The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build

[83GMCK2500]

Wow, that truck is looking GREAT! I would like to see it with a bit of weight on it. Mudflaps are looking good; just my thoughts, but I think for a DRW truck w/flatbed that the mudflaps should just about kiss the ground when loaded.

[SCOTI]

Whats the law/rule on DRW trucks (flap requirements)?

[GCncsuHD]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

Whats the law/rule on DRW trucks (flap requirements)?

I do not believe there are any Federal DOT laws regarding light trucks, I know NC does not have any light truck mud flap laws. Some other states, such as Komifornia, do have flap laws.

[83GMCK2500]

Originally Posted by GCncsuHD

I do not believe there are any Federal DOT laws regarding light trucks, I know NC does not have any light truck mud flap laws. Some other states, such as Komifornia, do have flap laws.

I would be surprised if most states did not have something in the legislature about them... WA has RCW 46.37.500, which is vague, but it says the full width of tire(s) must be covered and extend down to at least the center of the rear axle, not far enough down IMHO, unless it is mounted some distance away from the tire.

I dug around in the TX Legislature, specifically the Transportation Code and I cannot find chit about it. I am not impressed with how their (Texas') websites/searches function.

[GCncsuHD]

Originally Posted by 83GMCK2500

I would be surprised if most states did not have something in the legislature about them... WA has RCW 46.37.500, which is vague, but it says the full width of tire(s) must be covered and extend down to at least the center of the rear axle, not far enough down IMHO, unless it is mounted some distance away from the tire.

I dug around in the TX Legislature, specifically the Transportation Code and I cannot find chit about it. I am not impressed with how their (Texas') websites/searches function.

Just looked it up on the NC General Statutes website, and there is no requirement for flaps or even fenders for that matter in NC on commercial or light trucks.

http://www.ncleg.net/gascripts/statu...l?Chapter=0020

Also found this handy little article.

http://www.jonesindustrialsales.com/..._Laws_NETA.pdf

Now I will say, it would be just good common courtesy and sense to have them mounted, and a general rule of thumb is the 22 degree rule. If you make an angle that is 22 degrees from where the tire contacts the ground to the edge of the flap, that will get the distance from the ground to block the majority of debris from being cast onto following vehicles at highway speeds.

[Tx Firefighter]

Scot, its cut and dry. For vehicle inspection, if you have four or more rear wheels you have to have mudflaps.

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/rsd/vi/...nCriteria.aspx

[flashed]

Tex ,I love the mud flaps ,but the whole truck looks great .Who did you get the flaps from and how much if I may ask .And I like your idea on the sticker between the stars.

[bluex]

Wanna get rid of one of the flaps you took off? Would make great garage art

[Tx Firefighter]

Originally Posted by flashed

Tex ,I love the mud flaps ,but the whole truck looks great .Who did you get the flaps from and how much if I may ask .And I like your idea on the sticker between the stars.

I got the flaps from my local Truck Pro store. It's like Autozone for big truck parts. The flaps were 23 each. The chrome weights came from the local truck stop. They were 12 dollars each. Not exactly what I wanted, but available right now, and the decals should make them "just right" for my purposes. That pretty much depleted my truck budget for this pay cycle.

Originally Posted by bluex

Wanna get rid of one of the flaps you took off? Would make great garage art

I threw the old ones away. I didn't figure there was any demand for stolen mud flaps that said "BJ services" on them. This isn't the first time I have been short sighted though.

[bluex]

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

I threw the old ones away. I didn't figure there was any demand for stolen mud flaps that said "BJ services" on them. This isn't the first time I have been short sighted though.

Bummer im sure my wife would have loved them

[Tx Firefighter]

Tomorrow's job will be welding the turn down onto the exhaust and going over the truck front to back to make sure everything works properly for state inspection.



And, I need to set the toe in so I can drive it to my buddy's shop for a proper alignment.

[68Timber]

Would the tailpipe I linked not work or did decide to stick with a turndown?

[tex_waco_usmc]

On the mudflap issue. I recently received a ticket by a state trooper for missing 1 of my two mudflaps. I backed into a curb and it got caught between the tire and curb... On my way home I received a ticket for it. I had to get it fixed prior to going to court and seeing the judge.

[Jonboy]

Originally Posted by tex_waco_usmc

On the mudflap issue. I recently received a ticket by a state trooper for missing 1 of my two mudflaps. I backed into a curb and it got caught between the tire and curb... On my way home I received a ticket for it. I had to get it fixed prior to going to court and seeing the judge.

They are pretty active around Waco. I bought an '88 Trans Am in Austin, and a buddy trailered it to Waco for me. I decided to chance it by driving it home. Had a ticket before I made it to West for expired inspection. The trooper was nice enough to check it out and tell me it was a really nice car before he gave me the ticket. Thanks, dude.

[Tx Firefighter]

Originally Posted by BRUISER

Would the tailpipe I linked not work or did decide to stick with a turndown?

No, that's not it at all. Its a financial thing.

See, I have to get some hay stockpiled for my animals and I have to have this truck on the road to do that. With financial constraints and time constraints, I had to sacrifice and go the route of a turn down rather than full tailpipe. It's simply a budgetary deal. By the time my truck budget grew enough to do a tailpipe and hangers and tip, I'd have some pretty hungry livestock.

