I've gone over some of it with a flap wheel to clean up the rust, but it's pitted with little rust spots. Did you just paint over those?

 

Nope I used a flap wheel and a wire wheel in a drill in corners to get the loose crap off.

 

So are you going to just paint over the rust reformer? I was planning on cleaning and painting almost everything just to make my truck look a little nicer.

 

Yea I am painting over it with a frame paint called Eastwood chassis black.

 

Check the inside of the frame for rust and practiced welding it/welding in patches. It was a bitch to weld, my wire kept burning up as I was doing it. Idk if I need flux core wire or if the metals were two different types and didn't agree with each other.

Here's a before and after though. Once I paint it it'll be almost impossible for someone to find unless they realise that the hole in the frame that is there from the factory is filled in.

 

Ok got started on the rear front spring mounts tonight. I don't have a set of 63" springs so I just made the basic outline (I guess that's what I'll call it) of the mounts for now. I'll trim/grind/paint them later.

Edit not really I haven't posted yet: It doesn't seem to want to upload them. I guess it'll com tomorrow.

 

http://ksu.craigslist.org/cto/3248398254.html

May go look at this today. It would give me a 20r head and then parts off that truck to use on mine. I mainly want the rims and 20r head, and maybe some other stuff depending on how good of condition it's in.

NVM it's sold D:

Edit: Here's the front rear spring mounts I've made. I've only got 1 finished, and I'll need the springs to actually finish drilling the holes and whatnot, but they're almost done.



My professional plasma cutting technique.




Reusing part of the tubing actually makes it look a little better IMO.



Rounded off the welds.

 

Edit: NVM all of that.

I'm going to try to get chevys this week, plus a new chuck for our drill press, and some other stuff I need.

 

Got a set of springs off a 92 3/4 ton chevy for $90. I need to get bolts for them and then I'll start on the suspension. I think I'm going to run 3 leaves + OL at first and if the flatbed I build is too heavy then I'll add another one. I'm going to paint them eventually but not until I get the suspension figured out.

 

Actually got something done this morning:

 

Rear suspension is almost done. I still need to rebuild the end of the frame, so I can put my new shackle hangars on. I'm going to take my leaf springs apart, and take out 1 leaf, and remove the bushings and paint them. I've got new bushings ordered for the springs and hangars.

I'm going to cut the old shackle hangars off, then cut the frame off right at the end of the crossmember, also removing the crossmember. Then, I'm going to rebuild it with 2x3x3/16th wall tubing back to where my shackle hangars will be, and add a 2x3x3/16 crossmember on the back, since I'm removing the old one. That way I have a sturdy place to mount tow hooks/a winch/whatever. I ordered a U-bolt flip kit, rear shackle hangars, and axle shock mounts from Marlin Crawler. I could make them myself, but I figure these will look alot better.

Also, can I just use a Grade 8 bolt to bolt the springs together? I don't see any reason that I can't, just asking the question for n00b reassurance.

 

I got alot done tonight, but I'm too drunk to GAF enough to reemail myself the pics so I can upload and post them...

Also it's sad that I make up the whole entire second page.

 

im following it looks good your doing more work than me, im lazy these days, if i even wanna think about driving my truck in the snow this year Im going to have to take the bed off for rust proofing, they salt heavy here and my 81 never seen salt.

 

So I guess there's been like 30 views since I posted last, I guess noone just has anything to post. Anyways, here's the pics from last night. I got one set of springs painted, my U-bolt flip plates painted, and I cut the back of my frame off right after the rear cab mounts, then I cut them off (too flimsy for a ~500# flatbed). Got it all ground down and will start on the back of the frame whenever I feel like it. Does anyone know where I can get a decent budget sandblaster? I have access to a large air compressor and loads of outside space.

I took the #3 leaf out (biggest to smallest) so it's 3 leaves + OL. Can I just use a grade 8 bolt for the center pin? I don't see why not but I'm asking anyways.

 

Hit or miss harbor freight. if you get one buy tips for the nozzle somewhere else.

 

Got all this done tonight. I still have to weld something on the bottom. If I plate the bottom up, will that + the diamond shaped pieces be enough reinforcement? Also, should I put some diagonal reinforcement on that back crossmember? I want to put D rings on it, and I don't want it to bend when someone's pulling me out of a bad situation.

Also, the frame was really ˟˟˟˟ty to weld. it seemed like half the time it would just melt away, esp. on the thinner inside rail. Does anyone have any tips for welding to it?

 

Also, I can get a 22RTE out of an 86 pickup with a 5 speed transmission for $900, or the whole pickup for $1500. Can you make decent power from an RTE?

 

Is it a good drive train? If so I would buy it.

 

Buy the whole truck. Keep the drivetrain and part the rest out and make your money back. That's a rare set up.
And it's nice to see people around here still actually fab parts / build and aint afraid to cut and weld. Props.

 

Just pulled a major stupid. Tried to install my energy bushings without taking the sleeve out of the spring first. Got real mad after the first one and ended up leaving. Should I press them back and then put them back in, or get more?