is the LOVE BOAT allowed here?

[billy]

Tore the drag links apart and got them all spiffy.
Powerwash the rest and reassemble.
Danny is plumbing the lines now

 

[billy]

Power steering upgrade done!
I can turn the wheel with a finger

 

[billy]

While we were at it
I Cleaned, inspected draglinks.
And danny did some real nice work on radiator and body mounts.
We had to cut the fender well some but i will put a rubber flap over it.

 

[billy]

My spinal arthritis kinda forced me in this direction.
I dont mind manual steering but the next day my back would be really sore.
The original steering box needed a rebuild anyway so instead of sinking money into it.
I just went ahead with the upgrade

 

[Old Iron]

You're gonna have the Love Boat driving like a Cadi

 

[billy]

https://youtu.be/zP_gejfCW68

 

[billy]

Except for the harder to use brakes and a smoother ride
This drives a lot like my 2001 dodge 3500

 

[billy]

With the 63 willys jeep I was always afraid of getting rear ended on a corner driving around.
That was the main reason I sold it.
(Still kicking myself)
But every time I get in the m43b1 i thank my lucky stars the previous owner swapped a modern engine in it.
Top speed is still 45mph but at least i can tool up any hill without downshifting.
Minimum legal speed is 40mph

 

[billy]

It turns out there are two vent fans by the grills above the doors.
They will be 24 volt.
Sometime soon i am going to take some sheet metal off and see whats really going on in there.
If there is any room at all i will add some closed cell insulation.
I am for sure insulating that floor!!!!
Super noisy
Broiling in the summer
Sub arctic in the winter

 

[billy]

Just bought a universal wiring harness for the m43b1.
Man it's gonna feel good to rip out 51 years worth of crappy splices!

 

[billy]

Got some peel n stick roofing stuff for my floorboards and firewall as a sound deadening material.
Adding mass kills that empty oil drum racket.
I will put it everywhere on the underside except where the screws and bolts are.
And probably both sides of the firewall

 

[billy]

I will be able to remove and sell a lot of the weird to me 24volt stuff under the dash.
I have no use for it but its gold to someone who wants to restore a m37 or 43
Same with the steering box etc.

 

[billy]

Talking about adding sway bars
I dont think it would actually tip over.
But it would be a nice upgrade to drivability.
Since the previous owner swapped the engine and tranny I don't feel bad about modifying the bejabbers out of this cool truck.
I still want it to look stock to the casual observer

 

[Bamamav]

Some good sway bars will make it handle better on and off road.
Uncle Sam specs were for war use, about as rugged as you could get, so nothing wrong with taking some of the edge off of it and making it a good driver. Most of the guys that had to drive those were probably in their 20's and 30's, with muscles like steel.

Heck, I'd wimp out and put AC on it too. Might as well be cool while looking cool! [cl

 

[billy]

Some good sway bars will make it handle better on and off road.
Uncle Sam specs were for war use, about as rugged as you could get, so nothing wrong with taking some of the edge off of it and making it a good driver. Most of the guys that had to drive those were probably in their 20's and 30's, with muscles like steel.

Heck, I'd wimp out and put AC on it too. Might as well be cool while looking cool! [cl

I sure want to!
And a stereo

 

[billy]

My dang back is at 100% for days on end.
The weather is nice.
the day the parts arrive
My back is killing me and the weather stinks.
Aint it always the way...

 

[billy]

I just had a thought.
Do I get a clutch for the 1969 engine or the 1974 transmission?

 

[billy]

Spent a few hours cutting and removing all the 51 year old wiring from the m43b1s dash
Attempting to get a clean slate to start with
Also going to instal that peel n stick stuff on the firewall and insulate it with heat barrier

 

[billy]

Been a busy boy on the m43b1
Got power steering
40,000 BTU heater
Yesterday finished adding sound deadening material to firewall and inside cowl .
Rewired surgery lights
And ripped out entire electrical system in preparation for a new harness
Also repairing tranny hump and going to replace clutch

 

[billy]

All the interior surfaces we cant see has a layer of each product on it.
I am excited to see the difference in sound and temperature levels.
Before I had to almost shout to be heard.
And my legs felt like they were being broiled