Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

I used a fuel tank out of a 00 Trans Am with the stock fuel pump. It fit fairly easily, with a little frame narrowing. There are a few downsides to it though. The sending unit requires a programmable fuel guage and it's kind of a tight fit for the fuel filler.



I like the barn door/ lift gate combo. Kinda the best of both worlds.

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

Nice work!:lol:

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2...n/TailGate.jpg

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

Got it all working and it has a great open height. Now I need to dress up and plate in the new hinge mounts then find some gas shocks to keep it open. Hart_Rod did a gas shock conversion but his shocks are to short when extended so I need to some research. I trimmed and shaved spots on the hinge to get it to open this far and want to keep it that way if I can. I figure this thing will be low when aired and I don't want to always have to duck to get into it.

I want to give a big Thanks to Frizzle Fry for doing this mod and giving info for the rest of us to try. I have to say if I were to try this with out seeing it done I would have given up, it was a pain in the arss!

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Keep in mind these are only tacked and still need the pretty work:lol:
I will be building covers for the inside so when it is closed you will not see the hinge and it will have some padding to it as well since the rear seat headrests are right under them.

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2.../TailGate8.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2.../TailGate9.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2...ailGate101.jpg[/IMG]

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

Need a measurement on a 98 GMC Jimmy right quick? Similar window opening angle.

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

I have a few shock measurements to go out and check but it will need a bit of mods to the shock pocket to get it to open this far I am sure.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

It opens pretty high. The shock is 19" from the top screw hole to the lower ball joint. It uses 6 3/4" of travel, but offers 7 3/4" max travel..


http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...5/DSC00230.jpghttp://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...5/DSC00229.jpg

If a super long shock is needed, rear hatch shocks out of the third and 4th gen F-Bodies are huge. I have a '90 Firebird that can be measured if that much travel is needed.


But definiatly diggin' the hidden hinges.

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

hey Rokcln check this out for your lift gate strut . its one that Hart Rod did to his burb a while back
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...30801onversion

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

Thanks guys it will be a long travel set up. Rob's are 14" short and 18" long+- I need about 15 short and 27 long. I found some that should work and they are 72lbs of lift per shock. I will do a bit more checking before I buy a set and see were it goes.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

Thanks but it is Frizzle's mod I am just doing what I can to make it work for me.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

It's a two way street :) Didn't I mention that mod was a royal PITA? I seriously think it took longer than the Tahoe'ing (excluding finish work). Looking good!

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

Yes you did and it is definitely more frustrating than the Tahoe chop.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

[QUOTE=Ackattack;3176152]I used a fuel tank out of a 00 Trans Am with the stock fuel pump. It fit fairly easily, with a little frame narrowing. There are a few downsides to it though. The sending unit requires a programmable fuel guage and it's kind of a tight fit for the fuel filler.


Ackattack, now that u mentioned that, I remember seeing a newer Z28 @ my local scrap yard..... gonna check things out. Thanks

Kevin,, tahoe looking good!

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

Well I have been stalled waiting for parts from Suicide doors. I felt they should have been here last week as the transaction went through pay pal about the 20th. So I called to inquire only to be told "Oh ya those parts have been back ordered since the 1st of Jan" Thanks for telling me that before!

Sp I made a call to Nate Porter and he is going to get me all set up with my bushings, joints and bags for my C4 6 link.

I called Stan at ECE Saturday and ordered my hitch and two days later it was on my front porch! Now that is service. So I installed that today and started on my 6 link mounts. I decided to weld the hitch to my frame because it will be a major part of my 6 link set up. I am doing this kind of like KP does their 6 links with the bags mounted on a bar behind the diff. This way I can mount the link to were the factory Mono leaf mounted so all the stress will remain the same and the mounting point at the frame is on the 1/2" plate that is part of the hitch. I may also have my shocks mounted to this link and the factory sway bar will mount to the front top links.

