Project: Hot Rod Hauler (HRH) Build Up

[chevy_mike]

Got a little bit further. Actually pulled the frame out from under the cab and rearranged the garage to put the frame next to the cab. It is really tight but I got it all to fit. I have to say working on a long bed does eat up the space in the garage.

Frame pulled out from cab on car dollies


The lonely cab


After some power washing and sand blasting


Got most of the grease and grime off. The bare areas were already flash rusting within an hour. Will wire wheel and paint the frame like the back half was done


Now I can start disassembly of the front end, paint lots of parts and start putting it all back together.

[chevy_mike]

Finally posting the pics from last weekend. Got everything removed from the front of the frame. Now I just need to clean everything up... which I hate doing. Hopefully will make some good progress this weekend.

Arms and steering off


A arms that need to be cleaned and disassembled. Found the cross shafts on 3 of the 4 with play in them, so I ordered new one.


Crossmember out. I also removed the tranny crossmember as well


That's it for now...

[nsuengineer06]

I just finished cleaning & painting my front cross-member.. Not to discourage you, but that thing is a pain in the @$$ to clean & paint! Just a heads up..

[Castiron9]

I feel your pain,I just cleaned up all of this front disc brake cross member from a 1984,going in my 1970 dually project.Worth doing it,it will look nice when your finished.

[chevy_mike]

Castiron9, man that looks good. Not looking forward to the cleaning but after it's all painted, it will be worth it.

[LOW DOUGH]

The HRH is looking good!

[jay-dawg]

progress looks good. I really like the look of the 1 black steelie with the thin white wall tire. I might use that combo on my truck.

Question: Did the truck originially have chrome eyebrows for the front fenders and hood? I noticed it has a white grill on there.

[chevy_mike]

Originally Posted by jay-dawg

progress looks good. I really like the look of the 1 black steelie with the thin white wall tire. I might use that combo on my truck.

Question: Did the truck originially have chrome eyebrows for the front fenders and hood? I noticed it has a white grill on there.

Thanks.

No, it did not have the hood/fender trim. The front is painted silver, not white. Not sure if this was original or not, since the truck had one repaint that I could tell. When I pull the grill trim, I'll see what color is under there.

I wish I had the hood/fender trim as I would totally make this into a 50th clone. Oh well.

[nuke1]

You must have pretty good neighbors if they let you go with a grinder outside, mine would freak on me. Only behind closed doors here. Good progress so far.

[Shon]

What rear coil springs are you using?

[chevy_mike]

Originally Posted by Shon

What rear coil springs are you using?

5" dropped Early Classic springs. Front will be 1" dropped springs, 2.5" dropped spindles.

Sorry no updates as of late. Been cleaning and painting parts but not anything to really post up about. I am almost done with all the cleaning. Man I so hate doing it. Can't wait to start putting parts back on.

[LOW DOUGH]

cleaning is the worst part. But it sure is rewarding when it's done.

[jgh64pkup]

progress is looking good im glad my frame is already painted

[capev86]

why are you lowering the back more than the front, especially if you plan to haul parts and tow with it. leveling just seems insane to me. the factory put a rake in it for good reason....better looking AND practical.

[chevy_mike]

Originally Posted by capev86

why are you lowering the back more than the front, especially if you plan to haul parts and tow with it. leveling just seems insane to me. the factory put a rake in it for good reason....better looking AND practical.

Thanks for your opinion. Since 90% of the time I won't be hauling/towing, I wanted a long, low look without doing a full air bag setup. My last '68 LWB was 2.5/4" drop and I always wished it was about an inch lower. I am correcting that with this one.

As for hauling/towing capacity, my plans are to put helper air bags into the rear springs. This way I leave them basically deflated (about 5 psi) for normal cruising and then add air when I need to extra load capacity. To me, the best of both worlds and something that has been done and proven for decades. I have a few trick ideas for making the bed a useful hauler but those will have to wait until I am at that point. Don't want all my secrets out.

As for an update, s l o w l y cleaning. Should have all the parts primed by the end of the weekend.

[LOW DOUGH]

I knew you were going to say you were putting helper bags in the back. That should work just fine.

[cadillacart]

I am subscribing to this thread. I am very interested in keeping our trucks usefull and able to haul large loads the way they were intended.

Good work so far, keep it up!

[threeonthetree]

This truck is looking sweet
liking the LWB and the drop your doing, hope to do some of the same things to my 69.

Good project, Keep up the good work dood

[chevy_mike]

Thanks for the props guys.

Well, finally some updated pics. Not a big thing but to me a major milestone. Basically everything is cleaned and has been primed with Rust Encapsulator by Eastwood. So far I have been very happy with this stuff. I can tell you for sure, the next project I do a frame off on, I will be sending the frame out to be stripped. I have spent way too much time doing this, not really having a good spot to do it. Well, enough talk, here's the pics...

Frame primed


More frame. BTW, that is dust on the frame from cleaning. It will get wiped down with wax/grease remover before paint.


Front crossmember


Lower A arms, top ones look the same. Still need to press in the new ball joints.


That's it for now. Hopefully this weekend I will start putting things on and painting.

[nuke1]

that is a major milestone, b/c it means you are now one step closer to assembly and that feels good.

[VA72C10]

I know that's a lot of hard work...good job...looking good!

[chevy_mike]

Finally got two coats of Eastwood Chassis black paint on the frame. Hung the front cross member as well. So far I am really happy with the paint. First time I have used these Eastwood products. Hope they hold up well but only time will tell.

[my67chevytruck]

looking good. keep at it....

[LOW DOUGH]

looks good

[chevy_mike]

Well, sorry for the lack of updates recently. The Universe has been conspiring against me. LOL

I have managed to get the a-arms painted and a few other misc. items. I was hoping to have the front suspension all back together but house stuff has taken priority at the moment.

I did order the fuel tank I am going to see if works. Here's a pic of it.



I'll get that within a couple weeks and get that part of things done as well. More info on the tank at http://www.tanksinc.com/index.cfm/pa...prod/prd73.htm