Project Mighty Bastard

[LiL Bastard]

My truck, 89' Mighty Max

http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k588/jmvegas1/001.jpg

http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k588/jmvegas1/002.jpg

http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k588/jmvegas1/003.jpg

[LiL Bastard]

http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k588/jmvegas1/004.jpg

As you can see some one did a 5 speed swap and added some cheap gauges. Only problem is they didn't bother to change the steering column or anything. And they put the tach way down low, so it is impossible to view while driving. Other than that the rest is pretty clean. So I'll be doing some work on the interior.

[LiL Bastard]

http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k588/jmvegas1/005.jpg

Pretty much stock 2.0.

[LiL Bastard]

Engine is where most of my attention will be spent. Right now I am battling the SMOG issue. But I got a Weber on the way. Hopefully I can clean that up. I'll post the #'s after the cat install. I'll also get pics of my ghetto fabulous exhaust.

[LiL Bastard]

My Weber should be here tomorrow. :) I can't wait. I just want it here

[LiL Bastard]

Weber came in. Install went off without any big hitches. I put the bottom adapter on the wrong way. Coolant spilled out from the adapter and intake. :( Really small oops. So switched it around and we are back in business. My pistons got a little steam cleaned. I know fluid is not compressible, but I am pretty sure it didn't do any damage. I noticed it immediately and figured it out right away.

Other than that small thing, everything else went good. I ran out of light so I only did a few revs and I shut it down for the night. I'll know more tomorow when I mess with it a little more. I got to check a few things and I'll try to run it through SMOG. I can't do the tune till I get it to my shop on the other side of town. My wideband is over there and I am not in the mood to try and risk a ticket for no registration. So I'll do what I can from here.

I'll get pics later.

[Fordubishi]

I really feel sorry for you people that have to pass smog tests. Where I live they scrapped the emissions laws in 1996 when all the car clubs got together across the province (going to their local test center) and did the free emissions testing. When 1940's to 80's engines with no emission controls were passing and 2-3 year old daily drivers were failing they scrapped the law and nothing has ever replaced it.

[pennyman1]

My 1980 d-50 with a weber and a pacesetter header passed PA smog so clean it barely registered on the machine - it helps that I have a good friend that jetted it to match my setup ahead of time. That was without a Cat or egr either.

[camoit]

Thats neet,,, You have an auto stick...... Just like the VW

[LiL Bastard]

Truck is really pissing me off. I tried to sneak it to the shop last night. And it died on me. Ended up just parking it and got a ride home. Had to call a friend to come help me diagonose the issue. Spark is really weak. Checked the wiring diagram and it seems like it was hooked up backwards, and was switching things around, but the coil got really hot, so something is wrong. Going to re check the diagram and wire it per the diagram.

So am going to clean up all the old carb crap, get rid of all that. Going to check all my wires, check the igniter and the coil and figure out what the hell is going on.

[LiL Bastard]

Well we are up and running again. The spark from the old coil was so weak you could stick a screw driver in the boot of a plug wire, grab the screw driver and crank the engine. You could feel the electricity, but it would not shock the stuff out of you. So that is a weak spark. So got another coil, traced all my wires and hooked it up per the diagram and she fired right up on the first crank.


Now I got a power steering leak, :confused: This truck is going to drive me insane. I am still battling the SMOG thing, still got a hundred other things to correct on this bastard. I over paid for this truck. New Weber carb, new fuel pump on the way, lines and all that. Coil and tow fees, failed Smog certs,

I still got to adjust the slop out of my steering, check my suspension, probably replace all that. I still need a oil change and trans fluid, rear diff fluid and all that. Finish my exhaust, instal WBo2 and tune in Weber, start interior and body work, start on bed cover, fix my speedo and gauges, clean up my engine bay, still got all the comp controlled stuff in there. Then once all that is sorted out, get another engine rebuilt.

Damn, I am going to be here awhile. :)

[LiL Bastard]

I finally passed SMOG !!

So now I am all registered and legally able to drive.

Very happy, because now I can focus my attention to fixing the problems and getting this truck right.

[camoit]

Is it a 4WD?

[LiL Bastard]

I wish

[LiL Bastard]

I am still waiting for my pump and lines. Right now I am on the stock pump, the tiny little fuel pressure gauge in the feed line holds steady at 3 psi. I am unsure of how accurate it is. I have a constant smell of fuel from the carb, when ever I shut her off. Plus the truck seems to run fine w/ the idle screw only 1 full turn out. So I wonder if the stock pump is over pressurising the carb or my jets are to big, or both.

I'll know soon enough, as soon as my pump gets here I'll also pull out the old stock 02 senser and put in the AEM wide band. At least then I'll be able to see what is going on in there.

