Jesses' 48 PU

[8man]

Nice.

[Jesse49chevy]

It was a beautiful day so decided to work on my truck. With the cab complete I decided to throw on the front fenders. It went well until I ran into my first issue. I trimmed the inner wheel wells and found out the core support won't fit. I either have to trim the bottom or custom fit it on an angle. Guess the right thing to do would be trimming it. My problem is that not thinking ahead several years back I bought a direct replacement aluminum radiator with electric fans. I have run across several threads in which the radiator is placed on an angle due to the steering box being in the way.
The way I see it I have three options.
1. Install it on an angle and use the radiator I have. Not sure if this has a negative affect on radiator performance.
2. Trim the core support, order another radiator and spend more money!😡
3. Remove the steering box, figure out how to install a rack and pinion. Use the radiator I already have and still spend more money.

I need suggestions, advise... Help!!!!

[Jesse49chevy]

[Jesse49chevy]

[Jesse49chevy]

[Jesse49chevy]

'

[Jesse49chevy]

[Jesse49chevy]

You have to love YouTube and all of you gents that post videos or share your knowledge in forums such as this one. I was so worried about my radiator and the support. As I sat in my hotel room this week I did what I normally do, watch YouTube videos. Well wouldn't you know it, the guys at Code504 have a video on how to handle the issue I have. Super easy solution... So again thanks to all of you who share your knowledge and give advise. It's like having my dad here by my side telling me how it should be done. Below are the videos I found.

https://youtu.be/JphUoXdPvw8

https://youtu.be/WHXoOKaq7xA

[Jesse49chevy]

Today was a productive day... I added supports to the front fenders. I used 1.5 x 1.5 x 1/8 angle welded onto a 3/16 inch base bolted to the frame and to the core support.

[Jesse49chevy]

After some trial and error, trimming here and there I was able to install the radiator. I ended up mounting it on the outside of the core support. My main concern was clearing the steering box and making sure it was low enough so the hood will close and it look close to stock height.

[Jesse49chevy]

Here is a look from inside the engine bay

[Jesse49chevy]

I plan to grind the two bolts halfway down for safe measure.

[Jesse49chevy]

[Jesse49chevy]

Hey everyone... It's been a bit... Work and life kinda get in the way. But I work on it every chance I get.
I installed the grill a few months ago... Trimmed a little here, a little there, new mounting holes and in it went.

[Jesse49chevy]

I installed my 30" Deepmotor steering column, used double D steering shaft and u-joints. I lucked out and had clearance to not need a third u-joint and had a straight shot for one piece shaft between column and steer box.

[Jesse49chevy]

[Jesse49chevy]

For Christmas I gifted myself the Holley high mount accessory bracket kit with water pump, ac compressor, alternator and power steering pump. I had to cut out the wheel wells to make clearance for the compressor and alternator. I have to finish closing them in once I break it back down and prepare them for paint. Until then, that's what they look like.
I decided to move the brake booster/master cylinder from the frame to the firewall. It was a tight squeeze down there and it would be in the way of the exhaust. I ordered a under dash brake pedal kit and it had been sitting in my shelf too long so today I decided to get'r done.
I cut up the original frame mounting bracket keeping the face and bolted it to the firewall using the pre drilled holes. Using 20 gauge metal a circle cutout was welded so I could get the center and drill the 2 1/4 inch hole through the firewall.

[Jesse49chevy]

Welded the face plate to the firewall from inside the cab.

[Jesse49chevy]

Look from the outside

[Jesse49chevy]

Power brake booster and brake pedal assembly installed

[Jesse49chevy]

[8man]

Very nice work. Looks good.

[Jesse49chevy]

Decided to tackle the front bumper before I dismantle the front clip. Because of the S10 front clip, the original mounting brackets did not work and felt it was easier to build something solid rather than to hack them. I decided to use 2x2" 1/4" thick wall square tubing and 1 1/2" x 1 1/2" square tubing. Problem was I did not have the 2x2" and my local metal place only sells 20' sections. Did not feel like spending that type of money when I only needed 18 inches. So I found these hitch reducers at Harbor a Freight for $12.99 each. After trimming and cleaning them up I drilled and inset nuts onto the 1 1/2 inch sections so I can bolt them to the 2x2 tubing that will be welded to the frame.

[Jesse49chevy]

[Jesse49chevy]

After welding a cross brace I welded the section to the frame. Decided to practice my TIG welding, have a long ways to go, but not bad I guess.