Not so budget 3-link build
 

I have been asked by a few people to share more pictures of some of the stuff I am working on, so I figured I would start a thread. Not sure if this is out of place or not so let me know?

This is a higher than average budget build. More detail than normal, more TIG than normal, but these are the ones I like best. I wanted a semi desert style feel to this one, as far as fab goes.

Starting the notches.
http://www.hotrodders.com/journal_ph...2321768790.jpg
http://www.hotrodders.com/journal_ph...2321768791.jpg

Starting main cross member.
http://www.hotrodders.com/journal_ph...2321769360.jpg
http://www.hotrodders.com/journal_ph...2321769361.jpg

Re: Not so budget 3-link build
 

Cross member mostly finished.
http://www.hotrodders.com/journal_ph...2322530840.jpg
http://www.hotrodders.com/journal_ph...2322530851.jpg
http://www.hotrodders.com/journal_ph...2322530852.jpg
Of course this one had to be on the bottom..
http://www.hotrodders.com/journal_ph...2322531240.jpg

Re: Not so budget 3-link build
 

http://www.hotrodders.com/journal_ph...2322531241.jpg

Relocating stock tank.
http://www.hotrodders.com/journal_ph...2325033290.jpg
http://www.hotrodders.com/journal_ph...2325033301.jpg

Added dimpled gussets to the upper link mount.
http://www.hotrodders.com/journal_ph...2325033312.jpg

Tank mount/compressor tray.
http://www.hotrodders.com/journal_ph...2325035880.jpg
http://www.hotrodders.com/journal_ph...2325035881.jpg
http://www.hotrodders.com/journal_ph...2325038360.jpg
http://www.hotrodders.com/journal_ph...2325038371.jpg

Re: Not so budget 3-link build
 

Cross member installed.
http://www.hotrodders.com/journal_ph...2330285340.jpg
http://www.hotrodders.com/journal_ph...2330285351.jpg

Lower link bars.
http://www.hotrodders.com/journal_ph...2330285352.jpg
http://www.hotrodders.com/journal_ph...2333819490.jpg
http://www.hotrodders.com/journal_ph...2333819501.jpg

The pattern I used on the compressor tray was brought back for the wishbone, and will be used again later.
http://www.hotrodders.com/journal_ph...2331060410.jpg
http://www.hotrodders.com/journal_ph...2331060421.jpg
http://www.hotrodders.com/journal_ph...2331060422.jpg

Re: Not so budget 3-link build
 

Made a bracket to move the rear brake T back away from the link tabs.
http://www.hotrodders.com/journal_ph...2333819502.jpg

Links attached permanently.
http://www.hotrodders.com/journal_ph...2333820000.jpg
http://www.hotrodders.com/journal_ph...2333820001.jpg
http://www.hotrodders.com/journal_ph...2333820002.jpg

Re: Not so budget 3-link build
 

Last one. Bag mounts meant to carry on the look of the wishbone in an asymmetrical way.
http://www.hotrodders.com/journal_ph...2337142240.jpg
http://www.hotrodders.com/journal_ph...2337142251.jpg
http://www.hotrodders.com/journal_ph...2337142252.jpg

The side gusset connecting the bag cup to the frame is dimpled 1/8" plate. May as well be 1/4" at this point.

Re: Not so budget 3-link build
 

WOW.. looks very nice

Re: Not so budget 3-link build
 

Sweet :metal:

Re: Not so budget 3-link build
 

Wow! looks great! I'm glad your building my wishbone :metal:

Re: Not so budget 3-link build
 

Killer build!!!!!

Re: Not so budget 3-link build
 

What are you using to get those indented holes in the sheet metal?

Re: Not so budget 3-link build
 

The tool I use is called a dimple die. They are more common in Desert style fab than anything else. They are used because you can cut a hole in your material, making it lighter. And then you can dimple that hole, and create rigidity. This means you can use a lighter gauge material to achieve the same strength. Plus it looks cool while doing it. It's similar to bead rolling your floor boards.

I built mounts for the shocks as well as the limiting straps today.
http://www.hotrodders.com/journal_ph...2338922890.jpg

I had to add just 2 more dimples to make the number a nice 25. I wasn't really feeling 23.
http://www.hotrodders.com/journal_ph...2338922891.jpg
http://www.hotrodders.com/journal_ph...2338922892.jpg

Shocks will be replaced. It's easier to mock up with old ones than it is to mask off new ones.

Re: Not so budget 3-link build
 

wow.... Amazing work!

Re: Not so budget 3-link build
 

give me a second... ive got to find where my jaw landed on the floor.

great job man.

Re: Not so budget 3-link build
 

Dimples!!!!!!!!

Re: Not so budget 3-link build
 

Im still like wow!!! Great work!!!!! Makes me jealous!!!! Kinda makes me want to redo my whole project!!! Lol j/k

Re: Not so budget 3-link build
 

That is art, my dude.

Re: Not so budget 3-link build
 

Sick :metal:

Re: Not so budget 3-link build
 

Thanks.


Pulled everything apart to paint it, and got it mostly reassembled. Started a little wiring too. Need to run fuel and power lines, and air lines. Last shot shows the limit strap and the bag compressed nicely.

http://www.hotrodders.com/journal_ph...2339872130.jpg
http://www.hotrodders.com/journal_ph...2339872920.jpg
http://www.hotrodders.com/journal_ph...2339872921.jpg
http://www.hotrodders.com/journal_ph...2339872922.jpg

Re: Not so budget 3-link build
 

Is there a need for a limit strap?

Re: Not so budget 3-link build
 

Keeps the bags from overextending or "hanging the axle" when the truck is on a lift. Also ensures the drive shaft can never come in contact with the cross member below it. And it goes with the desert fab theme.

Re: Not so budget 3-link build
 

That is truly awesome. I am still trying to decide how I want to build my bag setup.

Re: Not so budget 3-link build
 

That is some really nice fab work you did there, i have wanted some dimple dies for a long time, but for now i have other things to spend my money on.

Re: Not so budget 3-link build
 

That's a sweet set up man, How much lift can you get using that joint on the wishbone? I've just never seen one done that way, but it looks killer man!

Re: Not so budget 3-link build
 

Ah man! You should have left all that pretty metal bare and put some protectant over it. That thing should not have a bed put on it. Badd a$$