I hate waiting for parts. But I do have enough to keep me busy. Still got to scrap all those old vacumn lines, steering slop, power steering leak, trans and diff fluid change, Rear brake cylinder, no dome light or dash lights. Just alot to fix Plus all the diagonstic stuff left to do. Like I said I'll be here awhile.

[LiL Bastard]

I am getting tired of waiting for my parts. Anyone have any experience with the Mr. Gasket pumps they sell at O'Reilly's ? I may just go down and grab one. The back of the box says 2.5 to 3.5 PSI.

On another note, am I okay to run returnless, or do I need to run a return. Right now I am running returnless.

[camoit]

3 psi is correct. I ran return-less for years. So what it the gear selector on the floor for? Or should I say the shifter on the column?

[LiL Bastard]

It started life as a auto and some where, some one decided to swap to a manual. They didn't bother to swap steering colums. So I still have a auto steering column. It is on the back burner for me to do something with. Getting my truck running right is top priority right now. I'll do something with it.

Also is there a difference in gearing between the auto's and manual's ?? I'll asume that changing rearends to one from a manual truck is something they also did not do. But if the gearing is the same I'll not even worry about it.

The more time I spend with this truck, the more stuff I find. But even though it is turning out to be a truck in need of some serious corrections I still find myself loving everything about it. Right now time is my biggest enemy, working 6 to 7 days a week is not leaving me alot of free time to work with the truck.

[pennyman1]

The rear gearing is the same for manual or auto; the speedo gear may be an issue depending on the year of truck the 5 spd came from. 79-84 had 85 mph speedos, 85-86 go to 120, and 87 up go to 115. Somewhere in the archives is the chart for which speedo gear goes with which combo.

[LiL Bastard]

Thank you Pennyman for the info, at least I don't have to worry about that.

[LiL Bastard]

hooked up my pvc, truck runs a lot better. I do have a small fuel leak to deal with. More updates and pics coming soon.

[camoit]

So the PCV helps??? I knew it would after the video conference we had. It's a regulated vacuum leek so when it was plugged off you were to rich. If it's still running rich then 1 or 2 sizes down on the main jet will make a big difference.
The PCV is on the front of the valve cover. It might have crap built up in it. Did you remove it and clean it out with carb cleaner or gas?

[DroppedMitsu]

Actually autos and manual did come with different rear end gears. This is confirmed by my factory service manual and also my auto truck coming with 3.545 gears and my manual and buddies manual trucks coming with 3.909. Personally I like the 3.545 better with my engine swap.

[LiL Bastard]

Oh yeah, it is amazing. I went to the auto store and got the pcv valve and a couple inches of hose. I found out I all ready do have a pcv valve in the front valve cover. I just never knew what it looked like, I thought it was just a nipple. So I pulled off the old hose that was capped off w/ a bolt. Ran my new hose to the old pcv valve. So tommorow I'll pull the old pcv and swap in the brand new one.

Also the fuel line is in 4 pieces, so it is leaking from everywhere. So I got like 15 feet of high pressure line that was left over from another project. So I'll run from the pump straight to the carb and cut out the stupid little fuel pressure gauge and then it will be all 1 piece, so no chance of leaks.

Also got a bunch of cool parts for my truck, so I'll post pics after I get them installed

[pennyman1]

Be sure that line is very secure from the tank to the carb; some guy in my area ran a rubber fuel line from back to front without watching were it was - He was showing the truck to sell it - after the test drive, it burst into flames and burnt to the ground.

[LiL Bastard]

Fixed my fuel leak. Since I am on the stock pump, Camoit said it is not rising rate, so with the bigger line my tiny pressure gauge reads about 4 psi, so since it is not rising rate it should stay at a steady 4 psi. Truck is running great, I did adjust my throttle cable, figured it was not pulling enough to open all the way. And now it runs even better. When I drained the oil it was all sludgy. So I just filled it up again, in the next couple days I'll drain that and the filter, drain and refil, filter and oil till I get it all cleaned out. When I get semi clean oil, I'll drop the pan and really clean it all out. Maybe plasti gauge my bearings and check for wear while I am in there.

Also since I got to drive this thing I did get 2 sets of 3000 GT seats, one for mock up and the other for permanent seating. I also get a couple 3000 GT center councils and I all ready had a front half of a toyota, the old one with the 2 gauges in it. So I'll make a nice center council out of it.

Oh and also last thing, I started to pull off the auto shifter since I don't need it anymore. I moved my tach to the top of the steering wheel, so I'll get the steering wheel cover started. I did fix the wirring and got the clock working and the dome light. So now I can open my door at night I actually have light to see. And the clock is a big step since it is the first thing on my dash that actually works.

