Wife's 48

[Gregski]

Originally Posted by Tempest67

be careful with Deadlines.......... it can transform a fun hobby, into a stressful job

Well said and I 100% agree, Robert and I have a great report and he knows I am just kidding.

[8man]

Thanks Tempest and Gregski, and this is enjoyable, so I'm not going to push it, just enjoy the ride, once I get it running...

[8man]

Well, Tinbasher called me out about the floor for not thinking ahead.

Well, he was RIGHT! Actually he was nice enough to send me pictures of what he is doing, and I would have stolen, err used the whole idea if I had not already put in the cross brace and the front pieces. Thank you Tinbasher.

So this afternoon I figured out how I wanted to do the rear cross brace.
IMG_0525 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

At the very rear, with the clamps and such holding it up is the rear cross brace. It needed to be 3/4" and all I had was 1" so I cut a corner off and mashed it together on the ends so it would fit inside the rear cab supports. Then I cut two 6" 1.5" x 1`.5" tubes to go against the sides. When I was cutting the cross brace, I cut it a 3 times to make sure I didn't' mess up. I messed up. It was about 1/4" too short.

Thank goodness it is steel and not wood. First off, I'm allergic to saw dust and secondly, since it's steel, I cut or trimmed a small piece to just fit in the void.
IMG_0526 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

Put it in place, tacked it in and tacked the two tubes together on the riders side, took it out and welded it up. Then I test fit it again.

IMG_0527 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

This is a view from the underside. You can see the factory cab support and my new cross brace. The gap looks larger than it is. With a little persuasion, I can weld the cross brace to the cab support, then weld the two side tubes in place and the rear cross brace will be very strong.

I will then add the front to rear braces, shown in the first picture. This should provide a very stable support and as Tinbasher pointed out, this will be much more support under the seat. If I need it I can tie to any of the 1x2 for additional support, but I think this will be enough.

I'm still leaving that rear support inside the cab. My new floor mates up to it and I can just spot weld them and it will add some more strength.

[Tinbasher]

Hahaha 8man, i wasn't trying to call you out on anything! I was just trying to help a brotha out! I spend a lot of time drinking beer and "staring" as my wife likes to say and tend to over think things lol but I'm glad i could help. Nice work keep the pics coming!

Ps thanks for the pic upload instructions

[8man]

Ok, I'm adding the rear and interior cross bracing to the floor.
IMG_0528 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr
I got it fitted up, primed and tacked or welded in place. Still a lot of welding to do on that rear lip. At the far end of the picture you can see where I was starting to weld the lip to the cross brace. Tomorrow I'll get back on that and when done there, I'll lean it back on the dolly to get underneath and finish up welding the bottom side.

Thanks for the idea Tinbasher. I just wish I knew what seats I was going to use so I could go ahead and drill those holes when I drill the holes in the floor for the plug welds.

[joedoh]

holy geeze that went from a strong floor to a floor capable of hosting a dance.

[8man]

Thanks Joe, and yes it is now a really strong floor, or it will be when finished.

[Jedema]

jeepers! no concerns about Fred Flinstone-ing there!!!!

[8man]

Thanks Jedema. It should provide "adequate" anchor spots for seats and seatbelts.

[gigamanx]

Originally Posted by 8man

Thanks Tempest and Gregski, and this is enjoyable, so I'm not going to push it, just enjoy the ride, once I get it running...

Looking good there 8man. I agree, setting a deadline all of a sudden makes things more stressful. I like to know I can tinker in the garage at whatever pace I feel like. Sometimes its just tidying tools up or throwing scrap away.

[8man]

I agree. I'm in no rush, I just want to learn and enjoy the process.

[NorCalGal]

Don’t be like me Robert, life kept getting in the way and when I turned around it’s been like 12 yrs I’ve been playing with my truck, now I’m ready to be done.

[olcarguy]

I'm in the same boat I think it's more like 15yrs for me...I really can't remember it's bean so long. I keep telling my self it will get done....ya right. ;(

[8man]

I got the floor pan marked from underneath, took it out and proceeded to drill 107 holes. Then I got a larger drill bit and did 107 holes again.
IMG_0530 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

Did I mention how much fun this pan is to put in and take out?

But after the holes, I sprayed some weld through primer on the underneath side, turned it over, wrestled it into the cab, and after almost 4 hours I have this...
IMG_0531 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

Yes, it is a very sturdy floor. I stitched welded it across the back and plug welded it all over.

I test fit the firewall, and it is pretty close. I'm going to sit and think about it for a while before I weld it in, and I want to do all the behind the dash work while I can get to it. So I'll probably need the vents and radio to cut the holes and mount them before I do the firewall.

[joedoh]

haha 214 holes well worth it!

[NorCalGal]

I spy that new firewall in the background, looks good!

[8man]

Thanks Jan and Joe.

Yeah, that is 214 holes and all the wrestling it around. I was whupped!

The firewall has been test fit, but won't go in until I get some dash work done. However, I feel GOOD right now! Just sat there looking at it and making notes on what is next for that cab.

I hope to get back on 48 in a day or so and get it running. It'll be in primer, but to drive it would be a real boost to the get it done mantra.

[Tinbasher]

Looking good Robert! I Hope you plan on posting a vid when you fire up the 48!

[8man]

Thanks Tinbasher. I know you feel my pain on drilling holes and wrestling that floor.

I will try and get some help to video when the beast roars.

[joedoh]

I always fight with installing the wiper motor and the clips on the arms, it NEVER OCCURRED TO ME to just remove the firewall. thanks for the tip

[8man]

Yeah, that might cause other problems....thanks Joe.

[Gregski]

Originally Posted by 8man

I got the floor pan marked from underneath, took it out and proceeded to drill 107 holes. Then I got a larger drill bit and did 107 holes again.

wait, so there I am filling in 107 holes in my firewall and here you is drilling 107 out in your floor, I guess it's the yin and the yang!

[8man]

Yeah, if we could ever get in sync we could get one of these rigs running!

[8man]

Ok, here is an "oh darn moment" thanks to Gregski!

No seriously, thank you. I saw you putting the new style ignition switch in and thought "what you mean they don't just fit?" NO they don't!

But since there is no firewall in the 54, I busted out the new ignition switch, welded in a patch, drilled the new 11/16" hole, ground down the front for finish and the back for fit, and here you go...
IMG_0533 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

Back side fits nicely.

IMG_0534 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

Front side finished nice.

Then I checked the wiper switch, it looked bad on top of the dash, so I drilled a hole above the light switch and it now mounts there. I had to drill out the light switch a little so it would fit the new switch I got for the 48.

Oh wait, this is going to be a real pain on the 48, I don't have access from both sides...

[Tempest67]

looks good

nice to get that done without a firewall