Mulk's 8-Lugger

[Southcity]

Looks great! - nice work and hats off to you for hanging in there to battle through it, I think many of us can relate to that but in the end it provides some great war stories about your rig.

[Bigblueburban]

nice work love the orange wheels and 3rd door suicide. thats a tough job but well worth the cursing and work

[cojnit]

more suicide pic please!!!!

[SSchevimp]

what size tire are you running?

[Mulk]

Thanks for all the pos feedback. I'll get more photos up prob tomorrow, depending on what my wife has planned for me. And I'll get those tire sizes when I get home from work.
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[Mulk]

Originally Posted by SSchevimp

what size tire are you running?

255/70 16 on rear, and 225/75 16 on front

[Mulk]

Ok, I haven't had any time to really work on cleaning-up the door, but here's some more photos. This is still just the rough phase... emphasis on rough!

Note..... I make no claims to being a welder! So they may not be pretty, but they are solid, and I can live with that

[Mulk]

[Mulk]

Here's the hinges.

After getting the Hinges into the body, I tied them together with a section of 1x1 tubing to keep them aligned, and tacked everything into place.

I had to make the pockets for the door. The ones with the kit were too shallow. So I used some 2x4 box tube I had around, and fabbed them up. Once I got thos tacked into place, and made sure everything was still aligned, i also tied those together with a section of 1x1 angle iron.

The door is solid, with no "sag" whatsoever, and stays put when closed. Once I figure out interior, I deal with covering that lower door pocket.

[babylonflyer]

ohhhh ... 8 lug and 396 ..... easy with the pedal... Nice ride

[Mulk]

Well I finally got some free time to work on the handle move for the suicide conversion, and I took a few photos along the way....

I decided it would be easiest to just cut-out the old handle section, flip it, and move it to the other end of the door. I didn't like my first line



Here's the new patch section, ready to be tacked into place


I bought a drivers side handle, and knowing I wouldn't be able to use the push-button to open (due to the window), I modified the handle to flush-mount.


AFTER cutting the old section out, I realized the hole to attach the handle weren't level. So my bright idea of flipping the section went out the window. I decided it would be easier to cut-out the recessed section, and just drill new mounting holes. The third hole is for the push-button plunger to clear. I shortened the spring and plunger, and used the body as a spring stop, so the button still goes in/out.




I did a couple skim-coats of body filler, some primer, and blocked it down to where I'm happy for now. Then shot some guide-coat, and attatched the handle.



I'm very pleased with the look. I'll finish when I'm done with the build, and get ready for paint.

[Mulk]

It's funny how these projects just snowball from one part to the next...

I collected everything i needed to get started on 'bagging this beast, and realized I better address the low hanging exhaust.

So I ordered a set of Sanderson BBC Shorties... Quality pieces. I couldn't afford the ceramic, so I just sprayed and baked with some header paint.


I then removed the inner fenders so I could start the suspension work, and noticed how truely nasty the whole engine and compartment looked. So I started removing and cleaning old parts. Which lead to a new water pump, 110amp alternator, Mickey Thompson finned valve covers, lots of elbow grease, some paint, blah blah blah... Not all on in this shot, but looking good


Needless to say, I haven't really made much progress on the suspension. But I can say I very happy with the way the old 8 Lugger is cleaning up!

[salvo]

Looking great Mulk!

[67chevy1series]

looks great i love the orange wheels!

[Average Joe]

Nice work. Very cool build!

[wild4wheels]

Dude, you so totally rock! Love the truck-hope to see it someday ... hmm trip to Vegas?

[72k5zl1]

looks great!

[Mulk]

Thanks everyone for the support and kind words...

Today was one of those days. Didn't really get any thing I started finished. Frustrating to say the least.

I blew apart the front suspension, cleaned and painted a few of the parts. I then started mocking-up the 'bags, and didn't like the lower mounts. They take up too much space, and the 'bag rubbed when it was compressed. I'm just gonna build some cups tomorrow after work.

So I moved on to mounting to headers. Drivers side.... No problem. Went together with ease. Passenger side was a different story. I'm gonna have to clearance the frame, and a small "wing" portion of the trans housing on the 400. Wasn't in the mood for that.....

Moved-on to installing new alternator, and of course, nothing lines-up. So now I'll need to massage the brackets so the belts are aligned.

So.... It wasn't a perfect day. But any day spent wrenchin' in the garage, beats a day at work. And on the positive side... I'm half-way done with three projects
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[Mulk]

I got a little more accomplished over the past week, but it was in between family being in town for my daughters big "Pre-China Tour" orchestra performance.

More parts keep arriving daily, so it's hard to keep focussed on what needs to get done. But I was able to get the front pretty much squared away to my liking. I never planned to lay frame, just wanted to get closer to the earth. So I'm happy with the front, and I'm about to get everything bolted into place. I decided against the lower mounting "plates" and made some cups to fill the lower spring pocket. Unfortunately I didn't take photo prior to mock-up, but I'll post some when I take everything back apart.

Oh yeah. My wheels showed-up. Keeping this beast 8 Lug has allowed me to take this in a whole new territory, venturing into the off-road world.....



Fronts are 20x8.5 and rears are 22x9.5

I was also able to get the new radiator and flex-a-lite fans installed. I had to narrow the radiator mounts, but it went in like a charm...


Slowly but surely, one piece at a time, and it'll get there

[vectorit]

Awesome!

[67chevy1series]

ww looks cool! i like the new wheels and the steelies about the same... and i really like the steelies!

[Mulk]

Finally got som e time to start working on the burb again!

Been buttoning-up a few loose ends, nothing major though. Passenger side header is in place. New motor mounts (which helped the header clearance issue). New A/C arrived, so I pulled old heater/fan junk, and got the brackets painted. Alternator bracket mod pretty much complete.

I pulled the front back apart so I can weld-up the lower bag cups I fabbed-up.

Here's the photos of them. I used some 4x4 box steel I had laying around, and contoured the bottom edge to fit the spring pocket, and sit flush. The plates I cut/salvaged from the extra rear mounts I don't need.






So after this lunch and computer break, Im off to drop of the boy at football, run to the hardware store $$$$.... Then back for some welding

[salvo]

Looking good Eric, nice job on the lower bag mounting plate! I started on the air bag, drop spindle project this past weekend, spent both days out in the garage and was able to get the front drivers side done and the front passenger partially done. kicked my butt I'm still stiff in places I didn't know I had! I had dreams of getting the front done on Sat and the rear on Sun, ya right
My kit has a lower mounting plate that basically covers the lower A-Arm that you have to drill and bolt on, upper plate is the same way. No fun drilling the steel on your back.
I'll have to drop by and visit once I get her rolling again.

[Mulk]

Just a quick update before work.

I stayed up late and decided to tackle the rear suspension. Installed new heavy duty trailing arms, and 2in blocks. For now the bags and mounts are just sitting in place until I fully decide on location and if I'm gonna use the current mount. I need to cut an opening in the floor for the pumpkin to clear.

Two quick shots before I started cleaning-up...

[wild4wheels]

S I C K