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Is it possible you could use the license plate location for the filler like a lot of the 70's cars?
No, not at all. The filler neck sits above where the top edge of the bumper will be. Thats where the plate is, and there is no way of lowering the tank enough without making it a clearance issue. When I raise the bed floor, there will be a panel there, and Ill add the filler to that. I thought about doing a nice filler box on the side, but I like the idea of being able to fill up from either side.
Didnt get much done over Christmas. I spent time with the family, and waited for more parts to come in. I did get the bars bent and cut for the a-arms. I only have one set finished, but I hope to get the rest done this week, and maybe start welding them up this weekend. I also got the gas tank installed.
This is a new chromebook, so I need to figure out how large to make the pictures. So, pictures in a few minutes.
Upper A-arm. Ill add a gusset at the ball joint. Lower A-arm. Again, Ill add a gusset, but these need a shock mount. I havent figured that out yet. 22 gallon gas tank. Its mounted from underneath so I can remove it without pulling the bed. It doesnt hang down too much. Its about even with the tow hitch/jack point.
Made some good progress this weekend. Im trying to get the heavy grinding and welding done before the weather turns. It has been nice and sunny here in Tennessee, with a little rain here and there. But I can still open the garage doors and let it air out.
Started on the driveshaft loop/cross member. Its tacked together for now. Ill put the engine and transmission in before I finalize it. The lower half comes off and still has room to be shortened, which Im sure it will need. Ill bolt it to the top.
The front suspension is coming together pretty good I think. I have the A-arms welded for the most part. I need to add the gussets and the shock mounts. I have to do both lower shock mounts to get an idea of how the top ones are going to go. So, Ill take some 3/16 plate to work and cut it on the big band saw. I already have the templates made. Then Ill tack them in, and look at the top.
I started looking into suspension travel. I looked at QA1s website and they recommend about 4 to 5 inches of compression, and 2-1/2 to 3 inches of rebound. I put the a-arms on and it hit the frame way before 3 inches of rebound, so I also cut a relief in the frame. I guess I should have just narrowed the frame up front. Actually, knowing what I know now, I should have done a front clip swap. Oh well...live and learn.
Anyway, problem solved, and everything seems to work as expected. I still have some work to do on the a-arms, but Im confident the frame is good now. I just need to finish seam sealing a few places, and paint it.
Im trying to make a big push and see if I can be back where I was last spring, with the truck together and running.
The new driveshaft loop/crossmember. I can shorten the lower half Ill bolt the lower half on later. Part of the process. It was messy, but I think they turned out good. The spindle after reaming for K772 ball joints. They seem to fit good. Passenger side. You can see the relief for the a-arms here. Drivers side. Everything seems to work well.
Okay, so a few more hours and I got the lower shock mounts tacked in. I didnt beat the weather like I had hoped. Its been in the low 20s here, so the garage is cold, but its insulated a little, and I can run a heater. Im also super busy this month with work and church, so Its going to be slow.
Anyway, I got the lower shock mounts done, and Im happy with them. I have the templates made for the uppers and the gussets for the upper a-arms. Ill try and finish this by this Saturday, but I have a crazy week ahead.
After these parts are done, I can finish welding them, and then finish the seam sealer, then its time to paint the frame. Im excited to see it all clean and neat again. Im ready to get this thing back together.
Upper mount templates. They tie into the upper a-arm mount also. Looking forward. The shock will have plenty of clearance with this here. This is tricky. The shock mounts need to be straight, but the frame and upper bar are not. I think it looks pretty good.
And it's almost over.
