Burken Boys’ and Girl’s Journey

[wjburken]

Joseph’s new truck came with some significant sheet metal cancer so I’ve been on the look out for some better sheet metal for it. I found a truck on Facebook Marketplace that was the same color and had better sheet metal so we set out yesterday to go collect it since the price was right. The post showed a truck that was on its wheels and at ground level.

When we got there, we discovered we were going to a “auto recycling” business and the truck had been relocated to on top of an NBS GMC Sierra. Nothing like parkour auto salvaging.

We were able to grab the two front fenders and the bed of the truck and head out.

Today we took on the task of swapping out the beds. Joseph took on the task of disconnecting the old bed from the truck.

Once we got the old beds off, and we had to put out an all call. Molly, Joseph, Javier and myself were able to make quick work of moving the bed off the trailer and on to the truck.

Here is the bed on the truck after Joseph got it all bolted down. We still need to swap out the better fuel door from the old bed.

The plan is to get the two front fenders swapped out this week.

 

[89Suburban]

Joseph’s new truck came with some significant sheet metal cancer so I’ve been on the look out for some better sheet metal for it. I found a truck on Facebook Marketplace that was the same color and had better sheet metal so we set out yesterday to go collect it since the price was right. The post showed a truck that was on its wheels and at ground level.View attachment 386662
When we got there, we discovered we were going to a “auto recycling” business and the truck had been relocated to on top of an NBS GMC Sierra. Nothing like parkour auto salvaging.
View attachment 386663

We were able to grab the two front fenders and the bed of the truck and head out.

Today we took on the task of swapping out the beds. Joseph took on the task of disconnecting the old bed from the truck.
View attachment 386664

Once we got the old beds off, and we had to put out an all call. Molly, Joseph, Javier and myself were able to make quick work of moving the bed off the trailer and on to the truck.
View attachment 386665

Here is the bed on the truck after Joseph got it all bolted down. We still need to swap out the better fuel door from the old bed. View attachment 386667

The plan is to get the two front fenders swapped out this week.

WOW! Nice work!

 

[Tonyrodz]

You got the hardest part out of the way 1st. Nice work. Keeping the old bed? If not you should def take the fender flares.

 

[wjburken]

You got the hardest part out of the way 1st. Nice work. Keeping the old bed? If not you should def take the fender flares.

The old bed is too far gone to think about keeping it. Fender flares are used up. Previous owner used a variety of sheet metal screws and bailing wire over time to keep it attached to the bed so they have a bunch of holes in them.

 

[Tonyrodz]

The old bed is too far gone to think about keeping it. Fender flares are used up. Previous owner used a variety of sheet metal screws and bailing wire over time to keep it attached to the bed so they have a bunch of holes in them.

Gotcha. Here in the northeast we use duct tape to hold stuff together, I guess in the midwest you guys use bailing wire and sheetmetal screws.

 

[wjburken]

Gotcha. Here in the northeast we use duct tape to hold stuff together, I guess in the midwest you guys use bailing wire and sheetmetal screws.

Yep! When the sheet metal screws don’t have anything to grab, you step up to bailing wire.

 

[Tonyrodz]

Yep! When the sheet metal screws don’t have anything to grab, you step up to bailing wire.View attachment 386747

Gotta do whatcha gotta do sometimes.

 

[wjburken]

A two weeks ago, I get a call from Javier saying that he had a steering issue and he found this when he looked……

Obviously a tie rod is not supposed to look like that. Fortunately it came loose when he was coming to a stop in town and not on the highway. He got it towed home and when we looked at it, it appears that the adjustment sleeve was so rusty that there wasn’t much holding it and it just pulled apart.

I helped Javier find what he needed on RockAuto and he bought a new tie rod/drag link assembly. He installed it on Sunday and I did a quick eye-ball alignment so he could at least get it back to the alignment shop 6 blocks away. Have to say, I think I got it fairly close just sighting down each side of the truck. The before measurements are my eye-ball results.

 

[Tonyrodz]

A two weeks ago, I get a call from Javier saying that he had a steering issue and he found this when he looked……View attachment 387835

Obviously a tie rod is not supposed to look like that. Fortunately it came loose when he was coming to a stop in town and not on the highway. He got it towed home and when we looked at it, it appears that the adjustment sleeve was so rusty that there wasn’t much holding it and it just pulled apart.

I helped Javier find what he needed on RockAuto and he bought a new tie rod/drag link assembly. He installed it on Sunday and I did a quick eye-ball alignment so he could at least get it back to the alignment shop 6 blocks away. Have to say, I think I got it fairly close just sighting down each side of the truck. The before measurements are my eye-ball results. View attachment 387836

He's super lucky!

 

[wjburken]

He's super lucky!

Yes he is. Had that let go when he was going 75 down the highway, it would have been a little different outcome.

 

[exp500]

Yes he is. Had that let go when he was going 75 down the highway, it would have been a little different outcome.

Keep your eyes on that one, He's got something he hasta do! Thats quite a watchman looking after him.

 

[wjburken]

Keep your eyes on that one, He's got something he hasta do! Thats quite a watchman looking after him.

You’re not kidding!

 

[wjburken]

Well…..it was pointed out to me yesterday (Thanks for reaching and seeing if I was still alive @89Suburban) that it has been a while since I’ve posted anything here so I thought I post a quick update. This one is regarding Javier.

He wrapped up his Autotech Certificate program a couple weeks ago and is now working full time at the local body shop he has been with for the past few years.

This kid couldn’t pull himself out of bed on time for high school if his life depended on it, so this spring semester when he had a 7:00 am class and school is a 30 minute drive away, I was worried that he’d oversleep, but everyday, he was up at 4:00, had breakfast and was out the door by 5:00 just so he wouldn’t be late for class. Kid seems to have grown up a little. He had some space in his schedule the second half of the semester so he signed up and took a welding class and from the weld samples he brought home, did a pretty good job. Passed almost all his weld tests on the first try.

 

[wjburken]

A while back Javier bought a 2005 Lesabre as a 2nd car as it was kind of expensive daily driving his 2001 F350. Well, on his way to school one morning, I get a call with him telling me his transmission left the chat. He was able to get it towed and the police officer gave him a ride to school so he wouldn’t be late.

Well, we found a good used in with 85K miles on it and last weekend we swapped it out. Thankfully, we had access to a lift. Went pretty smooth for the most part.

 

[89Suburban]

Good stuff buddy!

 

[Fless]

Must be fake photos -- where's the rust?

 

[wjburken]

Must be fake photos -- where's the rust?

I know - it’s really clean for an Iowa car. The subframe is in great condition.

 

[Geotrash]

A while back Javier bought a 2005 Lesabre as a 2nd car as it was kind of expensive daily driving his 2001 F350. Well, on his way to school one morning, I get a call with him telling me his transmission left the chat. He was able to get it towed and the police officer gave him a ride to school so he wouldn’t be late.

Well, we found a good used in with 85K miles on it and last weekend we swapped it out. Thankfully, we had access to a lift. Went pretty smooth for the most part.View attachment 401013View attachment 401014View attachment 401017View attachment 401015View attachment 401016

Hell yeah! Get it! Love to see a work ethic coming together.

 

[Tonyrodz]

I don't even know Javier and I'm proud of him!! Good for him, and you guys did a great job raising him! He kind of looks like my son Mike.

 

[pwtr02ss]

Glad to see you back Wade. I checked your activity a couple weeks ago since I hadn't seen you post in the regular spots lately. You had logged on a couple days prior so I figured you were just playing hard to get for a bit...

Awesome job getting the trans swapped. Kid is certainly going places!