Our '66 Short Fleet Build

[joe231]

Originally Posted by 4dranch

Not trying to sound dumb.....but is it normal for all the components to be welded like that??

nope, my guess is that for some reason, my father-in-law welded it when he swapped in the front cross-member.

[4dranch]

does he not like you

[joe231]

well at first, maybe not so much....
he swapped the stuff in 10-15 years ago.
he passed away a couple years ago and we inherited the truck.
not sure why he would weld it, but i don't think it was directed towards me

[Captainfab]

The LCA shaft saddles should be welded to the crossmember, but the u-bolts should not be welded to the shafts. What are you switching around Joe?

[scotts62]

Originally Posted by joe231

dunno yet, one thing at a time......gotta get the cab handled first......
speaking of, gonna need to prime/seal the cab soon after blasting, how long before your shop is tied up?

Its always tied up it seems but let me know when and ill clear it out to work on the cab.

[joe231]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

The LCA shaft saddles should be welded to the crossmember, but the u-bolts should not be welded to the shafts. What are you switching around Joe?

really? didn't realize that.....
i'll be taking everything off the frame for a complete disassemble to blast and paint/powder coat, eventually.....

Originally Posted by scotts62

Its always tied up it seems but let me know when and ill clear it out to work on the cab.

[kizer]

Get R Dun

I saw your comment on painting the underside of the cab. I'm probably going to spray or roll on some POR-15 on mine and then paint over it so its not obviously coated. Of course the entire research thing will begin to make sure its not a completly dumb mistake. MY idea was to hit all the normal rust areas like the underside of the cab, bottom of the fenders or where ever else I discover some "rust love".

I can't wait until I'm ready for the cab like that.

[joe231]

yeah I think I'm gonna use the raptor everywhere i can, bottom of the inners, back side of the fenders, up inside the bed sides, under the cab, inside the cab on the floor and possibly the back wall of the cab and firewall, figure it can't hurt, and should look good.
I don't think you will have any problem painting over the POR, I believe that is kinda what it is designed for.
you can also get the raptor in a tintable version...

[joe231]

update

not so funny story...on the way to the blaster I had a ratchet strap break...luckily we were just exiting I-35. felt a thud, looked in the mirror and the cab was back farther. took me a second to realize what happened, at first I thought I had lost the trailer, got the sub/trailer stopped and just knew the cab was finished. the rear strap had caught the cab and dolly. the cab was hanging half off the back of the trailer. I immediately thought the cab was dragging....go take a look...it landed on the back 2 casters on my dolly, it had rolled along like it was no big deal.....it was a very tense moment before we realized it was fine, the wife about cried and I knew she would end me if I destroyed her late father's cab but hey, my dolly got a little torture testing and held up
so we loaded her back up and strapped her back tight and were within a mile of the blaster....got it dropped off and should have it back sometime next week, weather permitting. when I get it back I will do a mock up of what happened and take pictures...I was a bit shook up when it happened and didn't think to snap a pic with my phone.....

also picked up a nice little SCORE tonight. a factory auto cross member with the e-brake bar in nice shape, the brake hardware and the upper braces are still attached with the factory rivets....i'll go snap a couple pics and post them in a few.

[Captainfab]

Wheeeew Joe! Glad that worked out OK. Things like that kinda get your heart pumping for a few minutes.

[joe231]

yeah it was a bit stressful
glad I can laugh now though

cross member pics









I told the fella I got the cross member from all about this site, hopefully he joins up.....If you are reading this Brad, Thanks so much!!
tomorrow I have to run to the hardware store and and get some bolts...then drill some holes, bolt up the cross member, and take the frame to the car wash. Clean the frame, suspension, engine, and trans up the best that I can, then blow it apart in preparation of the frame blast and coat
I have a confession...i was getting bogged down and overwhelmed...but now I'm excited again and ready to rock!!!
can't wait to get the cab patches ordered!!!!
I can't say it enough....I love this place!!!

[TimE]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

Wheeeew Joe! Glad that worked out OK. Things like that kinda get your heart pumping for a few minutes.

Dang! I don't know what else to say...

Obviously, your dolly was well designed/assembled.



I just realized that this happened on Friday the 13th! You definitely had your bad luck for the day.

[TimE]

Originally Posted by joe231

I have a confession...i was getting bogged down and overwhelmed...

What?!?!?! Say it ain't so!!

(I know EXACTLY what you mean.)

Originally Posted by joe231

but now I'm excited again and ready to rock!!!
can't wait to get the cab patches ordered!!!!
I can't say it enough....I love this place!!!

Now that's more like it!!!

That's a clean crossmember you got there Joe. Nice score!!

[scotts62]

Dang dude that sucks! At least it didnt come off the trailer and pass you

I have a 4" rachet strap you can use when you get to bringing it home.

