Wife's 48

[8man]

Thanks Jan.

I have another problem.

I showed my wife the above picture of the truck, and she came out to see it. She stood on the running board, climbed behind the wheel, put her foot on the brake and said "we need to get the colors picked!" She immediately got on her phone and started searching colors for "Farm Truck", her name for the truck. She was deciding between a forest green and dark brown or black for the fenders and running boards. She decided on a chrome grill, painted "stripe" down the hood, and she wants the chrome trim around all the windows.

I didn't have the heart to tell her it is a while away from needing colors. I'm just glad she is excited about it.

[joedoh]

haha color choices already

[8man]

Since I don't have the fab skills of some of you, I had to resort to thinking my way through the fuel filler. I started with this,
IMG_0249 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr
On the left is a filler connecting tube I found at NAPA, on the right is the S10 filler tube I got on Ebay.

I cut them into sections that went together like this,
IMG_0251 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

Added the filler cap on the outside, and it looks like this
IMG_0250 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

It's inconspicuous on the side of the bed and while I haven't tried to fill it, I think it will work just fine.

[joedoh]

i think your fab skills are just fine!

[NorCalGal]

It’s about making what you have work. Looks Good!

[dsraven]

looks great. you may wanna try it before you finish, if possible, because the fill handle may hit the running board and also the slope of the first part may mean a slow fill. it will work though, maybe just more time at the fill station letting others enjoy the view.

[8man]

Thank you all.

Yeah, I have to hold the nozzle filler because the stock filler on the 79 Cherokee will cut it off even on the first click.

So I can live with the slow fill, but I hadn't thought about the nozzle hitting the side of the truck. I hope it doesn't, but it's too late for this one, but I'll keep it in mind for the 54.

[8man]

Well this took a lot longer than I thought it would, building the front bumper brackets. The original bumper bracket is just the right height to stick into the S10 frame rails. Not so bad on the riders side, but that steering unit built into the frame was not so kind to me. I wound up cutting off both original brackets to make them work. Man was that a job!

This is what I wound up with.
IMG_0255 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

The outside of the frame had the original bolt holes for the original bumper, so I used those for a bolt on in that location.
IMG_0256 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

I welded that outside bracket to the original stub of a bumper bracket and then drilled a hole in the whole thing. I cut a piece of angle for the inside bracket and drilled a hole in it.
IMG_0257 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

The angle fits up against the frame and it is bolted in place. I'll leave the bumper on when I take of the grill and fenders and then weld the inside angle to the frame on both sides.

It ain't pretty, but once that inside angle is welded in, it will be pretty strong.

[8man]

I have another question. Remember, I bought a bunch of parts, so I'm not sure if this bumper is a back or front.
IMG_0258 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr
It has that thing in the middle that looks like it might have been a license plate bracket for the rear.

So I started fitting to the rear, like it was the back bumper.
IMG_0252 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

Then I checked the gap from above.
IMG_0253 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

Ok, I don't know if this is too close or just about far enough out. Anyone care to give me some points to measure to?

I looked at the bumper brackets and of course I'm going to have to do something here too, I think.
IMG_0254 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

They touch the spring hangers and there is an angle out from the frame. So if anyone has any words of wisdom, I'm listening!

[gigamanx]

Check out my build thread for the brackets for the rear bumper. I set it up where I could stick the stock spring steel brackets for the fender into an angled section...let me see if I can find the pick for you. Worked great for me.



A shot from underneath to show you where I welded it to the frame

[Matt_50]

Even if it's not the correct bumper at least it looks good. It's one of the things on my list to find.

[8man]

Thanks Gigamanx, I get it. I think I may have to cut the new bumper bracket a little, but that will work.

Matt, thanks. I worked for hours getting the level and front to back right. Way too much time on those bumper brackets I built.

[mongocanfly]

pretty sure that's a front bumper...the rears have less curve

[8man]

Thank you Mongo, that helps. Now to get a rear bumper so I can build the brackets.

