Nick O.'s Traveler Rehab

[Grumpy]

The following shots should give a fair idea what Nick got into. Overall a pretty
cool old truck, but we did discover some "issues". Roman and Jafo spent most
of yesterday getting the rear axle back in, and the front out. I hope some of
the quality "work" done by a PO shows in these pix. I will let the guys tell you
of the true horrors under this rig. Bear in mind while looking, the guy
Nick baught it from drove it down from Spokane

[79chevy39.5's]

all i can say is nice penitration on the welds, nice cuts on the spring perches and i could do better than that

edit is that a cut and turn on that axle?!

[Grumpy]

Ya like that, huh. Yup, it was a cut and turn in someone's opinion. Still think it'll be a good rig once things
are worked over by "SuperMex". It's in pretty fair shape otherwise.

[79chevy39.5's]

but makes me wonder how long it was driven like it was?

[Roman]

Dave, you want to come back tuesday and put the bumper "back" on?

Fangs are all welded on, and holes are cut for the shackle sleaves.
Will clean frame and hopefully get sleaves welded in after work.
Then it'll be time to start in on the axle itself . . .

[Grumpy]

Maybe. Got some "home style" stuff to deal with, too, before I get whupped...

[toyman2]

that looks like one a guy here in walla walla owned named kevin
the blue and the bumper is why i think it could be the same one

[toyman2]

that looks like one a guy here in walla walla owned named kevin
the blue and the bumper is why i think it could be the same one

[Grumpy]

Well, they'll be headed for Minnisota in the morning. Quick stop for tires in Spokane, then off on I90. I'll let Jose and Kevin fill in some of the more "fun" details if they're so inclined. Right now, Jose, Steve and some VW pals are out in the shop unwinding

[79chevy39.5's]

yea and how bout some finished product pics

[Grumpy]

Graham, we'll work on that. I think Nick has most of them in his camera...AND, they are home After the false alarm with the wheel bearing in Spokane, everything went okay. Nick allowed as how they like how it rides on the shackle reverse I'm sure that will make Steve feel better Gas mileage coulda been some better, tho...10mpg

[79chevy39.5's]

thanks dave id appreciate it

if only i could go back to gettin 10 mpg......that was when my truck was stock on little tires.....then it went to 8 with lift and tires then down to 6 with the 4.56 but im hopin to get some back with the 4 spd....ahh whom i kiddin it doesnt matter as long as itll make it to and from the trail im happy

[Grumpy]

For the record, to all who got somehow involved with this, thanks for all the time and effort I can't tell you how much it's appreciated Roman, Jafo, Trash, war&peace and all the rest who contributed ideas. What a crew Nick and John got home, the important thing, for turkey dinner...

[JBinder]

Yes, thank you to all of you guys who helped put that thing together. It made it home safe except for the wheel bearing as Dave said. I'm looking forward to being out there this spring.

[Roman]

So when is it we get to see the "Long Distance Traveler" again?

[Roman]

Almost forgot I had this one,

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8BeUVggW38[/youtube]

[Grumpy]

[NickO]

Some fun at the hacienda. . .

[NickO]

Here are a few "During" shots:

[Grumpy]

Damn, we do good work...

[79chevy39.5's]

ooo pretty

[White trash]

WTF??? It was sunny when you guys started that deal??? Thats a bunch of crap... I got my butt soaked good working on that...


Glad everything went well, its always fun to nut up and go for it sometimes.

[Grumpy]

We saved the best part for you

[colemancooler]

Nice work, A HUGE improvement over what you started with.

[Grumpy]

It does seem to have worked out Nick's son, John, is driving it, and has more plans for it. He may end up out here, so it'll maybe end up back in the NW.

As an aside I keep forgetting to mention, it seems the old crock was sold new at the IH dealer in Coos Bay, Oregon. That, coincidentally, is where I grew up, and the dealers son was one of the bunch I ran with when I was a kid So, I now have a Courtesy Pontiac/Buick/IH tag in my collection of "Stuff"