ClusterTruck; because that’s what it is

[SCOTI]

I hate the impact of age on my vision. Its getting super hard for me to weld these days unless everything is perfect (which it rarely is). Some good advice given. Keep @ it!

[Ol Blue K20]

Looking good, you make it look easy. I might try doing mine myself.

[clay68c10]

Well thanks. I’ll say that it’s not rocket science, but it’s not a throw together either. There’s a lot of time consuming cutting and fitting, and the welding takes a long time.
I definitely can’t afford to pay someone to do it, so that makes it worth it for me.

[clay68c10]

Time wise, this took me about 2 hours after work today.
I still have to fix that front pillar seam, and add a couple plug welds on the front side of the pillar base. Then do the under side welding after the cab goes back up again.
This side fit better than the other, so I’d say for me that 3 hours is a minimum. Thats including the back side welding.
This doesn’t include the rusty pieces removal or the floor/pillar repairs. It really is time consuming.

[Ol Blue K20]

Looks good though...

[clay68c10]

Thanks OlBlue. If you have tools and the time to invest, go for it. I don’t mean to be discouraging, just realistic.

Scoti, after 45 my eyes just aren’t the same as they were in my 30s. I may throw on some readers next time I weld and see if that makes a difference.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by clay68c10

Thanks OlBlue. If you have tools and the time to invest, go for it. I don’t mean to be discouraging, just realistic.

Scoti, after 45 my eyes just aren’t the same as they were in my 30s. I may throw on some readers next time I weld and see if that makes a difference.

I'm in my 50's. My lens is magnified & I use readers

Biggest thing that impacts me is welding in different light settings. I get things set-up in one area for the lighting but then have to weld something else in a different spot w/different lighting. Wreaks havoc on my eyes trying to adjust & be able to see the weld path required.

[Ol Blue K20]

Originally Posted by clay68c10

Thanks OlBlue. If you have tools and the time to invest, go for it. I don’t mean to be discouraging, just realistic.

Thanks, I may just give it a try.
Scoti, after 45 my eyes just aren’t the same as they were in my 30s. I may throw on some readers next time I weld and see if that makes a difference.

Originally Posted by SCOTI

I'm in my 50's. My lens is magnified & I use readers

Biggest thing that impacts me is welding in different light settings. I get things set-up in one area for the lighting but then have to weld something else in a different spot w/different lighting. Wreaks havoc on my eyes trying to adjust & be able to see the weld path required.

I found my welding improved slot after I gave up and got prescription glasses. No more magnifying lenses....

[Jason Banks]

My vision is ok without glasses, but I find I need my welding to be well lit. I have about a 15 year old Harbor Freight auto darkening helmet that I used when doing almost the same cab repairs you are doing. Then I got a $50 amazon helmet that kept flashing me(aka not working) I finally just got a $215 Miller helmet and I can't believe how much better I can see while welding. Not only does it have a larger viewing area, but it is easier to see when not darkened and much clearer when darkened.

[Hogshooter]

I like to use a magnetic light to help see the weld seam, I will sometimes mark the seam/hole with soapstone or sharpie. Make sure your cover lenses are new and get comfortable before you start to make things easier.

[clay68c10]

Yes to all of that!
I have a newer auto helmet and it has made a big difference. The view when it’s off is great, and when it’s darkened it’s better than any of my old ones.
Definitely having a good extra light source helps when the lens is darkened. I have a couple of portable LED lights I use and that has probably made the biggest difference for me.

[clay68c10]

It's been a while, I was on light duty for a bit after a collapsed lung. Not fun.
Finally got back at it and finished the rocker back side. Not too exciting, but it’s nice to be done with it.

[clay68c10]

I shot it with some etch primer and a quick rattle can top coat and tipped the cab back to normal.
Now it's time to do finally move my rear body mount brackets so I can mock up the engine and trans fitment. Also I can figure out what firewall holes I'll need and what I'll close up, as well as work on the LS side of the harness over the fall and winter. And any one of the other million things I have left to do...

[clay68c10]

Also flipped my trailing arm brackets to help the pinion angle since I'm lowering it. I had to drill 2 holes, pretty easy job and the same size drill bit as the mount brackets.

[clay68c10]

I got the Hooker/Holley LS stands. They are nicely made and I really like them. They will work with my Speed Engineering headers with some slight trimming to the top of the driver side mount and dimpling the #1 tube (no pic, didn't do that yet).
I usually make stuff like this, but for what they cost it's not worth the fab time to me.

[clay68c10]

I like to move things around with minimal assistance. I needed to get the frame moved into the garage. I used 2 furniture dollies and my son was able to help. Last time I used the cherry picker and a jack and my wife to help. Never again, it was heavy and awkward. This way was super easy.

[clay68c10]

I measured out the center of that garage stall so I don't take up more space than I need.Then I got the frame leveled front to back and right to left. Makes it easier to measure for the 4deg down angle I need on the eng/trans.

It was super exciting to have the TKO bolted up finally. It just looks good sitting there. The green strap worked great to keep everything sideways so I could hoist the whole thing in there from the side. I envy all of you with big shop areas, it makes things easier when you have extra room.

[clay68c10]

The cab is off the dolly for the first time in 2 years. Man it's been a while.

[clay68c10]

If you squint it almost looks like a vehicle, sort of.

[clay68c10]

I was really wondering where my shifter was going to end up. I installed the mid-shift, so I knew it would be in an ok spot, but this really is going to work out well. I haven't measured it, but it eyeballs as 2" to 3" aft of the stock location. I'm happy with that.

[SCOTI]

Nice, big update. Gotta love that amount of progress.

[doowoppwer]

As i read about these LS transplants, I notice that you guys either spend lots of time or money redoing the wiring harness. If a function is deleted from the computer, (assuming the whole enchilada comes from the same vehicle), why is it necessary to redo the harness? I'm thinking in terms of house wiring...if you remove the load and open the breaker, the wire stays in the conduit but causes no problem. Am i missing something critical? thanks.

[clay68c10]

Scoti; yes lots done is nice. Minus my lung situation I would have gotten more done but that’s how it goes sometimes. I’m just happy it didn’t happen out in the boonies, that may not have gone so well.

Doowop; I’m removing a lot because I’m deleting all the auto trans functions. That’s a lot of extra bulk. Realistically a person could leave all the extra wires and just delete the functions from the programming. The only part that really requires wiring work is the power and ground side. But, I do a lot of wiring at work and really want a clean harness so I’m going that extra bit and opening it all up. I’m particular enough that I end up a glutton for punishment with these things.

[doowoppwer]

Thanks for the reply. I'll be swapping out the tired engine in my daily driver so I won't worry about removing extra wires.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by clay68c10

Scoti; yes lots done is nice. Minus my lung situation I would have gotten more done but that’s how it goes sometimes. I’m just happy it didn’t happen out in the boonies, that may not have gone so well.

Doowop; I’m removing a lot because I’m deleting all the auto trans functions. That’s a lot of extra bulk. Realistically a person could leave all the extra wires and just delete the functions from the programming. The only part that really requires wiring work is the power and ground side. But, I do a lot of wiring at work and really want a clean harness so I’m going that extra bit and opening it all up. I’m particular enough that I end up a glutton for punishment with these things.

I meant to ask.... What/how did the lung thing happen?