I mounted the hitch about 1 1/4" farther back then how it was designed to go only because I needed the extra room for my tank to fit. This puts the hitch flush with the Lic. plate mount and that is still 1/2" behind the lic. plate it self so it all worked out just right.

Here are a few pics for now.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2...rln/6Link1.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2...rln/6Link2.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2...rln/6Link3.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2...rln/6Link4.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2...rln/6Link5.jpg[/IMG]

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

I forgot to mention I ordered my lift gate shocks, bear claw small latches for the lift gate, trailer fenders 36"D x 13"W and 20"Tall and they tried to deliver my front wheels today but Coy's specified for a signature in person so we will try again Thursday or I will go to the Fed-x terminal and just pick them up.

So my next plans are to get the rear frame boxed, tank mounted, 6 link set up installed with the sway bar, bags and shocks. Then I should have my DropMember by the end of next week so I can drop in the motor and trans then pull the body to complete the frame and paint it.

I think things will start to slow coming up soon because I have one customer's truck to get started on in the next few weeks and a DropMember to maybe install for a board member and another Longhorn to paint. But that is all good because I am about out of money in my toy fund and need to re-stock that account and that only happens by doing shop projects:waah: :lol:

Kevin
LFD Inc.
Kevin
LFD Inc.

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

that exact same thing happened to me on suicide doors. I was pissed to say the least.

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

Kevin, your burb sure is coming along, i am glad to see that you plug welded your 6-link brakets in, not many think to do that. your burb makes me want one, but to be honest i am thinking a crew cab dually slammed with a duramax, of cours it has to be a 72. And as for the toy fund i totally agree, i have to start on a 69 camaro next week and a 68 camaro in about a month. the stuff we have to do to get what we want. Later

James

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

For the most part if I have a plate that mounts to another plate and it is over 1 1/2" wide from side to side I add plug welds down the center. Plus I have a 45ton iron worker so punching the holes in those two plate took about 1 min so longer to lay them out:lol:

Good call on the dually crew, I had started one just before finding this Burb to do a 4 door conversion on then decided I would have more interior room for the family with this set up plus it should get more coverage when finished and I need to keep getting my company name out their before I go full time in this down the road. Do a search under my name here on the board and you will find a few posts dealing with a crew cab shop truck.
I still have a set of N.O.S rear step side fenders I picked up for that build sitting in my attic:devil:

I also have a 69 camero to rreplace both quarters on for the local Napa part guy. I get his cost on all my parts and in exchange I am doing his for free but I am still coming out ahead ;)

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

Got 2 of 4 rims today and since my C4 DropMember is not here yet:waah: I had to do a dry run on the back. They are 8.5"x22" with 5.25" BS. The first pic is at ride height and the second is stuffed. If my math is correct the rear rims being 22x9 with a 5.5"BS will only stick out 1/4" more then these and with that being the case it looks like the 305/22's will fit with out much extra room. I may even need to shave some of the inner lip off the wheel opening because when the Tahoe is all the way up the top of the tire will tip out about 1" but it will be close.

I just got off the phone with Nate and he should be sending my rear suspension parts out Monday and the DropMember on Tuesday or so:metal:

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b20/rokcrln/Coys1.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b20/rokcrln/Coys2.jpg[/IMG]

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

Damn she is low looking!

I love this 'hoe!

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

Kevin, you are spoiling us with the daily picture updates. Keep it up!

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

love the rear suspension. cant wait to see it on all fours.

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

You and me both! Thanks.
Your right I'm sorry, here let me make it up to you with this:lol:

I made some progress today on the rear hatch hinges. I made the cover for the hatch mount (ran out of time so I still need to smooth them out during tear down) and Tig'd the mounting plates to the hatch. I had to deliver a few projects today so my time was short and I just spray canned then to keep surface rust to a minimum.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2...TailGate11.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2...TailGate12.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2...TailGate13.jpg[/IMG]

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

looks good kevin, did you steal the lightening holes idea from my frame, just kidding, i think we should talk about your duallie fenders? that ok.

