Yeah when I saw you having them line up after getting the 6.5 measurement it was totally straight forward. You did all the hard work!
Started notching the frame rails. Using stock 4x4 3/16 tubing measured approx 6" in length. I'll also move the bump stop forward as I moved the axel forward 2" . cutting where I boxed earlier. Fitting... Leaving a flange for a good surface to gusset weld
Okay all the cutouts are complete. Time to weld in notches The flange acts as a nice base to "v" well or gusset weld Next fit axel and place ublot stops in...they fit nicely Get the fame off jacks and see how notches line up to spring pad Next I'll cut and fit shock towers
Next I have to shorten the drag link... Also need to make sure tires are straight and steering arm is vertical to the frame to get the most of equal turning radius. Measurements taken and you can barely see a line running the length of the link. This is to ensure I weld exactly how it was factory. I burned both pieces together and ground out welds Time to install and see how I did with measurements Note a slight decline towards front that's okay you want a bit of slope Fits good!! Okay front is complete with mods so next comes the engine and tranny. Stay tuned
I sure do enjoy watching this come together...by the way, if you search for shocks by length on Ebay, you can find what you need with the correct ends for your shocks.
Hey Todd Yeah I need shocks front n rear. Monroes. These old ones don't have much travel did you or tim get the same length or go with shorties. I think you mentioned it back in a message. I'll check. Next I got to mount a front engine support. As you can see in pics the front frame rail didn't have a v8 mount. I have a donor that was riveted on another truck so I'll fit the engine on rear cross member and fit the front mount. Thx!!
Next I'll have to test fix the engine without trans to locate and fit front engine mount. Some 61-64 trucks had a mount for 8&6 cylinder. This one just for six. 8cylinder engines are shorter front to back This is a donor that was riveted on a late 50's.
Busy day. Mocked up the engine to mount front motor support As you can see I had to go with the original mount. The one I found in the field was not gonna work So take engine out attach motor support and attach trans to go back in. Trans was a s@&thead to get on After some time I got it all in place. Lookin nice good clearance below Truck got a sweet stance even without the sheetmetal on Gonna have issues with my steering box and headers. So gonna have to address that
Upon further measuring I may need to Cut the top off the new steering box so the bend of the header can clear its pretty tight
There's plenty of room for the oil filter but when the headers get attached it gonna be tight. What I may need are Ram Horns.
Addressing the header fit I cut a section out of the down tube Then started piecing it back together the clear the steering box doing this while taking headers on and off etc... Tacked on I continued till I got the correct clearance from plug wires and steering box All together and fits great
Time to wire it back up...since I have replaced generator for a one wire alt. I can remove the regulator and rat nest of wires that go along with it. Shorten oil and water temp sender wires.
Finished up the wiring and started on prepping body panels, sanded, wire wheeled and primed then painted... Awesome day to leave out to dry After that with intentions to mount tomorrow. I saw that I needed to hook up the front break lines. Unfortunately I'll have take out the headers to do so...as I boxed the frame and have no clearance to get hands into to mount bolts from inside the lines in the frame rail...oh well live n learn
Thanks yeah it's comin along nice to be twoards the end however, got the whole body to think about. Now that the engine compartment is dialed the rest of the body needs serious attention. Thx again!
Okay fiting fenders and front clip have work on pass fender to do but wanted to post some pics. Before as you can see the stock height and tire placement... After as you can see the 6 inch plus drop as well as the tire placement that fits the tire in the wheel so so much better...having moved axel 2 inch forward. And yes tires clear inner fender and outer as well during turn radius.
Okay taking off old layers of paint gonna get it all down to bare metal and do the body work. But you get the idea I did get the grill painted Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Both front fenders are pretty banged up so I'm on the hunt for donors. Most likely get it all back together and drive it till I get patch panels or a donor. I hammered them out as good as I could however when the fenders where hit it twisted the fender pretty bad Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Finnrodder Yeah shoebox is waitin. I had to get this one going cuz it's my driver. Just needed an engine but once I had it apart...you know how it goes...I had to do the suspension work, paint all the little parts in the engine bay etc...shoebox will be a winter project Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Hmm...I just don't think this is the stock bumper...at first I thought it was tweeked an twisted but now I think it's a later bumper any thoughts?...same gap on both sides Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
The Jalopy Journal
