How many weekends till the trip?
CK5
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'89 R3500 Crew Cab 2wd to 4wd conversion & beyond
- Thread starter mrk5
- Start date
Started out with 2wd TBI350 with SM465 to current 4wd with 454, 700r4, NP241
Nothing like a time limit to motivate to a completion.
I'm at the "spend an hour a day" stage. It's pretty enlightening how much you can get done working on something at least an hour every day. Otherwise I just have a single 8 to 10 hour day each weekend.
More square tube and angle added.
Of course I screwed up the square section at the end the first time and had to cut them off and re-weld. I flushed up the horizontal bars to the face of the vertical tubes, but it should have been flush on the back.
Of course I screwed up the square section at the end the first time and had to cut them off and re-weld. I flushed up the horizontal bars to the face of the vertical tubes, but it should have been flush on the back.
Working on the "bumper" portion.
The flat part on the table will be welded to the bed. The angle part will bolt on where all the little clamps are. To be honest the bottom angled piece is "decorative" as much as it is functional.
In retrospect I made 2 mistakes. Unfortunately they are lessons I've learned before but it's been to long ago. First, I should have put a thin piece of metal between the brackets on my removable section so the fit isn't such a struggle. I got too caught up in being precise. The other problem is heat warp. I should have clamped the bottom section to the table since it was being welded on.
The flat part on the table will be welded to the bed. The angle part will bolt on where all the little clamps are. To be honest the bottom angled piece is "decorative" as much as it is functional.
In retrospect I made 2 mistakes. Unfortunately they are lessons I've learned before but it's been to long ago. First, I should have put a thin piece of metal between the brackets on my removable section so the fit isn't such a struggle. I got too caught up in being precise. The other problem is heat warp. I should have clamped the bottom section to the table since it was being welded on.
Watching to see what you end up with. I believe that I have an idea, so I am interested to see.
Looking great Scott!
Looks like it should go on the cab as a deflector. Or above the bed as a wing.
When I do anything bolt on like that, I drill all of the holes before welding it, then bolt it together with the shims being held by the bolts.
Should look good when it is done.
When I do anything bolt on like that, I drill all of the holes before welding it, then bolt it together with the shims being held by the bolts.
Should look good when it is done.
Yeah, I have done that in the past, I'm just kicking myself now for totally forgetting that lesson.
In theory it only has to go on once. I only made it removable in case the bed needs to come off in the future. I'm going to grind some material off both pieces and hope that helps. I might also give the flat pieces a couple whacks with a big hammer.
Get it on there and do a quick rosebud in a few areas. That'll help relieve it a bit.
Yeah, I was thinking to heat the back side of where I welded the tabs.
Don't be afraid to get it hot, its just mild steel.
Have you bought steel lately? That's like a month's pay right there!
Haha, maybe not that bad, but still.
Have you bought steel lately? That's like a month's pay right there!
Haha, maybe not that bad, but still.
I haven't bought anything but stainless. I'm sure though its just as bad as everything else.
I was just re-quoting a stainless steel job I had originally quoted in March. Price of the stainless has nearly doubled.I haven't bought anything but stainless. I'm sure though its just as bad as everything else.
Absolutely, its insanity. If you can even get the quantity needed... My Ti orders are coming in about half of the amount ordered.
Welcome to my daily hell. Stainless and aluminum both. I have not really had an issue getting it, just takes longer.
looking good
Weekend progress?
