C20 to K20 Conversion "Simply Toxic"

[JustToxic]

Finally got the cab finished up, took the last few days off of work and got her all done. Just have to get it back on the frame and can continue on with the build.

[72 tigger]

Looks really good, you’ve got a nice solid cab now

[JustToxic]

Thanks 72_tigger.

Got out this week and cleaned up the shop and re organized a bit, since I've been working on the other side for so long. Got the doors remounted, coming up with a game plan for all the rust on the doors, shouldn't be to difficult. Passenger seat and center console is mounted for now, need to get the driver side done and get the floor reinforcements installed.

[JustToxic]

Figured I'd give an update since its been a bit. Had to take a break from the old girl, step dads truck that I LS swapped fuel system failed. So I decided to completely redo it. Tried making both saddle tanks work with the fuel injection system and ran just ran into too many issues. Hopefully I can get back on my truck in the next week or two.

[72 tigger]

Any progress?

[JustToxic]

Unfortunately not, right after that last post I was in the lake helping take out a boat lift and got a slight cut on my leg which let a bacterial infection in which took me off my feet for a while. Trying to get caught up on yard work and so on so forth before I can get back on the old girl.

[mcmlxix]

How about now? I'm interested to see how you manage the steering on the new frame...

[JustToxic]

Well, I've finally been able to get back to working on the old girl. Had some health issues that kept me out of the shop for a while. Got the seat risers finished up and welded in place. Been working on the fire wall, patching holes and cleaning it up. I dug the center high hump out of storage and started fitting it, it doesn't fit right now that it has all new floor panels, gotta come up with a solution for that. I'll try and get more pictures in the next few days.

[JustToxic]

Originally Posted by mcmlxix

How about now? I'm interested to see how you manage the steering on the new frame...

So I mocked up the steering the other day, the tail of the column lines up with the center of the frame rail. I'm planning on using two racing style steering joints in the intermediate shaft. I'll have a slight angle to the steering gear but overall it wont be too bad. I'll make sure to take pictures the next time I'm working on the steering.

[JustToxic]

After looking through the thread I realized I never posted pictures of the completed roof repair. The others are of the seat mount risers that I made up.

Last night I was out fitting the fenders and core support for the first time on the new frame. Looks like the bolt holes for the forward mounts will be center frame. Debating if I want to french the core support mounts like I did the forward cab mounts or just move the bolt holes. I might chew on it for a few days before I start cutting and welding.

[JustToxic]

After having the core support on the truck for the first time I was able to see how the mounts needed to get made up. I took the forward cab mounts off the old '67 frame and cut them down so I could use them on the core support. The forward hump of the frame where it curved down into a flat section was in the way of the core support so I cut the frame back quite a bit to make clearance.

[JustToxic]

Pics Continued

[Richard]

I see a lot of hard work there, looking good! Are you fabricating everything for the front four link? Was thinking about using the ORD kit or at least the axle mounts for my truck.

[JustToxic]

Richard, I have a buddy that runs a laser table, so I designed all the brackets and mounts for the 4 link. Its based off of a kit a saw on a website, I couldn't find a kit that was exactly what I wanted so that's why I'm building a one off kit. For the heim joints I bought some Ballistic Fab forged joints, they are heavy duty and rebuild-able, got the tube ends from them as well. I'm still debating about if a set of Dodge front coil springs will work up front or if I should just bite the bullet and get a set of coil over shock from FOA.

ORD makes some killer stuff, if I didn't have access to a laser table I would have bought a kit.

[JustToxic]

So I ran into a slight problem, after replacing the floor panel pieces, the high up panel didn't fit at all. Since I'm used to working on late model trucks where thats not a option, I decided to modify my hump panel and just welder in.

[JustToxic]

Ended up taking the cab and dog house back off the frame this weekend. Tried doing the frame plating on a creeper but couldn't do it laying on my side. Since the cabs off I'm going to leave it off until the front suspension is completely welded. Measured the frame in a few spots found its is just a little bigger then 3/16 thick. Found some steel for free at a buddy's house that was the right width and thickness, found enough to be able to box the entire frame like I'm wanting to. For now, I'm just boxing the front section, from the front clip to the rear cab mounts. I'll do the rest once the bed has its mounts and is off getting metal work done.

Now that the frame is boxed, I'm able to put the 4-link mounts on the frame and start making the links.

[JustToxic]

Got out in the garage this past weekend. Smoothed out the welds on the frame boxing. Then I Started hanging the mounts for the 4-link system, only hung the frame side this weekend. Still have to add the gussets between the two sides, going to try and get that done this week. Next will be the 4 link mounts on the front axle, followed by the spring and shock mount on the axle and frame. Should be a busy weekend coming up in the garage.

[JustToxic]

more /\/\

[JustToxic]

Well, I got all the suspension bars and links ordered this week. As well as the steering components. Once everything comes in, I'll be ready to make all the 4 Link bars, track bar, and cross over steering components. Hopefully in a week or so, she'll be rolling on all 4 wheels again.

[Richard]

Brackets look good. Looking forward to seeing the axle located. Going with the shorter upper 4 link mount should cause an increase in caster as suspension compresses.

[JustToxic]

It'll have a slight caster change, the 4-link setup is similar to factory Dodge front suspension. Computer program didn't show a bunch of caster change until the suspension would have passed the bump stop area, so I'll address any issues as the come about.

Over the weekend I was able to mock up the links and get the rod end welded into place. Ground a the ends smooth on all the bars. Going to get the bar installed and cycle the suspension to check for issues. If everything looks good, I'll start on adding bracing and gussets to the link mound and then start adding the coil spring and shock mounts.

[JustToxic]

Finished the 4-Link bars last night. Cycled the suspension, didn't run into any issues. Now I can focus on building coil spring and shock mounts, reinforce the frame in some key areas and weld the gussets in the 4-link mounts. If the weather is crap this week I'll have plenty to do in the garage.

[Ol Blue K20]

It's looking good. Some nice progress.

[JustToxic]

Thanks Ol Blue

[Richard]

Nice work! Looking forward to seeing shock mounts and brackets.