Vintage Truck MUCH NEEDED Suspension Upgrades! Offroad Expedition Camper Build (Week 16)

Watch the Volvo TGB 13 walkaround here : • EX-MILITARY VOLVO C304...
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Volvo TGB 13
Volvo C304
Overlanding Europe
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Truck Restoration

[@philipmoores5202]

Surely the boots on the shocks are there for a purpose to stop road grit etc contaminating the chromium plated pistons

[@57guyro]

The rubbers around the shocks isn’t for looks its to stop stone damage but if you keep to the asphalt and just drive around in low range it will be fine but keep away from driving down dirt roads as the stones flying up from the tyres will sand blast them and decrease the life

[@JustinCaseSolarPower]

@57guyro "The rubbers around the shocks isn’t for look, It's to stop stone damage" Spot on with that answer. Put the Rubbers back on.

[@clivestainlesssteelwomble7665]

The road dust and wet grime will work like grinding paste even hardened chrome will scratch in a year and then the wiper seals will get damaged and the stems score ..leading to leaks and MOT fails.. If you have gaiters fit them ..maintain them.. bare MC fork leg stanchions suffer terribly in temperate climbs.. then if they rust with road salt they are scrap PDQ.

[@barcrusher]

The whole point of the vehicle is to go off-road

[@SimonElenor]

I have been building 4x4's for over 30 years. Everytime I have removed shocks with boots the top of the shock and shaft are shot. The boot keeps the moisture and dirt in the boot and unless you pull the boot off regularly and clean inside they hurt more than they help. Just my two cents from a guy that learnt the hard way. Plus without the boot you can clean the seal area easily.

[@marciacoker2968]

No way little Oakley is beginning to take baby steps 🙌 💛💛💛 hard work you both are doing 👏👏 take care!

[@TheOutFit]

He is doing so well! Thank you so much Marcia for your kind words 😊

[@damianorizzi1621]

Seguo da mesi (da anni il vostro canale) un lavoro veramente strepitoso esempio per tutti gli appassionati di meccanica e auto in genere. Siete una grande coppia (oggi un trio) e un giorno spero vivamente di potervi ospitare a casa mia, in Italia.

[@MrTubeuser12]

can't wait to see some drone footage of this beast off-road. good luck with the build guys 👍

[@TheOutFit]

It will look awesome from the air! Thanks for watching :)

[@paulwinskill5810]

Keep the boots on! Already been commented on! Personally, I can't emphasise enough how important they are. They are there for a reason! Sod aesthetics & 'what looks good.' This is your home for travelling around the world! You need it to be as perfect mechanically as it can be... I speak from experience, I am an automotive master technician, although I have a different job within the industry currently...

[@MikeBanks2003]

I have run silver solder into the threads of stripped nuts or to jam a nut onto a threaded rod. Silver brazing needs a lower temperature than silicon bronze, and has better penetration. Silicon bronze is my first choice where the required extra heat is not a problem. The good thing about silver brazing is it can often be used on the vehicle.

[@boy3127]

Those dish washes you are putting on the lower shock I’m pretty sure the dish has to be facing outwards not in wards could be wrong you should check with the manufacturer loving the content and your build keep up the great work

[@truebluetravellers]

😂😂😂pmsl, brilliant bit of content for a Friday 😂👍💪🚒

[@Chris-o4n2u]

So close now,can’t wait for the adventure to begin

[@TheOutFit]

Still a long way to go but we are getting there! Thank you for following along :)

[@papaschmu]

Lets go! It becomes a BEAST! Nice suspension :)

[@TheOutFit]

Wait until we put the new tyres on and then it will be a BEAST! Thanks a lot for watching :)

[@craigtuck1741]

great job on the suspension Chris, those damn pesky bolts that dont want to move . my mate has a solary magnetic induction eater bolt removal tool, and its amazing . he bought it on amazon uk

[@marcoslopo7139]

You need to make o trip together!

[@Rexy888]

Good to see you using Australian made made shocks down under your truck.pun intended😂❤

[@mfletch392]

In my opinion, you are doing a good job, my Internet pal; I hope you and the family are all well.

[@TheOutFit]

That is very nice of you to take the time to write this comment, thank you for watching!

[@ShiftingAdventures]

Great video guys, it’s coming along so well… loving each update. My god, when you were installing the Dobinson shocks, you looked like one of the Mario Bros in the overalls and sporting the moustache 😂 Keep up the great work!

