20 March 2017 What truck?

Since the last post we made a couple of changes, noticeable changes. It seems the time is split between the garage and the truck. A little here and a little there, but definitely noticeable. Farmer, Jeff and I boxed in the front cross member. Can't tell that, but we removed the front and rear axle so that the frame is sitting on jack stands. We are very close to taking the frame down to get it powder coated. The leaf springs are off and are ready to be re-arched. I now have another front axle, from a 1976 F-250, because it has front disc brakes and a higher pinion (front differential). Should match up perfectly. There are other parts I can use, we will see in the near future. As for the garage the East end is closed off with a wall. Next is the loft, then the West end with the 12X12 garage door. Oh and Skip and Chris came to help, We needed them to help lift the frame off the axles. My word it was heavy, Little by little, here are some of the pictures.

Jeff and Farmer

Cutting and welding

Again it doesn't look like much, but that is a boxed cross member

Springs are coming off

Farmer and Skip

Just a frame

Now for the garage improvements

Jeremy and I working on the wall frame

Tennasyn took these pictures

Skip, Jeremy and I

The ladders are 12 foot high we are working on.

East wall is up!!

Inside

Let me just say, I am very grateful for family and friends who help me get things done. It is in this that I find joy. I give thanks in prayer everyday. Until next post, Viya Con Dios.

8 March 2017 Time is moving quickly by ...not the work

I have to admit if I documented every time we did something I would have 100 more pages with one or two lines on it and a picture or two. So it seems it takes awhile to show any progress, that goes for the truck and garage. The other day we added a modified part, it was a cross member for the transfer case. I wrote about it earlier, we had to modify the piece and cut and trim the frame. We had to mount it set the transfer case/transmission on it see if it fit, make spacers cut holes readjust and cut some more. Then try to clean it all up. At the end of the day (so to speak), you wouldn't think we did anything, but we did. So what we have now is the cab off, engine out ( to be rebuilt soon), the transmission/transfer case out and set aside. We are cleaning up the frame and getting it ready to powder coat, I have started to remove the springs from the axles. I plan to have the springs re-arched and add a leaf to them, hopefully making it equal to a 1 ton. This brings up another point, we will replace the front end with a updated axle and pinion and differential. The "newer" (from a 1976 truck) front axle will have front disc brakes, which is very important for the weight of the diesel as far as stopping power. As I get into this I see many things that need to be figured in. It's still fun and exciting and believe it or not it is moving forward. As a point, Farmer and I have differing ideas on wheel and tires, we kinda agree on type, it's the size. I'm telling him we have a hundred things to do yet, wheels and tires are number 75 and we are on number 25. Don't worry. Other than George doing most of the special work, Farmer and Jeremy help more than anybody. Skip where are you? zzz. Anyway these are days never to be forgotten.

                                    
                                        Hard to tell, but there are cuts and grinding being done

                                    

That's the crossmember, came from a 1993 Dodge, it's cut lower for clearance above for the front drive shaft. 

                                    

Farmer grinding and cleaning up some cuts, Jeremy making sure it's done right.

                                    

This was cut and modified for the rear driveshaft and transfer case 

                                    

More clean up, as you can see even with the cab, engine and transmission removed it is still hard to get around. We need more room.

       

    

When this is completed it should be plenty of room. Notice the engine and tranny to the side.

This garage is a little bigger (20x40 x15 high at the apex) than garage we are in now.

Here is a side view

 Until the next time "Press Forward Slade's" with steadfast faith in Christ.