Upgraded to a K100E

Well Santa dropped by again bearing gifts. I was under the impression I was picking the order up from the airport, but the nope, delivered right to the job in the back yard. I bought 3 springs and 5 bags so I have a spare.


Was was in the middle of discovering the auto slack adjusters fit the rear, but appears they don't match/exist for the front, plus the OE shoes are quite narrow. Can't find auto adjusters in the US so definitely won't exist in AU, nor are the 1993 S cams legal anymore as they are too small of some BS. So the hunt is for a steer axle with Meritor brakes to match the rears, so its all matchy matchy. Makes it easier to take advantage of sales or to have a few parts on the shelf for unforeseens.

Also had one of the manuals show up and some trim decals for when its all done. Classic ebay though, 3 decals left but now there are 10, and to scabby to adjust the price any to help with international freight.


I'm in two minds however, maybe 3. The truck has sat for a week and when started a 15 gal puff of grey smoke emerged and that's it. No black or white also with a rev thereafter. So wondering do I need to drop 20k on an engine rebuild even though its thought to have 1.3 million on it. I suspect its not its original motor. The 3.9 diffs however get nice howl at 59 mile, not 58 or 60 just right on the knocker at 59. That probably is no biggie either as 59 is not where I drive, but 3.7 diffs would make the truck more usable/economical especially if the 18 speed autoshift goes in with a final at .75. The auto has to happen as I'm no truck driver and opens the door for easier staffing and truck abuse. My current staff member is not that interested in mastering an 18 RR either.

So really I think gbox, diffs, suspension and see how it runs. The motor however is tuned for 425hp, so might be a bit wanting for the 42.5T we run. Not sure just yet if that can be tuned up to 470hp with a bigger turbo without a bit of an overhaul. But for now its steer axel and front suspension.

 

workshop manual, owners manual and electrical manual on its way. Koni shocks on their way but as always on some backorder.

Have found S cams and ? bracket they run through that holds the booster. So auto adjusters all round on the trusty drums up front should happen today. Think the ball is finally rolling.

 

Well things move slow but they do move. My upgraded Meritor m-plus bits. Got excited with the sand blaster and managed to track down my water based rust converter-primer so really happy with that. Got new S cams, auto slacks, drums and shoes while upgrading from 15" to 16.5" with a 5" wide pad. So job one out of the way almost for the engineer.



Looking at the old spring the new doesn't look like its made for 6T. But happy to be wrong on that and sure is a lot lighter to handle.

 

@Oldman83, a question if you don't mind. When mounting these spring is the rear hanger vertical? Or what's your process to set them up. Got one mounted and the axel attached. Going to have to do a bit of leading air bag top mount engineering to make it work. I can see why one bag can be a preferred option. Need to alter the lower radiator hose angle from 90 to 45, but so far so good.

 

yes, and I've gone the twin bag option. Think from memory between the 750 and 748 there is not much difference in length, but it looking like the hanger could come forward 120mm (4.72")

 

Ok thank you. Try and keep shocks verticle?