Fixing the ugly

[Mike Bradbury]

I am not sure if the engineers who designed these great looking trucks just ran out of time, money, and inspiration, but the core support and the radiator brackets are really ugly.

The fold in the top of the core support looks like they just did not want to bother with forming the steel correctly, so good enough made the final cut.
I have never liked the look of this shoddy workmanship so I cut it out and re worked it.









The final result after powder coat (sorry black doesn't photoghaph well with an iphone)



Also the radiator brackets look as though they just stopped trying and thought "well it's just a truck". I have never liked the way it is just a bent piece of steel and very unfinished looking. I have looked around and have found some very expensive billet brackets, but I did not want to spend anymore money on nonessential fixes and drain anymore cash from my account. both fixes cost me nothing but a few hours time.



First I cut the top off the bracket to make room for the new anchor point



Then I cut a half round piece of tube and sanded it to match the profile of the bracket.



Then I formed the end cap which will be the anchor point for the fan shroud.





Trial fit up.



Welded, sandblasted and ready for powder coat.