Taking the leap to build

[BigMike]

I like the wheels, who makes them?

[jlaird]

Originally Posted by TazmanB

Look what came in. It looks awesome. Getting several parts in to start building the frame and make sure everything fits right.

What are your plans for the fuel filler?

[TazmanB]

Thanks BigMike, they are Detroit Steel Wheels (Mobsteel).

Josh I am going to make a fuel fill door in the bed floor.

[TazmanB]

Well had a productive day. The frame was cut and welded up and got the front and rear cross members in. Started lining up the cab to get it squared up so the cab mounts and core support mounts can be made and welded on. Was a long day but happy with the progress that was made today.

[TazmanB]

Couple more pics.

[BigDaddyV]

Very nice Progress! Keep up the Great work!

[TazmanB]

Originally Posted by BigDaddyV

Very nice Progress! Keep up the Great work!

Thanks. Yours is looking good too. Trying to have the frame finished so it can be taken to Slamily this weekend.

[BigDaddyV]

I wish I could join y'all there! Praying that next year I can

[TazmanB]

Well I wasn't able to make the Slamily Reunion so I decided I go ahead and do some work on the truck. Got the cab squared up on the new frame and put the wheels/tires on so I could get my measurements to narrow the rear end. Got all the rod ends made up for the 4 link, then moved to the front end. The core support mounts fabed up and welded on. I think its looking good.

Now the front sheet metal will come off so the control arms can be made, fitted and welded on. Going to try to have the front suspension completed in the next week. I decided to go with the Dominator 2600 bags all the way around. Still trying to decide how to do the rear.

[mooseknuckles]

wow that's a lot of rubber!

[TazmanB]

Originally Posted by mooseknuckles

wow that's a lot of rubber!

Hahaha Yes it is. Now to tuck it all inside the wheel wells. Im starting to get excited and cant wait to finish it.

[TazmanB]

Well It has been a while since I got some real work done on the truck. I still haven't figured out what to name her yet. Anyway I blew the bed apart Tuesday and started measuring everything to raise the bed floor and section the inner bedsides. Then shortened the rearend to tuck all that rubber up under the truck.

[TazmanB]

Wednesday the inner bedsides were tacked together and the floor was cut to widen the wheel tubs. The bed was put back together and put on the frame to check the fitment. I think it came out pretty good just some minor adjustments but nothing major.

[TazmanB]

Thursday all the sheetmetal was put back on the frame to start making all the body mounts. this was an all day ordeal because between me and my buddy Art we could decide what would look best as to how to set the body. The suspension is going to be set so that the rear of the frame will be 1 1/2 inch off the ground when air out and the front will be 3/4 of an inch off the ground. Since the front fender cup actually sits above the bottom of the frame we decided to wedge the body on the frame. The core support was lowered 1 inch to put the front fender cup lower to the ground and raised the rear of the bed 1 inch. We will also put in some adjustable bumpstops so that the final aired out stance can be adjusted to get the perfect rake.

[TazmanB]

Yesterday and today was spent making all the body mounts and rear suspension. There was a lot of plasma cutting and welding going on. After 2 days of fab work, grinding and welding all the body mounts were made and installed along with most of the rear 4 link and cross members. Still need to make the upper link bars and bag mounts but I'm tired and need a little family time.

I'm not sure about putting a sway bar or a Z link on the rear but I mocked up a sway bar to see how I could mount it and what it would look like. What do you guys think, sway bar or Z link?

[TazmanB]

Oh and I forgot about getting the Porterbuilt hood hinges installed.

Sorry about the multiple posts back to back but had a couple of busy days of thrashing on the truck to get yall caught up on.

[thumpros@yahoo.com]

Nice truck. You mentioned a spare frame and suspension you were interested in parting ways with? That one has rear drum brakes,correct ? Do You have any pictures available to post? This picture was taken after body media blast in Grand Prairie

Possibly very interested in seeing your frame assembly.
Rodney

[TazmanB]

Rodney I don't have any pics of just the frame. I will try to get some this weekend

[mooseknuckles]

nice work!

[TazmanB]

Originally Posted by mooseknuckles

nice work!

Thanks man

[gringoloco]

Wow! Started reading what I thought was a basic re-fresh--really took a turn. Nice work so far and the wheels are sick! Keep it up

[TazmanB]

Originally Posted by gringoloco

Wow! Started reading what I thought was a basic re-fresh--really took a turn. Nice work so far and the wheels are sick! Keep it up

Yes Sir..it started out as a basic re-fresh and took a hard right turn to full blow custom build. Thanks for the nice words

[VDOG]

These rims and tires are massive, what size are they?

[TazmanB]

Originally Posted by VDOG

These rims and tires are massive, what size are they?

They are 29x18.00x20's mounted on 20x14 mobsteel wheels.