Re: The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build
 

Cool build. I always learn alot from your threads and posts. Quality work!

Re: The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build
 

Thanks fellas. Troy, I don't even have a credit card anymore. That way there is no temptation.

Re: The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build
 

Same here if something doesn't fit in my budget then it either gets cut or set aside until i can save up enough to make it fit. I found out the hard way last year when my folks passed away that your debts can become your children's debts.

Re: The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build
 

subscribed:fro:

Re: The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build
 

Not too much progress today. I've been short on time the last couple of days.

I did get the tires busted off two of the stock wheels so I can restore them to use as rear inner wheels.

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...4247542358.jpg

Then dipped into the stripper vat to get them to bare metal.

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...b46a2d527b.jpg

Next is to sandblast and powdercoat them. I should be able to get them finished Friday. Then to mount the new tires to them.

Also, not shown in pictures, I got the rear brakes bled and started adding oil to the rear differential. On these full floaters, I always fill them with fluid then drop each side down and let it hang at an angle for awhile, then refill fluid level. This dropping and hanging each side causes the gear oil to migrate outward to the hub cavities and submerge the bearings in oil so they don't run dry upon initial test drive. The factory setup relies on centrifugal motion to slosh gear oil outward to the bearings as the truck is driven, but you'd be driving on dry bearings until you turned left and right enough to get the oil out to the ends of the axle.

I'm about to go pick my daughters up from school and will run by the parts store to get a pair of new valve stems for these wheels. I'm running true heavy truck bolt in brass valve stems on these. They're only a couple of bucks each, but a bit hard to find. I'm having to go by a parts store I usually don't frequent to get them. Still, worth the effort as opposed to rubber pull through valve stems as used on cars and light trucks.

Re: The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build
 

Interesting technique on the FF. Is it just those axles that need to be gravity filled that way or do all axles need it?

Re: The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build
 

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...8ae4b2882f.jpg

Two dollars and fourteen cents out the door for the pair. The kid behind the counter kept trying to sell me some chrome crap in a blister package for 6 bucks. Finally I virtually blocked him behind the counter and made him go into the back with my part number and find them in the bulk packaging. I wanted true brass high pressure truck valve stems not chrome plated car stems.

I only do it with full floating axles.

Here is why....

On a semi float axle, the outer bearings are inside of the tube. There is one bearing per side. On a FF axle, there are two bearings per side, and they fit around the outside of the axle tube. The hub which contains the bearings acts as a reservoir to contain a pool of gear oil that the bearings ride in. If you think about it, the bottom of the bearings are below the axle tube (since they fit AROUND the tube), so the gear oil would have to run out the tube in sufficient quantity to fill the hub cavity for lubing the bearings. I have something like 70 dollars for the new bearings here so I want to make double up sure they are well lubed the first time I release the brake and drive away.

The hub acts as a reservoir.

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...ps43a089f1.jpg

The lube travels out the axle tube and fills the hubs. Note the machined area where the bearings ride on the outside of the axle tube as opposed to more common semi float axles where they ride inside the tube.

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...ps067cf07c.jpg

Now, some mechanics just pack the bearings with grease when they install them. In this way, the bearings are well lubricated from the start. Then, the gear oil eventually mixes with the grease and dissolves it. I just don't care for that method after the effort and expense I did on this project to make sure everything is "just right". I'm not saying its wrong, I just chose to do it the slower and more tedious way of tilting the axle side to side as I continue topping the level up.

Re: The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build
 

Is there a good tutorial on servicing these HD housings? My rear brakes never worked on the dually & that needs to be corrected. I have never worked on a dana HD-70 so I would like to educate myself to limit my 'doh' quantity.

Re: The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build
 

Gotcha yea that makes sense. They teach you the fast way to do things at shops around where I am, not the right way. Thanks for explaining that.

Re: The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build
 

I've been going onto ebay and picking up the service manual for these trucks. They're specifically for the trucks and only a little outdated. :lol:

Re: The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build
 

I do all my 1 ton learnin on Pirate 4x4. Those guys are hard core axle freaks. The brakes are just brakes like you're familiar with. The only unusual stuff is installing the hubs and setting the bearing preload. My GM service manual states to torque the bearing nut to 50 ft/lb while turning the drum. Then, loosen and tighten hand tight and set the keeper in place to hold it at that.

I'm sure the packing with grease deal would work splendid. I just spent so much time getting this thing surgically clean inside I wanted to run fresh clean gear oil and not have it get muddied up by dissolved grease.

Re: The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build
 

The very first thing I bought when I started this project. Money well spent.

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...3CEFF57008.jpg

Re: The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build
 

I've been looking for some service manuals locally but not on e-bay (I have the chilton/parts store typre reference books & they're not specific enough).

I did google Dana HD-70 brakes.... But 99% of info that pops up is related to disc brake swaps for SRW axles in extreme duty/4x4 app's. Hope to have the rear housing yanked tomorrow night & wanted to pull it apart then to see if my lack of rear brakes is just an adjustment issue or if there is more to it. I already did the same mods as TX & removed the rear weight bias module & went w/the traditional brake line routing like the 1/2 ton trucks.

Re: The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build
 

I got the wheels powdercoated today. The color is semi gloss black in an effort to hide the inner wheel through the holes in the Alcoas.

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...8bec474b5f.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...c866b21f7c.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...313fae5f8d.jpg

Now to find some mudflaps that make me happy. Fortunately, the dimensions are 24x30 which is typical semi truck size. That should improve my options of finding something neat.

