I got about 6 or 7 hours in the garage today, trying to beat this latest winter storm. Got everything accomplished I wanted too, so its a good day.

I started this week by trying to cut the upper shock mounts on our saw at work. It was doing it, but it was taking forever. The blade might be dull, and I know 3/16 plate is no joke, but it was like an inch every 2 or 3 minutes . Anyway, I gave up on that, and used the plasma cutter. Im getting better with it, so Im not melting the tip every time I use it, and Im getting closer to my lines. There is still quite a bit of clean up afterwards though.

So I got those made, and installed them. Then I finished welding the control arms up. Ill have some small pin holes to go back over, but for the most part they are done. Ill be taking them to work this week to clean them on break and lunch. I have small angle grinders there that do a good job at the detail work.

I also have some clean up on the frame at the upper mounts, but I am happy with it. I got the fuel sender/float today, and removed the original tank yesterday. Im close to painting the frame, hopefully I can start that in the next week or two.

Upper mount roughed in

I like it. I think its going to work out just fine.

Another angle

And...all welded up. Still needs clean-up

Control arms all ready for final clean-up and paint.

 

Finally got a break in the weather to paint. I have to do it outside because the fumes are so strong it makes everyone sick. I found that out the hard way last time...
Anyway, I missed a few spots and ran out of paint. Ill order more tonight and maybe Ill get to finish this weekend. Looks a ton better.

 

That does look good. Is the frame light enough that two folks can just carry it around? (though, not far, I would imagine.)

 

No, its very heavy. I can barely lift one corner at a time to adjust the jackstands. There is no way I could lift one end. If I had to guess, I would say its over 500 lbs.

 

I suppose there IS a lot of steel there.

 

I've had two of those era trucks. A 1970 and '71. The 100's are nearly as heavily built as most 3/4 ton trucks now. I drove my '70 for years and had booster springs bolted to the rear axle. I had it flat on the springs several times even with the extra springs. It just kept on going. Unless you snapped an axle, which I've seen happen, it will haul the mail.

 

These trucks are very heavy duty on their own and I have boxed the frame with 3/16 plate. My boss had a 71 C10, and I saw the frame on it. The rails were thinner and made from thinner metal. I can see the difference on my F100 too. These old Dodge trucks are no joke. I look forward to driving it. Just have a ton of work left.

 

One thing I remember from both of my trucks like yours, there is something about the body design that acts as a reverb chamber for the engine compartment. There is a different engine sound with the 318 (both trucks had one) than other Dodge trucks I've had. I don't know what engine you're going to use, but it may have a purposeful sound that will be unique. Considering what I did with that first one, I relate that sound to getting stuff done. The second one was an old truck when I had it so it got treated more gently. Both trucks were the Dodge industrial Turquoise.

 

Got busy making brake lines and fuel lines today. Got all the lines on the frame done. I still need to remake the ones that go from the master cylinder to the proportioning valve, but the cab will have to be back on for those. I also got the rearend back in, but I didnt get pictures. Goal for tomorrow is to get the front suspension in, and set the engine.

I had a really bad day yesterday. I was out looking at the frame and seeing what needs to be done, and I realized I am so disappointed in how this is turning out. I know I cant make a show truck, I just dont have the skills or the money, and I have seen some really sketchy stuff on YouTube and this truck isnt near that bad. But using those as the scale, where the better builds are a 10, and the sketchy stuff is a 1, I would rate this truck a 4. I feel like I can do better, like maybe a 7 or 8, but it seems everything is just fighting me. The chassis paint looks like crap. I mixed it and did it outside, and it looks like garbage. The control arms look horrible. Its frustrating. So I decided to just put it together and drive it. I have a lot of skills I need to work on, and tools to buy, and things to get sorted. I told my wife after we get this truck on the road, we will fix the Ford (it wont be anywhere near this involved, just an engine /trans swap, lowered suspension and wider tires in the back), then we will work on the body work for this truck. After that is sorted, I am building a frame, with a different suspension, using everything I have learned by screwing up on this truck. It might be 10 years from now, but I can feel better knowing I am trying to make it as good as I can. Its like I am letting Isaac down with this truck right now.

Anyway, pictures...More tomorrow I hope.


Prop valve and lines. Still need the two main input lines from the master cylinder.

I split the line going across the frame. In case something happens, itll be easier to remove and replace. Yes that is a double flair union, not a compression fitting.

Gas tank and fuel lines.

More lines. I think the lines look okay. The frame looks like crap.

 

Whoa, whoa, whoa! You may just be tired and frustrated. Put things on hold for a few days. Take a break from it and come back later. I've been in long term projects and got burned out. A few days later, I came back to it with fresh eyes. Things that were just not going right, a bolt that just WON'T line up or a bracket that isn't right, are different now. Loosen a couple of other bolts so the assembly will line up. Flip the bracket over the right way, whatever. A short break, especially with the short days of winter getting longer, might be all you need.