I love following this build!! Nice tire and wheel combo too.

Hows the back doing?

 

Great project, thanks for sharing! Hope you get finished in the next month!!!!

 

Great! Thanks for asking! I honestly wouldn't have even known I had surgery except for the scar. And, that's how I've felt since only a few days after the surgery. I was very fortunate. My only problem is because I have absolutely NO discomfort, in any location, I don't really know what my limitations are. I am being careful, though.

 

I'm really thinking that Don Thuren is probably who I'll be working with on the suspension. I've been in contact with him the last few weeks, and he seems to be such a down to earth guy...that's what I've been looking for. I will probably put together what I'd consider a "moderate" upgrade initially, just to get something usable on there, and then investigate moving up to something more extreme, like a radius arm setup, over the next year. Emphasis throughout will be on durability, though, so things like upgrading hubs and ball joints for strength, though more boring than shocks and springs, will still be an essential part of the upgrade, and will probably come first. I'm a firm believer in good project planning, and doing your upgrades in the correct order. For example, I'm not going to lift the front suspension one bit unless I have the cash put aside to upgrade to an adjustable track bar at the same time. It's tempting at times just to want to get to the fun pieces, but unless you want things to break prematurely, I've learned to address the durability stuff first.

Thanks for the interest!!

 

That makes 2 of us!! I think she will be driveable by this time next week!!

 

So to allow me to align the creases in the bedsides perfectly with the body, I had to lower the bed about 1/4-3/8". Unfortunately, the only way to do it was to notch out the cross-rails that go side-to-side under the bed. Alot of work, but necessary. I don't like cutting corners The rearmost bed mount, right behind the bumper, is actually kinda complex, and so it was easier to notch the last few inches of the frame-rail that the bed sits on. I also trimmed a few extra mounts off (practice with the plasma cutter! ) that were for the original bumper and are no longer needed.

While I was back there spraying a little flat black paint on the new welds, I was looking at my surface-rusty massive rear differential, and thought, "what the hell...might as well paint it while the bed is off!", so about 5 minutes later, I have a rear axle that looks like it just rolled of the assembly line...actually, better.

Here's the update pics.

The bed and rails go back on tomorrow!!! I am also going to weld on the light mounting tabs and will snap a few pics with all of the lights on, though they will come back off before getting the truck sprayed. May get started on the front fender mounting tomorrow, too! Lots of progress this weekend!! My wife says I have to get it done!!

 

Looks like your on a roll now! Lookin' good. I have not dealt with Thuren yet personally, but from everything I've seen him post on forums and such he seems down to earth, yet I hear he's a genius at tuning shocks. He recently moved to Bend Or. so he's only a 6 hour drive for me, I have been thinking I'll have to take the trip down to have him tune my suspension up for me. However that may have to wait, as my tranny is starting to do strange things and I need to save my coin for that... It's inevitable I think...

Looking forward to seeing those lights and fenders mounted up!

 

So sorry, man. I'll keep an eye open on good tranny deals and send you a PM if I come across any, OK?

Check the next post for pics of yesterday's work. I'm headed outside today to mount the fuel filler, weld on tabs for light mounting, and mount the rear bumper.

 

Here are pics of yesterday's progress. Heading out now to do more work!

 

I'm curious to see how the rear bumper mounting goes since you lowered the bed..... Hope it still fits ok!!

 

Wheels and tires are on, it's almost time for a test spin around the block!!

Thanks for offering the extra eyes out for tranny deals. I am going to shop it a bit. I am looking at buying a commuter car this spring so the truck will turn into a toy by then... Can't wait to be able to post some projects of my own and not have to worry about driving it to work come Monday...

 

So today I got a few little things done. I mounted the taillights with the permanent (stainless) hardware and added a few features to them that allow them a little adjustability as far as alignment in the fiberglass pockets. They look perfect.

Also mounted the factory fuel filler pocket and cap. Already had done the door earlier. This setup required longer hoses to the tank fittings. I try to pay attention to the little details, so I used stainless rubber-backed washers to attach the fuel cap/pocket assembly to the fiberglass. Worked great and looks factory.

Welded in the tabs for the lights in the rear bumper. Took the lights back off though in prep for coating the bumper. Will try to weld in same light tabs for the front bumper. FYI, I had to weld in these tabs only because I hadn't decided on what lights to install at the time the bumpers we fab'd.

So what's next? Front bumper light tabs then front fenders and headlamp assemblies. Lastly is tiregate mounting and fab as needed. I love progress!!

 

A few quick update pics. Light mounting tabs added and so I figured I'd through them on real quick just to get a few pics

Hope you guys like!

Oh, also reinstalled the stock fuel filler neck.

BTW, just as an advanced warning, I'm running out of room for attachment storage (i.e. pics of the project!) on DTR. I plan to have my server at my house running soon so I can host the images directly. So, in the near future, if you start seeing links to the photos instead of attachments with previews on the posts, that is the reason. Thanks for the understanding. (Note: If any admins are reading this, please let me know how I can edit my earliest posts to change the attachments. I have smaller-sized images to swap to free up space, but I cannot edit my old posts. No replies from admins to my emails. Help appreciated! Thanks!)

 

BTW, does anyone know if you get more attachment space (than the default 10MB) when you do a yearly paid subscription to DTR?

 

I finally got a chance to check out this thread. Great job man, a very mice project and I for one love reading it. You seem like a great family and it is nice hearing about you life. I am very happy your back surgery turned out well as I am on my way to it myself. Keep up the time with your son, he will always remember this time with you. Most of my best memories of my childhood are the times working or camping with my dad.
I love the wheel/tire combo, I will be checking those out myself when I start looking. I really like the grill insert, I am going to order some of the same material, not ss, on Monday to do mine. I think I will paint it black as I like my chrome frame.
Keep on posting and take care of your back, wife and son.