[@1sheinz]

Leave the boots on, but only put ziptie on the top. This keeps water from pooling an rusting the end of the shock. The other option is what are called ROOST GUARDS, they replace the boot with a guard that faces the front keeps stones from pitting the shock shaft. Fill the boogy completely with grease, any air bubbles will will with condensation and water so hit that zero and grease till no more air escapes. Love too see you've met the bits that are building the 6 by, so interesting to see different builds come together. You need a couple 100cm tire spoons to debead tires yourself. CHEERS Steve h.

[@Bratfalken]

Just in case you find some trouble at some border with the Swedish registry plates, the 00 are numbers, not letters. Sweden used XXX123 before, but changed to a letter instead of the last digit to get more possible combinations when we almost ran out of combos.

[@muamadhamuslimu4995]

You may change the bracket of the shock absorber with the screw to the inside, so that you can reach it when the wheels mounted

[@TheOutFit]

Good tip thanks!

[@Allthingsdefender]

Nice work. It’s a bit bigger than my defender but maybe one day I’ll upgrade to a 6x6

[@Vince1266]

The boots work great at keeping crap out but make it hard to see how much shock travel is being used. Do the testing with them off and add them after you see how much travel you have. Add a cable tie to the shaft to see how much travel is being used. The best comfort comes from using all the travel except a tiny bit being used on rough ground. Dirt bike experience.

[@andicog]

No rebound on the old dampers? They won't 'self extend' if they're a normal non gas damper, only gas dampers extend without being pulled out from fully compressed. Oh, and the springs absorb the shocks, the dampers dampen the spring.... 👍👍

[@KevIsOffGrid]

On the boots - I can argue both ways. Boots on protect the shaft from rock chips and dirt, and means the main seal doesnt have to work so will last longer. However any muck does get in, in stays in, you cant clean it easily, big water crossing and they can fill up and hold muck and water. Boots off - the main seal will clean the shaft, and you can easily keep it clean as you can see it. Its a 50:50 choice really, I'd probably do boots on, and see if they trap muck or keep muck out after the first 10,000 miles or something when you do a full check after the first big trip and check the rebuild is all working well.

[@Flaggyt]

You and jon could be brothers!!! 😂

[@ПавелКолтынюк-е9ч]

Надо при сборке стремянок (U образных болтов) смазывать их водоотталкивающей графитной смазкой , что бы потом не иметь проблем при демонтаже. Так же при сборке смазывать графитом или медной смазкой все резьбы на трансмиссии и шасси! .

[@joldback]

One stray rock, and the shock is stuffed. put the protective boot back on.

[@DriftaholiC]

Rocks can dent and damage the shaft. Keep em covered.

[@CassiarClan]

Not sure if you are aware but you could have the old leaf springs re-arch'd and keep them as spares

[@TheOutFit]

Where would we keep our spares spring? 😅

[@davidoverland440]

In Europe they salt the roads in winter and in the uk .. the salt will eat that shaft

[@davidgilmour5555]

Sorry,I would go for boots on,purely for protection.

[@glencasson9046]

Put the bloody boots back on!!!

[@bobhudson6659]

Looks are one thing but the shocky boots are there for a reason. Unless you know a lot more than the manufacturer leave the boots on - and to say you know more would be a brave (read really dumb) call. Others have already said why boots are fitted. Retired mechanic/machinist in Land Down Under.

[@TheOutFit]

If you actually watch the video, Chris asks people's opinions - he doesn't pretend to know more than the manufacturer. Thanks for the constructive comment.

[@bobhudson6659]

@@TheOutFit I think you are misreading what I said. I said if you do leave off the boots then you are saying you know more than the manufacturer. What Chris is doing is sensible, trying to find out what he should do. What I am also saying is the manufacturer puts a huge amount of research into what should/should not be fitted. Even I as a qualified mechanic would be really foolish to go against what a manufacturer has deemed appropriate.

[@tbthegr81]

Offroad capable vehicles isn't as usefull in Sweden since offroad driving is banned unless in specific cirumstances. Most of which is "You need to do your job and that means driving offroad", like farming, hunting, tree felling or rescue operations. You are however allowed to drive offroad during the winter when there is enough snow to protect the ground from damage.

