Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

You got my number! :lol:

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

I heard someone is going to have to free up some vacation time to get said iron.

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

Last night I finished up my new trans cross member, and this morning I mounted it on the truck. I had Nick help me hold up my last cross member and we got it tacked up. I welded it in place and started welding my spacers for the trans cross member on the frame. Nick cut the pieces we needed to modify the radiator support some more. He ground the surfaces and marked them, and I welded them in. We still have to build some reinforcing plates to help stiffen the support up. Tonight I'm going to build the trans mount, and in the morning I'll weld the tabs to the cross member. The heat and humidity is here too by the way! :devil:

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...624_225315.jpg
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Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

well just have to see who it is. ill be motoring through there sometime in the fall with my big white **** missile, so ill be available to drop it then provided plans dont change...

Ryan

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

That would work, but I know I want to make a trip to wyoming sooner than later but have to see if my planned trip to Canadia goes through.

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

transfer case crossmember looks like its much more pleasant to install then the stocker

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

Yes it is!

Okay, some more progress. I got the trans mount installed and welded the tabs on the cross member for it. This is the first time since I ripped this truck apart that it has had a trans cross member and mount bolted in it!

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Nick made great progress on the core support. Gussets are welded on and the intercooler clears the hood latch now! Tomorrow he'll finish the lower intercooler mounts and bolt the upper portion to the support.

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...626_134414.jpg
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I removed the rear end from the chassis so I could finish welding everything up on the rear axle. I only have 2 more welds to complete on one air bag mount, and I have to make some boxing plates for my panhard bracket and weld them on, and then the rear end is done. I have to finish my upper panhard bracket, weld some holes on the bottom of the frame, extend the frame at the back so the bed has a place to rest evenly, and then clean up some welds, and paint the frame. Getting closer.....

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...626_134513.jpg

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

Lookin good! what do you have to do to your piping?

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

This is a great build. I read this thread on and off for awhile now but found myself re-reading the whole thing again. I can't wait to see more!
The orange looks great. I really wish you could find 67~72 body's that clean around here. Keep it up!

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

I have to lengthen the LH CAC pipe now that we moved the IC farther down. Maybe I'll get lucky and the silicone hose I use will make up for it. We shall see.

Thanks. This truck has transformed to a complete new truck, and I've had 2 different manuals, an auto, and this is the third engine. Haha The body was pretty rough when I first got it. There are only 2 panels original to this truck, and that would be the doors. :lol:

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

Looking good bud! Cant wait to see this thing in a week hopefully!

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

So far I had to lengthen the driver side pipe 3.5" since that's how far I dropped the CAC to clear the hood latch assy.

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

Today I cut the rest of my small pieces I needed and ground them and fit them. Then I welded them all up. I finished the 2 pieces on the rear end as well. I have 4 pieces I'd like to add to the frame and then I have to finish welding some holes up on the bottom rail, and it'll be time to clean up all the welds and stuff.

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Nick made the lower intercooler mounts last night and installed the intercooler this morning. He then cut the LH pipe and started fitting a new piece in there. Tomorrow we'll finish it up.

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...627_130021.jpg

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

Sweet progress Ryan, the build is looking really good now. ill have to remember to mount my intercooler low the first time or just stick with my water/air cooler under the hood.

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

One week!

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

Zip it.... lol

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

Thanks. Yeah, I should have built a different support, but no time for that right now.

Yeah, we're feeling the heat! :devil:

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

Nick got the LH intercooler pipe completed this morning, and I installed 2 gussets on the frame and finished up some welding. Tomorrow the work begins to get it running............

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Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

That IC pipe turned out awesome. Was it Mig or Tig welded together?

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

Mig welded and then ground down.

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

Well we made good progress, but never enough if ya know what I mean. :lol: Ran into some issues, but it is back as a roller and.................................It Runs!!!! :devil:

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...630_204915.jpg

We got the frame painted. This was the first time I've used the POR-15 chassis paint, and I'm not real pleased. The gloss black por-15 lays down a lot nicer than this. We'll have to second coat this later. We cleaned up welds and sanded/cleaned the frame and rear axle.

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...630_211938.jpg
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Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

You're not gonna put a stack on it are you?
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Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

I thought so . I have always had trouble miggin pipe. Once I learned tig it is much better. Problem is I don't have a tig at home.
That pipe work looks awesome!

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

Ya got to love it when they start to look loke trucks again . once they make noise then you really get stoked . Truck looks awsome . You have come so far ! Running well ? I'm no fan of POR 15 my self. I hear of lots of people that swear by it but I ask my self if they really put some mi on it after . I used it on my hwy tractor after giving the frame a quick touch with the blaster . I actually drove it and put 100,000 mi on it and the paint was done in 6 ish months . No match for a Ontario winter I have spots on the truck that were done with trimclad yars before and they are still holding up better than that stuff .

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

That frame looks good in the pictures. I do agree with you on the POR top coats. It does not lay down like the rust paint. Next time you use it, or if you do another coat you could try this....
I set the paint can in hot water for a bit before I was ready to brush it. The heat made the paint "thinner" and it flowed much better with "less" brush marks. If you don't want to use the can you can pour small amount into a cup and try.
Truck looks and "sounds" great. Keep the updates coming!