75 Dually build

[jbailly]

Very cool truck and interesting build. While not my taste I respect the build quality. I like the vinyl wrap idea, although I don't imagine it is a first timer type job. Hopefully soon I will have a dually build as well, but it will not be lowered it just isn't my style. I have a question though can this truck still haul like a stock one other than the bed? You never know I could be swayed. I'm looking forward to the finished outcome. I love the color combo.

[75Dually]

Originally Posted by jbailly

Very cool truck and interesting build. While not my taste I respect the build quality. I like the vinyl wrap idea, although I don't imagine it is a first timer type job. Hopefully soon I will have a dually build as well, but it will not be lowered it just isn't my style. I have a question though can this truck still haul like a stock one other than the bed? You never know I could be swayed. I'm looking forward to the finished outcome. I love the color combo.

First of all thanks for your comments above. Secondly this is a first timers try at wrapping! LOL!!

About the towing ability. If you boil down all the negativity about lowered trucks we are basically using a stock (for the most part) type of suspension. Airbags are not a limiting factor, in fact that is what most Semi trucks use everyday. Other than the bed you mentioned above the pulling ability of my truck is about the same as a stock truck. Mine has one advantage in that it has Accuride air suspension controller, which when an increased load is placed on the truck and the suspension squats down this system reacts instantly by increasing or decreasing the air pressure and keeping the truck at the preferred ride height. Bagged trucks tow all the time, and actually can ride, if setup correctly, better than a stock truck.

I hope that helps. Build a slammed dually!

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by 75Dually

First of all thanks for your comments above. Secondly this is a first timers try at wrapping! LOL!!

About the towing ability. If you boil down all the negativity about lowered trucks we are basically using a stock (for the most part) type of suspension. Airbags are not a limiting factor, in fact that is what most Semi trucks use everyday. Other than the bed you mentioned above the pulling ability of my truck is about the same as a stock truck. Mine has one advantage in that it has Accuride air suspension controller, which when an increased load is placed on the truck and the suspension squats down this system reacts instantly by increasing or decreasing the air pressure and keeping the truck at the preferred ride height. Bagged trucks tow all the time, and actually can ride, if setup correctly, better than a stock truck.

I hope that helps. Build a slammed dually!

Mine definitely rides better vs how it was stock & I still have full 1-ton capabilities.... Anxious like everyone to see how the wrap turns out.

[aggie91]

Scoti, I don't think that Christmas Tree weighs 2000 pounds...LOL

[75Dually]

Boss don't make me sand no more!

The drivers side is done! One little spot on the lower part of the front fender. I laid down some filler, and I will wet sand it out tomorrow. You know you go over these panels hundreds of time, and you will still miss something! ARG! Oh well... Such is life...

Tomorrow the wrapping begins! Most likely I am going to start with the roof and work my way down.

Stay tuned!

[jbailly]

Originally Posted by 75Dually

First of all thanks for your comments above. Secondly this is a first timers try at wrapping! LOL!!

About the towing ability. If you boil down all the negativity about lowered trucks we are basically using a stock (for the most part) type of suspension. Airbags are not a limiting factor, in fact that is what most Semi trucks use everyday. Other than the bed you mentioned above the pulling ability of my truck is about the same as a stock truck. Mine has one advantage in that it has Accuride air suspension controller, which when an increased load is placed on the truck and the suspension squats down this system reacts instantly by increasing or decreasing the air pressure and keeping the truck at the preferred ride height. Bagged trucks tow all the time, and actually can ride, if setup correctly, better than a stock truck.

I hope that helps. Build a slammed dually!

Very cool! Thanks for answering those questions. I just may build one some day. After I get a 4x4 though. That's my true want.

[Dieselwrencher]

Great work on it! When is LST?

[75Dually]

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

Great work on it! When is LST?

Thanks! We are headed down on Thursday the 23rd, but setup day in Friday the 24th. We just want a day to unwind before the whole mess starts.

[75Dually]

Now the wrapping starts, and I catch a cold! Crud!!

Oh well I'm going to see the doctor tomorrow and see what they can do for me...

This roof section was actually not that bad. I'm glad I started off with the harder parts because I now know how to handle items like the roof ribs. I have the knifeless tape laid down on the very edges under the blue you see here (you can just see the light green tape if you look closely at the corners), so that when I lay down the side parts and they are in place I will make a butt joint and hopefully it will be very hard to see the seam. That's my plan at this point...

Hopefully tomorrow I will feel better because I need everyday to get this thing done. 7 more days until we leave!

[jbailly]

This is awesome! Very well done on the wrapping for never doing it before. When I finally find a dually I just may try this as well.

[aggie91]

Looking good Chris. That part I have for you will look good against that blue...

Looks like I headed down to LST the morning of the 24th. I just hope its with my '65...

[75Dually]

Originally Posted by aggie91

Looking good Chris. That part I have for you will look good against that blue...

Looks like I headed down to LST the morning of the 24th. I just hope its with my '65...

You have just made my whole week! Can't wait to see you and that mystery item. Dinner the 24th?

[aggie91]

Sounds good to me. I call you when I get down there...

[75Dually]

So here are some update pics. I really like the grey with the blue, in person it really pops!

Stay tuned!

[Dieselwrencher]

It's looking very nice from here! Keep up the nice work.

[75Dually]

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

It's looking very nice from here! Keep up the nice work.

So far so good!

[75Dually]

A couple more pics for tonight. Got the passenger door done. Tomorrow it's the front end and the drivers side rear fender. So much to do! So little time!

Stay tuned!

[75Dually]

So I thought I would show the hood being done tonight. It took me 1 1/2 hours from start to finish. It came out great. Now I'm tired again and it's off to bed!

Stay tuned...

[COS399]

Looking good. You make it look easy. You may have found your new calling in life. When should I drop off my K5? Take lots of pictures of LST for those of us further away than you are.

[75Dually]

Originally Posted by COS399

Looking good. You make it look easy. You may have found your new calling in life. When should I drop off my K5? Take lots of pictures of LST for those of us further away than you are.

I will take a ton of pics to share with my fiends in the frozen north and other hinter lands still deep in winter! Um no on the other request! LOL!

[75Dually]

So more pics of the big super smurf! Got the front end done today, for the most part. Still have to do the lower front cross bar and the part under the cowl. Oh yeah speaking of the cowl... I still have to finish that too... Yeah!

At least I made some good progress today. Both front fenders, and the drivers door.

Only 3 more days before we haul down south.

Stay tuned!

[jbailly]

I would seriously consider taking it part way done and telling everyone it is wrapped and see their reactions. Very cool stuff and nicely done! When I get one of my own I may consider trying this as well.

[75Dually]

Originally Posted by jbailly

I would seriously consider taking it part way done and telling everyone it is wrapped and see their reactions. Very cool stuff and nicely done! When I get one of my own I may consider trying this as well.

I would suggest that if you want to try wrapping that you get some and just try and wrap something small first. If you like that then do a vehicle. The reason I say this is that there is actually a lot of technique and you want to gain those skills doing something else before you try and tackle a large panel. This stuff can be very frustrating at times as last night proved. I redid the lower part of the rear divers side door about 4 times. Kept on tensioning up, so I had to peal it back up several times and basically start all over again, but in the end it came out nice.

Just something to think about.

Thanks for the above comments!

[75Dually]

Well I'm bummed... Not going to be able to go to LST this year. The truck as you see was just about ready to roll except for some minor items to install. That show will be there next year and there are other shows I want to attend this year too. I hope all my friends have a blast there and are safe coming home.

Stay tuned...

[travlinman]

Ruh roh....what happened?