Project 59 Apache "1st Build"

[Fat Mike]

In the first picture you see the lower rear a-arm bracket. I wanted the frame to look almost as stock as possible so I cut the frame at the same anlge as the lower a-arm brackets so that the frame will but right up against this.



I was running out of light very fast so I got the subframe mocked up. I still have alot of adjusting and measure but got it at least mocked up. After talking with rob at no limits I recieved alot of info without having to purchase the video. Really nice guy and very helpfull considering I did not buy anything. Thanks Rob! He informed me that the anti-dive needed to be set at 7* so that everything is level. In my picture you see an angle finder which is at 7* right now at mock up. I will get more picture for you guys tomorrow.

[Kim57]

Looking good Mike.
Kim

[Fat Mike]

Okay, so spending sometime doing some squaring and measuring I found out that the frame I had cut was about 3" still to long. I took it into the shop and removed 3" more inches and had to redo the pie cut. Didn't have time to weld up the pie cut but checked the measurement and it now measures 34" to the outside. I would love to butt weld the two frames together to make it look like it came that way but will plate it because it is my first subframing job.

[Kim57]

That's the neat thing about steel, if it's the wrong size you can just redo it.
Kim

[Fat Mike]

Got to work on my truck today and wouldn't you know it, I ran out of gas! Well I had to do alittle more cutting on the frame and now got it all square. Tried to get the anti-dive set at 8* but couldn't do it without taking a small slice out of the side. Closed it up with a hammer and welded it up. Frame is set at 8* now and is ready to be welded up. Since i ran out of gas I decide to get the c-notch cut. I was so impressed with the way troy54gmc's frame looked I went and got some 2x6 tubing to build a new rear section of frame. I decided that I am going to run a regular c-notch with the rear being level with the front portion of the frame. Might narrow the frame. I had asked how to cut a 60* angle on my Harbor Freight chopsaw and alot of people didn't know the answer. I made a template and set my chopsaw at the anlge I drew. Just incase someone else is trying to do this my angle is 60*, I set my chop saw at 30* because that is the complimentary angle. I am not sure if this is true of all chopsaws but for Harbor Freight it is.

[Fat Mike]

Piictures of c-notch.

[R.A.D]

is the date on your camera wrong or are you documenting a build from 2005?

[Fat Mike]

The camera batteries die alot so it just keeps resetting itself.

[56ClassicTruck]

Hey mike, its looking good man.
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[Tri5Nerd]

Mike,

The frame is looking good, did you see the thread that No Limit has, good info there.
I like the C-Notch also. Again good job.

Tri5

[Fat Mike]

Thanks for the comments guys. Well today got to work on the 59 for awhile. Still have been doing alot of measuring and squaring of the frame. I cut the rear section off and got the other two pieces cut for the c-notch. I decided that I am going to narrow the rear frame 2". I am planning on fishplating the inside with rosette welds and I am going to weld on the outside a fancy design. The design will be cut by a CNC machine and I'll show some pictures probably tomorrow. I got a excellent deal on some 20x15" that I plan on using on this one that's why I am narrowing it.

[troy54gmc]

Hey Mike, frame work looks great dude. By the way thanks for the props about the frame, i really apreciate it. looks like that 60* worked out good. man it took me awhile to get that right. cant wait to see the picts of what ur gettin laser cut for plates.

[Fat Mike]

I tried cutting the way you said with my cutoff saw and my sides were crooked. After spending sometime with both chopsaws I finally figured that the angles were complimentary and I just had to move the mounts to get it to cut threw the 6" piece. Now I am going to bevel everything and get it welded. Also need to make the fishplates.

[troy54gmc]

AH man i should have said something about the problems i had with my chop saw. I couldnt get my saw to cut thru the six inch tube cause it just wasnt big enough so i tried cutting thru half and then flipped it over and cut thru the other way, but it kept coming out crooked. I ended up getting a metal cutting blade for my circular saw and cut them that way. sorry bro i totally forgot that part.

[Kabwe]

Mike you are doing thang man. Keep it up, I told you this stuff is not rocket science. Looks good.

[Fat Mike]

Okay here is a picture of the fishplates I am going to use on the outside of the frame. The one that is 180* will be on the frame where the new attaches to the old. The ones that are 120* will be where all the angles are and the small ones will be gussets I use where I narrow the frame. Tha cardboard cutout will be the internal fishplate template.

[Kim57]

Mike
Those are cool. Where did you get them? Or did you make them yourself?
Kim

[Fat Mike]

My friend Thomas @ Aftershock Custom Suspension here in Albuquerque gets the large ones cut for $15 and the small ones cut for $10. They are 1/4" plate.

[troy54gmc]

Mike those are sweeeeeet. are you goin to weld just the outside or on every edge?

[Fat Mike]

I am going to weld just the outside.

[troy54gmc]

I thought about this when i did my plates. how are you goin to keep water and moisture from getting behind the plates and causing rust?

[Fat Mike]

I would imagine some kind of epoxy primer would seal it, but if not I will weld it in! It really doesn't rain much thou here.

[Fat Mike]

I am starting to understand that welding is 90% prep and measuring and 10% actual welding time. Also got all the c-notch pieces drilled and ready for welding. Made all internal fishplates and started rosette welding them to the fishplates. Drilled 1/2" hole so I could weld to the fishplates.

[Fat Mike]

I am finally getting everything lined up on my subframe. Very pleased with the placement and that both side are at a 7* anti-dive.

[Kabwe]

Looking good man, looking real good.