I do think I might just tack weld this tip into the back of the muffler though. That way when tailpipe money appears, I can possibly harvest the tip for reuse. With the back of the truck being so exposed with the flatbed, getting the tailpipe(s) just right is going to be a real consideration.

[68Timber]

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

No, that's not it at all. Its a financial thing.

See, I have to get some hay stockpiled for my animals and I have to have this truck on the road to do that. With financial constraints and time constraints, I had to sacrifice and go the route of a turn down rather than full tailpipe. It's simply a budgetary deal. By the time my truck budget grew enough to do a tailpipe and hangers and tip, I'd have some pretty hungry livestock.

I do think I might just tack weld this tip into the back of the muffler though. That way when tailpipe money appears, I can possibly harvest the tip for reuse. With the back of the truck being so exposed with the flatbed, getting the tailpipe(s) just right is going to be a real consideration.

10 4. They were cheaper six months ago, seems like I paid $35 or $40 per side. Your truck is looking great.

[GCncsuHD]

I don't know that I would go through the trouble of a tailpipe anyway. Every flat bed I've ever seen with a tailpipe, it just looks like it's hanging out there, out of place, that's just my opinion though.

I'd do it either one of two ways, like you are doing it temporary, with a turndown, rotated 45* outward, or just go up over the axle and pointed back down right after the axle, that would get it beyond your hard work on that axle and still keep it tucked up nicely out of view.

2nd option, kinda like my old HD was done
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f4...6-28-16_17.jpg
When looking at it from behind or the side it was completely invisible unless you bent down to look.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f4...202011/073.jpg

As far as sourcing a tailpipe, if you went the second route, it really does not matter which side, as that section of pipe is generally straight, and tubing should be easy to source for free/cheap, just go visit some exhaust shop and ask to look through the scrap pile. Many newer trucks use a 3.5" exhaust -I know both 01-10 Duramaxes and 7.3 and 6.0 Power strokes use 3.5" stock, as well as 2500HDs with either the 6.0 or 8.1, and the newer GMs with the 6.2 all have 3.5". You could easily swage that muffler outlet to fit up with 3.5". The only 3" OEM exhaust I can think of is the Ecoboost F150s. Find any of those in a scrap pile and get to cutting/welding.

[Tx Firefighter]

It's too windy outside to weld on the exhaust so I piddled with checking all lights and points of state inspection today. I'm gonna adjust the headlight when it gets dark tonight, but otherwise I believe its ready to go get inspected.

After that I decided to mess with the Unity spotlight on the A pillar. It never worked, as far as movement or illuminating, either one.



These things are some real nice quality. Everything is fully serviceable and Unity still carries all the little parts to restore them.

I had to order some of the clips that hold the bulb into the housing.





A switch toggle (mine is broken off)





And the head pivot parts kit. This is pretty crucial as the electrical current is carried down the center of the post and has to remain insulated as the head pivots. Mine was rusty and crumbling. No big deal. Apparently its common enough that Unity has a little baggie of service parts all in one kit.

[rusty76]

I've always wanted one of these spotlights for my truck. I just dig them. I'd love to have one. Your truck is really looking good.

[Tx Firefighter]

Its 80 degrees here right now. I wish I could tell y'all that I got much progress done on the dually. Instead, I had to fix the blower motor in our house HVAC system. The fan broke loose from the hub so it was rattling and rubbing. I got that all welded back up, trued, and installed. Now the blower is quiet again.



Also, the master cylinder decided to puke on my daily driver so I had to run to O Reilly and get a replacement and swap on. I also fixed the back-up lights and a few little odds and ends on it at the same time. Notice my next victim sitting in the background. Once the dually is on the road, the K2500 will get moved to the shop and I'll dig into it.



Still waiting on parts for the Unity spotlight. Next week is payday and I'll get the dually registered and inspected and it will be on the road and driving.

[Stoney]

I thought you had a Honda for a Daily Driver?

[Tx Firefighter]

I do have a Honda. Nowadays I pretty much drive the pickup everywhere unless I'm hauling my daughters somewhere though. Carrying around two girls are just more conducive to having a bigger car. The Honda has got 108k miles on it now so I'm trying to drive it less and less. I might give it to my older daughter for her first car.

This is the typical lineup at our house. My Honda sits in the garage collecting dust. That's Valerie's CR-V on the right. And, the pickup sits outside ready to go.

[67c10rustbuket]

Hey Kevin, I had some time and sat down and read your whole thread. I really like all the super clean detail repair work. Very very nice! My wifes grandfather has one very similar that he bought new from the dealer he worked for as a mechanic for 30 yrs. Still haulin' hay.. He also has an 88 C1500 in the barn with the plastic still on the seats, yeah I really hope it becomes my barn find someday

[Tx Firefighter]

Dang Dan, you read the whole thread at one sitting ? That's some dedication. Thank you.

It's going to be a little dormant on this thread until later in the week when I get some cash to get it all legalized. Then I'll be driving it and working out the bugs that pop up.

[ryanroo]

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

Dang Dan, you read the whole thread at one sitting ? That's some dedication. Thank you.

It's going to be a little dormant on this thread until later in the week when I get some cash to get it all legalized. Then I'll be driving it and working out the bugs that pop up.

Not to read between the lines... but does that mean we get to see a K2500 thread soon?