53 3100 - complete rebuild and upgrade . . . .

[big_dan]

Slowly but surely moving along . . . . . Lots of life keeping me distracted the last little while, but the firewall and tunnel are almost done. More later -

Dan

[youngrodder]

Originally Posted by big_dan

Slowly but surely moving along . . . . . Lots of life keeping me distracted the last little while, but the firewall and tunnel are almost done. More later -

Dan

Can't wait to see this one near completion.

Marc

[big_dan]

Originally Posted by youngrodder

Can't wait to see this one near completion.

Marc

Much appreciated! That makes 2 of us at least LOL. Here's a little progress. Tinkering with the fire wall and trans tunnel; goal is for the trans tunnel to be removable from inside the cab. Yes, it's heavy (11ga?) but I'd guess it only adds maybe 25-30 lbs total.

More later- thanks for looking -

Dan

[e015475]

Mine's removable from the inside of the cab to get to the back of the engine and the transmission. It is two pieces.





Here's what it looks like from the engine side of the firewall

[big_dan]

Very clean. Looks great!👍

Dan

[joedoh]

beautiful fab as usual!

[big_dan]

Thanks for the input! Still moving along. No where near done yet, still just mocking up, but you get the idea.

More later - thanks for looking -

Dan

[big_dan]

Again, miles to go but a little more progress.

Dan

[6DoF]

it's amazing how low that motor is, that tunnel is coming out money too.

[youngrodder]

Looking very good Dan...

Marc

[big_dan]

Thanks, fellas. Just trying to keep moving forward.

On that note, a little progress. Finished "step1" of the firewall. All tacked together, so back on the chassis to lay out pedals. There's plenty of room behind the driver's side head to "adjust" for the go-pedal, but that's later. Since I'm chucking the high rise bench for lower bucket seats, I picked up a set of reproduction Chevelle? pedals from Speedway. With the hydraulic clutch, pedal ratio and master cylinder position are critical, so I spent a little time making a bench mockup to get everything right the first time (and saving having to lay under the dash). Thanks for looking -

More later-

Dan

[6DoF]

aw come on, the educated gamble to weld in the mount without trial makes for some great anxiety!

[Rickysnickers]

Pedal set up looks good.

[big_dan]

Thanks all. Believe me - trying to measure and get pedal locations and ratios correct laying under a dash is some kind of aggravating! I'll cheat on this one 😆

Dan

[6DoF]

it's not cheating if there aren't any rules

and thank the god's of speed for no rules ... or my build would have gotten me tar-n-feathered a long time ago!

[dsraven]

wii you get a full stroke of the master cyl and clutch? looks close to the firewall and floor. maybe just the pic angle?

[big_dan]

Originally Posted by dsraven

wii you get a full stroke of the master cyl and clutch? looks close to the firewall and floor. maybe just the pic angle?

Yes sir. Full stroke of the master is only 1.12." I already determined pedal ratio (roughly 5.5:1), and the pivot point was set to make sure the clutch doesn't hit the floor (~1" clearance). That's why the mock "toe board" is there. Plus, Hydramax won't warranty the master without a hard stop; floor doesn't count. I've never needed the warranty, great product, but just in case ...

Dan

[dsraven]

have you mocked up a go pedal yet? looks kinda tight for space, maybe just the angle of the pic?

[big_dan]

Originally Posted by dsraven

have you mocked up a go pedal yet? looks kinda tight for space, maybe just the angle of the pic?

Yes and no. There's room, but the final location will need a little fine tuning to be even with the brake pedal. Once the clutch and brake are in, I'll dial it in exactly. Keep in mind the firewall was fabbed symmetrical but knowing I'd need to adjust for pedals later. There's extra room on the drivers side due to the head being farther forward. It's hard to see in pics, but it'll all work out.

Dan

[big_dan]

A little more of an update.

Since I decided to use replacement pedals (shorter) I had to move the brake booster a bit. After getting all the geometry right I had to decide how to "move" a hole, so I decided to chop it out and make a replacement. Added a few button heads around the plate to make it interesting? and tacked it in (it'll all be welded up once the fab is complete). Gun- drilled the pivot pin (5/8) and tapped for grease fittings, added bushings, etc. Pedals are nice and smooth with no play side to side. Yes, I'll have to clearance the inner fender a fuzz, but minimal. Mocked it all back up and now to notch for the go- pedal next. More later -

Dan

[big_dan]

A little more progress. Once the clutch and brake pedals were sorted I moved to the gas pedal. Using a simple spoon style. Because of the tunnel/ firewall, I expected to have to recess a bit for the gas pedal. Got that done and tacked, still with plenty of clearance, and pulled the cab to get it all welded up.

About a month of welding to go -

Thanks for looking -

Dan

[big_dan]

Time for a little update - life sure does get busy!

Finished the gas pedal cutout on the firewall and welded everything up. Routed all the brake lines (3/16 steel, AN3 fittings). Trimmed the fender wells for clearance, and checked alignment of the rear end, and picked up my gas tank. All in all, steady progress the last few months. Goal is to be finished with the chassis soon and then start wrapping everything else up. More later - thanks for looking -

Dan

[dsraven]

wow, I LOVE your shop and tooling as seen in the background. i am jealous.
you also have a great skill level as show in the tremendous fab work you have done. awesome. Im like your attention to detail, keep posting, it'so great,

[youngrodder]

Glad to see you still plugging away Dan. ANY progress is good progress.

Marc

[8man]

Really nice work!