The rig gets some much needed TLC

[Josh S.]

Thanks! I could see doing some rhino liner on the floor after all is said and done

 

[crazyflights]

Lookin good!, Not sure why I hadnt read about it until now but I will keep an eye on it.

 

[Josh S.]

Only minor updates due to working a lot and extreme laziness...Got the rear diagonals and gusseting for those done.

Pulled the stock steering column and brake booster. Decided I'm going to front-half this beast and rebuild the entire front end with a snazzy crossmember to incorporate the D44 beam pivots and motor mounts. I plan on pushing the front end forward 4-6" to help clear bigger tires at the firewall at bump. I'd just rather work from a clean slate than work around the funky-shaped stock frame and POS crossmember. Soon the firewall will be gone as well and I will build a new one around the new drivetrain. I'm hoping I will magically come into a large sum of money soon so I can pick up an Atlas and get the mockup started. Anyone want to buy some sweet radius arms?

 

[colindo94]

Im very excited about the front end build. I love dana 44 set ups and this could be the best Dana44 ttb ever done. Good Luck

 

[Josh S.]

Thanks man! I'm looking forward to getting started soon!

 

[Josh S.]

 

[cmhaah06]

subscribing. sent you a pm.

 

[410Fortune]

holy crap josh what are you planning? center mount A arm? lol

 

[Josh S.]

Hmm not a bad idea!!!

 

[410Fortune]

trophey truck status

looks great so far!

 

[Josh S.]

Thanks man! I'm gonna pick up some steel this week and get started on the new frame soon

 

[james t]

Jeezus!

Just wondering, are you going to try to move the motor back through the firewall or leave it all up front?

 

[Josh S.]

Haha yah I know...I plan on cutting out the entire firewall and starting from scratch after the motor is pushed back a bit...I would like to push it back 6-12", but it depends on where the shifter will be loacted as well so we will have to see

 

[410Fortune]

come on you can just build one of those Z shaped shifter handles

 

[Josh S.]

Hey good idea Jamie! haha...

Okay guys I FINALLY have an update worth posting. Picked up some 2x6 3/16" this week and threw on some new frame rails tonight in lieu of watching the super bowl (I KNOW THAT'S MESSED UP) but I have felt like a total tool lately because I haven't gotten anything done on the rig.

I still have a lot of plating to finish the splice, but the hard part is done. I am going to box in both framerails back to the radius arm brackets and the plating will be lap welded about 12" over the new framerails. With that and all sorts of tubes connecting everything up to the cage I am confident it will be plenty strong...not to mention a really easy platform to build the new suspension, crossmember and motor mounts onto!

Also met a solid connection this weekend to help me build my motor...so that ball is beginning to roll as well. Can't wait to have a big ole high horsepower 350 sitting between those new framerails

 

[section525]

Looks crazy good. How much of a pain in the ass was it to keep straight and aligned??

 

[Josh S.]

Thanks man! There was some definitely some intricate stacking of miscellaneous crap lying around the shop to get everything level and aligned

Aiming to get the frame plating done this weekend and start trying to figure out the suspension :smoke:

Going to a hotrod convention on Saturday so I'm hoping to find some headers and an oil pan!

 

[Josh S.]

Boxed the frame back past the radius arm pivot boxes

Picked up an oil pan at the hotrod swap meet. Need to get some headers then the 350 mockup motor can be assembled and set into place.

 

[410Fortune]

that thing home made from a normal 350 pan?

 

[corkey]

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-G3502/?rtype=7

looks like that ,