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The "Mule" Build

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Old Nov 5, 2015 | 07:55 PM
  #91  
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Today I cut the rear brace heres some pics



Any suggestions on how to reinforce the rear? because there is no way the rear brace will fit. If I weld my hitch will it be enough?
Im just trying to figure out what or how to do it. Maybe a 2x6 C channel welded connecting both ends?
 
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Old Nov 6, 2015 | 11:41 AM
  #92  
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I think the C-channel idea will work.
 
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Old Nov 6, 2015 | 06:35 PM
  #93  
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Well I spoke to soon . I put the rear brace upside down and notch it and worked heres some pics of the progress




Front brace notched



Welded and re drill new holes for bed bolts to go thru


My welder decided to die a slow death, lost one cylinder putting a hole on the block. My weld was done with only one cylinder so it was not good



The front brace is getting grade 8 bolts I have to buy some tomorrow




 
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Old Nov 10, 2015 | 07:30 PM
  #94  
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Its done. Fuel tank is in and im taking a mini trip to Alburquerque N.M to Sandia peak and Jemez national park this coming weekend . Lets see if i can do it on just the rear tank I estimated somewhere in 600miles round trip including those places mentioned
 
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Old Nov 16, 2015 | 04:31 PM
  #95  
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Well didn't go to Alb. but did use the truck the whole weekend maybe drove another 100 miles the tank now sits at 3/4.. With the other fuel tank I would of had an empty tank by now. Highly recommended if you don't want an auxilary fuel tank on your bed.

More goodies to come
 
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Old Nov 16, 2015 | 06:45 PM
  #96  
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Nice job! I have a 50 gallon tank from an '02 E450 MTA bus that I'm gonna try to stuff under the rear of my truck one of these days.
 
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Old Nov 16, 2015 | 07:36 PM
  #97  
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Originally Posted by ReBilld
Nice job! I have a 50 gallon tank from an '02 E450 MTA bus that I'm gonna try to stuff under the rear of my truck one of these days.
Thank you! Its going to be an even tighter fit, but I would only recomend to go as big as the 44gal because of now my exhaust (4") is almost hitting the fuel tank, I had to put a piece of tire sidewall for heat reduction and in case they come into contact it wont tear the fuel tank.
 
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Old Nov 16, 2015 | 07:59 PM
  #98  
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The tank I have is basically just square, well...it has flat sides I should say. I have done some rough measuring and I think I can make it fit. My truck has 5" exhaust, and I will have to cut one corner off the tank to fit around the exhaust. I think I can make it work. It's just a matter of when now! LOL!
 
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Old Nov 16, 2015 | 08:35 PM
  #99  
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Originally Posted by ReBilld
The tank I have is basically just square, well...it has flat sides I should say. I have done some rough measuring and I think I can make it fit. My truck has 5" exhaust, and I will have to cut one corner off the tank to fit around the exhaust. I think I can make it work. It's just a matter of when now! LOL!
Thats always the dilemma. I could of done this in a weekend if I had all the parts, and if my welder didn't decide to self destruct
I search here and on other forums, and seems im the first to achive the swap, all other fuel tank swaps were for the front tank, wich by the way looks really low if your not lifted.
 
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Old Nov 17, 2015 | 06:41 PM
  #100  
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Originally Posted by z31freakify
Thats always the dilemma. I could of done this in a weekend if I had all the parts, and if my welder didn't decide to self destruct
I search here and on other forums, and seems im the first to achive the swap, all other fuel tank swaps were for the front tank, wich by the way looks really low if your not lifted.
Yeah. I wanna do one in the rear. I thought about doing the 38 gallon rear, but I wanna do away with the front tank completely and use that space for an air tank for future on board air plans. Also wanna stuff my train horn up in there too..... The 50 gallon tank was free and gives me a lot more fuel. Come to think of it, it may be a 55 gallon tank.....I think it is. But anyway, it was free! LOL!
 
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Old Nov 17, 2015 | 06:57 PM
  #101  
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Originally Posted by ReBilld
Yeah. I wanna do one in the rear. I thought about doing the 38 gallon rear, but I wanna do away with the front tank completely and use that space for an air tank for future on board air plans. Also wanna stuff my train horn up in there too..... The 50 gallon tank was free and gives me a lot more fuel. Come to think of it, it may be a 55 gallon tank.....I think it is. But anyway, it was free! LOL!
Nothing beats free. Still trying to figure how to build a skid plate
 
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Old Nov 17, 2015 | 07:00 PM
  #102  
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Originally Posted by z31freakify
Nothing beats free. Still trying to figure how to build a skid plate
As nice as your tank turned out, I'm sure you wont have a problem with skid plate.
 
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Old Nov 17, 2015 | 07:12 PM
  #103  
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Originally Posted by ReBilld
As nice as your tank turned out, I'm sure you wont have a problem with skid plate.
Thanks. One of the other members mentioned the skid plate and got me thinking and its a must, you never know when something desides to jump in front of you
 
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Old Nov 17, 2015 | 07:13 PM
  #104  
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Originally Posted by z31freakify
Thanks. One of the other members mentioned the skid plate and got me thinking and its a must, you never know when something desides to jump in front of you
Yeah, I would definitely put a skid plate on it for sure.
 
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Old Nov 17, 2015 | 07:22 PM
  #105  
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Originally Posted by ReBilld
Yeah, I would definitely put a skid plate on it for sure.
When I was mocking up the sd skid plate it was way to long, I have to figure something up but day light is starting to fade earlier, and its starting to get cold
 
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