Re: my build thread
 

Those FR joints are kinda' expensive but they are really nice. That's what I'm using in my truck. What size valves and line are going to run?

Re: my build thread
 

Ha I know man I dumped about 135 into 2 joints haha.
Anyways working on a trade for 4 SMC 1/2'' valves. Kinda bigger than I wanted but at least it will get me going. I've just had this watts sitting around for a while anyways with no use for it.

Re: my build thread
 

Ordered my air management system from ******************* over the weekend, can't wait for it to get here.
My Flaming River joints got here today
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...m/6e1c819f.jpg
I also got the watts link finished up at lunch today and ready to ship out, worked out a trade for a full set of valves for my truck. http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...m/debea690.jpg
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...m/31045cc2.jpg
Now I'm just waiting to hear from my co worker when I can throw my motor together over at his place. :metal:

Re: my build thread
 

Which management kit did you go with?

That Watts pivot looks nice. I was thinking about doing one on my Astro eventually but it would have to attach to the axle housing because the pumpkin is offset on those.

Re: my build thread
 

Hey thanks man. :metal:

I ended up buying this kit. Along with getting the 4 1/2'' SMC valves and 2 3/8'' valves aswell.
Linky.
http://*******************/air-manage...-5-gallon-tank

Re: my build thread
 

Loaded parts in my gas mileage car and went and built a motor.
Need a oil pan and some manifolds now.
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...m/66b5b0f9.jpg
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...m/d59adbba.jpg
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...m/c6f704ea.jpg
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...m/c63c760b.jpg

PS thats FORD red not Chevy Orange :D

Re: my build thread
 

I needed to do something about inner fenderwells for the front so today I rolled a sheet of steel into a sort of trailer fender. I have a couple cool ideas for them next. I'll weld them into the recess in my fenders then build tabs off the fire wall and core support to support them, they will look better soon trust me. :devil:

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...m/2b5e9afa.jpg

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...m/e8109202.jpg

Hopefully after dinner shows up I'll have the energy to go throw the front clip on there and start to finish them off.
I also FINALLY after 9 business days got the tracking number for my air management kit, It should be here first thing next week, I'll have to take some sick days so I can stay home and play with it. Hopefully my valves show up soon.

Re: my build thread
 

Tossed the clip on it to see what they will look like. I'll work on it more tomorrow. May trim them down a little bit, I ignored my note and got a little carried away on the width. :mm:
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...m/5fef98a4.jpg

Re: my build thread
 

Just read your whole build. this thing is crazy cool!!!

Keep it up, looks *****in!!!

Re: my build thread
 

ya cant wait to see this thing done!!! so much awsome fab work:metal::metal::metal:

Re: my build thread
 

Thanks guys I really appreciate the kind words.

Had a brain fart late last night, about how to mount my rack to the cross member, so I went out in the garage and threw together a card board template and came up with something that I think will work very well.
My last idea was a 1 1/2'' shaft that I turned down to fit inside the bushings on the rack, I tapped the end for a bolt, I was then going to contour the back of the shaft to match the contour on the crossmember then weld it.
I was never crazy about that idea.
I'm headed down to my machine shop in a few minutes to build these new stand offs. I'll post pictures in a little bit.


Edit, Just got back from work, finished my fenderwells, and finished up my power rack mounts. In the picture you can see my original idea. I like this one a lot better, they match the contour on the cross member so I'll be able to get some good weld on it. I'll mount it up after lunch.
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...m/70183108.jpg

Re: my build thread
 

Rack mounted.
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...m/5c8d85b7.jpg
Looks like if I cut my steering shaft short enough I'll be able to get away with this set up.
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...m/0858ff90.jpg
Inner fenders on. Need to make supports off the core support now.
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...m/cdc47efc.jpg
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...m/4df5eaa7.jpg
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...m/c842f15a.jpg
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...m/3ebe5855.jpg

Re: my build thread
 

Nice! I keep going back and forth on wether or not I want tubs and inner fenders up front but after getting caught in the rain 2 days ago I think I'm gonna do it. :lol:

Re: my build thread
 

Ha yeah, I really didn't want them, but had to face the facts on where I live and how much I want to drive this truck (every day).

