Bagged 66 swb stepside project: Major Chip Hazard

[T/C]

Got the rails welded today for the back half.

I need some more rectangular tube of i decide to go with matching tube for the two furthest back cross members....

But thinking about just going with some round tube? Anyone have opinions on what they think would look good? My cousin says rectangular i say round 😂

Probably just going to work on odd ball stuff for at least till Monday because i need DFx files to have the fish plates cut for the rails.... i want this together so bad it’s un real bit trying to be patient...

I also have to figure out my crossmembers for trailing arms and transmission.

I really hate that the transmission uses two mounts on the side I’m spoiled by late model single mount transmissions....

On the trailing arm bracket I’m thinking I’m just going to cut off the part that dips down and plate it back in with 1/4 flat bar... i know the hoop for the drive shaft is to short now but think I’m going to hold off on that till i sir the cab back on because i want to avoid modifying the cab for the drive shaft if at all possible....

Anyways here are a couple pictures

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Oh and i did get the shop somewhat clean again...

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Got all the steering linkage hooked back up, And reinforced.

Gnarly tie rod angles but that will be addressed down the road with hiem joints.

The plate i made could have been better thought out but it’s strong and it works just a odd shape.

[Hunyoc]

I like your effort considering same stile 1" to 1 1/2" waiting to see if the look needs that 1/2"

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Little one had surgery so me and the wife are home got a little done while she was knocked out.

Have to go get some nuts and bolts to finish the trailing arm bracket flip.

And leaving the top hoop alone till the motor, trans are in and i have the cab where i can start cutting for tunnel clearance.

I went back and forth on buying a crossmember I’m glad i did this was super easy and i think it looks great for what i have in it!

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All back together for now (crossmember)

Deffenintly need a taller hoop when it’s aired out 😂

Also probably going to cut all the reveits and weld the crossmembers on the inside of the frame.

Really want my spindles for the front ... i just took the wheels off for now to lay it out..

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This is just mocked up but feels like it’s so much further along seeing it like this!

Waiting on stuff to get back from the CNC bit getting everything fitted and squared up and ready to go!

Also waiting on a part for my notcher to do my real crossmembers and braces the one above the drive shaft is temporary to hold it square.

[tinydb84]

Looks good. If I ever get a trailing arm truck I plan on doing the same thing. Great progress.

[T/C]

Originally Posted by tinydb84

Looks good. If I ever get a trailing arm truck I plan on doing the same thing. Great progress.

I contemplated a few different routes... even started half way I’m another before this. I’m the end this is the most simple and least work to do IMO i am not going to be building any major power and can set everything up to have decent pinion angle when it’s driving.

Thanks for the kind words!

[T/C]

No pictures yet but back half is welded in place. Need to pick up some metal tomorrow to box it all in.

Still waiting on stuff to be cut on the cnc 🙄

I did get my notcher back but can’t really do much until i get the fishplates cut.

However big news

I sold some stuff laying around at the house along with money from helping my wife with weddings on the weekend.

AND GOT TO ORDER ALL MY BAGS AND BRACKETS

I feel like i little kid 😂

Only thing i need now is to find some 8” pipe for my lower control arms and other then the drip spindles no more major parts needed for the frame.

Should have enough weddings in the next 2 months to be able to buy my spindles though.

Anyways i know no one wants to just read hopefully have good pictures tomorrow

[SCOTI]

Pipe isn't mandatory when pocketing the front a-arms (if you don't have it handy)....

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Originally Posted by SCOTI

Pipe isn't mandatory when pocketing the front a-arms (if you don't have it handy)....

hmmm thanks! Have not looked much in to it cause i was not to this point yet but think i will go this route!

Pipes expensive!

[tinydb84]

Instead of that single bar running 90 to the crossmembers have you thought about running two bars 45 degrees from the center to the rear corners of the back crossmember?

[T/C]

Originally Posted by tinydb84

Instead of that single bar running 90 to the crossmembers have you thought about running two bars 45 degrees from the center to the rear corners of the back crossmember?

I considered it but it covers up my bag bolts and air lines

The bag brackets tie in to the rear truss crossmember the tube in the middle was just cause it looked cool to me honestly.

I’m assuming you are suggesting it because triangulating is always stronger correct?

I feel there is not much going to be gained there with it though (could be wrong) but a majority of the bag trusses i have seen have a significantly less amount of cross support then i added.

I am by all means open to conversation and suggestions before welding any of the tube or brackets permanently though.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by T/C

I considered it but it covers up my bag bolts and air lines

The bag brackets tie in to the rear truss crossmember the tube in the middle was just cause it looked cool to me honestly.

I’m assuming you are suggesting it because triangulating is always stronger correct?

I feel there is not much going to be gained there with it though (could be wrong) but a majority of the bag trusses i have seen have a significantly less amount of cross support then i added.

I am by all means open to conversation and suggestions before welding any of the tube or brackets permanently though.

I think you're fine as is. But if you're going to tweak it, what about repeating what you did w/the forward portion of the step-notch? Maybe just add 2 45° bars from the center & run them down to the tie-in point of the OE/horizontal frame rail sections (for a general descript of the area I'm talking about) @ the back side of the step notch.

[T/C]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

I think you're fine as is. But if you're going to tweak it, what about repeating what you did w/the forward portion of the step-notch? Maybe just add 2 45° bars from the center & run them down to the tie-in point of the OE/horizontal frame rail sections (for a general descript of the area I'm talking about) @ the back side of the step notch.

Thanks! I’m for sure doing more in the back but i am waiting until i have my air tank and compressors i want them to be tucked in the frame as much as possible so don’t want to add anything until they are here.

It will be getting some sort of triangulation just depends what i have room for

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I didn’t get anything done last night i was contemplating re doing the whole back half to lower the truss down 3” and move the bag to the factory mounting spot on the trailing arm.... i originally didn’t do this because of the large gap that is there (have to full 4” with the bags fully compressed when laying the frame.

I finally at 9 decided to stick with what i have for now. After i am done it still would not be much work to cut it all down and change it if i don’t like it how it is.


Benifita would be better ride and more lift but it complicates bag mounting

Picture just for fun

[tinydb84]

Triangulation but more so for the look to make it flow. Not a big deal.

[T/C]

Originally Posted by tinydb84

Triangulation but more so for the look to make it flow. Not a big deal.

Going to cut some tomorrow and try it out 😂 i was trying to keep it simple but i have some short tube in the scrap bin that will not be wasted by giving it a shot

[tinydb84]

For tube I use masking tape a lot to visualize and check clearances. Works well enough without wasting material.

[T/C]

Will try that out never done that before i normally use paper towel rolls lol

[made2drag]

nice build, I'm in!

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Originally Posted by made2drag

nice build, I'm in!

Thanks bud! I know it’s petty but nice to get the random comments to know I’m not talking to myself lol

Anyways pulled my brackets off to finish welding them cleaned up the cuts to match the frame a little bit and then put them all back on the frame I’m happy with the way it turned out.

Next step is gussets on the bag plates and re doing the tubes on top of the truss. Also complicating running tube either down from the truss to support the bag bracket or across between the two brackets. I don’t think the extra support is really needed but better safe then Sorry?

[SCOTI]

Don't let the mods/additions get "too busy".

[kdad]

Nice progress.. Don't know that I would run a tube between the brackets.. Getting kinda busy back there. A small gusset maybe from the backside of the bracket to the angled brace you have there now would look good, be functional and out of the way... My $.02