When a 2hr job turns into a 4 day job :(

[DBK81]

Doing rear shock relocation brackets as I've got a static drop on my '72, so I got to remove the u-bolts, and as can be expected the nuts are rustowelded on, no problem I full figured they would be, out comes the angle grinder, cut the U-bolts off and the front bolt comes out without much effort, the rear ones however, are rusty full of crud, you name it, so soak in rust penitrant for a couple days, come back, hit them with the impact, don't budge, hit them with a sledge, don't move an inch, after fighting with them for two friggen days, I am now to the point that I am going to cut the rivets on the trailing arm and seperate it just enough to get these buggers out of there. Frustrating when something that is suppose to just "be removed" eats up my time. Anyhow, rant over

[Stocker]

I feel your pain. Pretty much everything I do ends up taking a whole lot more time than it should. No shop, hand tools only, limited experience, waiting for parts, you name it. Oh well, it could be a lot worse, at least I have lots of time.

[hounddogs!]

Hear ya. My first task when I got this truck was to swap the rear end. The smoke wrench was the final solution in that case.

[toolboxchev]

Hit them with PB Blasters then heat with a torch, repeat at least 3 times.

I had a piece of farm equipment that took an acetylene torch and in addition to the above I shocked it with a cold water hose after oil and heat process.

I got that bugger off there!

[DBK81]

Success! Hit it with loads of heat, and some more rust penatrant and we had movement some precision hammer work and I was good to go. Needless to say the new u-bolts will get a good coating of assembly lube.

[57larry]

I used my "hot wrench" works every time

[DBK81]

Installing the actual shock relocation brackets = 15min

Removing the old rusted/welded/riveted parts = 5 full evenings

Both lower shock mounts had been welded in spots to the trailing arm, friggen thing fought me the whole way.

Good news is now the shocks actually do their job, ride is much better, and a quick test burnout and zero wheel hop.

[In The Ten Ring]

"Nothing takes 5 minutes."

I thought I'd have my truck running in 3 weeks....it's been 4 years now!

[hewittca]

One of my worst pitfalls on working on my truck is being overly optimistic when planning out the time it will take to finish a project. If I tell my wife I'll be done in one hour, she says ok I'll see you in 4.

[DBK81]

Originally Posted by hewittca

One of my worst pitfalls on working on my truck is being overly optimistic when planning out the time it will take to finish a project. If I tell my wife I'll be done in one hour, she says ok I'll see you in 4.

Lol isn't that true! I'm getting to the point now that almost everything underneath has been replaced so make for less rustowelded garbage.

[SnowGecko]

Originally Posted by 57larry

I used my "hot wrench" works every time

I think I'll get one... sounds like a plan I can stick to...

[71threequarterton]

That's why I've hardly done anything on mine Afraid if ripping something apart and having my truck stuck out on the curb and getting ticketed on street sweeping day I'm finally getting my garage together though so at least it'll be stuck in the garage

[In The Ten Ring]

Originally Posted by 71threequarterton

That's why I've hardly done anything on mine Afraid if ripping something apart and having my truck stuck out on the curb and getting ticketed on street sweeping day I'm finally getting my garage together though so at least it'll be stuck in the garage

I have truck parts in these places:

my garage
my front living room
my rear living room
my bedroom
my parents breezeway
my parents garage
my backyard under a tarp
a forum member's garage

[71threequarterton]

Originally Posted by In The Ten Ring

I have truck parts in these places:

my garage
my front living room
my rear living room
my bedroom
my parents breezeway
my parents garage
my backyard under a tarp
a forum member's garage

I remember those days. Don't get me wrong, my wife is cool but she's kind of a neat freak

[Coley]

Originally Posted by In The Ten Ring

"Nothing takes 5 minutes."

I thought I'd have my truck running in 3 weeks....it's been 4 years now!

...and exactly for this reason why I would never attempt a 'frame off' restoration...lol.
The end game for me is the truck pulling out of the driveway in whatever form it is in on that morning.....washed, detailed...or not....but definitely not apart...lol.

All Good
Coley

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by Stocker

I feel your pain. Pretty much everything I do ends up taking a whole lot more time than it should. No shop, hand tools only, limited experience, waiting for parts, you name it. Oh well, it could be a lot worse, at least I have lots of time.

That's me. Add detail to extreme, and time in borders on pathetic. Like you say, it's because of limited experience. I buy tools as I go. I'll have approaching 1.5-2K in that just for this project.