New guy in WV

Nothing a good brazing rod won't fix! My Explorer had the same problem, but I caught the leak in time and replaced the cover.
You can really tell how things are loaded in operation, by how they fail. The front pinion bearing was likely starved for oil long before the rear, but it was the rear that seized.

I'll do a build thread eventually once I have something to post, but the current course of action is frame and engine swap to make a nice daily driver.

I've been hoarding a 1st gen dakota and an early 90's f150 waiting for an IH to come along. The dakota for its frame and the f150 for its engine/trans (5.0/zf5 manual). I have $300 in to both donors.

I'm currently stripping down the dakota, I only have to pull the cab off the frame and I'll be done there. Then I'll bring in the IH to pull the body off and set it on the dakota frame to mock up body mounts. While it is off, I'll fix the rust in front of the bed.

Sounds like a good plan!

Dean

Pretty solid looking old truck. Looking forward to seeing some pictures of your project. Good Luck

Hi Newguy in WV

I am too the newbie here...

I love the finish on your old truck...please keep posting on this project...

MikeC

Mocked up a new tailgate since I can do that without having the truck in the garage (currently occupied by a dead ditch witch). Has a little twist to it I'll need to straighten out but I'm happy with it. I made the center big enough so that I can hopefully save the center out of the original tailgate and fit it in there.

Looks like a nice start! I like it.

Dean