AD Truck Project

[bjcaldwe]

I am here, just haven't had too much motivation. I know the heat sure has not helped things either.

[scotts62]

The heat has sucked..

[mcbassin]

Originally Posted by bjcaldwe

I am here, just haven't had too much motivation. I know the heat sure has not helped things either.

I hear you bro. It has been a hot mother trucker this year. Not even fishing the last month because of it.

Originally Posted by scotts62

The heat has sucked..

I don't know if it's heat or the sweat dripping in my eyes that's worse

[scotts62]

Ya no kidding. I put up insulation yesterday and in this heat that was horrible!!!

[flatbed51]

ARGHHHHHH THE HEAT !!!!! After working out in this heat all day, the last place you can find me is in the shop.

[bjcaldwe]

I got a little bit done today. I raised the cross member 1 3/4 inches into the frame, as Fred did on his suburban.





It needs to be centered left to right, and just checked over. Then it needs to be tacked in. Some things I am going to need to purchase or make are the upper cups for the air bags, and boxing plates.

[scotts62]

Getting there!!

[bjcaldwe]

Here is a small update.

I had already tacked in the crossmember. So, after spending a few hours fumbling around looking for parts, and tools, I tacked in the spring hats, and loosely fitted the suspension. Here are a few pics. I need to get a steering rack, and some pieces to make upper spring cups. Then I should be pretty close to making the front complete enough to roll it out of the garage. Then I will pull out the rest of the rat turd infested interior and probably take the bed off and relocate it to the back yard. Even with auto focus, it did not help my shakey hands lol. The pic would be clear and screw up right before I took the pic.

[mcbassin]

Glad to see you back on it again Billy! Looks like some good progress to me.

[Groyd]

Looking good. Just nice enough weather to be out in the garage in the evenings this week.
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[bjcaldwe]

Thanks. I finally ran out of excuses of why I was not working on it. The weather has definitely helped. I may try to work on it a bit more on Saturday.

[scotts62]

Sweet!! Is that with the cross member raised or not? Hard to see.

[bjcaldwe]

That is with it raised I think it was about 1 3/4 inches. I am going to do some checking to see which steering rack I need to buy for it. I want to say it is from a thunderbird but I am going to make sure.

[scotts62]

Mustang 2 and Pinto will fit it, power rack was about 120 for mine.

[bjcaldwe]

That is not bad at all. I know my dad got his at oreillys. I may go see if I can find one Saturday morning.

[bjcaldwe]

Here is a small parts update.

A few weeks back I purchased my steering rack. I have ordered f9000 bags for the rear as well as various mounts. When I get closer to actually working on it, I will see about getting a cnotch for the rear. I was going to take advantage of a deal on the forums for an air management kit, but that was putting the cart before the horse. Once the suspension is all put together, I can just run some temporary lines to air it up and roll it around.

[1950foru]

Do u know where u set your axle centerline
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[bjcaldwe]

If you have your stock suspension you can mark it and then adjust from there. Mine has been trial and error and I am not 100% sure I have the front wheels where I want them. There is not enough room in my tiny garage to get a good look from the side. There is a good write up on custom classic truck about going from stock suspension to an IFS. You might look at instructions from other brands of crossmembers. They can give you an idea.

[1950foru]

Stock suspension is gone I found out Alot of company's are putting there at 18.125 I just want to see if people are about there when there putting there's in if u ever get chance let me me know what u set yours thanks
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[bjcaldwe]

Mine was laying in a field with no suspension, so I can understand. If I get some concrete measurements I will post them.

[scotts62]

Not to change style of trucks here but i positioned mine in the center and where i liked them when i did my frame because the 60-66 wheels kind of sit weird in the wells IMO.

[bjcaldwe]

We face the same problem on the AD trucks. I have tried to center mine. The stock position is just for reference.

[bjcaldwe]

19504u ..

Check out this link. I know the year model is difference, but further into the article it talks about how to find the center of the wheel well and marking it.

http://www.classictrucks.com/tech/12.../photo_04.html

[bjcaldwe]

I also saw this thread talking about front axle center lines.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...8&postcount=18


I have my cup kit, rear bags, rear mounts, etc now. I installed my steering rack, and have been doing some measuring and day dreaming about the front cups.

[bjcaldwe]

The threads are too long on one side of my thunderbird rack, so I was able to use a short outer tierod on one side. I picked up a longer thunderbird tierod for the drivers side. I will probably get 2 moog outers later and cut the threads down on the passenger side.

I have been trying to at the least go out and look over the truck and think about what I want to work on next every evening.