alright. updates. got the motor located, centered, and angled. i had to make my frame notch quite a bit bigger. i also got the motor mount plates welded in. fabbed up the transmission crossmember from scratch to bolt into the factory location. i also picked up the new wheels/tires. greg weld race stars. 15x3.5 fronts and 15x8 rears. dot’s. tomorrow i’ll be cleaning up my mess in the garage a bit then finish up the mounting for the fuel cell that i got about half complete. after that, its time for putting in the cage, mounting pedal, making new steering shaft and getting the firewall fixed up for paint.
its a rediculous amount of work to make a motor this big fit “correcrtly” in one of these trucks. however, i can gurantee you this will have a better fit then any other big block s10 out there. (which theres not many of, especially with a 6 speed lol)
in progress of frame notch, its been completed inside and out.
transmission crossmember
wheel and tire. i would say both rears weigh the same as just one of my old foose wheels. these things are mint, not a single scratch or ding, never saw the street.
its actually going to sit lower with everything back together. should look good. need to take some measurements tomorrow to make sure my springs will work for the drag setup im going to run.
made progress. finished up frame work for fuel cell, just got to paint it up and then thursday the bed is going back on. saturday i plan to lift the cab up to get at the center section of frame to clean it up and so i can weld in the “outriggers” on the frame for the roll cage. i need to get a new 1/2" chuck drill but i already have a tubing notcher from when i rebuilt the street stock so hopefully ill be fitting the rollcage in no time. :tup:
in primer right now, gonna coat it then put some rubber/foam in the box around fuel cell as an isolator and then bolt it in good…then the bed goes back on.
forgot that other trim ring for the sub, you want it sometime or can i pitch it?
thanks. zq8’s look awesome theyre one of my favorite wheels, but i have to run skinnies up front for exhaust clearance. i do however plan to upset alot of people, most think that you need to tub these trucks to make em hook and run, but ive found otherwise. one of the forums im on more then half the guys are running a stock style leaf spring suspension and they hook hard. lifting the front ends and pulling 1.20 60 ft’s. im not setting expectations too much however i would be very happy if i can get into sub 1.50 60ft next year. i have zero idea as far as what kind of et ill have.
i have been told the truck will be a frame twister for sure with the big block from the same guys that are running those times. fml. lol
works kicking my ass, and i need to get a new 1/2" drill for my tubing notcher, but heres where im at.
boxed in the rear outriggers and made them so they have support on both top and side of frame rails. also got the main hoop straightened that was tweaked from shipping. so i got those tacked in and the rear tubes fitted and tacked in.
you guys with unibody cars have it way easier for fitting roll cages. lol.
been waiting on getting a couple tubes back that im having custom bent…didnt like how a couple of the s&w ones fit. so until then im kinda dead in the water on this. hoping that i have them by friday so i can get this damn thing done. i think i will be buying a bender so i can do this stuff myself in the future.
i did just finish installing a mopar heated seat kit in my ram though gotta keep busy with doing something.
Mig, just a mild steel cage. Can’t afford a tig machine yet
Going with a lexan window and will cut out for the tubes. Hoping I can find something to just glue in like the factory window so I don’t have to rivet. Ill probably check the minitruck vendors since I remember seeing lexan rear windows there before
---------- Post added at 03:09 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:08 PM ----------
Lol, would look awesome but I like how the greg welds look and they’re quite light
gotta keep busy with doing something.