Sport97's sport

[sport97]

I just towed my parents Bravada to the shop with the Ex. It died on a 4 lane road. My dad thinks its the fuel pump. Wouldn't surprise me, 146k on the original. I headed up with a tow strap and pulled them a few miles to the shop. It didn't struggle as much as I was expecting. I forgot to take pics *palm to face*

Probably not legal, but hey, it saved us the tow money! Plus I've seen much crazier things done around here

 

[lynchy wa]

I didn't realize towing a car could be illegal!!! Bloody hell, what's the world coming to! Glad your X handle the job nicely tho' and hope your Dad's car is back on the road soon.

 

[sport97]

I didn't realize towing a car could be illegal!!! Bloody hell, what's the world coming to! Glad your X handle the job nicely tho' and hope your Dad's car is back on the road soon.

I mean, maybe its not. I just figured towing something by a tow strap seemed like an illegal thing to do haha. He sat in it and steered/braked it the best he could without the power assistance. Laws are for beginners anyway...:

 

[sport97]

New rancho rs5000s are on their way. Got them for 189 free shipping, and there is a 50 dollar rebate going on, so 140 after I mail it in. Not to shabby. Figured I best have them so when I have the leaf springs out in the back I can swap these bad boys in at the same time.

 

[sport97]

And on a side note: I'm going to check the bolts on the leaf springs. If they can break loose I'm going to reuse the front one, and the lower shackle one. I'm going to install my leaf pack with the AAL with the stock shackle. If the height is good it'll stay as is. If it needs more lift ill buy the warrior shackles.

 

[sport97]

I reupholstered the center arm rest. Came out pretty good, no tear now and its more padded. I tried following the video provided by the vendor who sells the kits...an electric stapler could not staple through the plastic, no idea how he did it. I had to use self tapping screws. I did notice there is a gap between the lid and the console itself. I guess that was always there because it latched closed.

 

[lynchy wa]

Sweet mate, I've got a sheepskin motorbike seat cover over mine (matches my seat cover's in the X and jacked it up by putting a folded towell between the two. Your jobby sound's much more professional!!!

 

[sport97]

Sweet mate, I've got a sheepskin motorbike seat cover over mine (matches my seat cover's in the X and jacked it up by putting a folded towell between the two. Your jobby sound's much more professional!!!

As long as its comfy! I got the material from the back of a seat at the junkyard, color matching.

 

[sport97]

Well, I went out to do the rear shocks.... What a rusty mess. I sprayed the bolts down 2 times over the last few days. No such luck. The lower bolts need cut off, and replaced. The top ones most likely won't be able to be wrenched either, the threads are all rusted up. No room for a grinder in there, not sure what to do. Hopefully I can wrench them out. I didn't try (lost my 13mm wrench, and i need the hardware for the bottom).

So what i need is to find the size of the rear lower shock bolt...
That and rancho forgot to included the bolts for one of the front shocks. Not sure if its worth the time to call and ask for them or just buy them...

 

[Glen4X4]

I had that issue on my top bolts on the 94, see if a local jy or shop will burn them out with a torch, I did that and drove home without shocks and put them on right away, just be careful.

 

[sport97]

I had that issue on my top bolts on the 94, see if a local jy or shop will burn them out with a torch, I did that and drove home without shocks and put them on right away, just be careful.

I do have a torch, so I may need to do that.

 

[Glen4X4]

Just a suggestion to make it easier

 

[sport97]

Just a suggestion to make it easier

Thanks Glen. Screw trying to take any of them out. I'm cutting or torching each one. Just need to find a full day to do it.

 

[sport97]

I'm planning on ordering the hardware for the shocks and leaf springs within a few days, I just got paid.

Friday I have to replace the shocks in my brother's blazer. He has a set of old bilsteins that are TOTALLY blown out. Its dangerous. It starts into a death wobble when it hits uneven pavement. At least his bolts aren't rusty, and are very easy to get to.

I'm going to check the Ford dealer for tire prices....odd idea for a place to check, but they have a coupon for price matching, and for $100 rebate on Goodyear, Continental, Pirelli, Hankook, Dunlop and Yokohama. I want the general grabber AT2s, but if I can get a great deal on the Hankook dynapro ATM I'd bit on it. Just not sure if they will be willing to install oversized tires. I'm looking at 265/75 or 265/70s.

 

[lynchy wa]

Yeah, getting ford to fit oversize boot's could be a drama, the way liability is these day's.

 

[Keeper0311]

if I can get a great deal on the Hankook dynapro ATM I'd bit on it. Just not sure if they will be willing to install oversized tires. I'm looking at 265/75 or 265/70s.

I've got a set of Hankooks and they're pretty good both on road and off.

 

[sport97]

Yea, i know Greg...but you never know until you ask. I know all of the tire shops around here don't give a damn. The ex, my brothers blazer and my moms bravada all have/or had oversized tires put on. Maybe i'll even get my cruise control recall fixed too, they've only sent me 3 or 4 reminder letters haha.

Thanks for the input Keeper. My buddy likes his too. If you don't mind me asking, how much did you shell out per tire?

 

[sport97]

Finally making progress towards getting the shocks/springs installed. Thanks to Steve at tousley ford(vendor on the site) I have all of the leaf spring hardware, new lower shock bolts, and the frame bushings on their way, shipping included for 75 bucks. My local dealer wanted about 170 bucks for the same junk without any shipping needed.

 

[lynchy wa]

Bargain mate!!!

 

[sport97]

I would just like to rant about how much I HATE autozone...

First... the monkeys there not know their ass from a hole in the ground. The guy tried to tell me brake caliber grease and brake grease are not the same thing. They say the same damn thing on the tubes.

They always try to sell you stuff you don't need.

They NEVER have anything in stock. Needed sway bar end links...no. Brake caliber guides for a blazer...nope on that. Its happened many other times as well... but onto what was the final straw...

Last winter, about 15-17k miles ago I did a full brake job. But being I was flat broke I got all the cheap stuff. Specifically the rear pads were autozone brand...

Fast forward to saturday. My rear brakes were squeaking so I pulled the wheels to find I had no pad left. Fronts are good, only the rear autozone ones are bad(kind of bizarre the rears would wear 1st). Autozone has lifetime warranty so down I go for a free replacement. (Yes I know, why put the cheap trash back on....well I don't have much spare cash right now) Well guess what, they conveniently cannot find my warranty info in their system. So I have to buy new ones. At this point I'm kinda pissed and want the better brakes...."All we have in stock is 1 box of the autozone brakes" Really??? How do you only have one box of explorer brakes? So I bought them.

I get back and the damn things won't even close to fit. I had to file about 1/8 inch off the metal to get them to fit the slides. They also smell alot more under heavy braking than the old ones. S**t quality. Never getting in the zone again:thumbdwn:.