NJTman

Hey Shaggy,

Tell Rick I need an aluminum handrail done by tomorrow @ 7:00am I'm sure he can make it here in a jiffy, and get r done...




Nice welds. Very pretty roll of dimes..

Say " Hi " to Scooby and Velma, will ya ???

73CrewCab

Funny that you mention handrails...he does those too, and stairs too...man, I wish I had his skill level!

73CrewCab

Finally got the core support done. If I would have known how many differences there were between a 73 core support and an 89, I would have tried to save mine. Oh well, just about ready to mount headlights, make some frame extensions for the bumper to bolt to (the donor frame had the front 6" cut off, which made more work for me). Felling pretty tired from all of this cutting, grinding and welding. I'm actually looking forward to brakes, fuel lines and electrical...should be easier than everything I've done so far. I'm not too happy that I had to cut the lower balance for intercooler clearance. In hind sight, I wish I would have set the motor back about an inch. Works for now, but I'll have to make a custom one later.

73CrewCab

I grafted in the early hood latch section, to the 89 core support. Nothing fancy, but then again, nothing on my truck is fancy

BHD

Function over form is my motto. I try not to cobble too much, but I like things that work and are reliable. Shiny paint does me no good.

73CrewCab

I agree 100%. I'll have to make a new valance... maybe I can reshape and graft 2 stock ones together to make one that "looks" original...or maybe a custom bumper. I'd really like to have a 2" receiver hitch up front, so that I can slide a winch into it, as well as being able to move it to the rear of the truck...never know where you'll get stuck and need to winch from.

73CrewCab

Moving forward, I decided to start on my steering. Since I'm using the 2nd Gen steering shaft with a DD pattern, I needed the shaft in the 73 column to be self supporting. I cut apart the 2nd Gen column and used a few parts...

73CrewCab

73CrewCab

I welded the last 2" of the 2nd Gen column onto the 73 column. There is a plastic bushing/bearing that slides into this piece, to support the steering shaft. I need to find my good ground clamp, somewhere in this mess.

73CrewCab

The larger OD 2nd Gen steering shaft, slides right over the 73 shaft...so it was just a matter of making (4) 1/2" plug welds. Easy as can be. Tomorrow I'll install the bushing and spring, then reinstall the column and see which gear selector lines up best with the trans, cutting the extra one off, and give it a little paint.

73CrewCab

Got it all assembled

73CrewCab

And installed. It's a little tight, but it clears everything fine. Next will either be brake lines, or electrical.

73CrewCab

Pulled a steering wheel out of my VW go-fast goodies and parts stash... Just need to find a Dodge or Cummins horn button for it.

u2slow

Awesome build!

I have an extra 2ndgen frame chunk kicking around... might do something similar

With the engine in your new chassis, did you find the axle position or wheelbase changed in the front end? Basically trying to determine if the fore/aft engine position changes between a 1stgen vs 2ndgen...

73CrewCab

Thanks for the compliment. Due to weather and work schedule, I'm at a stand still for more progress...still finishing the new wiring harness, have to reinstall the tank, make new metal brake lines and order a new 4" down pipe.

i can get you measurements later tonight when I get home. Wheelbase stayed the same, but the engine/trans is roughly 1-2" further forward. I didn't think it would be a big deal, but it got tricky when it came to mounting the early grill. A 91-93 intercooler front end would be easier....if I could do it all over again, I'd move it back 1-2" for more clearance. I'll measure the back of the head, to the firewall to give you a better idea. Frame mods were EASY though!