Installed new Steering box

[Paul Zeuke]

Today Nessie got a new Steering box, a Borgeson joint to replace the pot joint in the steering shaft, and a new high torque mini starter. The header is loose on the left side for a new gasket and is waiting on new header bolts to reattach it. New shock on the left front and still have to get the right one changed. Radiator needs to go back in (removed for steering box replacement). A little more work for tomorrow.

[Paul Zeuke]

More pics

[Paul Zeuke]

More pics

[Rich Thomas]

Looks like you have spent a bunch of quality time getting to know your rig Paul. It's always good to do repairs that also up grade those worn out systems and, doing the work yourself is all the better. 

[Paul Zeuke]

Nessie is an ongoing project. We go camping in ten days and 90% of what I wanted to get done is done. Small items next weekend to button up. I am figuring I will get the fuel injection installed before our camping trip for July 4th. The rear brakes will be checked out top to bottom after this trip and before our trip for memorial day. By trade I am an industrial maintenance technician. Back in the 90's I was an ASE certified auto mechanic. I had one set back. I had picked up a deep sump Transmission pan with cooling tubes and it will not fit with the headers I have. Sticking with the stock one.

[Rich Thomas]

Can you do fins with an external cooler. I'm replacing the TH 400 in the Palace. It has a cooler out in front of the radiator but it's blocked some what by the bumper and grill. I bought a new cooler and installing a fan on it then relocating it closer to the tranny. Jeggs has a nice cast aluminum pan with the fins on the bottom I thought about getting that one but, for me and the amount of travel I'm able to do, I don't think it would be necessary for my set up.

[Paul Zeuke]

That is just it, the aluminum finned pans are quite high. The trans cooler in front of the radiator works well and I am looking to relocate it behind the front bumper on one side with an external oil cooler on the other. Nessies front bumper was set up for a tool box it does not have so i figure laying the coolers flat with a simple scoop to direct air through them outside of the grill.

[Rich Thomas]

Maybe I'm over thinking my planed set up, I was thinking if I moved it from out front, It would get more air without the restrictions from the bumper and grill. I was also thinking it would cool better when creeping through traffic and park roads. 

[Paul Zeuke]

I am looking to move the cooler from in front of the radiator to try and let it get more air. The cooler with the fans is a good idea. It can be put anywhere and still work. I am bummed about the deep sump pan because it had a bung in it for a temperature sensor. I am going to have to figure out somewhere else to tie it in. I also have to get some 1/8" pipe nipples for the sender for my new oil pressure gauge. The is not enough room for it to screw directly into the block. I used to have a mechanical gauge for oil pressure but it almost caused a catastrophe on a long trip last year when the tubing sprung a leak.

[Paul Zeuke]

There is about a 12" gap between the front bumper and the body on either side of the frame. That is where I am planning  mount the coolers. There is what appears to be an old battery tray that I have used for storage in between the rail. There will be a new starting battery going in there and the trolling motor battery will sit in there also. I am going to try and use every inch of free space

[Rich Thomas]

You have inspired me to get off my @$$ and at least get prepped for installing my new TH 400. I have all of what's needed for the transmission it as I bought it as a kit from Monster Transmission. but I need some of the peripherals like u-Joints. exhaust gaskets and clamps. it's not a hard job but with my back I have a lot of limitations.

[Lakota Wolf]

Nothing like having to get into the grease and grime to undo everything.... Sounds like you have a good handle on the situation,,,

[Paul Zeuke]

Thanks Lakota. Since I have had the new steering box for almost a year and I am not sure where the receipt is, I am going to replace the bad seals in the old one and put it on the shelf for a spare.

For the first time in 15 years I now get dirtier working on stuff at the house than I do at work,,,,lol.

Never used to be that way no matter what I dug into at the house. I also replaced a bad ignition coil in my 86 Dodge truck. Took a bit to get started as I flooded it not realizing the coil had failed. When that slant 6 caught she spit a cloud of black smoke like a cummins...