[jason65]

Glad to here everything ended up ok. That has to be a bad a$$ little dolly. Thats a good lookin crossmember. Have you igured out the diferance in the e-brake cables?

[Alan's Classic]

I feel your pain Joe, had a similiar experience bringing a fleet bed home and the straps came off. It's a sinking feeling going down the interstate. Glad everything worked out.

I think we all get overwhelmed at times. Wondering why the heck did I do this restoration. Keep on keeping on and remember we are here for you.

[ChiefRocka]

Wow...that could of been ugly....(you wife beating your a$$ silly)

Glad to hear the cab is in one piece....nice score on the X-member, too !!!


Motivation does come and go......nice to hear that we got you back going again !!!

[4dranch]

Thank God you and your wife are okay Joe.
I have seen a lot of wrecks involving trailers and the stuff people are hauling falling off of them. you guys had someone looking out for you for sure,

Good looking crossmember. keep us updated.
David

[joe231]

Originally Posted by TimE

Dang! I don't know what else to say...

Obviously, your dolly was well designed/assembled.



I just realized that this happened on Friday the 13th! You definitely had your bad luck for the day.

dang! your right, i didn't even think of that.....

Originally Posted by TimE

What?!?!?! Say it ain't so!!

(I know EXACTLY what you mean.)


Now that's more like it!!!

That's a clean crossmember you got there Joe. Nice score!!

haha, thanks!

Originally Posted by scotts62

Dang dude that sucks! At least it didnt come off the trailer and pass you

I have a 4" rachet strap you can use when you get to bringing it home.

Originally Posted by jason65

Glad to here everything ended up ok. That has to be a bad a$$ little dolly. Thats a good lookin crossmember. Have you igured out the diferance in the e-brake cables?

well, i think the problem was....we have a '63 frame and it had e-brake stuff from a '66, believe they changed in '66....this cross member and a set up from a '63-'65 should fix the issue, I might have to shorten the cables due to the using the 700R4 (as you know the cross member has to be moved back).
we will see

Originally Posted by Alan's Classic

I feel your pain Joe, had a similiar experience bringing a fleet bed home and the straps came off. It's a sinking feeling going down the interstate. Glad everything worked out.

I think we all get overwhelmed at times. Wondering why the heck did I do this restoration. Keep on keeping on and remember we are here for you.

did you completely loose the bed?

thanks for the encouragement!!

Originally Posted by ChiefRocka

Wow...that could of been ugly....(you wife beating your a$$ silly)

Glad to hear the cab is in one piece....nice score on the X-member, too !!!


Motivation does come and go......nice to hear that we got you back going again !!!

yeah, and right on the side of the interstate for all to see too

hell yeah!! you guys rock!

Originally Posted by 4dranch

Thank God you and your wife are okay Joe.
I have seen a lot of wrecks involving trailers and the stuff people are hauling falling off of them. you guys had someone looking out for you for sure,

Good looking crossmember. keep us updated.
David

funny you say that. the wife says it must have been her dad back there holding it, we could just picture him holding it up saying "oh s*#t" over and over, and trying to get our attention

I will do my best to do my duty and keep you all informed!!!

THANKS EVERYONE!!!

[protrash64]

I towed my truck from Mesa to Phoenix to an exhaust shop and I had no problems, but I still had the adrenaline going knowing all that metal was behind me and being on the freeway, too. Trying to look a 1/4 mile ahead to see any problems.

Hey Joe, usually I lose motivation when I have something difficult in front of me; if I go tackle it I end up with a break thru and I can get a bunch of stuff done. Sometimes you have to just stare at stuff until it all makes sense.

..and while Im typing, make sure your shoes are tied!!

[joe231]

Originally Posted by protrash64

I towed my truck from Mesa to Phoenix to an exhaust shop and I had no problems, but I still had the adrenaline going knowing all that metal was behind me and being on the freeway, too. Trying to look a 1/4 mile ahead to see any problems.

Hey Joe, usually I lose motivation when I have something difficult in front of me; if I go tackle it I end up with a break thru and I can get a bunch of stuff done. Sometimes you have to just stare at stuff until it all makes sense.

..and while Im typing, make sure your shoes are tied!!

yeah man...the simplest thing had me in a loop of indecision and frustration....
the silly trans cross member......i just couldn't make a decision
but it is all good now

shoes tied....check, one less thing to worry about thanks

[scotts62]

Originally Posted by joe231

shoes tied....check

Hey Joe what about the shop keys?........Check?

[joe231]

my shoes are tied...what more do you want from me???
i can't take all the pressure

[joe231]

went to the wife's uncle's today and snapped some pics

GMC school bus, not sure of the year...

[joe231]

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