My 83' Crew Cab Dually project

[DblTrbl]

I added some crossbars in front and behind the tank and built some tank straps. I picked up a slip roller and press brake a few weeks ago and it makes things like this soooo much easier.





Oh...and I stabbed myself in the eyeball with a zip tie yesterday. It feels pretty awesome. ��

[ruffrida2005]

You shouldn't put acid in your eyes.

[daddyjeep]

It's all fun and games until....well, someone gets stabbed in the eye with a zip tie. That looks a little tender. Since I have a permanently screwed up eye i can relate. My eye doc recommends "Tears Naturale" eye drops. There are no preservatives and apparently the preservatives in other drops are a bad thing.

[DblTrbl]

Thanks for the tip, Dad...I found some and the eye seems to be getting a little better. It still hurts, but not the raw feeling that I had before.

I spent a little time today buttoning up unfinished things; filled the trans, wired the electric choke, wired up the electric cooling fans with the temp probe and tried to start the truck. It took several cranks (as expected to get the fuel lines primed) then it just backfired instead of starting. After a little problem solving, I realized that I had the distributor 180* off. Getting the distributor out with a 4" Z is a *****! I finally got it where it needs to be and tried again...it stumbled and fired up...ran like **** because I still need to time it and adjust the carb, but at least it's progress and I expect to have it running very soon. Nothing blew up, and no strange noises, so that should be a good sign.

I did notice when I ran the air up and down that the pinch welds are supporting the full weight of the truck when it's aired out which is concerning. I'm left with two options; add blocks to the bottom of the frame or get rid of the pinch welds. What is the method for doing the latter? Do they get folded in or just cut off. Cutting seems like it will compromise the structure of the rockers...

[ruffrida2005]

You can get rid of the pinch one or two ways. Drag them off or cut them off. If you cut them. What I did with one of my trucks was cut a little at a time and weld it. That way you don't loose support. Also after its all welded but you don't think it doesnt enough support you can weld a strip of 1/8th strip to the bottom and add a 1/8th washer to your cab bushings to offset it.

[tinydb84]

I know a low of guys fold them (no cutting, welding, etc). I saw on the Cannonball C10 they cut and tig welded them. I don't have a pic of it but it does look much cleaner. I will probably do the same.

I honestly think I will lay a bit lower than the rocker. I think I am going to add either polyurethane bumpstops to the bottom of the frame and/or to the suspension. I don't want to scratch up all the nice paint I did underneath.

[DblTrbl]

Thanks fellas...I think I may try folding them in and see how that works to start. If I don't like it, I can always cut them off. I don't know about TIG welding overhead, contorted and on my back. Lol

[DblTrbl]

Today's progress:

It runs! I love how the flowmasters sound.

http://youtu.be/VqdyG7pj9SQ

Nearly asphyxiated myself with all the smoke from the header paint burning off. Topped off all of the fluids, no leaks and the electric fans kicked on at temp.

Now that it runs, I can get it out of the garage and set the bed back on so I can get the floor cut out and raised. Figured I should actually paint the back half and permanently install all of my hard lines, tanks, compressors, etc. So, I pulled all of the suspension and the fuel tank and laid down some black and clear coat...



I'm still trying to work out how to do the shocks out back. I'm afraid that a cantilever may be my only option...

[aggie91]

Slick looking paint. I like how the "covers" look now that they are painted.

[54earl]

I also like how the paint looks. How is the eye?

[DblTrbl]

Thanks guys. Eye is feeling much better. Pride is still recovering, but that not the first time I've done something stupid...

[DblTrbl]

Moving things along...















Still have to do some trimming on the inner fenders to get it to sit all the way down. I'm hoping I don't have to mess with the outer fenders at all. I'm not a fan of fiberglass work...

[DblTrbl]

Trimmed and trimmed...and then some more trimming. Got the bed set correctly and it clears everything. Also hooked up the bags, tanks, etc. I even took it for a spin...across the yard.











It seems that since I'm running 15gal of tanks, the twin 480's are just not enough. It takes over 15 minutes to get up to pressure. I'm looking for suggestions on what to do.

I could:

1) add two more 480's
2) try to figure out a belt driven system
3) use the big ass inverter that I have and hook up a 120v compressor
4) ???

Thoughts?

[ruffrida2005]

Your cheapest and fastest route would be running a york.

[COS399]

Looks great!

[TrailerTrash]

i love how when its aired up it just looks like an average truck. then it just lays flat out

you could look into converting an AC compressor into an air compressor. i read up on it not too long ago just out of curiosity it looks fairly simple. you might even be able to run dual AC compressors as air compressors. theres more than a few threads on the web about the conversion.

you could also keep the 480s as backup.

[slammed427]

Looks great! Congrats bro!

[DblTrbl]

I've been tackling the bodywork lately. Man, this is a lot of truck! There were several old antenna mounts on the roof that I had to remove and welded the holes up. Both top corners were caved in as well.







I also finally got around to getting the cantilevered rear shocks designed and built.









Here's a quick video of it in action...I don't know why it made a little pic for the post...just click on it.

[ruffrida2005]

That came out pretty damn good.

[RNmatt87]

Looking really great. Love the fab work on everything.

[75Dually]

I finally went through your whole build, wow man great build! You've come a long way since the start. I kept thinking "I've been there, and there, and there..." Really enjoyed going through that, keep up the good work!!! BTW you need a watts link, ditch that panhard bar. You'll be glad you did.

Again great build, can't wait to see more!

[75Dually]

In case you have not seen it here is my York build page. Check it out it might give you a couple of ideas. Your going to want one of these long term. To fill my 8 gallon dual tanks up to 200 PSI takes just about 45 seconds from empty to full. Had some friends with dual electric pumps in my truck at LST and they were blown away at how fast it took to fill. If you have any questions just let me know.

http://www.duallyscene.com/threads/15485

[DblTrbl]

Thanks 75 Dually. I may end up swapping to a watts, but I'm really limited on space between the pumpkin and gas tank. Might be another project for next winter. I plan to go dig through the junkyard soon and look for a York. The 480's are really taxing my battery...

[DblTrbl]

I finally finished up the bodywork and got some color laid down late yesterday afternoon. Ran back and forth to the paint store several times to get the color dialed in and the right amount of metallic with the flat. It's darker than I'd expected, but it's growing on me. I'm mostly just glad to see it all one color now...

[daddyjeep]

Looks much better now.