Okay, here's the latest.
I just got the front fenders on (although not permanently) to drill the mounting holes. Remember, the original fenders were all bent up. I used them to make new ones, except the new ones didn't have all the openings cut in the inside edge to clear the fender mounting arms that bolt to the frame. I had to fit them, and mark where I needed to cut away, then take them back down and plasma-torch out opening, then fit them again, then repeat.... Repeat.... Repeat, until perfect. Then I drilled out the mounting holes from the bottom of the arms so they all lined up. Now I will pull them one last time to dress up the cuts and sandblast them, then I'll give them a good coating of Ospho and red-ox primer, then put them back on ready for final paint. This is especially exciting for me, because it means I can get this dang tire-carrier off my garage floor and up onto the fender, where it belongs.
Aside from this, I have tested the remote for the crane, and it worked great. I did not realize that the manual valve handles mounted to the truck move with the use of the remote control. It's like using cruise control and watching your gas pedal move with no foot attached. Weird.
I also was able to solve my issue with the crane hoist motor winding the cable in but not out. I had two hoses crossed up. swapped them and presto! I have a FULLY functioning crane. I wound out the old cable and measured it out so I can get a fresh 50' of stainless replacement cable. I will not be using this crane too much once the novelty wears off, so I don't mind spending extra to use the stainless 7/16" cable so it doesn't rust up from sitting on the spool.
Other then that, I have a big list I am working my way down of things to address. Lots of little stuff, and some general maintenence too. I have changed out all the fluids except the gear lube in the axles and power-dividers. More pics to come, but this is where we are at now. The bed should be on soon!
Oh yeah, there's a pic on here of one of my newest toys too. My dad said I should ditch the spare tire carrier, and just paint it OD and hoist it up onto a little bracket on the passenger fender for use as emergency transportation!
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