"52 3600/3100"

[NorCalGal]

It’s these milestones that keep us motivated. Congrats

[Mains52]

Well didn't do anything 53 related this past weekend but ended up trading my daily driver in for a newer one. So now I am part of the Tundra crowd. Back to the 53 now that I got the dump trailer out of here and slowly the projects are getting done.

[Tempest67]

welcome to Club Tundra, nothing but brakes, tires, and gas since 2007.


no rattles, no squeaks, and everything still works.

[Mains52]

With mx racing season done here in IL and my Rutcation for whitetails being a bust, I was able to get some things done on the truck. Yesterday I did all of the finish welding on the 4 link and got her sprayed with some rust reformer. Then I decided to throw a few bolts in the bed and get it set in what I think is the right place. Then I decided the front end parts have all been laying around here and there and are probably warped so I threw a few bolts in the front end parts. Wouldn't you know it , it actually looks like a truck when you have parts on it . I'm hoping to get after it this winter even without heat in the shop.

[Brads49]

Looking good! Sometimes you just gotta throw it together to have a look!

[Mains52]

Originally Posted by Brads49

Looking good! Sometimes you just gotta throw it together to have a look!

That is true. The apache sitting in front of it is all put together. I didnt want him to feel left out .

[Mains52]

Managed to pretty much finish up tacking my franken boards and made my c notches for the Rack n Pinion. Then decided to try and get the engine and trans mocked up but ran out of time. UNTIL NEXT TIME !!

[Mains52]

I was able to get the engine and tranny in the right place and fab up a trans crossmember with some stuff I had laying around. I am still playing with welder settings so be nice ha. Got it tacked into place until I can get the cab back off and finish weld it to the frame. Started making my motor mounts but ran out of time due to a FB marketplace deal I got on some wheels and tires that I have to go pick up. pics of the wheels tomorrow.

[dsraven]

Whaddya got for a welder?

[Mains52]

Originally Posted by dsraven

Whaddya got for a welder?

Oh just a good ol VULCAN mig140 from HF. Its pretty much brand new. I am still learning the proper welding techniques also so user error come in to play a lot lol.

[Mains52]

Well I couldn't pass up a full set of 20's for $120 with tires. Unfortunately the tires are huge ha so I will be looking for a set of 245s to replace the 275s. I am also planning on having these wheels powdercoated either black or gun metal. But 120 for wheels is cheap. They will be better than the 4 flat ones I have on it now lol

[dsraven]

They do look a little large alright. What will your final tire diameter be?

[dsraven]

smokin deal on the wheels. nice.

here are a few welding sites that may help you improve your game if interested. the first one has some really good info for anybody to keep in mind no matter your capabilities. he also has a few others if you google the site. always best to start with metal that is clean on both sides, if possible, of course. impurities get drawn into the weld from the backside.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KrwmK7df-s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtlOOOTpZYM

https://weldingpros.net/how-to-weld-sheet-metal/

https://garage.eastwood.com/eastwood...d-sheet-metal/

[Mains52]

Originally Posted by dsraven

They do look a little large alright. What will your final tire diameter be?

28 in now that I just ran and bought some different tires off a guy for 60 lol

[Mains52]

Originally Posted by dsraven

smokin deal on the wheels. nice.

here are a few welding sites that may help you improve your game if interested. the first one has some really good info for anybody to keep in mind no matter your capabilities. he also has a few others if you google the site. always best to start with metal that is clean on both sides, if possible, of course. impurities get drawn into the weld from the backside.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KrwmK7df-s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtlOOOTpZYM

https://weldingpros.net/how-to-weld-sheet-metal/

https://garage.eastwood.com/eastwood...d-sheet-metal/

Thank you I will for sure be checking them out.

[dsraven]

Gotta love those good deals that come around every so often. Usually, for me, they come around right AFTER I just bought a new somethingorother(yup, one word)
28 is a good diameter. What's your diff gear ratio?

[Mains52]

Originally Posted by dsraven

Gotta love those good deals that come around every so often. Usually, for me, they come around right AFTER I just bought a new somethingorother(yup, one word)
28 is a good diameter. What's your diff gear ratio?

3:08 or 3:23 posi . lol I can't remember. came out of a 78 nova i think. my dad got it for me of a buddy. it was free so ill take it ha

[Mains52]

I was able to get my motor mounts tacked in today. As well as get the old seat frame out and test fit the new seat. I am pretty sure its mandatory to sit in the seat and take an imaginary drive right?

[8man]

Looking good.

[dsraven]

seat fits pretty well.
have you mocked up the exhaust manifolds with the new motormounts?
I guess your "test drive" didn't leave spit on the windows since you had the air conditioning on at the time, haha.

[dsraven]

and what is that in the front of the bay? are you secretly squirrelling away a task force truck there?

[gigamanx]

Originally Posted by Mains52

I was able to get my motor mounts tacked in today. As well as get the old seat frame out and test fit the new seat. I am pretty sure its mandatory to sit in the seat and take an imaginary drive right?

It sure is! Or do like I did, I taped the steering wheel to a broom handle and stuck it through so I could get a feel for what it would be like driving Nice progress!

[Mains52]

Originally Posted by dsraven

and what is that in the front of the bay? are you secretly squirrelling away a task force truck there?

Yes sir. I bought a 59 apache 36 for my father in law a while back for his retirement, but he's not really a car nut so he didn't realize the type of money that it takes to restore them and he told me to sell it if I wanted. I told him Id do some floor pans, door steps , and some other metal work and get it running and driving and stopping. Then the rest was up to how much he wanted to invest in it. He thought I was going to restore the whole truck without spending money LOL . My wife said hell no that's my truck now lol. I have a running driving 91 chevy 2500 4x4 that will be donating its running gear and frame for the 36. I always think the TF 4x4 's look cool as **** . I bought it for 500 so I'm not out much YET. With two kids it almost a must to have two trucks, 4 of us wont fit in the AD that's for sure. I'm eager to see what I can get done today.

[Mains52]

Originally Posted by dsraven

seat fits pretty well.
have you mocked up the exhaust manifolds with the new motormounts?
I guess your "test drive" didn't leave spit on the windows since you had the air conditioning on at the time, haha.

I am using LS3 manifolds so it should work but to be honest I didnt even think about it lol

[Mains52]

Originally Posted by gigamanx

It sure is! Or do like I did, I taped the steering wheel to a broom handle and stuck it through so I could get a feel for what it would be like driving Nice progress!

HAHA the broomstick column Ill have to try that and see what look my wife gives me ha. The fire is lit damn it. This truck will start and run by my 33rd birthday Aug 30th . I know that goal seems feasible but I always have multiple irons in the fire.