Project: Hot Rod Hauler (HRH) Build Up

[chevy_mike]

Finally got some time to do some work. Installed the upper and lower A-arms, idler arm mount and tranny crossmember.

Also primed a few steering parts. Feels good to be putting parts on instead of taking them off.

[LOW DOUGH]

so clean... so nice

[1964C10]

Awesome progress Mike! Nice work! I will get in touch with you offline about the tank, and how it's working for you when you get it.

[chevy_mike]

Okay, got a little more work done. Mocked up the steering parts and spindles.

All new Moog parts


Steering box painted and installed. This was the one on the truck when I got it. Working fine and no leak. Still need to replace the hoses.


CPP tie rod adjusters. Much better then the split design of stock. Easier to adjust too.

[jgh64pkup]

looks good do you have a link to the tie rod adjusters

[chevy_mike]

Originally Posted by jgh64pkup

looks good do you have a link to the tie rod adjusters

I got mine via their E-bay auction but here is the link to their site, http://www.classicperform.com/Store/...ES350SP-AR.htm

[jgh64pkup]

how much did you pay for them

[chevy_mike]

$50 + tax + shipping, total $61.88 to my door.

[splehigh]

Thanks man! Yours is looking good too.

[jgh64pkup]

thanks for the info the frame looks good

[chevy_mike]

More progress. Basically got the front end done. Torqued everything. Just need to add the calipers (waiting until I start bending new lines) and grease all the joints.

Here's the rotors installed




Here's a pic of the rear crossmembers and spare tire support. Rear crossmember will need to move back about 5".


Fuel tank I am using. Got it from Tanks Inc. An actual Made In America part.


Mocking into place. It's going to fit very nicely. Just figuring out the mounts so I won't have to worry about them rubbing thru.


That's it for now.

[1964C10]

Mike, have you bought brake line yet?

[chevy_mike]

Originally Posted by 1964C10

Mike, have you bought brake line yet?

No I haven't. I will bend up my own lines when the time comes.

Why you ask?

[1964C10]

Just food for thought, I did my brake lines using cunifer and I am sold on that stuff, it is way easier to use then steel and not nearly as hard as stainless yet it will never rust. I did all the bending on mine just using my hands.

[chevy_mike]

Where are you buying that line from?

[1964C10]

I got mine here http://www.fedhillusa.com/

They were quick in shipping and the prices were good. It might be cheaper elsewhere but this is about all these guys do. Read up on the history of this stuff, pretty interesting aparantely it is all these use in Europe and on their expensive cars.

FYI on my experience, up to now I had only done a few steel brake lines before and I found steel difficult. With this it, I did all the flares with no leaks and with one of those cheapy $15 HF flare tools.

[chevy_mike]

Cool deal. That was the place I found when I did a Google search. Looks like a cool way to go. I might have to redo the back lines again and go with this stuff.

I have done so many steel lines, I can do them in my sleep. Matter of fact, I did a new line for a buddy this past weekend because of a leak and poor placement of the adjustable prop valve, done by another shop.

[chevy_mike]

Been busy getting the tank mounts built and everything bolted up. I think it is going to work great and I am happy with the results so far. Still need to take everything apart and paint it. Enjoy.

Two channels that these tubes happen to ride in, secures it well from moving side to side.


Tubes welded to the rear most crossmember and bolted to the forward one. Still is removable if needed.


Mounting straps that came with the tank. Worked great and being stainless steel, shouldn't rust.


Looking from the rear. I think with the bumper put on, you won't even see it. Being plastic, no worries about rust.


Forward mounting points for the straps.


Need to get the front end greased up and the front shocks mounted and it is a rolling chassis. Oh, and put the front wheels on...

[SCOTTMO]

Originally Posted by chevy_mike

More progress. Basically got the front end done. Torqued everything. Just need to add the calipers (waiting until I start bending new lines) and grease all the joints.

Here's the rotors installed




Here's a pic of the rear crossmembers and spare tire support. Rear crossmember will need to move back about 5".


Fuel tank I am using. Got it from Tanks Inc. An actual Made In America part.


Mocking into place. It's going to fit very nicely. Just figuring out the mounts so I won't have to worry about them rubbing thru.


That's it for now.

Looking good,I have just about the same tank i bought from them back in 97 and it is holding up pretty good

scott

[johnechi]

Guys, I had a chance to see the truck first hand this weekend. The pics do not do the truck nor Mike's hard work any justice! Great work Mike! I can't wait to see what you have in store next!

[chevy_mike]

Originally Posted by johnechi

Guys, I had a chance to see the truck first hand this weekend. The pics do not do the truck nor Mike's hard work any justice! Great work Mike! I can't wait to see what you have in store next!

Hey John, nice meeting you and your son. Hope he had fun at Grandma's house.

Thanks for the compliment. After you left I got the front end greased up and put the wheels on. Got it rolled onto the side yard. BTW, I ended up being so tired after moving the parts on the side yard, getting the chassis rolled over there and everything put back, I never took any pictures. Doh!

Glad the bumper will go to good use. Enjoy.

[brian69longbed]

your truck is coming along nicely. you do good work

[chevy_mike]

Well, finally got a connection for cleaning the engine and transmission. The engine wasn't too bad but the tranny was just a greasy mess. Here things are cleaner and I pulled the tranny and engine apart and put the engine on the stand.





I also picked up a band saw that I will use for cutting brackets and stuff. Needs a little overhauling to get it setup right.



Also got down to the junk yard and picked up a glove box door, which I will use for my dash/gauges build up and scored a serpentine belt setup from a 4.3L S10 Blazer. I liked this over the other ones I found, since it doesn't have the smog pump bracket built in and looks a little cleaner because of that. BTW, anyone looking to pull one of these from the junk yard, bring a steering pump pulley remover. I had to call my dad to bring me one.

[ERASER5]

Is that a hole in the middle of the gas tank? I tried the Tank Inc web site ans it is not working well. How many gallons does the tank hold? Looks nice.

[chevy_mike]

Originally Posted by ERASER5

Is that a hole in the middle of the gas tank? I tried the Tank Inc web site ans it is not working well. How many gallons does the tank hold? Looks nice.

Yes it is. It is the baffling system (since they can't weld baffles into plastic ). The tank is 17 gallons. I like a few things about it. One, it is very heavy gauge poly plastic and will never rust. It was designed for almost all aftermarket fuel senders and I can retrofit an intake EFI fuel pump if I got EFI down the road. It is fairly light compared to a steel tank. Only downside is you have to keep the exhaust at least 2" away. Not a big deal but something to think about.