[Fordubishi]

Get a can of 10 minute oil flush. When I put the 302 in my D50 it was out of a 85 T-bird and the oil was tar.Put fresh cheap oil in and a can of flush, ran it for 10-15 minutes and changed the oil, Did the flush for 2 more oil changes (Ran it for a week between changes) and by the 4th change the oil was still clean after 5000 miles.

[LiL Bastard]

Never heard of 10 min oil flush. Where did you purchase this ??

[Fordubishi]

Got it at Auto Value. Barsleak, Gunk and Rislone all make it as well. I'll get the company name for the one I use tomorrow.

[camoit]

You can also just start to run Dello 400 15 W40. It will clean the crap out of it. Don't use the Dello 400E The "E" is for emission. California crap.. I buy it by the drum. It's formulated for the high detergent demands of a semi truck.

[LiL Bastard]

My truck all ready sounds like a sewing machine, if I put 15w40 in it, people will start to ask if I do alterations

[Fordubishi]

This is the stuff I used http://www.gunk.ca/prod_photo.asp and it works great. the bottle looks different in the US but its the same stuff

[pennyman1]

Don't use that unless you want to rebuild the motor now - that stuff will clean out the gunk on a high mile motor and expose the worn out bearings and seals to cause major noise and leaks. Use Rislone instead - a super detergent added in for 1 quart of oil - cleans slowly but effectively to remove the sludge. Its available at all parts stores and walmart in a yellow bottle.

[LiL Bastard]

Thanks for the info guys, and I don't know the exact mileage of my engine. I think it may have been opened up at some time. I got grey gasket make on all the gasket areas. Head, front cover and oil pan. I'm definately going to pull my pan and really get a look inside. I'll know so much more about this engine then.

Oh I did pull my flat spare tire off the carrier today. No use in carrying it with me. Also put in my seats, and I love them. Only got one bolt holding them down right now, I got to make a couple feet for the fronts and drill a hole for the other back one. But now I sit lower and farther back. My feet are really in line with my pedals. Plus it really makes what all ways felt like a small cab into what now feels absolutely huge. Plus I got a arm rest now. I'll get pics up.

Oh and I found out what is causing so much slop in my steering. The arm from the steering box to the steering arm is jacked. The pin moves before any steering happens so that is where all my movement comes from. I'll also geet pics just for the hell of it.

[joey_crandall]

thats the pitman arm, sounds like you got one heck of a headache to sort out, but it seems like your getting there, also first gen eclipse sttering wheels are a direct bolt in for these trucks. you just have to enlarge the hole on your column cover. it feels much nicer than a might max wheels and is a lot smaller and looks alot better to.

[4doorciv]

If your looking for that aftermarket steering wheel I got a NRG setup for the eclipse. Quick release and all. Don't give up hppe and keep going.

[lush90]

So Camoit, do you use the Delo 400 15w40 all the time or just as a cleaner? I am not familiar with it and googled it but am still not clear.

[camoit]

I use it all the time, in pretty much everything. You can say I use a lot of oil. Engine, Hydraulic, ATF, Gear, Grease, water soluble, light machine,chain / cable lube. Then I wash the concrete trucks with a solution of Muriatic Acid and water. Just enough to make them smoke when applied. I don't suggest washing a D50 with Muriatic Acid, but it will make a driveway nice and white again. About 1 quart to 3 gallon of water. Then rinse the hell out of it. When you think your done then rinse one more time.

1595 1594

[LiL Bastard]

Been a while since I updated this. Well truck is still running, not really good. I am still waiting for the new house and garage to get some work done. I've decided to try to get another truck, so I can do my mock up and drive a truck at the same time. I am in the process of still getting supplies and replacement parts, so as soon as I get into the house and get another truck the work can go fast. I can post some of the mods that are going to get done right away.

Recessed grill, got a great idea on a grill that will work perfect on a D50

Since the corner of my bed got hit and crushed pretty good, I got the rear section of another bed. So as soon as I can get into the garage where I can actually do something. My bed will get chopped propbably to the shackles, about 6 or 7 inches. Run a cross beam at the very end, all boxed and gusseted.

The rims I got on the truck now, are going to get powder coated black, the chrome centers are going to get all polished. Since they do stick out a 1/2 inch, either going to roll my fenders out or build a small flare to bring them back in line.

Settled on my paint colors, going to go look at paint this week. Going gun metal grey with a heavy clear, to tie in the black grill and rims I'll do either traditional race stripes, or maybe a off set rally stripe, still undecided on that stripe.

Got a overhead council from a Caravan w/ outside temp and digital direction, I'll need to cut it down since it don't fit in my truck, smooth it and paint it to match the black interior to tie in with the black on the outside. Grey accents in there to really tie into the paint colors.

Many more things will be done, frenched exhaust tips into lower rocker, smoothed tailgate, rollpan w/ liscense plate box, alot of other stuff going to go on this truck. Just sitting on hold till I get out of this Nazi controlled H.O.A hell hole.

