I'm in the stage of the project that I really dislike. Cleaning, scraping, sandblasting, grinding, priming and painting. Pennsyltucky puts horrible stuff on the roads for 6 months that eat metal like a python eating gnats. I'm trying to preserve what I have, but not make it so nice that I won't drive it. Someday I'll move out of the salt belt.

 

Pulled a set of 4inch Skyjacker Springs out of my inventory pile and cleaned them up, installed new bushings and used a ton of anti sieze

 

I set the cab back down temporarily with a new cab mount set from Energy Suspensions and pulled the truck out of the shop to clean the shop. I like the ride height with the 4 inch kit.

 

With help from my Dad and Johnny Tractor I got the fenders mocked up and the bed back on

 

Lots of help from my friends, of course.

 

Back in the shop, hope to get the correct axle set cleaned up, epoxied and installed this week.

 

Great looking work.
It is nice to have the frame cleaning, sanding and painting done!
I hope to see it at Carlisle next year!

 

You've been busy! Knee up the good work. You're getting closer to the fun part...

 

Thanks guys. The amount of work projects like these take is monumental for a one man show. I could throw parts on and have it all cobbled together in a short time, but that's not my style. I have always tried to "do it once and do it right".

 

Ditto....

 

That's the best way to do it. On my crew cab, I'm pressed for time and NEED to have this truck on the road to keep a roof over my family's head. It kills me knowing that I'm going to have to take everything apart a little later down the road, for body, paint, interior, suspension and brake upgrades. You're doing it right, take your time and do it to the best of your ability. FAST, CHEAP, RELIABLE...you can only have 2 out of 3.

 

10-4 on that! I use to have no money and lots of time, so I'd do a cheap patch job over and over again when I was in high school and college. I have money put away for this job, but not much time, regardless its going to be done right the first time.

 

Got the back frame section from a RC to use the fuel tank crossmembers. Between cutting them out, cleaning and painting, and working on rebuilding the brakes on the axles I plan to use, progress has slowed to a crawl.

 

A little progress as of late:

I got a 1 ton axle set checked out, cleaned up and installed. All new rear brake parts including big bore wheel cylinders and 3 inches Wagner shoes. New hub bearings in the rear. The front axle got new u-joints and I had the rotors cut and repacked the bearings.

 

Looking good!