James

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

:lol: Not unless you started your frame back in the 80's. My wife asked about 4 yrs ago why punch the holes it really does not save much weight. Then I showered her my coffee cans full of slugs at about 60lbs each:lol: Your frame is looking good by the way.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

"Worry about the ounces and you'll loose pounds"

Some old racer's motto I heard long ago.

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

No, he meant more pictures of the thing on the wall... :lol:

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

I called ghost busters but I have not herd back yet. I figure as long as he doesn't bother me I won't bother him, but I know he is the dam one who keeps hiding my tools;)

So some of my parts arrived today and I only had time tonight to check things out so I can build in my sleep and start fresh in the morning. I ordered the small bear claw latches from Summit along with the install kit. I went with the small ones because they have the latch at the end and not in the middle as the large latch does and this was supposed to make it easier to mount my lift shocks. They would except I did not figure that the latch was long enough to put the release up in side the side of the window frame. This makes it a lot more difficult to mount any kind of a rod style release so I thought about flipping it over (and swap sides) so the release was at the bottom but then the catch is up here my shock was going to mount. The next thought was to mount the latch in the bottom of the gate and have the strike pins mount in the top of the door (the part I have not yet built) so the lift gate and doors would inter lock. This would leave plenty of room for the shock but the doors and gate would not be as solid as I was wanting if the lift gate was latched to the sides of the body.

So now I am thinking about ether using a shorter shock and sacrificing for of the open angle of the gate or maybe have the shock mount off the inside of the lift gate and not the sides. This would be the easiest but then leaves the shock and mounts exposed to the inside of the Tahoe and that is just not what I want to see. So I will seep on that one.

Next are the rear inner fenders that came today and they are 36x13 and mocked up to about the correct height but are sticking into the inside of the cab about 5" to much each side. Once I get my rear rims I will notch out the body and sink these in so they just clear the tire at full dump. They may end up at an angle to follow the camber of the tire when dumped and this would help and give me an extra 1" per side of room for the base of the seat to clear. It may not be needed but we will see in about 4-6 weeks if the rims show when they are scheduled. Thats all for my daily post:lol:

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2...TailGate14.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2...TailGate15.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b20/rokcrln/Tubs1.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b20/rokcrln/Tubs2.jpg[/IMG]

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

Here's Saturdays progress. I tried about 8 different set ups on the shock location and found this one to work the best with my limited space due to the Bear Claw latch. I ended up with a 12/20" shock and this one has 40lbs of lift that will be kicked up to a 70 or 80lbs once it is all finished with glass but all they had in stock was the 40 so I got one so I could progress with mock up. I mounted the top just inside the the lift gate and this does two things for me, it helps keep psi against the door when it is closed and it also gives me extra lift when the gate is open because that mounting point changes from inside to below the gate when it is open. So I am getting about the same lift as a 10" stroke but using only an 8" stroke and my open angle is only 1" bellow the max I can have with my hinge set up. I made the top mount out of 3/16" plate and made it 1 1/2" x 7 1/2" and plug welded it to the stock upper mount and then flush welded about the last 3" of it to the inside gate were it pocks through.

Then I started working on the latch mounts and boy does it get tight fitting these in the sides of the lift gate. I will need to make two removable covers on the bottom edge of the lift gate so I can get to and hook up the latches to what ever rod set up I go with to actuate the latches. I might go with a Blazer T handle on the lift gate to open things up. I hope to get the latches all finished up today as well as the lower shock mounts.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2...TailGate19.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2...TailGate20.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2...TailGate18.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2...TailGate17.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2...TailGate22.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2...TailGate23.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2...TailGate21.jpg[/IMG]

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

nice work. only thing I would have done is have a bolt on latch access in case of future issues

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

That is were the bolt on covers will come in that I mentioned for access to the rods. The latch will drop out of that same hole;)

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

I don't know why but it just feels like I am not making progress lately. I know I am but I guess I am just in suspension mode and since I am waiting for parts this is just fill in work that could be done later but oh well. I had to mount the strike plates back wards because of the space allowed for the stock latch lift/holder. So I cut the strike open and flipped the nut around then welded it back up since my strike bolt is not "on the wrong side" from how it was designed. Then I Tig'd it to the jamb and welded the cage around the strike nut as well. I will mold this all in better once body work starts. Now I just need to figure out what I want to do about a latch on the out side of the lift gate.

