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Cleaned up the engine bay a bit, almost done routing wires.
Up next this weekend is new side steps, to cover up where I had to cut out to accommodate the wider frame. Hoping to start work on the bed too, which will be a ton of work.
Also posted a few videos to YouTube, go to the build blog link in my signature if you're interested. I'll try to get a better video of my progress so far this weekend.
Got a few more things done this weekend. New cab steps are in, relocated the brake pedal lower and to the right, changed out the mufflers, and cut 3.5" off the front of the bed to adapt to the new wheelbase:
Driver's side cab step
Passenger side cab step
Replaced the stock cop car mufflers with some Magnaflow-style mufflers
Brake pedal moved down and to the right.
3.5" out of the bed front
Still much work to do to get the bed on- rear frame needs to be cut down and moved lower, fenders widened, rear of bed cut down some. We did hold the bed roughly in place to get an idea of the proportions:
The back section looks really long. I've been considering cutting out 5.5" out of the rear, which is halfway between short and long bed, or 8.5" which makes it a 7' bed. I'm leaning towards taking out the 8.5". Here's an awful photoshop I made to help decide. Feel free to voice opinions on the proposed lengths.
You are gettin it done! I agree the 8.5 looks more balanced.
Not to be a buzz kill, because i like the work you are doing. Since you have started this thread i have wondered about the strength of the frame. with the crown vic, didn't the body add strength to the frame. I wonder if you made this a unibody? Sorry sometime I get to guessing to much, it's past now , carry on!
I don't know how much strength the Crown Vic body might have added... it is a body on frame design not a unibody design. The Vic frame is fully boxed front to back and the body mounted with rubber mounts, so it wasn't tied solidly to the frame to add strength. The truck will also end up being 500+ pounds lighter than the Vic was. I don't plan to ever load up the bed with a huge amount of weight, but I think I should be able to tow a decent amount. On Crown Vic forums there seem to be a lot of people towing over 3000 pounds long distances. But this is going to be more of a cruiser, not a hard working truck.
I don't know how much strength the Crown Vic body might have added... it is a body on frame design not a unibody design. The Vic frame is fully boxed front to back and the body mounted with rubber mounts, so it wasn't tied solidly to the frame to add strength. The truck will also end up being 500+ pounds lighter than the Vic was. I don't plan to ever load up the bed with a huge amount of weight, but I think I should be able to tow a decent amount. On Crown Vic forums there seem to be a lot of people towing over 3000 pounds long distances. But this is going to be more of a cruiser, not a hard working truck.
Ok very good! Sounds like my concerns are unwarranted, I feel better now.
So feel free to carry on.
I really like this project. It will be a very nice daily driver. Makes me want to sell my 05 truck and build one. Add some late model Mustang mags and you are good to go!
Bed's on, front bumper is on, swap is done. Lots of bodywork ahead but it runs and drives awesome, I love it!! Today is exactly two months from the start of the project.
01-23-2015, 11:50 PM
