Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Thank you. Wood isn't really an option for the notch and bridge. Just trying to be a little creative.

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

If you wanted you could maybe have the rear air control components, as shown in picture above, covered in a subfloor with hinged top. Leave them as shown in picture, and add a cover that hinges at the front of box. Just a thought- stealth, or having them exposed is nice too, show off your hardware.

Les

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

I thought about that and even mocked it up a few pics back. Wife and friends asked why I would cover up all that money that is shiny. Thinking about getting the air tank plated with that spectrum chrome stuff. Truck is going to be mostly black, a few chrome ascents here and there won't be bad. LOL

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

i was noticing you were looking for ideas on backspacing for 15x10 wheels on your stepside. i just went through that to get some on mine.but my application is different than yours.i have a static drop and my wheel doesnt have to drop inside the fender. you want to be able to drop yours inside the fender i take it. without rubbing on the inside lip of the fender(too little backspacing)or the bedside (too much backspacing). from the bedside to the inside lip of the rear fender on a stepside is a little over 14 inches. a 295/50/15 tire on a 15x10 rim is 12 inches wide so you have to center that 12 in between the 14 gives you an inch on either side of the tire not much room for error im thinking 4.5 backspacing but double /triple check. look around and see if you can find someone running the setup you want to run and ask.use the wheel you have on there now as a reference and take a couple measurements.(measure 2x cut once:))-jeff

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Thank you for the input. I'm going to measure a few times and even thinking of making a jig to bolt to drums/ rotors to get the wheels right where I want them. My biggest concern is the bed wall. If I have to cut it to get what tire I want under there is fine. Was just trying to see what the widest any has stuffed under rear fender w/o cutting bed wall and tucked when layin out on 18 to 20 in wheels.

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Got the rear cross member moved back a couple of days ago.


Attachment 1268657

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Had to notch the top frame rails about 3/8 inch to allow room for tank to go between frame rails.

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Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Used Eastwood's weld through primer on skid plate parts.

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Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Used their rattle can. It was so so. Had to hold the can sideways at a 45 degree angle to prevent it from spitting.

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Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Probably could have mounted tank in a better way. But, this was the best I could figure right now. Decided to bolt most the brackets together. This way I could level it better later when I get final stance where I want it. Here is the front main support for the rails that will hold the tank weight. Bolted it to the bottom section of the C-notch.

Attachment 1268670Attachment 1268671

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

the top right picture was to side mounts for the skid plate .

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Here is the bottom skid plate. I think it is 9 gauge steel. I think it's thick enough to fend off anything medium size that might go under the truck. Just felt like it would be safer with some defense under tank. Have another piece to cover front part of tank as well.

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Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

did some small tacks. Had to make sure I could get it out after tacking together.

Attachment 1268680

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

And here is I feel like a dumb arssh. Went to remove and a few of my tacks broke. I for sure thought welder had enough to tack sheet metal to 1/8 angle. But, while tacking noticed to just pooling up and not burning in. I *****ed and yelled and said let me look at the dam polarity again. Well this was the fifth time looking at the polarity settings and noticed I had it backwards this whole time. DUH!!!! Flipped them and it was was sizzling.

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Got the skid plate out and sat down on threw some beds on it and mounted the front strap bolt downs. My welding is ugly. But I got them burned in good enough for me. I have a grinder and paint. LOL

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Attachment 1268690

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Got the bottom skid plate back in. Had to oval a few bolt holes. Got little hot with some my welds. Moved the plate around a little.

Attachment 1268699

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Mounted some angle on the rear cross-member to support and level the angle thats going to level and hold the weight from front to back.

Attachment 1268700
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Attachment 1268703

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

hers is the rear bar that the tank straps will mount to.

Attachment 1268704Attachment 1268705

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

picture front skid plate

Attachment 1268706

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

tank in place. Will be pulling everything apart and coating with rust protector for a later black paint. When I assemble for final. Will use some rubber between tank and any metal.

Attachment 1268707Attachment 1268708

Attachment 1268712

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

here is one of the tank straps. As it currently sits, will only have to raise the front and rear bed floor 3 inches. Of course the C notch will need to go up more.

Attachment 1268715

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Tomorrow is my B-Day and wife and kids are going to leave me alone till tomorrow night. Should be able to finish tank mounts and hopefully clean and get rust paint on.

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Got all the suspension finished and everything off the frame. Going to start cleaning and prepping for paint this week.

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Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Question . Should I clear coat the frame after I use chassis black?

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Well the cleaning process really sucks. Tired all kinds different wheels and its taking forever. also put the frame up on a rotisserie. It works pretty decent.

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