1972 Chevy 4wd Longhorn Project: Never Ending Changes

[Dieselwrencher]

Yesterday I got tired of tripping over the front tires so I put them back on. I also got tired of looking at the chevy D60 steering arm getting kicked around, so I swapped it out too. What a PITA this was. A little tip, don't have a dumb a** moment like me and try to use a handy piece of wood for leverage. You will get bitten!

[Dewey72]

Finished the thread man that is COOL. In the mist of my own 72 cummins swap. 12 valve 4500. Nice to see other guys doing this. That thing is SWEET!.
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[Dieselwrencher]

Thanks Dewey!

I'm getting some help from my brothers as we're trying to get this to a point where it can drive in to Good Guys.................

The other night I welded all the weld washers on the pieces that needed them.







Yesterday I welded the main pieces on the RH frame rail.





Last night my brother Scott started welding all the holes shut on the frame. Nick has been working on cutting out boxing plates.




This morning I got the LH link brackets on. I just have to trim one gusset and weld it on. I got the boxing plates welded in the rear axle transition, and welded some other holes shut.







Tomorrow I'm going to finish welding gussets in, then remove the rear leaf springs and roll in the rear axle and get ready to get the rest of this air ride on!

[Mattman2010]

Looking good man!
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[mcbassin]

Very nice fab work Ryan! More pics....

[Str8-6-68]

damn Ryan this truck just keeps getting better and better! I dont know how you can park this thing and keep building it when the engine is done, I would be driving it all around all the time. cant wait to see the finished product.

[Dieselwrencher]

Thanks guys! Park it, I've never driven it unless it was being towed or pushed. This morning we made more progress until I broke my new welder. I went to remove the tip to replace it. Too bad the tip twisted off in the tip holder. SOB! No one stocks them either. Go figure. More pics.






I have to finish welding some stuff under the frame, then weld the gussets on the RH link brackets, then we'll prep the rear end and roll it under. Then I have to put the box on and cut my bars. Then assemble them and measure, measure again, then get welding!

[ryanroo]

looking good buddy! and a little deja vu ish. you shouldn't need the box on for the suspension. just set the height where you want it and go.

stuck here in corn land not getting anything done to mine...


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[Dieselwrencher]

Originally Posted by ryanroo

looking good buddy! and a little deja vu ish. you shouldn't need the box on for the suspension. just set the height where you want it and go.

stuck here in corn land not getting anything done to mine...


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How long you in corn land? I have to set the box on to get the rear axle centered in the wheel well. I didn't get a measurement on some mock up bars.

[ryanroo]

37.5" upper and 49" lower. how is that for a creepy memory...

we are driving back Sunday early in the morning.

[Dieselwrencher]

Thanks for those and drive safe going back to Co. I have a big present sitting here you should take back with you.

[Rodzzilla]

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

Thanks for those and drive safe going back to Co. I have a big present sitting here you should take back with you.

Is it Nick?
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[ryanroo]

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[Dieselwrencher]

No.

[Dieselwrencher]

Been making good progress on the old girl. The frame's a little stiff now.



Got the link bars cut and welded up.



The frame is boxed all the way up to the front leaf spring shackles. Now I am going to redo my trans cross member and mount, and install another cross member at the back of the cab. Now for some really big progress.......... The rear end is tacked in place! These trucks had a wheel base of 133" originally. Mine is now 136".






Now the box is coming back off so I can install the air bag brackets, torque arm, and finish up some small welding. I'm also going to add to my bed mounts because I moved the bed farther to the rear of the truck. I also have to add a little to the back of the frame too. It's getting closer.

[JointTech]

what size rims and tires are those? I like that look.

[6lcummins]

Originally Posted by JointTech

what size rims and tires are those? I like that look.

I think they are 305/70/18, but I'm probably wrong. I'd have to look tonight if I decide to go out to the shop and kick this thing....

[6lcummins]

Originally Posted by Rodzzilla

Is it Nick?
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He can barely afford me from 2 2/3 states away. I doubt he could afford me in person

[Str8-6-68]

Sweet progress man, looks good. now just finish the welds and bags and get it on the road? this build is friggin awesome.

[watahyahknow]

a vehicle is usually identified here bij de chassis number in the frame and the wheelbase , not having the propper wheelbase like on the registrationpapers make brows go up and suspicions heightened that the registration doesnt belong to that vehicle , i hope there not as strickt in the states

[v-man]

Nice welding Ryan, that fab work looks really nice. The Excursion is looking good too. Thanks again for all the work on V-rig. It's working out really well. Doing just just what I wanted it to do. I finally saved up enough cash and she's getting new shoes today. Cooper at3's. I wanted something more aggressive but just to much highway driving. Hope all is well and tell Nick hi.

[Dieselwrencher]

Originally Posted by Str8-6-68

Sweet progress man, looks good. now just finish the welds and bags and get it on the road? this build is friggin awesome.

Thanks! It's getting there little by little.

Originally Posted by watahyahknow

a vehicle is usually identified here bij de chassis number in the frame and the wheelbase , not having the propper wheelbase like on the registrationpapers make brows go up and suspicions heightened that the registration doesnt belong to that vehicle , i hope there not as strickt in the states

First they'd have to find a K30 truck with 133" wheel base in their data base. The VIN matches the frame, this was just a repaint. I swear.

Originally Posted by v-man

Nice welding Ryan, that fab work looks really nice. The Excursion is looking good too. Thanks again for all the work on V-rig. It's working out really well. Doing just just what I wanted it to do. I finally saved up enough cash and she's getting new shoes today. Cooper at3's. I wanted something more aggressive but just to much highway driving. Hope all is well and tell Nick hi.

Thanks Tony! That's a good deal on your tires. I'm kind of surprised they've lasted this long towing and all. Are you and the Mrs. settled in to your farm house? I hope the move is going well. Stay safe.

[Dieselwrencher]

Not much more noticable progress, but some is better than none. Today I went and got a piece of metal for my last cross member. I also had Nick cut a piece of my DOM so I can build the new trans mount. I started getting the air bag lower mounts fitted in place. I need to go to harbor freight and get some more magnets so I can have these pieces held square while I'm welding them. More to come tomorrow.

[ryanroo]

dude! you got weldsmoke on your cab....


lookin good mister

[Dieselwrencher]

Originally Posted by ryanroo

dude! you got weldsmoke on your cab....


lookin good mister

Thanks. Yeah, that was from the card board I had on the back of the cab. It kept trying to light on fire. I guess this welder has some heat to it. Don't worry, when the box is back on the frame, It'll be hard as all get out to see those flame trails.

And I have to say, I'm glad you talked me into this rear suspension. It definitely looks beef cake for sure!