Back at it!
Spent some time installing the steering rack notches and steering rack. When slamming these trucks you have to notch the frame for the steering rods or they would hit the frame when aired out.
Marked a centerline.
Flushed the notch and filled a few holes and removed some factory bumps in the rail to make it smoother.
Installed the Classic Performance Parts steering rack and checked my clearances.
Installed the McGaughy 2 1/2" drop spindles, Baer hubs and Porterbuilt tie rod ends and connectors. A lot of measuring and test fitting to get the length correct on the steering rods.
Marked the front frame horn for cutting and installing the core support drop brackets. The body drop kit will lower the entire body 3/4". Doesn't seem like much but every bit counts when trying to lay frame with one of these trucks.
Bracket is bolted in place but I am not going to mess with the tips of the rails yet, that's the front bumper mounting point. I will be running a full front roll pan so I'm not sure how that's going to fit. So for now I just C-clamped the tips on there so I don't lose them.
Once I get the bumper figured out I will probably weld it all up and do away with the bolted flanges, but we'll see. This is strictly a mock up stage and my plan changes often.
Rolled it out in the sunlight so I could sweep the floor. You might notice the bar clamps on the front suspension, I did that so that the suspension wouldn't be hanging on the air bags and possibly weaken a new bag.
Almost time to build a jig and chop the rear frame rails up and begin the rear install. I have to go buy some square tubing for my jig but I should get that before the end of the week.
Spent some time installing the steering rack notches and steering rack. When slamming these trucks you have to notch the frame for the steering rods or they would hit the frame when aired out.
Marked a centerline.
Flushed the notch and filled a few holes and removed some factory bumps in the rail to make it smoother.
Installed the Classic Performance Parts steering rack and checked my clearances.
Installed the McGaughy 2 1/2" drop spindles, Baer hubs and Porterbuilt tie rod ends and connectors. A lot of measuring and test fitting to get the length correct on the steering rods.
Marked the front frame horn for cutting and installing the core support drop brackets. The body drop kit will lower the entire body 3/4". Doesn't seem like much but every bit counts when trying to lay frame with one of these trucks.
Bracket is bolted in place but I am not going to mess with the tips of the rails yet, that's the front bumper mounting point. I will be running a full front roll pan so I'm not sure how that's going to fit. So for now I just C-clamped the tips on there so I don't lose them.
Once I get the bumper figured out I will probably weld it all up and do away with the bolted flanges, but we'll see. This is strictly a mock up stage and my plan changes often.
Rolled it out in the sunlight so I could sweep the floor. You might notice the bar clamps on the front suspension, I did that so that the suspension wouldn't be hanging on the air bags and possibly weaken a new bag.
Almost time to build a jig and chop the rear frame rails up and begin the rear install. I have to go buy some square tubing for my jig but I should get that before the end of the week.
!
