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.