I was going to replace the old cab mount bushings. Thinking it might be a little higher than the old ones. This would be the new height to build the rest of the mounting brackets. I looked over the old ones yesterday and will just clean them up and use them. Moving forward.

Thanks for the advice!

 

I know it’s overkill, but I have the material. Started with a piece of 4 x 6 inch 1/4 wall tubing.



Cut some 1 and 3/4 inch holes in the top of the 4 inch wide part at 28 inches on center. The bushings have a 1 and 1/2 inch piece that locks the two halves together. That should make alignment easier.



I welded plates on the bottom half of the tube with 4 - 3/8 inch holes to bolt to the frame. I left the opening on top to access the bushing, nut and washer. I plan to drill holes in bottom corners of the plate to allow the tube to drain. I’ll paint it with frame paint I’ve got from another project.

 

Picked up bolts today. Will test fit the rear cab mount support tomorrow. If it is all ok, I will clean and paint before installation and final cab alignment. I also changed my design on the bed mounts. I will make one once the cab is aligned and the bed body lines are checked again.

 

The new rear cab support fits perfect with the new bushings. Next, I will align and tighten down the cab. Set the bed back up to match the body lines of the cab, then measure and fabricate the bed mount brackets. Then I’ll take them all off to clean and paint before final installation.

 

Thats looking sweet as... will you be covering the holes? for weather or pests.

 

Thanks for the reply.

I was planning to drill holes in both corners of the tubing, about 1/2 inch or so on each side for drainage. I was not planning to cover them. I’ll paint it inside and out with frame paint I bought for the Scout frames.

 

These are the versions of the bed mounts that I have come up with.

#1 Original design.

#2 Reduced the overall height of the bracket to be able to get two pieces from one section of 9 inch frame rail.

#3 Changed the bolt diameter and reduced the width.

#4 Reduced the width and moved the holes inside the upright support. The smaller footprint will allow me to miss a cross member rivet set at the front bed mount location.

#5 Modifying #4 to add bolts on top at each side of the bracket.

 

Started working on rough cutting the steel for the bed mounts.

Life got in the way the last few days.

Keep trying to figure out how not to let that happen, but it does anyway!

 

You know something, your truck sounds like its going to be cool as... looking forward to seeing the end result... and will be here till its done.
Also, yep I think most blokes have stuff in there lives that get in the way of cool projects and forces them into budget builds, quit their builds or just never start one... good that youre still going!....you mentioned a couple of times now of things or 'life' getting in the way, Im here if you need another point of view or figure out something... otherwise, I do hope all is well.

 

All is well! I appreciate the kind words.

My dailey driver started kicking out lean codes. Still haven’t gotten to it yet.

My wife’s car battery died. Done

My backup car has broken spot welds in the rear subframe support and a rusted out battery box in the trunk.

Life is what it is! No worries at all, I’m used to dealing with things out of the ordinary.

I have been wanting to build this truck for so long, I can see it with my eyes closed!

How are things with your builds? Any progress yet?

 

ahh those things... ok yeah thats just life indeed.. good it seems, its nothing major.
Man, i can visualize your truck too... and looking forward to it... definitely looking forward to starting mine... soon!!!
One things for sure, the engineer who passed my F350 will also be doing the F700... really nice bloke and is keen to see progress too (more so if i use a 6v53)

 

Do you get a choice of who does the inspection? We don’t have that here, so not familiar with it.

Getting close to going out to the shop time, 9 am eastern is usually my start time. What time are you there?

 

Cutting the frame rail pieces in half.




Sanded it down and applied layout dye.




I’ve about got my first piece shaped, but still have holes to drill. Will use this one as my template for the other five pieces. Taking a lunch break, then back out to do some more.

 

Finished up my first piece that I will be using as a template for the other five.




Started cutting 4 inch tubing for the upright support.




Got all six of the uprights cut a little longer than needed. I will make the final cut before assembly. The front, middle and rear supports are all a little different.

 

Yes, we here get to choose/find an automotive engineer whos qualified with the Government but also does these types of inspections... not all engineers specialize engine swaps or new things thats a bit off the norm... then finding one who's reasonable to work with... thats gold.
Time here right now is 1615... US, depending where is about 16 hours behind, so right now its about 1215 aka just after midnight.