Subscribing. Great work and a lot of it.

 

Are you thinking about "Boxing" that section for extra strength?

It might be a good and fairly simple idea, you could go almost a foot past and a foot before with flat steel, depending on the location of both cuts

 

Greywolf... at this point I don't think I am going to box that section of the frame. I think the frame is a bit excessive for what I will be using it for anyway, and my buddy who is a chassis builder didn't think it was necessary to box it. There is a chance I will change my mind, but at this point I don't plan on it.

 

Frame is Shortened!

I spent some time trying to get my measurements right. I had to pick a place to cut where the cut points on either side wouldn't hit any big bolt holes. I ended up cutting right next to a large hole for a body mount, which gave me a good reference point so I got the same cut locations on each side. I used a roofing square to get my cuts on the top and bottom of the frame square, and a sheetrock square to get the vertical cut right.





I also put the front wheels on a dolly so that the frame rails were level (that made lining everything up easier).

Once I had everything measured, I put some braces on the frame rails for the front so they would have support once I cut the frame. I used a section of the frame that I had cut off the back of the frame. (I also put a floor jack under the tranny support so I could adjust it). I was going to put braces on the back half of the frame so it wouldn't tip forward, but then realized that it was weighted so it would tip backwards anyway, so I just put a jackstand under the tank (which is behind the axle).

I cut the frame with an angle grinder with a cutoff wheel so I can make very precise cuts. It went pretty smoothly and I was able to bring the frame together to get it lined up. I ran out of time, but am going to grab some angle iron and c clamps and use them to get everything lined up before welding it back together.

As you can see, it looks a lot different shorter. A friend commented that it "looked like a toy", which is perfect. ;-)

 

She is going to ride like a truck I think.

 

Looking pretty great! That lift is quite the handy tool for the task!

I've been researching the dickens out of medium duty trucks/chassis/steer axles for my '56 C series build. Seeing the E450 nestled under those front fenders, I'm reevaluating my direction...

On the topic of all the cab and doghouse jockeying fore and aft, can you give a pic of the profile of the front wheel in the wheel well? Being a 53-56 guy, this wheel to fender opening position is a significant source of angst for many. Curious how your truck settles in there...

Also, could you share a dimension side to side across your front fender lips? I'm curious how the width compares to my 56... Which I'm remembering as being in the 88-90" ballpark.

 

Arctic Y block- with these springs, it is going to ride like it has no suspension... it is STIFF. But, before it is complete I am going to bag it anyway, so I am not worried about the ride.


Vintage56-

Thanks, I agree the lift makes moving the body a lot easier. I do most of my work alone so it enables me to do things without assistance.

I measured and the front fenders are 84" wide. they overlap the front wheels by about 4", but I think I need that for clearance when turning. It isn't sitting at its future ride height yet.

I also took a picture of the wheel well straight on so you can see how it lines up.

 

One step closer, the frame is welded. :-)

I used some C clamps and angle iron to line up the frame rails and hold it in place. It was interesting how there was a little bit of tension on the frame rails so that they would twist slightly and not line up. I hadn't expected this, and was able to pull it back in line by hand, but if i got the top lined up exactly, the bottom would be nearly 1/4" off. Not a big deal, but I didn't consider that it would happen.

I have decided not to box it. We welded a diamond brace on the inside of the frame rail and I think it should be sufficiently strong. My buddy, who builds race chassis for a living, is very confident in the strength.

and the obligatory pics...










Next step is to clean the frame and Por15 it, and to start working on narrowing the box.

 

Now I understand the diamond weld

 

So when ya bag it ya loose the springs and she rides completely on
just the bags. Right? That could work. I understand little about this.
I just know I have a one lane beat to hell dirt rode that is almost 20 miles
of my trip to town. Even the Civic beats me to death on it. So the first thing
I think when I see this is how much I will hurt when I finally get home.
I am thinking Hover Craft I am.

 

I guess I wasn't specific, but I plan on using airbags only, not airbag helper springs (I do have those on my 97 F250 though). The front is fairly easy, just replacing the coil spring with an air bag, the rear becomes a bit more complex as you need to change the suspension to something like a ladder bar or 4 link such as this - Trust The Air Suspension Ride Pros; Find Exclusive Deals on Hot Rod Suspension, Lift Kits, Lowering Kits, Lambo Doors, air springs, air bags, Billet Wheel Adapters, Towing Kits, Air Shocks, Air suspension Lift Kits

Now, as far as the hovercraft idea, I am all for that. I actually own a hovercraft!



I bought it for emergency use (I live in a flood prone area), but I find it is mostly useful for those odd conversations where I can say "with my hovercraft...". I never have used it in an emergency.

 

Subscribing

 

Just like Ford tells you how to do it right. Ford has a factory document, you can find on-line on how to cut and re-weld frames. You did it just like the book. Congratulations.

Phil

 

It's interesting that you can see the penetration depth of the diamond weld on the outside of the frame....

That looks like it was expertly done.

I have to say - not all of us have the resources and capabilities you are calling into play, but to know the original idea and see it coming together like this is like something out of a dream!

Yeah, it looks ugly before it gets right, but the shape and the thing are a plan and a dream in one mans mind - and it is happening one stage at a time...

It gets closer and closer, and every step well thought out.

Walt Disney has been upstaged!

This is a dream coming true right in front of us


~Thank God for people with dreams, and the means to make them happen!

It gives the rest of us ideas that we can use to make what we want to come to be happen.

 

I'm subscribing, this is one heck of a way to use a 7.3PSD! It'll be one very unique truck once she's on the road!