77 C20 hauler to crawler

[F.S.F.W]

Planning a crossover tube to tie them together?

Yep I sure am. I’ll put some gussets between the hoop and the frame too. Hoping all that will take care of any frame flex in that area. I have a weld on steering box brace kit in the works too.

 

[F.S.F.W]

Passenger side ate my lunch!!! Probably a good thing my cab is mounted solid because it’s a tight fit. I’ll finish them up tomorrow. Need to cut some gussets and also some tabs for my crossover tube. I’ll have to narrow the tube about an 2” but that’s not a big deal. I’m just glad it fits as good as it does and I don’t have to make another one. You can see on the passenger side hoop that my bender bent them backwards so I had to fix it.

 

[beags86]

You going to leave the AC...then...where is your compressor?

 

[F.S.F.W]

You going to leave the AC...then...where is your compressor?

I have to get the brackets. Thought I had everything I needed when I put it together but I was missing some stuff.

 

[6872xtc]

Yay!!! You're getting closer! Good work!

 

[beags86]

I have to get the brackets. Thought I had everything I needed when I put it together but I was missing some stuff.

Hmm seems I just junked some big block ac stuff.. you know what you need?
I might still have some stuff kicking about.

 

[F.S.F.W]

Hmm seems I just junked some big block ac stuff.. you know what you need?
I might still have some stuff kicking about.

Sweet! I’ll have to see what I have. I was going to look around this winter for a serpentine setup. Do you know if the brackets and pulleys off of an 8.1 will bolt up?

 

[beags86]

Sweet! I’ll have to see what I have. I was going to look around this winter for a serpentine setup. Do you know if the brackets and pulleys off of an 8.1 will bolt up?

I don't know about the 8.1 stuff. But this stuff was v belt crap. I figured it was worthless because everyone goes to serp set up...if don't want it, I'll only hold it against you forever.

 

[F.S.F.W]

Yay!!! You're getting closer! Good work!

Thanks man! My goal is to have it done by Christmas but I have a lot to do...

 

[F.S.F.W]

I don't know about the 8.1 stuff. But this stuff was v belt crap. I figured it was worthless because everyone goes to seriously set up...if don't want it, I'll only hold it against you forever.

Haha!!!

 

[F.S.F.W]

Gussets are done. Moving on to the crossover tube. Still need to weld the shock mounts on the axle but that’s a quick ordeal.

 

[max 02]

Looks good!

 

[beags86]

Looks good!

When you going to build a crawler Dean?

 

[blazinzuk]

If your not going to do a crossbar then add a gussets to the top leg of the frame.

It doesn't happen all the time but shocks mounted like that can tear the frame. Not always just depends but a simple gusset to the top will prevent this

 

[kgblazerfive]

My thoughts when I did my crossover tube was to make it a bit taller so that the carb/ inj or what ever had some protection when the truck rolled over.

 

[max 02]

When you going to build a crawler Dean?

I’m more of a Voyer...

 

[F.S.F.W]

My thoughts when I did my crossover tube was to make it a bit taller so that the carb/ inj or what ever had some protection when the truck rolled over.

That’s a great idea. I am repurposing this from my crawler so it’s probably going to be right at the top of the throttle body. Eventually this will get a full interior cage tied into an engine cage so as long as it makes it to that point I’ll most likely use that idea.

 

[F.S.F.W]

Kickin names and takin... No... Nevermind....

Today went pretty good. Hoops are done, crossover tube is in, and I can see things slowly coming together here. Really hoping to have this done by Christmas (this Christmas) because January and February are going to be busy.
I put my drillpress to work today building some tabs for the crossover. Really glad I found the parts I needed to get this thing working. I need to get a new belt for it as it still has the original one and doesn’t have much bite left in it.


Used an old 2” holesaw for a template. Plasma table would be nice but this works for now!



Need to clean it up and paint it.


Doesn’t come up high enough to protect the throttle body.

All that for these...

This one is for you @beags86
The other side of the truck.

 

[kgblazerfive]

So get rid of the poly. No reason for it to flex. Ridged is better.

 

[F.S.F.W]

So get rid of the poly. No reason for it to flex. Ridged is better.

I know there’s no need for it but it’s what I already had whipped up so I used it.