xBLAKEx's 1988 Supercab Build

[Grey_04]

I agree! Even stock, i think they just look mean compared to the 2nd and 3rd gens. I personally have never really liked the round look for trucks, nor do i like the head lamps and blinkers and in one unit.

true and you don't have half the garbage under the hood the newer trucks have getting in your way..

 

[xBLAKEx]

true and you don't have half the garbage under the hood the newer trucks have getting in your way..

Very simple just the way i like it.

 

[xBLAKEx]

Bought a diamond plate bed-toolbox from a friend for only $40. It needs to be cleaned up, and the latches need to be replaced because on one the lock is missing.. and the other one is crap. Anyone know a good place to get replacement latches?

I also picked up some steel from my girlfriends dad for free. It's a super good start for the front/rear bumpers and headache rack. I'll have to clean it all up because it's been out in the weather for awhile, but can't beat it for free! I'll have pictures up later.

Going to have to read up on how to make some of the bend cuts for the front bumper.. I want to make two cuts to bend the ends in, so the middle could be out a little more.. Kinda like this, but not such a drastic bend on the ends \______/

Do you just wing it, or is there some mathematical way to figure out how much to cut out?


My 'New' Toolbox

 

[xBLAKEx]

Little Update. Started the front bumper! Kinda torn on how i wanna do the winch.. [even harder to figure it out without a winch..] Was thinking about doing a hitch receiver in the front and rear bumpers, so i could easily attach the winch front or rear. But then I have no idea where i'd store the winch and the mount for it..

Here's a crappy shot of all the steel i got the other night for the Bumpers and Headache Rack. It's nice and rusty, and some of it is painted blue or something. I am thinking about getting the bumpers powder coated in the end.

The front bumper i think 3"x6" rectangular steel. Kinda mocked it up to determine where i need to cut the chassis.

Took off the grille and bottom piece, not sure of the official name..

Once i determined where i wanted to cut the chassis, i went ahead and just cut it with the grinder.

How do you guys mount your front bumper? Angle steel bolted inside the chassis and welded to the bumper was what i was thinking? Open for your ideas

 

[n_bannerman]

How much did you chop off the front of the frame?

I used 2x2 1/4" angle to attach my rear bumper to the frame using 4 1/2" grade 8 bolts.

 

[Dugan]

When I did mine we cut the ends of the frame knucles off and found C-Channel that fit into the frame rails. Stuck the peices in and bolted them to the frame. Once we found out where the extensions were level we tightened the bolts and burned it in. Then we had the winch mount plate, placed that on the extensions, Bolted and burned. Then held plate steel across the front tacked it on and cut a hole for the fairleads. Once mocked up we fabbed a little more on the design of it and added steps to the top and with 2x2 square did a 45* brace from the bumper to the frame rails along with a 2x2 running along the bottom of the extensions hidden behind the bumper.

 

[xBLAKEx]

How much did you chop off the front of the frame?

I used 2x2 1/4" angle to attach my rear bumper to the frame using 4 1/2" grade 8 bolts.

Well I just marked where the lower valence was over the chassis. Then when i took it all off i made a two equal cuts just behind those lines so the chassis wouldn't show when the valence was put back on. I think it measured 2" 1/8" from the cross member there, out to where i made the cut.

The Angle i have is bigger then 2x2.. But it was free. Here's some pictures of how it sits today.


With the lower Valence on [ it's bent ]

When I did mine we cut the ends of the frame knucles off and found C-Channel that fit into the frame rails. Stuck the peices in and bolted them to the frame. Once we found out where the extensions were level we tightened the bolts and burned it in. Then we had the winch mount plate, placed that on the extensions, Bolted and burned. Then held plate steel across the front tacked it on and cut a hole for the fairleads. Once mocked up we fabbed a little more on the design of it and added steps to the top and with 2x2 square did a 45* brace from the bumper to the frame rails along with a 2x2 running along the bottom of the extensions hidden behind the bumper.

Do you have any pictures of the way you did your winch mount and all? Did you put the angle on the inside of the chassis or outside?

I want to have the winch in between the chassis, but there seems to be almost no room for a winch. There's a cross member and the radiator. I don't really like the big front bumper look. I wanted to build something proportional to the truck. [ A slim kind of look ]

I wish i had a winch i could mock this all up with..

 

[wizkid00104]

Looking sharp! I am extremely jealous of your lack of rust. That frame looks as good as the day it rolled out the factory doors.

 

[CodyXLT]

did the stock driveshafts fit after the lift?

 

[Dugan]

Well I just marked where the lower valence was over the chassis. Then when i took it all off i made a two equal cuts just behind those lines so the chassis wouldn't show when the valence was put back on. I think it measured 2" 1/8" from the cross member there, out to where i made the cut.

The Angle i have is bigger then 2x2.. But it was free. Here's some pictures of how it sits today.


With the lower Valence on [ it's bent ]

Do you have any pictures of the way you did your winch mount and all? Did you put the angle on the inside of the chassis or outside?

I want to have the winch in between the chassis, but there seems to be almost no room for a winch. There's a cross member and the radiator. I don't really like the big front bumper look. I wanted to build something proportional to the truck. [ A slim kind of look ]

I wish i had a winch i could mock this all up with..

Mine was on a 79 Ford f150, I have some photos on my phone I think ill dig them up later

 

[xBLAKEx]

Looking sharp! I am extremely jealous of your lack of rust. That frame looks as good as the day it rolled out the factory doors.

Thanks. Haha I was actually really surprised on the lack of rust when i painted the chassis. Only had some around the rear drivers side cab mount/ gas tank, due to a bed liner i think.

did the stock driveshafts fit after the lift?

The stock drive shafts fit yes. But with lifting the truck i have changed the pinion angle, so the rear end binds up when first accelerating. I'm planning on getting rid of the rear 2 piece drive shaft for a one piece drive shaft from a 97 or 98+ 4x4 supercab ranger/ mazda B series.

Mine was on a 79 Ford f150, I have some photos on my phone I think ill dig them up later

That'd be awesome if you could post some pictures! I'm still kinda stuck on how much i need to take out to get the right bend on the ends.

 

[xBLAKEx]

Tonight I got some stuff done on the front bumper. Still a lot of work to be done on it. Hoping to get it all attached to the truck by the end of the up coming weekend.

The first thing i did was determined how much steel needed to be cut out to get the right bend. I first drew my perpendicular line 3" away from the cut out i drew [ that makes the bend right after the chassis ]
I just used a speed square, and drew a 10° angle. Positioned the bumper where i want to mount it. Then put a piece of steel where i drew my mark and it seemed to be just the right amount of bend.


Perpendicular Line:

10° Line:

Once my lines were cut i was debating with using the plasma cutter or just the grinding wheel. Went with the grinding wheel.. Worked out really well.

Kinda mocked it back up, to see where it was sitting. Seemed like what i wanted, so burned them in.

Tacked

Little green strap wasn't doing it.. Pulled out the big guy.

Cuts Lined Up Really Well!

After the bends were all welded up went ahead and cut out the 'cut out' with a grinder ha. Due to using the grinder the corners were a little tricky. I got close as possible with out crossing the cuts, and hit it with the sledge. Came right out.

Thinking about putting the top piece i cut out on the bottom [ Probably going to shorten it ] Maybe install some kind of power source there if i did.

 

[wizkid00104]

That is beautifully done. Keep up the good work!

 

[RangerBoy94]

This is my favorite first gen!!!

 

[xBLAKEx]

That is beautifully done. Keep up the good work!

Thanks man! Hoping the rest will turn out.

This is my favorite first gen!!!

That's quite a complement! Thanks, it means a lot!