Lucy - My 1968 SWB

[tdave00]

I saw this last week on Craigslist, so today we stopped in Dickson to look at it. I couldn't pass this aluminum tank up for $40. I took the sending unit out and looked inside. It's very clean. I have no idea if the sending unit will work or not (probably not). I think it's a little tall compared to a blazer tank. It's 10 1/2 inches tall.

[gcburdic]

$40 for aluminum tank...that's awesome trai!!!....and as always...good to see a little progress...your little helper I'm sure did most of the work!!!LOL

[Jvsapp]

awesome score. i'm jealous

[msgross]

10.5" isn't back but I would take it to a welding shop and have new brackets put on it.. Mine was 9" in the front... You really want it flush (or slightly below) with the top frame rail so that you don't have to modify the bed floor... You can have it cut down if it's to tall.. I used a 0-90ohm sending unit from JC Whitney or brothers... THey will work in that tank pretty easily too..

This place has flanges and bungs if you need them. They made my tank for $340 shipped, you got a good deal!

www.boydwelding.com

[tdave00]

Thanks guys.

I just have the tabs set between the framerails in these pics to hold it up. I realize I am gonna have to have some work done to it (move the filler neck, new tabs, etc..).

[tdave00]

Finally got the rearend clean enough to prime and paint with some duplicolor rattle can flat black.

[gcburdic]

Hey Trai...been kinda of quietover here....any updates??...

FYI....the pic of the rearend reminds me that you should check the axle oil seals....my passenger side is leaking, and now I have to replace...ugh...gonna replace my axle bearings while I'm there!!!....Doesn't look like a hard replacement on the truck, but just an FYI....

[tdave00]

Thanks for the FYI. Not much been going on. Been working on getting my wife's car running so can't justify spending any time on the truck til that happens.

[tdave00]

Back to work on the truck. Tacked in the rest of the inner rockers. I'll try and grind it down tomorrow and finish welding them in. I like the gas and the smaller wire. Much easier to weld and fill gaps.

I had a time getting these two pieces to match up. The front and back aren't bent the same, so I had to tack it in at the top and then work my way down matching the lines up. Also had to make a couple of relief cuts where they meet to get them to line up right.




Pic of the welding cart that I built to accommodate the huge tank.

[Jvsapp]

hehehe told ya that you'd love the shielding gas. how much did it run you? and how much are refills? i scored a 80 cube tank so it'll make my refills less thankfully.

[tdave00]

Rented the tank for 5 years for $115. Cost $25-$30 to fill. Wouldn't you know it right after I leased it a guy that works with me said I just found two tanks in my basement and they are full!?! Oh well.

[Jvsapp]

OMG you're $hittin me... see we're getting raped over here. refill is $180 for that size tank you have and we have to buy the tank for $250 initially. as for your co worker, i'd take them. most times you will run out of gas at the most inopportune time... right in the middle of welding so it'd be good to have a spare on hand. most airgas places work on a turn in fashion. you turn in an empty tank and they'll give you the full tank in return.

[gcburdic]

ahhhh...progress...nice work Trai!

[tdave00]

Got the inner rockers/floor finished up and also the lower pillar. Need to weld in the front cab support and inner kick panel so I can get the rocker on.

Also got the trailing arms painted tonight. Frame is gloss black and everything else is flat black.

[Jvsapp]

looking good trai.. coming along nicely

[tdave00]

Got all the upper and lower a-arms painted tonight.

[tdave00]

I got alot done today. Went to SOKYClassics and picked up some more patch panels. Finished building my lowering blocks. Took a loooooong time to drille those holes for the u bolts. Mocked up the trailing arms, moved the jackstands so I could roll my rearend under the truck. Just about ready to get my rearend bolted back up. I just need some bags. If it rains tomorrow I am gonna get the ball joints in the control arms.

[Jvsapp]

are you planning to box the ends of the boxed tube? i've seen boxed tube crush when tightened down for spacer use once the u bolts are torqued down. otherwise looking good.

[tdave00]

Originally Posted by Jvsapp

are you planning to box the ends of the boxed tube? i've seen boxed tube crush when tightened down for spacer use once the u bolts are torqued down. otherwise looking good.

This is some pretty heavy duty box tube. Really strong. Took forever to drill through (probably 3/16 or 1/4 inch thick). I have no doubts it will not budge. Thanks for the tip though. If it were thinner I would box the ends.

[Jvsapp]

should be good then. just keep an eye on it when you torque them down

[tdave00]

Will do. Got some board members coming over Friday. We should get a lot knocked out!

[tdave00]

Thanks Brent (bw4sale) and Bryan (5150). Wished I would have things more in order so we could have actually worked more, but had a good time anyway riding and chatting. I really appreciate the help.

I'll post up some pics later tonight when I get back from the garage. Here's one in the meantime.

Bryan "Impact" Ashley

[tdave00]

Stayed late tonight and finished bagging the rear. I am stoked to see this thing setting on the ground! Now it's on to the front. Big thanks to Bryan and Brent.

[Jvsapp]

looking good. any pics of it aired out?

[tdave00]

Originally Posted by Jvsapp

looking good. any pics of it aired out?

It's still on jackstands in the front so I didn't wanna air it all the way out and take a chance of it sliding back or slipping off the stands. Those 2 1/2" blocks make it set pretty low though. It's still got about 5-6 inches from the frame to the axle in those first three pics, so it will go down quite a bit more. I'll take one for you as soon as the front is finished (this week).