I bought my truck in 2017. I've been using the forum since before I bought the truck to learn. Now that I've started to upgrade the truck some I figured I should post to share with the community.

The truck is a 1992 W250 automatic. It has 141,000 miles. It was completely stock when I bought it. The previous owner installed a new headliner and steering box. I don't know anything else about the history other than it lived its entire life here in the desert and it needs a paint job.

The first thing I did was tint the windows and change all the fluids.

Here is the truck when I first bought it, getting it registered:



First at home:




Window tint:

 

The next thing I did was get new wheels and tires. The tires are Falken WildPeak A/T in 285/70/17. The wheels are pro comp 17x9 with 4.75" backspacing. The truck stayed like this for a month or so waiting for the leaf springs and supporting parts to arrive. I didn't drive it much as it was close to rubbing. I had to removed the fender moldings in the parking lot to get it home without rubbing issues.

Here are some pictures of the new wheels before installing the leveling springs:

 

Not long ago the Alcan +2 springs I ordered arrived. The springs were quality built. I didn't notice until one side was already installed but the rear bushing was for a 5/8 bolt. After talking to Bill @ Alcan he thought I wanted 5/8 bushings in the front and rear of the leaf springs. I meant to verify they were using 5/8 in the front. Through a misunderstanding I ended up with 5/8 in the front and rear of the leaf springs. I just drilled the shackles and used a grade 8 5/8 bolt. I had new U-bolts made locally at Arizona Spring.

Speaking of the shackles I used Archive Garage's shackle mounts with shackles. I liked the kit. It wasn't a lot of fun grinding the rivets off, but not hard.

I used Bilstein shocks part number: BIL-33-185590.

I was planning to get it aligned after installing the new springs and shocks. So I went ahead and replaced the drag link and both tie rod ends. I also painted the center link.

Drag link part number: Moog DS914
Tie Rod Ends: Moog ES2010L and ES2010R

The steering feels more responsive now, but it could just be in my head. After getting the tires on I could feel how numb the steering was.

I have the sway bar off to strip down, paint, and install new bushings. I'll get that done very soon.

Here is the pile of crusty old parts:




New parts installed:






Truck stance:

 

From your photos it looks like you are in Arizona. The saguaros are a dead giveaway. Somewhere west of Tucson would be my guess.

Edwin

 

Looks like a great truck! I got family in AZ they are in Lake Havasu.

 

Nice work! That truck looks super clean.

I owned pretty much the same truck for a while, and 265s would rub the front fenders once in a while. With your taller rear blocks that, 2 inch front kit is perfect!

I see you ditched that side moulding too, nice touch!

I am always envious of you dry and hot weather guys. I would take baked off paint on the sheet metal vs holes rusted through frame rails any day!

 

The saguaros are a dead giveaway for sure! I'm actually in Tucson.

 

Thanks! I've read through your thread. I hope to get the truck painted some day so it is clean as yours.

I've never been to Lake Havasu. I have been in the Havasu Creek from the Colorado river side once while on a rafting trip down the Grand Canyon.

 

I agree - would rather have baked off paint than rust. I do plan to get it painted some day. I'm just doing a little at a time as I get money saved up.

 

Thanks buddy, You'll get there one day at a time.

If you get the chance to head over there its pretty cool especially to see the London Bridge.

 

My truck came from South Texas so the frame and body have zero rust except for what it's picked up from setting outside here in SoCal. Someday I'll have a garage big enough to put the whole truck inside and shut the door. Right now it's either put the truck in and the tools set outside or vice versa.

Your truck looks great BTW.

Edwin

 

Thanks Edwin!

I also can't park my truck inside. I have 7 covered car spots but all the doors are 7ft. The attached garage is only 19ft deep. I'm going to build a covered spot before end of the year.

 

I took the truck in for alignment. It seemed like a good idea considering how many things I changed in the front end.

Here are the results for those that are interested:

 

Did you find a new tie rod sleeve/tube or is yours just that pristine looking?

 

It looked like all the other dirty parts under the truck. I stripped it down with these wheels - https://www.lehighvalleyabrasives.co...oarse-cs4-xcrs. Then went over it with some sand paper (220 I think) before painting it with a flat black enamel.

I'm going to do the same thing to the sway bar.