BlackBetty Alterations Thread

[97BlackBetty]

Raising the Front Hitch

I started this mod thinking it would be easy....

My original intent was to flip the hitch to allow for better approach angles, while still using four of the original mounting locations. This would have most likely been possible with a body lift, but I dont have one on so it took a little more cutting than I was hoping for.

This is how it started, this is how it is meant to mount from the manufacturer.

Hey LOOK!!! A bolt decided to remove itself for me, (whoops).

I started by removing the hitch. I also removed the bumper to allow myself a little extra room. (I will later regret this choice).

I immediately decided to flip the hitch and see how lucky I would get, it became apparent that a stock cross member would be in the way. Since I was adding the hitch in as a cross member I cut the original out.

The front end with everything removed.

 

[97BlackBetty]

Hitch Flip cont.

So it was time to see what would still need room.

There are rings on the hitch to hook safety chains to, I realized that the rings would interfere with the bumper mounts. Lets cut off the bumper mounts!!! (I thought it was a good excuse to make a bumper, I am still kicking myself)

I again tried to place the hitch in its position, I wanted the hitch to sit as close to the radiator as possible, so I removed the lower radiator support straps.

The steering box was in the way, and since you cant exactly cut a chunk out of those, I had to remove the rear corner of the hitch.

I again placed the hitch where I wanted it, and drilled my holes to place the 1/2" Grade 8 bolts. There are 3 per side for now, I may put in a 4th.

When all was said and done I only achieved one of my original goals, to raise the height of the hitch. I removed the two mounting locations that originally attached to the sway bar mounts.

This is it fully bolted up, and I hope ready to use.

Here is the starting and finishing heights:

Start

Finish

Now that it is finished, what would I have done differently? I would have removed the safety chain rings to allow use of the bumper mounts and stock bumper.

I would have probably put on the body lift, I would have been able to raise the hitch another inch or so.

 

[metalmacguyver]

Looks good.

Fab is definately a do it and learn thing. When you have a welder though, its possible, not always easy, but possible to undo any mistakes made with the grinder.......

 

[97BlackBetty]

Hey metalmacguyver, this is what I did for my transmission mount on the radius arm crossmember. It is ugly, but it is strong and it works.

 

[97BlackBetty]

Looks good.

Fab is definately a do it and learn thing. When you have a welder though, its possible, not always easy, but possible to undo any mistakes made with the grinder.......

I have the welder, and the skill to fix it, I just dont have the power. The place we are renting does not have a 220v source. So I cant run my old as dirt Lincoln. Although, if I can find the cable, I might make an extension cord for the welder so I can steal electricity from the laundry room. I think some good marine 50 amp cable should work, but its expensive.

 

[Kirby N.]

Just add a 220 circiut. Not hard. I did it in my house. It was really easy because breaker box i in the garage. Prior to that at my dads we used a ghetto extension cord he booty fabbed up to the dryer hookup. It was out of the 220 Romex type stuff you buy at lowes, with a ghetto dryer plug wire nutted on the end! I ended up hard wiring it into the welder and put an actual non ghetto head on it so now the welded hasa built in extension of about 10 feet or so.

That way you can weld those angle iron pieces together instead of putting 4 bolts in at strange angles!

 

[pickuptrucker]

sounds like me when i did my first few projects except i was worse! fabbing is a blast i am in a full time program now so dont worry ha ha. results look really good though i like the cross member mod how did you cut out the stocker?

somebody told me using a laundry room circut might blow stuff up??
good job!

 

[97BlackBetty]

sounds like me when i did my first few projects except i was worse! fabbing is a blast i am in a full time program now so dont worry ha ha. results look really good though i like the cross member mod how did you cut out the stocker?

The stock crossmember has 4 welds that attach it to the frame. The welds on the front side I used a cut off wheel on, and the welds on the back side I used a grinding wheel. Its pretty easy to figure out once you take a look at it. Oh and I used the BFH when I got tired of grinding.

somebody told me using a laundry room circut might blow stuff up??

I dont know how that would happen, so long as its a 220 circuit there should be no issues. 220 in the laundry room needs to be built to the same minimum standards as 220 in the garage.

 

[metalmacguyver]

I have the welder, and the skill to fix it, I just dont have the power. The place we are renting does not have a 220v source. So I cant run my old as dirt Lincoln. Although, if I can find the cable, I might make an extension cord for the welder so I can steal electricity from the laundry room. I think some good marine 50 amp cable should work, but its expensive.

I used a marine shore power cable, 8ga*3 conductor, 50 feet long, that I picked up for $20 off of craigslist. I put new plugs on the ends and had a nice extension cord. Keep an eye out on craigs list for some one selling a stick welder with an extension cord. See if they will separate the cord.

 

[bombsquad]

sweet ride!!!

 

[97BlackBetty]

I just got spinned into a whole nother dimension of pissed off that I have never been before. <----Those just helped a little. I pull the front end apart to install my locker. This is the second time it has been apart since I completed my build. The first time was for a fluid change.

I go to remove the set screw that retains the cross shaft, and guess what the shop did that installed it, thats right ladies and gentlemen, the head of it is not there. They must have broke it installing it because I havent touched it since I got it from them and it didnt fall out when I did the first fluid change, I was paying attention to make sure anything big like that didnt come out.

So since I dont have an easy out that small, I have to wait till tomorrow to pick one up, and get a new screw from the dealer.

I wish that shop wouldnt have shut down, I really want to tear them a new one.

 

[Combs Customs]

From what i understand, the front TTB D35 uses a roll-pin to hold the pinion shaft in, not a bolt. So you should be ok.

 

[metalmacguyver]

Yup. Take a second look at it. That should be a roll pin.


And dont be surprised if the roll pin doesnt fit throught the crosspin. Mine didnt. I put the stock crosspin in and we will see how it holds up.

 

[97BlackBetty]

Well, after a long and strenuous battle that claimed the lives of 2 good flat head screw drivers (it ok, they were craftsman) I knocked out the roll pin and was able to install the front locker.

And I thought knocking the roll pin out was a pain, getting it in sucked. I got it in far enough that it is retaining the crosspin and I banged it flat and out of the way.

It gives me an excuse to buy more tools and take the truck apart again, but the next time the front diff is out I will replace it properly.

I also recieved my D44 knuckles, spindles, backing plates, and stub shafts from Bray D today. I will post some pics tomorrow.

 

[compleckz]

woah, i'd get a new roll pin and get it in all the way.. i would not trust it with just one side of the carrier retaining the pin!