LIL ERV the 50

[crossfire84]

Well, here she is our 50, these photos are a ways into the build. The frame is almost done here, front end is a 1985 c-10, rear end is a 1985 corvette. If I can find the disk with the photos from the start will post.

[crossfire84]

just finished with the mar-k hidden hinge and latch, very nice. the only thing i dont care for are cheap plastic red knobs, will make a set of stainless ones at work.

[crossfire84]

cut the cancer out of door bottom, welded in new piece.

[crossfire84]

time to cut 9" out of the frame. good bye long box, hello short box!

[crossfire84]

made the "z" cut and brought the two pieces together.

[crossfire84]

time to get some welding done.

[crossfire84]

all welded up and 2 plates on the outside of frame.

[solidaxel]

Originally Posted by crossfire84

just finished with the mar-k hidden hinge and latch, very nice. the only thing i dont care for are cheap plastic red knobs, will make a set of stainless ones at work.

I think you should bring that to Mar-K attention....................... When I bought my tailgate and assembly from them a few years ago they were supplied with a aluminum knob.
I would ask them to bring them back for the cost Vs. there "Quality" products.
Just sayin !!!

[MAR-Ktech]

All Mar-K hidden latches have the aluminum knob that you can twist to hold them in the open position. This unique feature is very convenient as you do not need to hold both latches open at the same time to open or close the tailgate. Other suppliers may offer a less expensive latch but if it does not have the aluminum knob that you twist to hold it open, it is not a Mar-K latch. http://www.mar-k.com/product_comparison.aspx#latches.

[crossfire84]

[QUOTE=MAR-Ktech;5457526]All Mar-K hidden latches have the aluminum knob that you can twist to hold them in the open position. This unique feature is very convenient as you do not need to hold both latches open at the same time to open or close the tailgate. Other suppliers may offer a less expensive latch but if it does not have the aluminum knob that you twist to hold it open, it is not a Mar-K latch. http://www.mar-k.com/product_comparison.aspx#latches.[/QUOTE

I bought the hinge and latches from brothers. The hinges are mar-k with their instruction sheets, the latches were in the same box so I thought they were mar-k also, I see that there not, my apologies to mar-k, I have their box and its top notch first quality, next time I will read the ad more carefully.

[crossfire84]

ok, i found my disk of photos of the start, here it is in fargo ND in all its glory.

[crossfire84]

At home now not to bad looking.

[crossfire84]

Time for the tare down.

[crossfire84]

My new front saddle from a 1985 C10.

[crossfire84]

Fixed the door and pulled off spindles and a-arms, have new 3" drop spindles and having new bushings pressed in a-arms.

[Wybrow]

You are off to a great start, I'll be shortening my long bed as well, it's nice to see the pictures of what you did, looks great.

[crossfire84]

Originally Posted by Wybrow

You are off to a great start, I'll be shortening my long bed as well, it's nice to see the pictures of what you did, looks great.

thanks.

[_Ogre]

glad you saved it, good looking truck

looks like mother earth was trying to suck it down and reclaim it for her self

[crossfire84]

Originally Posted by _Ogre

glad you saved it, good looking truck

looks like mother earth was trying to suck it down and reclaim it for her self

Last time it was on the road was 1973! Picked her up in 2004 there abouts.

[crossfire84]

New borgeson steering shaft and stainless joints.

[crossfire84]

new bell-tech 3" drop spindles and 3" drop coils.

[meter swinger]

Looking good man.
did you have to do any grinding on the lower control arm after the 3" spindle?
Posted via Mobile Device

[crossfire84]

Originally Posted by meter swinger

Looking good man.
did you have to do any grinding on the lower control arm after the 3" spindle?
Posted via Mobile Device

No grinding at all, these are the stock 15" wheels, clearance all the way around.

[99 to Life]

so the front clip just bolted right up? I'd like to hear more about that set up. First one I seen using this.

[crossfire84]

Originally Posted by 99 to Life

so the front clip just bolted right up? I'd like to hear more about that set up. First one I seen using this.

the 85 saddle is 1/2" wider than the 50 frame rails, so i just made a pair of 1/4" steel plates to slide down each side of frame. this does move the wheels out a bit on each side, but you can offset the wheels when you order them from any wheel company. i paid $60 for the complete front clip from the junk yard. some people will cut the saddle in half and remove the required amount and weld it back together to keep the wheel width the same.
Any saddle from 68 to 87 will fit.