56 pro touring build

[hotrod1]

We actually started with a Harbor Freight unit. It makes a good starting point for a cheap beadroller. Is it as good as a Lazze? Not even close but neither is the price. If we were in the industry, I would not hesitate to buy the best, and his is touted to be the best. Check him out on youtube. He is a master. Anyways, We looked online for modifications to beef this thing up because they are not strong enough on their own. There is a member on the forum (builtbybrooks) that does offer a strengthening kit. Search for beadroller and you will find his build. Wait till you see this guys welding. It is very nice and worth every cent that he is asking, but we just dont have the $$$ to do it. We just ended up using what we had laying around; 2x2x 120 wall square tubing. So far, it has turned out nice but we have not tested it at all. We will post pictures.

[Handfull 54]

Nice job on the fabrication. Can't wait to see your sheet metal work. That is something I always wanted to lean. Hope to see you on the road some day. Even though my truck is not finished, I will be at the Moorpark car show on 10/9. It is on High Street in the old part of town. If you see my truck, stop by and say Hi.

[hotrod1]

Hey Handfull: Is that your truck on your avitar? I have not been to the show in Moorpark. I have heard that is good. What time is the best time to get there and when does it end?

[hotrod1]

Here are a few pictures of the beadroller chassis. We still have to bolt on the roller portion but need to get all new screws. Every mod recommends that they be changed and the metal is not conducive to strength. In fact, when we welded the 2x2 tube to the original frame, the 1/4 inch plate warped a lot. We thought that we were doomed. Got desperate and hit it with a hammer two times and easily bent it back. Try that with good steel and you will never get it back into shape. That is why they need reinforcing. Will post more pics after it is all together.

[Handfull 54]

Yes that is my truck you see. The best time is around 10 AM and the show ends at 3PM.
Also there is a good gathering of cars in Newbury Park off of Wendy. It is in the Islands burger parking lot. If you don't know where that is it's right next to the Home Depot lot. It is on the first Saturday of the month. It's over for this year but keep it in mind when you finish your truck. If you go to Southern california car culture you can find lots of cruises, shows, etc.

Dave

[hotrod1]

Waiting to find a motor for the beadroller. Thought that we would do something on the truck.

We will not have any bed wood or bed floor metal on this build. It will be left open. Working on the rear part of the bed and back frame cross. By the way, the white area you see to the left with a seam and a hinge is the garage door (kind of confusing).

[Kim57]

Looking good. I like the holes in the frame.
Kim

[hotrod1]

Hey Kim57:

I knew that you would. You really need to get yourself some dimple dies. They are a struggle to use with 1/8 plate but they work. Anything thicker would probably not work too well. Ebay, search for dimple dies, seller is whisleyv8 from Texas. Good dies and nice people to work with as well.

Go ahead Kim57; SPEED HOLES!!!!

[xpickup]

hotrod1, bead roller looks good. You will love having a motor on it because you do not have to wait for someone to crank it. I love the dimple dies . I will have to buy or make some of them.

Shannon

[Kim57]

Originally Posted by hotrod1

Hey Kim57:

I knew that you would. You really need to get yourself some dimple dies. They are a struggle to use with 1/8 plate but they work. Anything thicker would probably not work too well. Ebay, search for dimple dies, seller is whisleyv8 from Texas. Good dies and nice people to work with as well.

Go ahead Kim57; SPEED HOLES!!!!

That's a neat idea but I think I'm past being able to put them in my frame.
kim

[hotrod1]

Yeah, if you wanted to put them in the boxing plates (if u used 3/16) you needed to do them with a big press and even heat the metal before. You then have to beat the metal to get it straight afterwards. A lot of work. I did not do them in any part of the frame that I want to keep strong. Only the back.

The dies dont look like they would be too hard to make. I dont know much about 4130 or 4140 and heat treating. For me, they were easier to buy. I dont have a lathe or mill. Dont get me wrong, I would sure love to have them. If I had that stuff, I would make them also.

[bajabob]

hotrod
what the latest on your project ???? I need to come by and see it.....

[hotrod1]

Hey BajaBob:

We tore a lot of the rear frame and suspension apart as we ran out of room for the placement of stuff. Wanted to do something different. We are going to cantilever the shocks to put them parallel and horizontal with the frame. Rob from Nolimit is helping us out with design. Once we get somewhere, we will post pictures.

[bajabob]

that thing is going to be sweet when you get'er done.... wished i had your guys welding talent...

[hotrod1]

Tig is just an art that we still feel incompetent in. We have scrapped a lot of metal and gas learning what little we have learned.

If you want to see talent, search for builtbybrooks (its worth it) on this website. This guy it the best I have ever seen. He is like the top movie star of the welding industry.

[robnolimit]

Sent you some parts yesterday. Sorry for the delay, hope they are what you need.

[hotrod1]

We decided to change a few things with sway bar and shock location. This led us down the path of relocating the shocks with a cantilever system.

Rob from No Limit designed a system for us that would place the shock almost parallel to the frame and above the frame rail. This needed knowledge that we just dont have. If you dont get the angle right, they will never work correctly. Here is a pictures of the cantilever rocker plates that he made. They are beautiful, all cut perfect and uniform. He drew up plans and labeled the pieces with directions so we could not screw it up. Now we just have to find the time to weld them up.

Thanks Rob!

[hotrod1]

We finally found some time to work on the project. We changed the concept a little with reloacting the shocks with cantilever rockers. In doing this we had to move out the 4 link 1 1/2 inches. In addition, made a mount for the rocker. This will be welded to the frame.

[robnolimit]

lookin' great, you'r doin me proud.

[Kim57]

Slick looking stuff.
Kim

[xpickup]

hotrod1, looking great. I can not wait to see the rear suspension all together.

Shannon

[Rods57]

Your frame is looking good, nice work.

[hotrod1]

Thanks for the encouragement. Appreciate it!

[hotrod1]

Getting things mocked up and moving. Not as easy as it looks.

[Barney Rubble]

that's ok, believe me, it doesn't look easy!