[LiL Bastard]

As some of you know, I bought this monster.

http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k588/jmvegas1/5T15P55S13od3p43l1bbfb6948f88d4b51d91.jpg

http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k588/jmvegas1/5Y55P15R23kc3p73oabbfe56ee850591c15a9.jpg

[LiL Bastard]

Now this is the style it is going to hopefully end up with.

http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k588/jmvegas1/DSC00488b.jpg

http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k588/jmvegas1/0204b.jpg

[LiL Bastard]

That orange one is a really good example of a really nice flat bed. So parts from the 89' are going to be sacrificed to the 87' since the 87' is in alot better overal condition. Plus the 87' is all ready ready to get a flat bed.

Still setting up the house and waiting to get my garage set up. I will get started this week. Just showing the plan.

[LiL Bastard]

http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k588/jmvegas1/002-1.jpg

http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k588/jmvegas1/004-1.jpg

I lied !! I said I would let my neighbors get used to us before I started. Garage is not even set up. I grabbed 2 tools from my other garage. A Makita and Vice grips.

[LiL Bastard]

http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k588/jmvegas1/003-1.jpg

Here is what I cut off so far

[LiL Bastard]

http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k588/jmvegas1/005-1.jpg

Ignore the 6651 sticker, it was on the truck when I bought it. You can start to see the plan. The bed is getting chopped down to the bare essentials. I am cutting it down to fit the width of the cab. Only thing sticking out is going to be the wheel wells. I can run any size I want now, I can even look for duals.

I got along way to go till I decide what to really do with it.

[LiL Bastard]

Got a lot more cut off. This thing is put together really well. Almost all double walled, burned up 13 cut off disks so far. Kinda annoying actually.

I measured from the bottom of the frame to the ground before I started, so far I've gone up 3 full inches. The weight I've removed is actually going to be alot. When I am done I'll probably have to swap out my rear leafs. Right now, I got 5 leafs, probably to deal with the weight of just the bed. When I am done, it will be alot lighter, so the lighter springs off the 89' will probably bring the ass end back down.

I'll post pics soon

[LiL Bastard]

285 Pounds so far. By the scale at my local salvage yard. That is not even half what I am going to remove. How did this thing even move with a tiny 2.6power ?

[LiL Bastard]

http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k588/jmvegas1/010.jpg

http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k588/jmvegas1/011.jpg

http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k588/jmvegas1/012.jpg

[LiL Bastard]

And that is where I am at. That is a ton of cutting, It is just roughed in so far, I left enough room to square everything up.

[LiL Bastard]

http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k588/jmvegas1/016.jpg

http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k588/jmvegas1/013.jpg

http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k588/jmvegas1/017.jpg

[LiL Bastard]

This threw a wrench in my gears. I don't know what rear end Chuck put in the truck. I should have noticed it earlier, I went to swap out the big 31's in the rear and what do you know, only 5 lugs. So the Jeep 5 lugs fit on the axle. I didn't notice it earlier, I did find the paperwork for a custom U joint and new drive shaft. Plus Chuck told me that the E - brake didn't work when I bought it. I should have figured it out earlier.

Anyways, can anyone tell me what axle this is ?? Do you need different pics or better pics ??

[camoit]

There should be a tag on the drop out. Looks like a ford 9" That would be nice if it is. So many things can go it it then.

[LiL Bastard]

I just feel so stupid that I didn't even think of it before. I jacked up the rear end and took off the lugs, went to go grab my 6 lug 16's off the 89' and was actually stunned to find out it was 5 lug. Then I remembered the paper work that showed new drive shaft and u joints. And the fact that the E-brake does not work. Plus it makes sense, the amount of weight I removed is just amazing to me. So to handle the weight he probably swapped to something more robust.

[Fordubishi]

Looks like a Toyota 8" to me, the housing is the wrong shape for a ford 8" or 9".

[LiL Bastard]

Still alive and working on the beast. Was alot more work than I first thought. I ended up cutting 19 full inches off the back. Before all 5 of those rear leafs were touching, now there is space between the leafs. This bitch was put together extremely well, all doubled walled, the rear frame was actually boxed straight to the rear bumper, was a bitch to cut. Sucked, burned up a package of 5 Sawzall blades to get through that one section. Still got alot of finishing work to do. I'll post more pics. Trying to get it to look like something first.

[miked50]

reviving this thread

lil bastard, could you please take a pic and show me the firewall (engine side & interior side esp the clutch pedal mechanism) of your truck? i just want to estimate the range of metalwork that i would involve myself into if i might be able to do a conversion from auto to manual on my 2nd gen. i would love to see also (if you may) the transmission mounts. mine is a 4d56 turbodiesel btw. thanks