I won't start the cutting and welding until Friday(13 Mar), but I figured that I would start my thread. I picked my the axel about a month ago and I have been tinkering around with it here and there. I know that I did somethings backwards, but hell this is my 1st one. If I put a little more tought into I would have waitied to prime it, but I was also thinking that I wanted bare metal out of the moist air.
Well here is it, the beast, it was in rough shape, but it is going to be a fun project.*** Thanks Mike (904runner ) for the help breaking it down.
What you can't see is in next the carport over, Mike is there messing around with his sliders. He got one ready to be mounted that day.
Cuting off the brackets with a plasma cutter that I borrowed from my work.
The next time, I welded on the top and ball gussets and I know my welds aren't pretty but they will hold up..
slow is fast...lol.. you can see where I stopped and started again.
In the trail gear ball gusset kit it came with little triangle dammits for the bump stops. The pic isn't the best but you will get an idea of where they go.
I have the top ball gusset with the shock mount, but I want to wait until I get the axel under the truck before I weld them on. As you can see the stock ones are still there.
After the mistake of priming it a little early
I pick up the 3rd member from being regeared, put the aussie in it. I have welded on the protection plate and installed the axels. Of course i had some help packing the knuckles. Teaching her young!
This it how it sits tonight, I will finish it tomorrow.
Living in base housing I very limited space and I have to do everything outside in a carport. Very little space..
more to come tomorrow...