May have to take that steering box out, fair bit of wear in it, whether it could be rebuilt I don't know. If I have to go to that extreme, may be just a lot easier to do as a few have advised and adapt another type off something like one of the smaller cab over Jap trucks, Isuzu, Toyota or something along those lines. They nearly all mount in the same fashion and have had splines reworked in the past, done properly of course. At least I know they would be available and if ever needed parts would be a damn side easier to get parts for than the original Karrier box.
That's the trouble with tinkering around with some of this earlier stuff, just about everything that I have fitted has had to have been modified or adapted as I go along. Challenging sometimes, but Hey, that's half the fun! It is fun, isn't it??
King pins can always have made, ball joints are not insurmountable, likewise spring bush pins etc.
Just about got the clutch linkage sorted out, what should have been relatively easy became APITA as the original Dodge hydraulic slave cylinder was far too close to the exhaust system, even with a heat shield wouldn't have squeezed it in, so had to mount the throwout lever rod from behind so it pulled instead of pushed, and to further complicate things, was on the wrong side of the bellhousing as well.
Mounted a crossover shaft on two pillow block bearings with another long rod going inside the drivers side chassis rail to the clutch pedal fulcrum point. Complicated pivot points under the drivers floor, but almost there, had to leave enough room for engine oil cooler hoses and also to be able to get to it if ever needed, without dismantling the whole engine!
Engine/driveline just about finished except for clutch rods, tailshaft installed.
Got a bloke chasing up brake slave cylinder parts, already got the twin circuit brake master cylinder here, another adaptation. Small Jap truck vacuum booster can be adapted as well with a remote linkage from the pedal to the booster itself.
Sometimes wonder why I just didn't go out and buy something a lot later model and easier to get parts for. But, being a confirmed tinkerer that would have been far too simple. This project will see me out, if ever it does get finished.
Besides, gotta have something to test the old brain cells out and keep me out of the water hole.
Without belabouring the point, would just like to thank all those who have offered advice, tips, (sometimes just a little outside the square), on this.
I read quite a few overseas forums on modifications, special conversions, things along those lines. Quite often someone who is attempting something a bit out of the ordinary will get blasted out of the water, lambasted as it were, because it doesn't fit with their "off the shelf" rebuilds. haven't found that on this forum, or if it does exist, opinions are pretty well kept to yourselves. Said it before, this forum would be the best that I use for good sound advice, no matter how wacky the questions raised may appear to be. Always have been answered in good spirit, good humour and valuable insight.
Thanks again, Dave