If anyone has any suggestions on inspired mudflap choices, speak up. I want something with a bit more bling than plain black rubber flaps. Maybe a logo or at least stainless steel plates on the bottom. I've tried to find something whimsical like "Texas" logo flaps with no luck.

Re: The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build
 

Those chrome-plated naked lady silhouettes are always classy.

Re: The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build
 

^ Lol.

Like these?
http://www.iowa80.com/DirectionsWEB/...es/l200249.jpg
or these?
http://mudflaps.com/i-8118666-go-ind...exas-pair.html
http://mudflaps.com/images/M43427087.jpg

Re: The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build
 

You just linked to the two EXACT items I've been considering ordering. In the entire spectrum of the Internet and all the pages out there, you hit the nail exactly on the head, twice.

I've been poking around to find a work around on the Texas bottom strip deals. Iowa80 is trying to rape me on shipping real bad. I'll find a work around to get them cheaper. I might just plasma cut something out of aluminum myself.

Re: The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build
 

I just clicked on you thread to check out your progress and Hillbilly Deluxe came on Pandora. Weird but cool. lol. Wheels look great. Check out http://www.4statetrucks.com/ for tons of mudflap weights.

Re: The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build
 

Kevin,

I really enjoyed reading your build. I appreciate the way you take the time to do things the correct way, the first time.

Have you tried amazon for your TEXAS weights?

Grand General 30051 Chrome 4" x 24"...

Re: The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build
 

Those things were right under my nose the whole time since I'm such a frequent Amazon shopper. I never thought to look there for them (face palm). They show ships in 1-3 weeks though. I wonder what's up with that.

Re: The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build
 

Awesome build...thanks for taking the time to take pictures and give details...I've learned quite a bit!

Re: The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build
 

Buy them both and you'll have one of each. :metal:

Re: The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build
 

Tx, per our dually wheel discussion, the Square body wheel....

Re: The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build
 

The GMT/NBS wheel....

Re: The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build
 

I missed the discussion, but just to throw it out there, the Square body and GMT 400 (88-2000) wheels would have a 4.56" center bore, the NBS 2001-2010 (GMT 800, 900) would have a 4.60" center bore. .04" is probably not enough to cause a noticeable vibration, but it's there.

Re: The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build
 

The source of the wheel discussion was that I gave Scot my left over wheels that I pulled off this truck. When he got them home and started looking close, there were two separate pairs of wheels there, one square body and the other GMT400. I was oblivious to the differences and didn't even realize that my truck was running mismatched wheels.

Re: The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build
 

Interesting, I knew GMT400 still had the same 4.56 bore as the squarebody, but didn't know they changed the shape of the center.

My dually is running mismatched inners, the offset and bore is the same, but interestingly one had an oval shaped valve stem hole. I had to scrounge up two junkyard 16" wheels for the inners since mine had 16.5s originally.

Re: The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build
 

I'm not totally crazy about my mud flaps. The originals were 24x24 and I felt them too short, so I bought the next size longer which is 24x30. They might be too much. I'll have to mull it over.

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...f3fdd97da5.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...8c0388254b.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...865561f978.jpg

I need to get it situated in better light conditions for more proper pictures.

Re: The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build
 

just my opinion, but I think the longer ones look good on there. You have done a great job on this one and the truck looks great with the mild lowering you did and those wheels look awsome!

Re: The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build
 

Yes the longer ones do look better. Makes the truck look lower to the ground.

Re: The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build
 

I absolutely had to change the original mudflaps. They were guaranteed stolen. We have a local company around here called BJ Coil Tech that does oilfield work. Some oilfield guy definitely stole these.

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...91409e20ef.jpg

Plus, I didn't dig driving around with the words "BJ Services" on the back of my truck.

Re: The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build
 

:lol: :haha:

Re: The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build
 

This time of year I struggle with taking pictures without some sort of shadow or distraction in the back ground.

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...af13af8bb7.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...5b53530d10.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...8659ea4307.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...091f9a2253.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...478e4d3a26.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...fbc8cb2c00.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...53f08932ea.jpg

Valerie has offered to make me a pair of decals for the center of the mud flap weights. I'm thinking about "TEXAS" in black, centered between the stars.

Re: The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build
 

I knew at least one person would catch what I was talking about.

Re: The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build
 

Looks good as is! Have you gotten to go bomb around?

Re: The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build
 

Not yet. I still need to set the toe in close enough to get it to my buddies shop.

Plus, the exhaust is pointed directly at the rearend. I'm poor right now so rather than get a tailpipe, I had Valerie order me (Amazon free ship) a Dynomax 3 inch turn down tip. That will point the exhaust toward the ground directly in front of the rear axle.

I am going to go add it to my insurance today though. Then I'll need to register and inspect it (like 100 bucks total there).

Re: The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build
 

Bet you'd be popular around Austin. :lol:


Flaps look great on there. I'm always on the fence about putting them on mine. My rear fenders are already eat up with rock chips from the last 36 years without them. I'd like to put some on when I repaint it, but then again, I love the fact that it looks like Batman's Tumbler Batmobile from the back without flaps :uhmk:

Re: The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build
 

Wow, that truck is looking GREAT! I would like to see it with a bit of weight on it. Mudflaps are looking good; just my thoughts, but I think for a DRW truck w/flatbed that the mudflaps should just about kiss the ground when loaded.

Re: The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build
 

Whats the law/rule on DRW trucks (flap requirements)?

Re: The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build
 

I do not believe there are any Federal DOT laws regarding light trucks, I know NC does not have any light truck mud flap laws. Some other states, such as Komifornia, do have flap laws.