Man I wish I could use that statement..........

 

We will figure ways get around it though

 

I drilled the front set of holes in my front spring hangers to 9/16" For the 52" springs that will come later. And did a little grinding here and sanding there. And a little wire wheeling on the front crossmember. nothing exciting.

 

So far today I treated some parts with metal etch for paint.
And shortened a 1/2" drill bit to fit inside the channel in my frame. For a angle drill.

 

This afternoon I went to the hardware store and bought three 1/4" X 1/2" set collars. The idea is ,when I drill the holes for the transmission crossmember I can't get a transfer punch behind the braces that go up to the top frame flange. There is enough room for an angle drill though.

So here is the plan, tack weld a set collar into the 1/2" hole in each hole in the brace. bolt the brace in place at the bottom and run a 1/4" stub drill through the hole in the collar into the flange making a pilot hole. I can then take the brace off and drill the holes to size. move the brace to the other side and repeat.
I know I get some weird ideas. But I have fun.

 

Why Bother with the top brace I don't reuse them there a pain and just get in the way of Exhaust .Just my 2 Cent's

 

I hadn't thought about it that way.

 

Yeah all they are is Over Kill makes Exhaust work easier without them .

 

Yeah they do take up a lot of room.

 

I had a bunch of things to do this week with the truck. Two trips to the Veterinarian. We have two small dogs and It is waaaay easier to make two trips if I am by myself. then a load of aluminum cans to the recycler and a dump run. and finally my wife to the dentist.
All that being caught up I am shooting for the start of the disassembly and reassembly part of my conversion Monday.(hopefully)

 

Geez
Where do you get all of your energy,
You must be one of those younger guys we hear about.

 

It took me all week. I am 53 and have slowed down quite a bit after a bout with brain cancer.
The other day wife mentioned that I can only do one thing at a time now
where before I could do several and keep them straight.

 

Man all the best to you battling brain cancer. My mom succumbed to that about 20 years ago.

We older guys know how to get it done. I'm 57 and out work every single guy in this shop, even the 20 somethings.

I can't wait to see your build finished. I've entertained the thought of doing it to mine but quickly dismiss it, unless I find a screaming deal on a 2WD crew cab.

 

Thanks Johnny, It's been seven years since the surgery the end of this month. I am doing better than a lot of people in my shoes. I haven't gained all my strength and probably won't . but that's OK I just have to be a little more creative to get the job done.


I had this truck for 18 years and sort of lost interest in doing any more than a decent daily driver. Then one day a guy my wife works with said "That's a nice old truck looks like mid 1970s". That's when I decided to Do the 4X4 swap.
The build will go in stages. this summer the main goal is to get the running gear together. Maybe this winter I will do something with the turbo. Then next spring start on the body work and paint.

 

I didn't get a lot done today. Just pressure washed my engine and as much of the transmission as I could get at then Spent some time wire wheeling the front differential. It was hot so it was hard to see through the safety glasses because of the sweat on them. Came out better than expected though. Need to touch up some spots tomorrow.