"Big Darla" Build Thread

[XionicWaste]

I just got back from the store and I got the unions and now no leaks! today i am going to finish the welding, get the bob done and move the gas tank to its final home.

 

[Josh40601]

Where are you putting it?

 

[XionicWaste]

the box. Im going to make some brackets, build a box around it, then another box for my tools.

 

[Josh40601]

so you are keeping the 21 gal tank?

 

[XionicWaste]

sure am, she's still a daily driver so I want the range and it fits too perfect in the bed to pass up, not to mention the easy factor.

 

[Josh40601]

Yea man, i don't blame ya. It sucks only getting 150 miles to a tank. Hopefully the LS will give me better mileage

 

[XionicWaste]

So yesterday I got my fuel lines and welding done. I used the unions Kage recommended and they worked great! I also got all the welding done. The old thunderbolt still does a great job!

Then today I tried to cycle my suspension fully but couldnt find anything big enough to get a tire off the ground. Any suggestions? Maybe its time for a Hi-lift.

Then I threw in another cross member and welded on my shock mounts. They now are 3 inches longer but I also moved the lower shock mounts up to the middle of the axle so I need at least a 14 inch shock but Im pretty sure the truck will flex alot more than 14 inches.

So now that all the welding was done I could throw the box back on.

I needed to cut a hole in the bed for the new shock mount but with my luck it landed right on a box cross member.

So now with the box on I could see that it was sitting hot rod style. I didnt like that so I took out the stock bump stop blocks:

So I cut the u bolt threads to make it easier:

And removed the block:

I cut the u bolt threads with my sawzall and to my surprise I could thread the nuts back on without having to grind the threads. All 8 worked out perfectly!

Now you can see it sits more level:

Today felt pretty productive, I even went wind surfing!
My question is: whats the best way to cycle my suspension or how can I find out the best shock length.
Tomorrow is fuel tank and make the bed bob look better... MORE BONDO!

 

[Kage]

So yesterday I got my fuel lines and welding done. I used the unions Kage recommended and they worked great!

Glad to hear it worked out for ya!

...Then today I tried to cycle my suspension fully but couldnt find anything big enough to get a tire off the ground. Any suggestions? Maybe its time for a Hi-lift.

A high lift won't do it for ya, Cherry Picker:

Or If you have Access to a forklit:

Is the way to go. Other wise you'll just have to make due with whatever 'natural' objects you can find laying around..

....Tomorrow is fuel tank and make the bed bob look better... MORE BONDO!

Try to keep the bondo thin. Tinner Bondo = Less chance of "chuncks' poping off when you rub it against something.

I'm still digging it!

 

[Josh40601]

you can also use a ramp like i did. I just went to a shipping and recieving place, and drove up the ramp until the rear tire came off

 

[kris97ranger]

this thing looks like it needs bigger meats... but its lookin sick

 

[XionicWaste]

lol I agree. they're 35s but I know 40s would fit and I doubt they would rub too. I see dana 60s in my near future...

 

[XionicWaste]

So today I started off by removing the gap between the bed and cab.

Then I stated working on the gas tank. I first layed down the old gas tank skid plate:

Then I welded that to the bed and layed some carpet down so vibrations wouldnt rub through the tank:

Not much space after the spare is in:

Then I took the old tank straps and welded those to the bed too:

I put a hole in the bed for the fuel lines and power cable, I put a rubber gromet in there so dont worry.

I cut apart an old life jacket to pad the tank straps:

I extended the power lines using a trailer lights harness so I could disconnect the cable and pull the bed off easier:

A few weeks ago I pulled my drivers side door off because I was going to make some bar doors and I foolishly cut the cables.

So eventually I had to put it back together. I stipped all the wires:

Buttered each one with solder:

Soldered each one together:

Heat shrunk each one:

I also put the license plate on and the tail lights back on too.
I still need to bondo, make a gas tank box, shorten the tail light wiring, cut more of the tail gate (around the frame rails) and cut the rear bumper. Then I would like to make bar doors, sliders, possibly front bumper.

 

[Josh40601]

I'm really not liking teh carpet idea. The PO of my 68 did that and it ate the whole front of my bed out. I used some foam from Harbor freight, and cut it to fit the straps. Worked like a charm.

The wiring looks great buddy! The bed looks a lot better too! Are you putting a mount for the spare or no? I still use mine as a truck a lot, so i just bought one of those bed nets and use it. Works great. Never had a problem even wheeling.

 

[4.0B2]

why didn't you use some type of wire pigtail or something on the door wires? could make your doors removable that way! lol

of course removable doors are easier w/ manual stuff to lol

 

[XionicWaste]

PO? ate our bed out?
I said foolishly because after I cut all those wires I found out there was a big ol plug just on the other side of the parking brake. No need for a pig tail, ford already had one.