Frame on? Resto?

[Ilovelamp]

Hey guys, new here, I've been reading stuff on here for 6 months. I'm rebuilding this thing it was an asphalt crew work truck... Its a mess but I've got it completely torn apart and I'm about to start reassembly soon. I'm wondering if you guys might give me some ideas on upgrades I could do while I'm in there. I've got all this stuff so far:

Banks sidewinder kit
Mishimoto radiator
Mishimoto fans and controllers
Moved the fuel filter to the frame
Electric fuel pump
Hydroboost parts
Saginaw conversion parts
Tesa tape to rewrap the entire harness

The picture is where I currently am. Still have a little cleaning to do but I'm getting there

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[Kizer]

Welcome to the forum.
Put a detailed description of the truck in your "signature" so that we know what you're working with.
Good luck, have fun.

 

[subway]

for some tight steering
https://www.oilburners.net/threads/borgesson-steering-shaft-just-do-it.85689/

heck for some great reading, take an evening and read through Mikes build! his truck turned out very clean and puts most of the rest of us to shame!
https://www.oilburners.net/threads/project-big-red.63615/

 

[Ilovelamp]

for some tight steering
https://www.oilburners.net/threads/borgesson-steering-shaft-just-do-it.85689/

heck for some great reading, take an evening and read through Mikes build! his truck turned out very clean and puts most of the rest of us to shame!
https://www.oilburners.net/threads/project-big-red.63615/

Thanks man! Will do, it rained last night so no work today!

 

[Garbage_Mechan]

The picture is where I currently am. Still have a little cleaning to do but I'm getting there

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Wow that looks like where my 96 is at now but the engine is still out.
Started out to replace front cover and ended up just doing everything I have wanted to do for past 10 yrs plus a lot of that “while we are here” crept in.
New cab mounts.
Sand frame, remove all sharp corners and edges, paint with epoxy. Remove AC box and clean (highly recommended)
Push back firewall for downpipe clearance, gut the cowl and wiper linkage, clean out old failed sealant, treat rust that was just beginning, lube wiper linkage. Remove windshield that had leaked for a while, sand treat rust where sealant failed, new windshield.
Cover firewall with Thermotech heat/sound barrier as well as A/C plenum. New core support. Install intercooler. Likely going to put hydroboost on along with a ps cooler. Install Reverse Shackle Kit along with SD springs. Probably forgot 20 more things !

 

[Garbage_Mechan]

If you havent, 3 things I would do for sure at the point you are in the photo....
Split the AC plenum and clean out the 20 plus year collection of stuff you won’t believe and reseal everything. While you are at it at least move that stupid little vacuum reservoir box from above the valve cover....you will see.
While that is out look inside the cowl for built up debris, and failing sealant with rust forming below it.
Even though your engine is still in, I would do the firewall mods for the downpipe now too. With the fender and AC box off you can see right in there.

Watch out for the “while I’m here” bug, it bit over 2 years ago, granted there were 2 big family emergencies in there too.... Mom died and wife got deathly ill. Sometimes working on the truck kept me sane but now it is time to go into assembly mode!

 

[Ilovelamp]

Split the AC plenum and clean out the 20 plus year collection of stuff you won’t believe and reseal everything. While you are at it at least move that stupid little vacuum reservoir box from above the valve cover....you will see.

Even though your engine is still in, I would do the firewall mods for the downpipe now too. With the fender and AC box off you can see right in there.

That bug has already got me... I took it apart to reseal the crank... Now I'm literally doing everything you mentioned besides the windshield. What is the firewall mod? Also, what vaccum thing are you talking about? The little block? I got hydroboost and an electric vaccum pump for the hvac, so shouldn't need any of that lol. I laid under it for about two hours pressure washing the bottom of the cab so I can por it. Probably going to paint the long block Friday. I dipped the injection lines and cleaned up the pump last night, so that's ready to go back on

 

[Ilovelamp]

Cleaned up my injection pump and got my factory battery cables today.

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[Garbage_Mechan]

Attached to the AC plenum in the stupidest spot possible just above the valve cover is the reservoir for the HVAC controls. It has one vacuum line attached and is apx 2x3x4. It can go anywhere you wish to run a vacuum line. Or be replaced by the 80’s round ball one with a more practical mounting bracket.

 

[Garbage_Mechan]

The firewall mod is at least cutting and folding the seam just above the bellhousing to make room for the turbo Dow and up pipes. If the engine is out a portapower makes it super easy. My problem is good enough never is so I have clearance for 4” downpipe now, but spent many hours making and installing reinforcement plates after I split the firewall.

 

[Garbage_Mechan]

Your comment on cleaning the bottom of the cab is me too!
I was having an argument with myself today.....cab mounting bolts are out to replace mounts.....that leaves brake lines, steering column and wiring.......should I jack up the cab a foot or so I can finish cleaning and painting the frame back to the front of the bed? (I’ll have the bed off in another session) It is already perfect up to the front cab mounts......

 

[Ilovelamp]

I completely understand I've lifted my cab about 3 inches, but I've got some pipe stands at my disposal so I'm going to lift it 6 or 8 inches so I can por the top of the frame without restriction and paint the rear of the engine without missing spots. After I get the engine and frame back together, the steering system will come off. I bought some very expensive tape to rewrap the entire harness and heat wrap so I can keep the glow plug harness from falling apart again. My brake lines seem to be good so I'll leave them alone for now.

 

[Ilovelamp]

Looks like Christmas up in here. Still a bunch coming. I took everything but the block to powder coating today. Should get it back pretty quick. Also got the engine ready to paint and prime tomorrow hopefully!

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[Ilovelamp]

Also built a puller and got the harmonic balancer off finally

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[Jason1377]

@Ilovelamp where about in Arkansas are you great progress so far it looks and congrats on giving another idi a new life.