Slim's Gym truck build

[slimneverdies]

Wait hold on!!!!!!!! Are you from Chi-Town??? Is that what "IL" in IL Boy stands for?? I thought you meant IL as in ill boy...well if we do meet up i'll be that guy with the White Sox cap, cuz i'm from the West side!

I truly understand what you mean about different breed. The people here are totally awful sometimes, but like you said- I wouldn't want to live anywhere else. I guess its just like everything else, it's a love/ hate situation. My parents call me Corey, but everyone else calls me Slim

[IL boy]

Wow it is a small world!! im not from chicago, im from down state by champaign. even though your a sox fan we gotta meet up one of these days. there is a chicago style eatery in hallendale beach called FAT LOUS, best beefs in Miami.

[slimneverdies]

Everytime I try to get back into this build I get set back with something. I got rid of my 3 window cab and drove about 200 miles to pick up a 5 window cab that seemed like it had the same issues as my old one so to be sure I went and got it sandblasted. What I found was scary!!! Would you guys spend the $700 in replacement panels for this or go back looking for a better cab? Be honest

[slimneverdies]

More scary stuff....

[MrTucker]

I've seen several cabs that appear to be in better shape, for less than $700. But by the time you buy another cab, sandblast again, and get whatever patch panels that one needs - you'll be at that $700, or more...just my $0.02

Maybe try getting another cab that has the sections you need...

[slimneverdies]

Seems like only the roof, floor and firewall are the only good parts on this cab

[slimneverdies]

Originally Posted by MrTucker

I've seen several cabs that appear to be in better shape, for less than $700. But by the time you buy another cab, sandblast again, and get whatever patch panels that one needs - you'll be at that $700, or more...just my $0.02

Maybe try getting another cab that has the sections you need...

It seems like all of the cabs I seem to find that look descent are of course somewhere like Colorado, Arizona, and other states out west. Shipping is the only big issue in finding a cab thats really worth it.

[Kabwe]

I would fix that cab, at least you know what you have, but that just me. Plus its not like you have to buy all the patch panels at one time. If you are good at metal fab and welding why not.

[kdog3121]

Save it!!

That's going to take alot of work to bring it back. Hopefully you have the time to work on it and are dedicated to getting it finished.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Didn't you post that you just learned how to weld? Well, if there's any question you'll certainly know how to weld AFTER you do this cab, that's for sure!

If you've got the space to let this build lay around for a year while you do all the rust repair AND you aren't likely to run out of motivation (and only you know that) then by all means, repair it. It WILL cost you the same in the end to find a better cab. If you decide to repair it, take a LOT of pictures.

[NONHOG]

I'd try to save it. I'm a sucker that way. Still have the 69 Impala ?
Was it a real SS427 ? One of 2455 ? I had one once
It was the car I took my drivers test in, our family car.
O.K. back to trucks !

[slimneverdies]

Originally Posted by NONHOG

I'd try to save it. I'm a sucker that way. Still have the 69 Impala ?
Was it a real SS427 ? One of 2455 ? I had one once
It was the car I took my drivers test in, our family car.
O.K. back to trucks !

Its still a toss up on this one. Waiting to see what Tylordurben thinks since he will be doing a conversion for me.

The 69 is now in Chicago inside of my fathers garage. Ran out of space and since I never drove it I figured my father would enjoy driving it in the summertime.

Its a real SS and according to the #'s and paperwork its production(502) off the assembly line.

[tylordurben]

just a little update for ya slim...









will be finish welding the skins tomorrow then installing the inner structure again. should be done on Monday...

[tylordurben]

conversion is about complete. on my part that is...

sprayed the insides black before installing the inner structure:

[slimneverdies]

Yaril, you the man dude!!

[slimneverdies]

Im having some issues with my frame mock up. Maybe you guys that have the mustang ii suspension can help me out.

1. I have some pics attached with my fenders attached to the frame and to me it seems the wheels are to far forward. Is it that I cant truly mock up the fenders without the cab attach to get a proper location of the front wheels?

2. This correlates to the first one. I also have pics of the rack & pinion attached. I was wondering could you measure from the back of the radiator cross-member to the front of the IFS cross-member. I measured out 6-5/8". It just seems that my power rack & pinion is just barley fitting inside that space.

I have measured about 20 times and I have the right measurement for the crossmember which Heidts says the middle of the cross-member should be 1/8" from the center of the front spring's eye.

Any help would be appreciated

Thanks,
Slim

[slimneverdies]

Oh yeah, I dont know if this matters but my rear is about 3-4 inches higher than the front so it has a slight rake. It will be level when I finish up the front first

[BlueJeep]

I can't speak to the M2 part, but you do probably need the cab on to properly position the fender. Assuming there is anti-dive built into that suspension, the front tire will go forward as you air it up too. Something to consider, I believe your best bet prior to final welding is to have the cab, fenders, and radiator support bolted in place (I see in the pics you have all this but the cab).

[mylow53]

if your puting in a v8 you should do a mock up (plastic stand in) to see if you can move it back... i would sugest more mockup before final welding.. these trucks are hard to get centered in the wheel well. as it sits you will have issues stearing lock to lock clearing the fender. as you rotate the wheel the position of you center point will change due to the spindal location. this will put your tire tread in the fender most likely. my truck is a bit forward like yours, but not as much
GT

[slimneverdies]

Mylow53, do you have a easy way of measuring the distance from the radiator crossmember and the mustang ii. I have no idea where to get the plastic mock up motor.

[SOWARDCUSTOMS]

Did you find anything out on your mustang II crossmember I am about to put one in as well.......

[slimneverdies]

You are not gonna belive this. Rented a trailer and drove about 30 miles for Tylerdurben to tell me I didnt bolt down the radiator support. I didnt tighten any of the bolts cause it was just a mock up. The wheels sits perfect in the middle of the fender. I'll take pics tomorrow if you need me to.
An expensive mistake but everytime I go to his shop I learn a little more stuff so not to bad

[71swb4x4]

Nice build!!
Are you saying your rad support fell off while you were pulling the frame to the shop?

[SOWARDCUSTOMS]

Originally Posted by slimneverdies

You are not gonna belive this. Rented a trailer and drove about 30 miles for Tylerdurben to tell me I didnt bolt down the radiator support. I didnt tighten any of the bolts cause it was just a mock up. The wheels sits perfect in the middle of the fender. I'll take pics tomorrow if you need me to.
An expensive mistake but everytime I go to his shop I learn a little more stuff so not to bad

Thats great news so your axle centerline is perfect at 18 1/8 back from the front shackle mount center? Yaril sounds like a great person he has answered a couple questions for me in the past as well thanks guys.....

[SOWARDCUSTOMS]

I will be following your build closely its great you kept the frame I just couldn't let the original frame on my truck go I understand the s-10 route but that original frame has held on for 60+ years I wonder how long that s-10 frame will last. anyway great build keep the pics coming....