Just picked this truck up last week. Found a broken radius arm bracket.


Figured I would start with the hardest part of the job. Put a little penetrating oil on it and let it sit a few hours, then wire brushed the threads good, and put more penetrating oil on.


Then got ready for a big fight. Put the breaker bar on and grasped it firmly, and pulled.


No way, it creaked and started turning. Hard at first, then it got easier. And off it came. I was almost disappointed, almost.


Picked up a new bracket, Can't beat $36 new from autozone.


Ran out of time today, so will finish tomorrow. But looks like the hardest part is behind me. Just have 3 rivets and then bolt in the bracket. Wish I had remembered to order the bushings as well. Oh well, I'll get that later.

 

Looking good so far! Today, I put new front shocks on my truck. My radius arm brackets look pretty good, and the front end seems pretty snug. The new shocks really give the truck a solid feel compared to the basketball bouncy feeling I had with the old rusty shocks.

 

I'm sure shocks will be something I'll be looking at soon. I'm just fixing what's needed now, then the other stuff. Tomorrow I finish the bracket. Then I need to find another leak in the front gas tank.

 

I know what you mean. So far, I have fixed a leaky rubber tranny line, oil change, wash and wax, replaced rear bumper and new shocks. I just bought a fiberglass cap off craigslist for $40. It could use a paint job and the back glass frame is a little tweaked, but it was the cheapest option to keep the bed dry and useable this winter. I don't plan on running it in the spring and summer unless there is a specific need for it.

I just ordered a new filler neck hose for the rear tank because the one that is on there has some cracks. It leaks a little when I fill up the tank, or when making right turns. It sucks that I have to drop the tank to fix it. My rear tank doesn't work, so I need to replace it. I found a fuel pump on ebay for $40 shipped... and it is brand new! Cheapest at the Zone is $138. A front tank at the local salvage yard is $65.

My 93 only has 84k on the clock and 24k on the motor, so I just need to get the bits and pieces taken care of so I can have the peace of mind that I could hop in it and drive it anywhere I need to go. There is not much rust except for the bottom edge below the extended cab and cab corners. I plan on having my brother-in-law welding on new ones next spring.

 

When it gets this old it's always something. Just need to keep up.

 

Finished up the radius arm bracket today.

Removed the one bolt and cut off one rivet and the bracket fell off. The other 2 rivets weren't even holding it.


Ground off the other two rivets and pounded them out. Really wasn't all that hard.


Made one heck of a mess though


This was a major PITA. Trying to line up the bolts was a pain, and reaching behind the frame to get the bolts threw, rather tight, but I got them.


Tightened up all the bolts.


What remained of the bracket.

 

Then, on to my still leaking gas tank.


Undid the straps and lowered it down.


I think I found the holes.


Started cleaning things up. Looks like it was rubbing on the frame


A bit more cleaning and it will be ready.


Sanded down to good metal and then put the patch on.


Tossed a good rubber pad on top of the tank and then lifted it back in to place.

 

nice....

might check the other bracket and make sure it isnt bad too....

 

That one looks OK,but I put some penetrating oil on the nuts just in case. I know little of the history of the truck, but I'm guessing the last owner hit something because the front bumper is bent but there's no damage to the hood. Kind of looks like they hit a short pole, like you would see in a parking lot. Makes me think they nailed a curb with that tire busting the bracket. I hate dealing with outer peoples binder twine and bubble gum repair jobs.

 

Dude, just buy a gas tank.