[joedoh]

I always wanted to try flattening a front bumper into a rear bumper by running it over with a truck and taking the curve out.


KIDDING!


if you are going to buy a bumper, a 1941-1946 front bumper looks dynamite on the back, its not flat like the 47-53, but its not curved nearly as much as the 47-53 front. just to expand your search for used bumpers.

[8man]

Thanks Joe.

I spent the day taking the front end, front bumper and bracket and the CAB back off the frame. I moved the engine/tranny about 1/2" forward so it clears the firewall a little better.
IMG_0026 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

Then I re-checked the cab mounts to make sure I've got the cab sitting where I want it. I think it will be about 1" higher off the ground in back, but it will be level side to side. That is the "rake" it has in the earlier pic.
IMG_0027 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

Now I'm fitting and welding the tranny crossmember, since the cab is off and I can get to it.

[NorCalGal]

I think I’ve had mine together about 5 different times, hoping this next time will be the last. It seems like every time it’s a little different.

[mongocanfly]

lowrider? or wheres waldo?
if your not sitting there making engine noises ill be disappointed...

[8man]

Ha! That's good.

I was sitting on the floor checking the angle of the tranny for the cross member I was working on. But I have sat in that crusty old red seat and done it!

[8man]

I got the front bumper brackets welded in, then with the fenders off I test fit the bumper. There is some room to adjust it, so I think I got it right. Then I got the radiator mount spacers welded in and drilled and tapped the bolt holes and got it bolted on for the first time. Tomorrow I'll put the front clip back on and make sure everything is fine on the front end.

Today I built the brackets for the rear bumper.

IMG_0266 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

That big hole in the center goes over the rivet in the stock bumper brackets. The two holes on the upright bolt to the frame and the other two on the 2" bolt to the stock bumper bracket. The 4 bolts allow me some room to level it.

IMG_0265 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

When I got bolts in it and it was hanging, I was so excited I forgot to pull the jack stands before I took the picture.

I don't know what the original bumpers were built to withstand, but I think these new brackets will withstand someone stepping on the bumper.

[gigamanx]

Just how I did my rear mounts for the bumper too. Had to drill the larger hole for the rivet. I like that style because you can still use the original spring steel of the bumper brackets

[joedoh]

nice work man! looking really good!

[8man]

Ok, so today I was good naturedly chastised for procrastinating about getting on with it. Apparently I keep finding something else to worry about instead of just getting on with it. So after lunch I went out to the shop and drilled out the stripped hole in the hood for the hood hinge bolt.
IMG_0268 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr
That's it on the bottom. However, the largest drill bit I have is a 1/2" so I grabbed the Drimmel and a burr to slowly take out some more steel until I could drive a nut into the hole. It was a very tight fit and it took a while to drive it in, but I got it.
IMG_0269 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr
Then I welded around the edges, got a little close to that all thread and had to do some Drimmel work on it to back it out. Then I ground the welds smooth and put a tap through the hole to make sure it was clean.
IMG_0271 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr
I'm still not good at welding in tight places, and since I left the all thread in, I didn't get a good weld all the way around, but with the driving it in and the weld I did get, I think it'll hold.

So while I was there I cut and patched the rust out in the crossmember you saw.
IMG_0272 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

[Rusti]

Nice progress! The idea using the front bumper for the rear is grate and the same I have. Being equal from the shape in the front and the back the whole truck looks smoother in my opinion. Ok my second reason is that I do not find a rear bumper here in Germany.

[8man]

Got a couple more things done today.

I had a steering column collar/bracket left over from my Jeep, so I thought why not. I had to bend it some and cut it down a little, but it fits pretty well.

IMG_0273 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

Then I welded the gas pedal support to the floor.

IMG_0274 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

And while I was messing around inside the cab, I decided it was time to fix the 4 pieces I cut out of the firewall at the tranny when I thought I had the motor set right, only to find out I didn't need to cut into the tunnel! I finished welding them in and ground the welds down after this picture.