I also filled in all the old hinge slots and mounting holes in the jamb as well as the hinge slots in the lift gate.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2...TailGate24.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2...TailGate25.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2...TailGate26.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2...TailGate27.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2...TailGate28.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2...TailGate29.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2...TailGate30.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2...TailGate31.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2...TailGate32.jpg[/IMG]

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

Kevin your work is killer and you are amazingly fast ,but i know how feels waiting for parts

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

right on.. If i get a set of barn doors I thin I might go this route.. I like it

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

Great work man! That thing is really looking good :metal:

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

Looks damn near factory. And that's a good thing

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

Texanidiot, I just noticed that you quoted me! :lol:

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

So this weekend is the "Girls Weekend" so my wife is gone until noon on Sunday and guess what showed up Friday when I got home? Yep the parts I need to keep going on the rear suspension so whats a Dad to do with a 21month old while he is out in the shop? First thoughts were to let my Rotti play with him for the afternoon but I like my Dog too much to put him through that. Next thought is to load my son up with tons of sugar and add Rock Star to his bottle so after about 4hrs he will crash and give me a good 4hr nap so I can go out and play.

But I went for option #3, get up at 6am with him watch our Saturday morning car shows, have some breakfeast then head out to Sam's club for some shopping while Momma's gone so she won't have to do it Sunday when she gets back. Guess what that was enough for about a 2hr nap so I went out to the shop (were I have the baby monitor;)) and started on the rear 2 links that will hold the RE8 bags. I was also laying out my front 4 links as well as my diff mount links. I will get about a half day on Sunday to try and get the main diff cover mounts made and in once my Wife gets home.

So here is what I got done with the rear links. They are 1.5" .250 wall DOM with 2" .250 wall DOM poly bushings. I put a 20* kick in the arms so at ride height they will be parallel with the ground so my bag sits flat. Then I kicked up the juice in the TIG welder and melted them in place. I will be drilling and tapping all the link joints with Zerk fitting as well as putting groves in the bushings to allow grease to get to the main shaft sleeve. Then I remembered a friend gave me a bunch of 1/2" grade 8+ shaft bolts from his old work that were used in hydro ram attachments so they should be plenty Strong for this and will look cool as well. Here are a few pics for now.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b20/rokcrln/Link1.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b20/rokcrln/Link2.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b20/rokcrln/Link3.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b20/rokcrln/Link4.jpg[/IMG]

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

What did you use to bend that tubing?

I made some links for my jeep out of 2" .25" wall DOM tubing....that's some heavy duty stuff!

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

I used a fully hydraulic tube bender (JD3) I have from when I use to do allot of off road cages. These days I have plans to be using it along with a tube roller (stuffed behind the door in the corner) for full tube chassis on street rods. I also have 2" .250 lower links on my rock crawler but I used 1.5's for the uppers since they would not double as rock sliders and this stuff was left over. I still have a few straps to add to the joint end but I will do that after my Wife gets back.

So after my Son's nap we went out and built a dog house for Otto or was it a play house for my Son:lol: Then he wanted to play ball with the cat, that did not go so well! So we went in back and he asked to drive his truck, so we did.

Kevin
LFD Inc.


[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b20/rokcrln/1.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b20/rokcrln/2.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b20/rokcrln/3.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b20/rokcrln/4.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b20/rokcrln/5.jpg[/IMG]

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

You are a sheet metal god. I'm in awe of your talent and creativity. Good work. I could only dream of doing something like that.