[@TheOutFit]

We plan to ship the truck to America after Europe hence making it as offroad capable as possible :) thanks for watching

[@vinceess4181]

And no boots. It traps garbage and forces into shocky

[@magicalvortex]

Hi guys, leave boots on the shocks and fit cable ties. It helps prevent grit getting on the seals and surface grinding the shock shaft. Also bounce the suspension when the vehicle is on the ground and do a final tightening of all your bolts/nuts, also check all your nuts/bolts to final specs after a week of driving once everything has settled in. Good job on the video. Also, its called a Bogie like a train bogie.

[@andrewjohnson9896]

Boots on, will increase life between services and cut down damage.

[@jamest5149]

Keep the weather boots on the shocks, the road grit, road salt used in winter, dust and cow poo all attack the shafts and seals quickly.

[@dwainedhotmandevilliers2128]

Love the reference to True Blue it’s how I found your channel so great that you reciprocated keep the banter going

[@brianmac001]

I was going to mention about Trueblue Travellers 😂 Really fun & funny guys. Glad you showed their clip from last week.

[@JC-kh1ut]

I had to check twice …. That checkered shirt had me convinced it was the English fireman! Love the banter between the 2 of you guys.

[@IanDerybshire]

Oh no, a two week wait for the next vid! Where on earth would you find compelling content, honesty and credibility like this on normal TV, (not that I'd know, I stopped watching TV well over 15 years ago precisely for that reason, contrived, ridiculous situations, usually involing annoying "celebities", with a bottomless pit of money far beyong normal peoples' resources). Great stuff, enjoy your mini break, you've definately earned it. Clearly a great deal of research and lanning went into this project, maybe you could explain the background a little? Why a Volvo, design planning, materials specs, engine and gearbox choices? All the best Ian

[@MarcSasso]

Next time double nut and lock the nuts together on the studs you are trying to remove. It's the oil in the shocks that thins in viscosity when they heat up, reducing its ability to dampen movement when flowing through the shock valve body. Also some of your final tightening on suspension components should be done when the vehicle suspension is load bearing at ride height or you are going to create binding and tear up your new rubber bushings. Like on your shock end mounts.

[@andredegoede5218]

It is amazing how used to something we get - I can remember when I changed my old suspension out for OME - the difference was awesome - would never had thought the old suspension was that worn!!! PS - very glad to be your friend, Chris - so talk all you want to!!!!!!

[@nagrar]

In gas shock absorbers the oil is under pressure, this causes them to extend because there is less surface area in the side of the piston where the shaft is. In non gas shock absorbers there isn’t any pressure so they don’t extend by themselves, that doesn’t mean that they are faulty.

[@howie_on_tour]

Getting there 👍🏻 good job. I'd keep the rubber sleeves on. Gives you some extra protection when leaving tarmac. Altough it's one point more to keep in mind of checking on a regular basis to avoid water and muck build up inside I think it's worth it

[@cliff1551]

Chris mate put the rubber boots on mate or the seals will be buggered in a week mate

[@mikezog1030]

While the True Blue guys are funny and very polished and I enjoy watching them for the humour and the vehicle, what they say is clearly rehearsed- your talks sound more natural and I prefer that it sounds like you are chatting to a friend.

[@Grizzmakes]

Morning from Kent, UK. I discovered your channel via TrueBlue Travellers. I think you answered your own question regarding the shock boots. They keep dirt at bay. May look cool but I think function over form. Loving your build so far, even when the Volvo insists on fighting you.

[@duathlete827]

You have a tremendous amount of persistence and patience!

[@TheOutFit]

He sure does! Impressing me everyday :) thanks for watching!

[@andrewcraggs85]

Great job on the build, really quality footage. DEFINITELY put the rubber boots on, the seals will be damaged in no time without protection from sand and dirt.

[@KevIsOffGrid]

LMAO @ "great bit of kit for the workshop" - top bantering with the TBT channel. It would be great to see you both do some off roading in your similar builds at some point.

[@TheOutFit]

Hopefully we can make it happen!

[@ryanmj9]

Just an observation, it looked like the shock absorber cupped washers were installed backwards. Cup facing out is the correct way I believe? I’m sure others can confirm, as I am not a professional.

[@nicholasallez7856]

Can confirm your assessment is correct.

[@TheOutFit]

Thanks for the tip!

[@VintageWanderer]

banging on that suspension is like me banging on my front doors to get the top half off! RUSTED ON! I put nice shocks on my vw bus and off roading it I lost a lower mounting bolt with all the vibration. I had to use some thread locker on the bolt threads so it would not fall off again. Great video!

