Used Parts Build

[tinydb84]

The tabs are pre-fab'd. They didn't include the back piece. I cut those myself. I am thinking a double U shape (top and bottom). I don't think it is actually needed but I think it would look off if the bottom is boxed but the top isn't.

[aggie91]

just clip the corners where the boxing plate meets the tabs and axles...basically opens up the corners...

[slotard]

I wouldn't expect TIG to go through much more gas than MIG. 15-20cfh is a pretty common flow rate for each. About the only way for a similar size MIG bottle to last a lot longer is if it's CO2 (a 20lb CO2 bottle is around 170cf while a similar size C25 or Argon bottle is around 80cf). Of course, it does take more time with TIG so you get less welding done. If you're doing much welding at all, buy the biggest bottle you can reasonably store.

Too bad you had to cut it off.

[tinydb84]

Originally Posted by slotard

I wouldn't expect TIG to go through much more gas than MIG. 15-20cfh is a pretty common flow rate for each. About the only way for a similar size MIG bottle to last a lot longer is if it's CO2 (a 20lb CO2 bottle is around 170cf while a similar size C25 or Argon bottle is around 80cf). Of course, it does take more time with TIG so you get less welding done. If you're doing much welding at all, buy the biggest bottle you can reasonably store.

Too bad you had to cut it off.

The welding does take significantly longer but also the post flow from the tacks and each bead does use up a bit of gas. I only have an 80cf tank because I cant fit anything larger in my car. I might buy a second tank so I can run a backpurge set up. Well see when I actually need it.

[tinydb84]

Got the rear end where it should be. Didnt get a ton done tonight but snapped some good pics!



I took some measurements and it should lay rocker on 31 inch tall tires. With the 28 inch tires on there now it should have a 5(ish) inch ride height. Waiting on parts right now but hopefully I'll get the shocks and lower bag brackets done and maybe some painting this weekend.

[Joe Pass]

Taking shape....a lot of work, you should be proud

[slotard]

Will you have to do any cutting on the cab for driveshaft clearance?

[tinydb84]

Originally Posted by Joe Pass

Taking shape....a lot of work, you should be proud

Thanks Joe. Definitely felt good seeing how low it would be.

Originally Posted by slotard

Will you have to do any cutting on the cab for driveshaft clearance?

Yeah. I'm going to have to a bit. I am going to wait until I get more done before I deal with that though.

[tinydb84]

Got my bag mounts welded on the links today

[tinydb84]

Got more work done today.
Shock tabs welded on

Then decided to strip the bed of the 66. It was mostly rattle can primer and was starting to rust.

Stipped a good 80% of it and called my brother to help me.

My uncle came out and masked it for me. He has been painting residential for 30 years. Masked it in less time than it too for me to load the masker...My brother never painted before so I figured I'd let him give it a try.

Got dark before I could get a good pic.

I'll start a thread for it when I actually start wrenching on it.

[tinydb84]

Took off early from work to get another coat of paint on my 66.

Painted some other parts while I was there

Got my sway bar in.

Got the shipment notification for my bag cups and watts link.

Need to figure out how to package it all back there. I am thinking of installing the watts and bag cups then fit the sway bar in somewhere. I am open to suggestions. Any thoughts?

[mattcrp1]

Looking good.

[tinydb84]

Got a couple things done:
Started making out a boxing plate for the read half:

Cut it out but got sick of it so I will finish it later

Started working on my shock mounts:

Welded one side on:

Lined up the other side:


Boxed. They look better in person though. I will weld them to the outside of the frame rails behind the axle.

[tinydb84]

Bit more work done yesterday. Didnt get a chance to put the pics up.
Cut my cups for the upper mounts in the rear

Double beveled the joint

Tig'd them together

Mig'd the inside because I couldnt tig it

Got the watts link welded to the axle

Not the best looking weld :/

Going to finish boxing the tabs on the axle today. Not sure what else I am going to get done since it is raining like hell and I dont have much left I can do in the garage.

[Joe Pass]

The needed rain makes it a tough go when in the driveway....

[tinydb84]

Originally Posted by Joe Pass

The needed rain makes it a tough go when in the driveway....

I know. I have a canopy but kinda sucks when you need to weld and have bare metal. Pretty lazy/busy this week. Snuck into the garage for a bit today though.
Need a better way to cut this stuff. Its really hard to get the small radius curves to look good.


Need to stop welding on the floor too...

Trying to make everything look like it fits together. Added a boxing plate to my upper mounts to match the bottom mounts.

I filled the gap you can see in the previous pic with some rod and freehand weave.

[tinydb84]

I have been looking at the bed and ways to mount it. Not really sure I want to use the stock bed floor. I had to move it by myself with some dollys and it is heavy!

I was thinking for now just to run some aluminum crossmembers bolted to the inside of the bed sides and deal with putting the actual floor in later. I was thinking of 2x3x.188 aluminum rectangular tube. Probably run 4 of them, one on each end and one before and after the tires. Any thoughts? Any of you engineers out there want to comment on the material choice for the crossmembers?

[tinydb84]

Got all my tabs boxed in.



Really need the rain to stop...I dont know how much I'll get done in the next two weeks with the rain and a trip out of town.

[slotard]

Do you have a hole saw? With one and a drill press (or even hand drill) those cutouts for tube are a lot easier.

How much weight do you expect to put in the bed? If none, I wouldn't expect any real problems with 2x3 3/16 but I'm not doing any math.

[tinydb84]

Originally Posted by slotard

Do you have a hole saw? With one and a drill press (or even hand drill) those cutouts for tube are a lot easier.

How much weight do you expect to put in the bed? If none, I wouldn't expect any real problems with 2x3 3/16 but I'm not doing any math.

Good idea with the hole saw. Ill have to do that next. No weight really. Maybe move a couch here and there.

Anyway. Been out of town and sick as a dog. Got a bit done tonight:

Got some of my tubes fit for my bag mounts. Here is the idea:


Got the tubes mostly fit up:



And done!


I am thinking of gusseting them together using 1/8'' plate that matches the style of the 4 link tabs. Its going to be a bit time consuming to match the other side. I am thinking I am going to copy each join using paper wrapped around each tube then turning it inside out and placing it on the tube for the other side. Any thoughts?

[tinydb84]

Spent some more time fitting each tube. Then leveling everything out.

Then burned it all in.

I didnt like the fitment on the last bar so I am going to redo that one. I ended up mig welding it all because I was worried it would move too much of I tacked it and pulled it off to weld it in the garage. I wish I could get the whole truck in but it will have to do.

[Hankster]

Looks really cool. I like it.

[DblTrbl]

It's really coming together man! I like how it's totally different than what I've seen before. What do you intend to do for shocks? Cantilevered? :-)

[tinydb84]

Originally Posted by Hankster

Looks really cool. I like it.

Thanks man.

Originally Posted by DblTrbl

It's really coming together man! I like how it's totally different than what I've seen before. What do you intend to do for shocks? Cantilevered? :-)

Just going to run them at a ****ty angle for now. I will probably redo them somewhere down the road.

Finished the bars:

Shock mounts. Not the best angle but will work for now.

Going to run these from the notch to the rear bar and the rear bar to the middle bar.

Started cutting but it got late so this is where I left off.

[ruffrida2005]

Well have you put the filler panels on the tubes yet?