Going off the deep end? My fix for a busted frame!

[MrBeast]

So I have a 72 C/30 that I love dearly, but I have a problem, the frame is FUBAR!

So my solution was to go buy a Miller Matic 212 today, and about 1200.00 worth of steel. I am building a brand new frame out of 3x6" .250 wall box tubing, its gonna be a BEAST! Also building a new front bumper out of 1/4" plate, and picked up some 1x3" flat bar to make shackle mounts on the front bumper. It is going to be huge.

As well I will be building a new fuel tank, one on the bed, and one between the rear frame rails, between the two I should have about 100 gallons of fuel on board.

I am going to fully weld the frame, but the motor and tranny cross members will be bolt in units so as that eventually I can stuff a Cummins in it, at which point everything will have to be moved. I am also seriously considering a NP203/205 doubler. Thats right, transfer cases! I am converting it to a 4x4!

I bought back my dana 60 from the guy I sold it to for half of what he paid me for it because he stretched himself too thin!

Has anyone seen anyone else do this to a truck on this board before? I think mine is going to be the only one like it.

I am going to spend tomorrow working on my shop some, installing lights, and a new set of barn doors im cutting into the side, then I am going to get busy with Autocad finishing my design for the frame. I am going to get it constructed as far as the body mounts, and leave open the option for upgrading from leaf springs to air bags!

The best part is, I will still be able to drive my truck while I am building the frame!

Expecially if I find a Cummins, if I do I will buy a rotted cab cheap, use it for a template, and then install the motor and tranny and everything, as well as getting a good core support and hacking it up as necessary to install the inter cooler and a much larger radiator. If I got that route I will cut the entire center section of the core support out and rebuild it to accept a much wider radiator.

Ultimately I would like to stuff twin turbos on the Cummins, but that is an eventuality. It is sure fun to think about having like 800 ftlbs of torque at the rear wheels though!

A NV6500 would be damn nice too, but spendy. For right now I am just going to concentrate on getting the frame built.

As I get rocking and rolling I will post updates to my build thread Gonna be an interesting Christmas for sure!

Also got the steel today for a new bumper for my friends Dodge ram he has been letting me borrow, he rear ended another car, and his bumper is totally messed up. When he comes home Christmas day he will find a brand spankin new 1/4" thick steel plate bumper on his truck. I think it will make him happy.

I think this next year might actually be a good year for me. I have actually got rid of all of my payments, I can actually afford to work on my stuff now. And currently I am also planning on getting my 31x33 shop that I already have a slab for built. Going to be nice to finally have a place to fabricate indoors!

Heres wishing everyone a merry Christmas and a Happy new year!