[@roguetrail]

Hi Ange, I noticed last week, but wasn't sure, this week I paid attention. There were no YT-Ads during the video - not that I like or want them, but I understand it's required for me to continue to be entertained. Just letting you know in case you guys are forgetting something..

[@TheOutFit]

Thanks for letting me know! Where are you watching from? This would impact the ads.

[@roguetrail]

@@TheOutFit Melbs, AUS

[@TheOutFit]

@@roguetrail interesting! We definitely got some ad revenue from Australia lately so I'm not too sure why. Maybe because it's almost the end of the financial year!

[@ThePatricHalldin]

​@@TheOutFit I got an ad watching it now here in Sweden.

[@jamesmason7124]

The scratches on the shafts caused by not using the boots on the shocks will wear out the seals in the shocks. Personally I never chose form over function. God bless you and your family

[@anfieldroadlayoutintheloft5204]

nice upgrade to the build keep up the good vid you do on channel

[@maximusreed]

real beast once the new wheels go on ...amazing amount of work u have done .. cant wait to see the finished result .

[@TheOutFit]

We cannot wait, it is going to be such a beast! Thank you so much for watching and commenting :)

[@craigvirgin8461]

Sorry Chris, but that triple t was very second rate. If you want any chance of stealing Jon's mantle, you're going to have to don one of Ange's bikinis 😂😂😂 You'll have to get together with TBT once both builds are done to compare the off-road capabilities of the Volvo and the Pinz. Would be fasinating. Oh, and as many have said, put the boots back on the shocks. You'll thank everyone later. Love the content.

[@curley1441]

Awesome job!! It's great that nothing stops you and you keep moving forward.

[@TheOutFit]

Thank you so much for watching and the nice comment, it means a lot!

[@akepettersson4847]

Oh darn…what an overhauling this Tgb 13 is getting 🤩

[@TheOutFit]

She doesn't look from the 70s anymore that's for sure! Thank you so much for following along!

[@akepettersson4847]

@@TheOutFit It’s so much fun to follow you along , especially for me because I drove a Tgb 13 when I was in the army from october 1986 to may 1987 in Växjö here in Sweden. The Tgb 13 is a beast on the off road tracks and you take this to another level. Happy that you found new seats , I spend a lot of time on the original seats , and that was a pain 😩 It will be very interesting to see the new engine installed and the pop up roof. Btw : do you both see a date / month when everything is finished and ready for a new adventure ?

[@User13986en]

The build is coming along with great speed, great progress, True Blue Travelers volvo Fire truck has 6 leaf springs on each side of the rear, yours only 4, it seems like you could add 1-2 more leaf springs on each side if you need to.

[@TheOutFit]

Ours are parabolic at the rear. They are very different from the front which have 8 leaf springs. Thanks a lot for watching :)

[@LazL-d6i]

Yes leave boots on . Stops the chrome from scratching and damage

[@cliff1551]

Where's the mankini Chris 👋😄👍

[@maxchartier]

i once had my shock boots fill entirely with water that never drained out... it was a very unfortunate waste of money.

[@steinarbrevikknudsen1546]

What and where will this be used? E6? In Scandinavia, it's not just driving in the countryside...off public roads.

[@annettemay5743]

Lets look at your shocks in a different way. So the front wheel kicks up rocks and stones at 80 kph and you think that won't hit the bling on the tube and dint it thus leaking the Gas or foam or oil out ?? Hmmmm

[@davidmilledge221]

Its a bogie or tandems also called a twin axle normally , all trucker stuff , yep leave the boots on mate , love your work 👍

[@philw4625]

Boots on for sure. Boots off is for the 'hangar queen' look. Looks cool but impractical for intended usage.

[@stevemccormick-ib9ox]

Leave the boots on! Crawlers don’t travel far unless on a trailer and you don’t have Bowser as a tow vehicle.

[@petefranghis738]

Chris, you will regret not using the rubber boots on the shocks , your seals will not last long in rough terain.

[@alangurman3961]

I would have put copper paste on the tips of each individual spring. It's great to see Dobinsons coming on board.

[@Danger_Mouse3619]

You're apprentice is now starting to walk. Now he can go get the tools for you. 😜😉

[@vinceess4181]

Bo gee hard g

[@jmendes394]

Awsome job, priceless seeing Jon n Jess from TBT! Now, all you have need is to get in in touch with Karstan n Max, they're refurbing an Oka in Perth.