Re: my build thread
 

Well on lunch I tracked my air ride package and it said it was here, so I ran home and got it off the door step, I was super excited to come home and put it together. I quickly found out that they sent me all the stuff to put their 3 gallon kit together ( I have the 5 gallon kit) so where I needed a 3/8 NPT to 1/2 NPT they supplied me with a 1/4 NPT to 3/8 NPT. So I didn't really get much done, I ran my rear air lines and assembled my switch pannel, I'll machine something cool that holds the gauges and switches tomorrow. Big fail on their part and they got a good email telling them how dis satisfied I was, because now I'll place an order with Fastenal just so I can have something to do this weekend.
I also received all my SMC valves today. Don't know if I'm going to use them yet, I kinda like this manual kit, super straight forward and easy. Plus I don't want it to go up and down super fast.
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...m/a8aa69ed.jpg
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...m/608171a8.jpg
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...m/474c429b.jpg

Re: my build thread
 

Coming along very nicely :Metal:

Re: my build thread
 

Thanks Alan
Here is my drawing for the gauge and switch panel. Nothing special. I'll try and run it tomorrow.
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...m/b9da9be2.jpg

Re: my build thread
 

Almost got everything plumbed, needed to add quite a bit to the kit ( still haven't heard back on my complaint email) maybe I can get them to re imburse me for the fittings I've gotten :lol::lol::lol: ya right. Need 1 more fitting to finish it then wiring. Hopefully tomorrow if I can find the fitting, or else I'll just take a 1/2npt plug drill it and tap it 1/8npt to get me going.
Gauge panel done, managed to drop it and crack 1 gauge. :mm:
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...m/c4d5aa68.jpg
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...m/d8d8e7e2.jpg

Re: my build thread
 

still following along killer work man , i had a ? i wounder if you could make /machine a camber plate for upper control arms kind like they have on the euro/jap rice rockets to help with the - camber from droping it so low ? . all in all bad ass .

Re: my build thread
 

She goes up and down off of the switches now. Compressor works great, threw a gauge off of a Makita compressor to make sure the pressure switch was working as it should. Super excite. :metal:

Re: my build thread
 

Finally mounted my switches today.
Also I cut my steering shaft down about 3 and 3/4'' then shortened the sleeve to match. I have clearance now, I need to machine a longer middle section out of some chromoly tomorrow. I'm also going to retro fit some new needle bearings for the column because mine are GONE! I'm gong to make a sleeve to hold the bearings then drill it and tap it 1/4-20 and bolt it thru the column sleeve just like factory.
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...m/a0bc9195.jpg
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...m/116e30d2.jpg
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...m/65596d21.jpg
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...m/7dc400ea.jpg
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...m/ac66cbb8.jpg

Re: my build thread
 

Nice work. My bearings had abandoned my steering shaft too. I got a replacement bearing but it was so cheap it busted when I installed it. So I got that goin' for me, which is good.:lol:

Re: my build thread
 

I thought it would be too hard to find one that I didn't even look lol. Oh well I think this idea will work out well.

I went down to work today and machined a new chromoly steering shaft that was about 1 and 1/2'' longer than the last one then I cut my steering shaft down so there isn't as much hanging out past the fire wall. I thought that picture above looked goofy.

Re: my build thread
 

Working on some patina. I think I'll be able to get it to look good.
Rustoleum flat roll on base, Light green top, might try and find something closer to sea foam green I'll see how this one turns out. Took some maroon Scotch Brite and soapy water and went to town. Had a picture out trying to wear it in the right spots.
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...m/41a64103.jpg
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...m/b42c41ac.jpg
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...m/fc361806.jpg
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...m/f787599d.jpg

Re: my build thread
 

Not really a truck update but, I've always been a fan of dimple die's and I've wanted a set for a while, last night while looking at them for sale I thought to my self those wouldn't be hard to make, so today I started making my set, I've got the 1'' done. Probably going to do 1.250 and 1.5 also.
The top and bottom die.
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...m/3d6050d5.jpg
20g
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...m/3db22e33.jpg
and 16g. No problem in the hydraulic press.
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...m/eb351b46.jpg
Going to draw up the rest of my inner fenders tonight that will have a row of the 1'' dimples all along them.