Air ride conversion/frame stretch

[Freightrain]

Ok, it was brought up that I should post my project.

Current layout: 150" wheelbase

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addition: Neway air ride with 4.10 gears

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Started today pulling stuff off:

My diesel genset:

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fifth wheel:

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Fenders and other stuff:

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It's just about to the point of pulling the rear axle. I have to cut about 12" off the back of the frame to make it fit inside the length of the addition. I'll be picking up the bunk(42") this coming week some time. It's "FREE" so I'm taking it It's a walk-in so I'll be cutting the back of the cab open.

The bulk of the frame stretch will come together pretty quick as it's a slip fit that I'll have about 60+" of overlap to bolt up. Will be plenty strong for what I do with the truck. It should be back on its wheels in a few weeks, then just plumbing/wiring/driveshaft.

I'll post up more pics as it goes along.

 

[trapper]

Looks good man

 

[Goofyexponent]

THAT is one SWEET ride!!!!! I am assuming triplex (5 and 3) and the thermodyne inline 6?

There was an old Mack R-600 at the concrete plant I worked at. Too long ago to remember what was in it for an engine and trans, but it WORKED!! Big ol' long nose on her!

But I REALLY like the looks of your rig! Reminds me of the movie Maximum Overdrive!

 

[Freightrain]

Yup, original 673/triplex. Still going strong. Will be looking for power transplant next.

What I do with it:

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I've been three states away in it. She runs about 63 mph, with the gear change it should top out about 72 mph.

 

[Freightrain]

Today's milestone(ain't no going back now)

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Last 12" of framerail is cut off and suspension is gone

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This morning I went and picked up the lastest donation to the cause:

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42" bunk made by Bentz. Nice shape inside, needs some cleaning and a mattress

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I've got an auxilary tranny picked out to add to the mix. Should be me a pretty tall OD and top speed of about 85 mph If it's got enough HP to get there

Cleaning and painting existing frame tomorrow, getting tranny on Monday. Hopefully by the weekend things will be coming back together again.

 

[towcat]

nice project
I am surprised to hear you're cutting into the cab sheetmetal though.

 

[Freightrain]

Well, not that I really WANT to, but to let you know it's not a pristine resto. Like most B model cabs, it's got issues and though mine is decent looking and I already put a whole new floor in it, it's not a great loss to cut a hole in the back wall. I don't think I'll be putting a full size hole as the sleeper is a bit tall and with my round cab it will be quite a job to match it. I'm likely going to shorten it by 6" or so, so it matches up with my existing back window height.

I really wanted an A model KW 36" bunk with the small crawl through, but this was free and a bit bigger. A really cool Mercury sleeper would have been very period correct! Cha-ching.

 

[Freightrain]

Update


Today's project was slipping the new frame onto truck:

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It's presently set at 206" wheelbase(just a bit more then the factory 150"):

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picked up 4 spd Spicer box to add to the mix:

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It will be a 5x3x4 now


Will be bolting frame up next week, then air lines, electrical and driveshaft/aux. box. I have spoke hubs coming to convert it over. Hope to be ready to drive it in a few weeks? The bunk will be a new project after truck is drivable.

 

[maniac]

I have spoke hubs coming to convert it

Your changing the Budd wheels to spoke?

It sure would look cool with aluminum Budds all around

Should ride a whole lot nicer with the air-ride.

 

[Freightrain]

Yes, would like to put Budds all around, but still working on getting front axle converted. It's not rocket science, but it's an added expense right now that I don't have to spend. This will get it mobile again and when I get the front done all I have to do is slip the budd hubs back on the rear.

Anyone want to donate 6 shiny wheels????

More work done over the weekend.....

Got it all bolted together:

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Made new brackets for air tanks:

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Got box hanging for lining up mounts:

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Got some air lines run, need to make a parts run for more fittings. I need to pick up my Dayton hubs to get my tires put on it. Got box mounted and driveshafts hooked up. I'm not holding my breath, but hopefully in a few weeks it should move :thumbsup

Then it's on to the bunk project.

 

[Dieselcrawler]

any updates?

 

[Freightrain]

Matter of fact............

In the last couple months I've been working on it slowly, and forgot to post some updates here.

Got it running:

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Got the bunk set up on the frame so I can start on that part of the project:

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Got the back of the cab cut out:

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Now I needed to start on a frame work to be able to screw the rubber boot to the back of cab. Using 2" wide 14ga sheetmetal I bent and ground to fit:

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The opening on the bunk was too big, so I needed to build a framework to bolt to the opening and then weld a matching opening of cab.

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More 14ga angle iron was used to make opening. Using metal stretcher I was able to form it to a cardboard template of cab opening:

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Tadaa...

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Rear of cab:

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New opening for bunk, it will be shimmed up about 2" to mate with cab

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Was out painting rear of cab today so I can them get boot mounted up. I'll reconfirm height for opening in bunk and then weld it in place. I'm drilling out he existing rivets round opening and then using new .03 aluminum sheet will then close opening and recut to new opening.

Painting will be just spray bombs of close enough "white" color. No time for paintjobs right now so it's going to have to be "close enough" for now.

Finishing up front bunk mounts also as they will take some finesse to work using existing holes in frame. I'm trying hard to reuse any holes I have instead of making more holes. I also need to butcher up the stack brackets too as the front bunk mounts are in the way . No biggie.

It's come a longggg way from this.................last October

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[maniac]

Lookin good so far

 

[Freightrain]

More stuff done this weekend.

Got the stack brackets clearanced to fit around bunk mounts. Pull everything and got some paint put on.

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Started on tin work

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Had to cut small hole so I could reach through to mark other hole. My garage is too narrow to open bunk doors

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More fitting

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Just about time to paint and bolt this thing together for good
Still lots of little things to do, but this will make truck usable.

 

[Dieselcrawler]

looking good.