the tabs in the first pic are for the upper knuckle ball gussets/shock mounts. i have similar tabs (minus shock mounts) for the bottom as well, i just didn't take any pics of those.

the housing isn't too heavy, but it definitely weighs more than a stock one. if i bend this housing i'm not sure what i will do... probably D60s, but hopefully it doesn't come to that.

 

a little more progress...

 

all that's left are the knuckle balls...

 

Looks good...I hope you took your time and went SLOW with all that welding.

 

X2...looks very beefy

 

i took my time, definitely. the front truss was done inch by inch... the upper was tacked in a bunch of places and i welded every 4th inch section or so, let it cool, did the next set, etc.

 

 

Beefcake


I don't think that front axle is going anywhere.

 

I like what I see, esp. what's on the hood. I'm guessing that helped you out through some of the frustrations of this build.

 

The axle looks great. Looks like your tierod is awfully close to the springs though!

 

thanks for the kind words guys. i had the truck aligned the other day and everything checks out pretty damn good. slowly but sure i'm getting this thing "done." some poser pics form today:

 

you know, it does look close, but i had about the same clearance on my '84 with hi-steer and it never rubbed. as far as i could tell, there is no case where the spring is actually going to get much closer to the tie rod...it just doesnt flex that much near the u-bolts...always worked for me.

build looks great! could you shoot a couple pictures of the tabs you welded on the lower part of the ball joint? at first i was sure you had created a weak spot at the ball joint, but those tabs will sure help. are they boxed or flat iron? think you'll bend em up on rocks?

 

did you have that top truss made or did you buy it somewhere? it looks good.

 

i have 3/4-1" of clearance between the tie rod and springs, and i've never had a problem with them touching. every piece on the axle was designed and cut out by myself or my roommate. i didn't buy anything except for the steel. as for the lower knuckle ball gussets, there are two pieces of 1/4" plate an inch apart, and they are boxed in with 1/8" plate between them. (1/4" -> |_| <- 1/4", 1/8" for the bottom line) rocks aren't going to bend them...

 

makes sense...looks good too. well done!

 

out with the old....




also picked up a few goodies recently... something along the lines of 217:1

 

Mike, stop modding your truck because I've not started my SAS yet and I'm thinking in duals due to you!!! Hehehe

That setup will be nice, are you replacing the auto with a manual trans?

David

 

Nice runner man! If I had a runner I would hook it up that way!

 

yeah, the auto is getting replaced with a manual. so far i've picked up two top shift gear-driven cases, the marlin V6 to gear-driven adapter, and a TG 23-spline 4.7 gearset. my goal is to have the duals done by new years for a trip. new trans should be in next weekend.

oh, sorry david... it's just a sickness i guess. looking forward to see your build, for sure.

 

nice truck



so whos the babe?