[@gold4leaf]

Those Aussie shocks are a 'brilliant bit of kit' 🤣🤣🤣 , but keep the boots on to give them extra protection from dust/water/grime ingress. As I have mentioned to the General (Jess) and Jon you guys need to meet up and compare notes on your builds, ... been following both of you guys since almost the beginning, keep up the great vids, cheers, Garry from DownUnder

[@australiantruckspotting8883]

What an absolute beast.

[@TheOutFit]

@@australiantruckspotting8883 thanks for watching!

[@nickrobertshaw9692]

Starting to take shape, definitely leave the shock boots on as they will provide some protection from rocks and dirt. Those original shocks may have lost their effectiveness but how you were testing them isnt correct, they are hydraulic ( oil filled ) and rely on internal valving to create the resistance. Only gas filled shocks (also oil filled) will extend under their own pressure. Best way to test hydraulic shocks is to extend one fully then rapidly push in then pull out, if it goes in or out too easily its stuffed- its not an exhaustive test but will give you a quick idea on condition.

[@shaunmount130]

Some rust converters and rust primers aren't waterproof.So if you don't seal them,water will get through and you will have new rust.

[@Jabber-ig3iw]

Looks like it’s gonna be a fantastic off-roader, wouldn’t fancy doing much distance in it overlanding though, what speed can you do with those portals?

[@brandond92]

For the U-bolts I would use lithium spray grease. I find it lasts indefinitely. It goes in thin so it will go down the holes then the solvent evaporates leaving the grease behind. I also spray my battery terminals with it before and after I put them on the battery and it lasts longer than anything else I've ever tried.

[@Ovaworked4x4]

I'd be leaving the rubber boots on the shocks, and sort of stone damage will score the chrome and ruin the seals. Which will mean more than just a rebuild.

[@andyjohnson6270]

What? No bikini wearing? Terrible Jon impression. 😂

[@evanselaban7058]

Yeah you should put the boots back on the shocks just think of all that dirt and rocks covering and hitting the shaft which will go into the shocks then your right back in the shop.

[@JackDeFencer]

A product called Kroil - The Oil that Creeps! might be handy for rusty parts

[@Peo_Sahlin]

Keep the boots on. If they were useless, they wouldn't been there from factory.

[@andyvogler8201]

And your spring pack is attached to what’s called a trunnion.

[@bumonthemove]

Keep the boots on or you have to clean them every time you had a drive. Race team can leave them off as the have a team to look after them ( or a good sponsor)

[@patrickmawson1142]

Great job. Will you give us a total cost please? Thanks.

[@Pgsa79]

I have an edge on each side of the leaf landing spot. For aligning the axle.

[@andyvogler8201]

Tri axle meaning 3 and you have a bogie axle meaning 2.

[@lucysoutdoors]

Keep the boots on, they are there to protect that shaft from damage eg rocks and other things you run over.

[@markbergman2342]

is not to much grease! looks good! and yes there will be some pushed out.

[@nicholasallez7856]

Those shock washers are fitted backwards mate. Cup goes away from the rubber to allow the shock to articulate without hitting the eyelet of the shock on the edge of the washers. Those shocks are a good bit of gear but suck to fit. Truck is coming along nicely bud.

[@TheOutFit]

Thanks for the tip and for watching!

[@boonacka]

At 33:00 you may have put that washer on the lower shock mount on backwards. I think the curved side faces outward…

[@TheOutFit]

Thanks for the tip!

[@SimonElenor]

Shock washers go cup outwards to allow for misalignment.

[@TheOutFit]

Thanks for the tip!

[@timsamoa5944]

Leave the boots on

[@robertjohansson6381]

Keep the rubber

[@stephanievegter5438]

🇿🇦♥️♥️💙

[@Mister510]

Shock boots will reduce wear on the shafts and seals while driving on roads. Off road they trap water and mud inside and wear the shock shafts much more rapidly. With heavy forest use no shock boot will last more than a month anyway before it's shredded garbage. I don't run shock boots on my Unimogs and my shocks have lasted decades.

[@LAP1050]

Keep the boots 🥾. Guess it’s too late. OK, don’t keep the boots 🥾 🥾🥾🥾🥾🥾🥾🥾🥾

[@TheOutFit]

We can easily put them back on.