Project 59 Apache "1st Build"

[Kim57]

Fat Mike
The bar that holds my drive shaft loop connects the outside of the left and right frame rails to each other, does that make sense to you?. You may be able to make one for your frame to add some strength.
Kim

[Fat Mike]

Definetly makes sense. I am going to run a piece of round tube through both pieces of frame that will be part of the frame cage that i am going to build. It will be very similiar to the one that cajundragger built on his 56.

[Fat Mike]

Started working on meshing the two frames together. Decided I would cut the inside frame at an angle so the they would tie in better.

[Fat Mike]

Here is the way it is going to look. Still need to finish boxing the frame to the end and match the outside angle to the inside of the frame.







Also I will be getting the frame completely level before welding everything up and making sure it is completely square. Still have alot of work to do before that happens thou.

[ratty 46]

Gett'n there ....

R46

[OrrieG]

I would have kept more of the original frame so there was more overlap. I assume you are going to add an angled piece on the outside angled back from the original to the new? That point is right at the cab/bed line and center of the frame front to back where the maximum lateral and horizontal stress will be.

[Fat Mike]

Originally Posted by OrrieG

I would have kept more of the original frame so there was more overlap. I assume you are going to add an angled piece on the outside angled back from the original to the new? That point is right at the cab/bed line and center of the frame front to back where the maximum lateral and horizontal stress will be.

There will be gussets holding everything together and a very complex frame cage that will add alot of strength. There will be an angled piece on the outside that will mimic the inside. One of the points where the cage will tie into the frame will also be in that area.

[Kim57]

looking good Mike.
Kim

[jjjmm56]

Looks good mike, if you want to make it stronger could you sleeve it. Run a length of frame tubing inside your stock frame and alongside your new frame and weld it, then plate it top and bottom.

[Fat Mike]

Originally Posted by jjjmm56

Looks good mike, if you want to make it stronger could you sleeve it. Run a length of frame tubing inside your stock frame and alongside your new frame and weld it, then plate it top and bottom.

I plan on sleeving the inside of the existing frame and will definetly plate both top and bottom. Thanks for the advice.

[OrrieG]

I should have held off on my comment for a while. You have done a good job of thinking it out.

[Fat Mike]

Originally Posted by OrrieG

I should have held off on my comment for a while. You have done a good job of thinking it out.

Thank you, that means alot because you really have a great build.

[Fat Mike]

Haven't really had any time to work on my truck. Go to work when its dark, come home when its dark. Anyway got my shop all cleaned up so I can do alittle body work in my shop at night now.

[Fat Mike]

Starting to shave the drip rail again on the new cab. Made sure to clean the weld better than before, and took my time ALOT more! Welded a few spots, then knocked the down with a grinder wheel. Finally sanded with a flap wheel. Right when I was getting very comfortable I ran out of gas.

[Kim57]

Nice job Mike. I like the shaved drip rails.
Kim

[Fat Mike]

Got alittle work done on the truck last night. Finished shaving the drip rails around the doors and started the rear portion. The rear portion has alittle bit of rust so I am going to cut out three sections. Otherwise came out descent.

[Kim57]

looking good Mike.
Kim

[Tri5Nerd]

Good job Mike. You doing something I don't want to think about doing.

Tri5

[Fat Mike]

Thanks guys!! Cut three patch panels and finally got them welded in.

[Fat Mike]

Redid one of the patch panels that I had done. Also found a little of rust in the panel that I had repaired so I will repair that next.

[Fat Mike]

Got tired of looking at the dash I had picked up awhile back and felt it was finally time to try to install it. I cut the old dash out leaving the bracket with the windshield wipers, defroster, and removed the bracket that holds the steering column. Next trimmed the old dash and installed the new dash just under it for a stencil. Well it went well until I got to the part where the bumps in the dash were because I did not save enough of the new dash to fully extend to the old.









I fill really stupid for making this mistake because I usually ask 50,000 questions and still messed up!!

[yukon ratrod]

Originally Posted by Fat Mike

Got tired of looking at the dash I had picked up awhile back and felt it was finally time to try to install it. I cut the old dash out leaving the bracket with the windshield wipers, defroster, and removed the bracket that holds the steering column. Next trimmed the old dash and installed the new dash just under it for a stencil. Well it went well until I got to the part where the bumps in the dash were because I did not save enough of the new dash to fully extend to the old.
Attachment 861796

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Attachment 861800
I fill really stupid for making this mistake because I usually ask 50,000 questions and still messed up!!

Mike! how goes the projects? i havent been on here much, working to much, but see your making headway. looks good bud. glad to see your still moving forward. sold my 57 and havent had time to play with the 72 and dont see it happening for awhile.

[_Ogre]

looks real nice fatmike, minimal trimming to get that dash in there.

is this a back to the future build?
all pics are dated 2071...

[Fat Mike]

I don't know why it does that? I wish it was a back to the future build because I would fix all the dumba$$ things that I have done and you guys wouldn't know about them.

[99 to Life]

dash looks great.