Fiftee3's suspension & bagging project

[Fiftee3]

Greetings all!

First off, I am so happy to find this forum. I joined instantly. There is a lot of information here and more in the way of what I am looking for, mainly bagged trucks!

This will be my first post, so I thought I would just dive right in and start a build, or suspension build thread.

About me: Name is Phil, 55 years young, married, live in Somerset County NJ, enjoy hot rodding and always have. I try to do everything myself and not as talented as some/most of you out there Also own a 56 210 Chevy with a ZZ454 BB.

About my truck: It’s a 53 3100 ½ ton. I bought it about 5 years ago and had it shipped here to NJ from Missouri. It came primer gray, kinda beat up, with a 216, 3-speed on column. I got it running and drove it for about a year. Driver’s side block was cracked (common), so I upgraded to a 235. I changed to a T5 trans, front disc brakes, new kingpins, rebuilt rear brakes, made my own wood plank bed, new master cylinder upgrade with bracket, and swapped the bench for a set of Silverado seats with the chest seat belts built in. On the 235, I added Williams headers, Summit Racing HEI distributor, MSD wires, Offy dual manifold, dual weber carbs, and dual exhaust out the back. I painted it myself (first time) flat black. Overall, I have been very pleased. Truck drives good and steers pretty well with minimal bump steer. I should probably leave it, however, as you all know, I need to press on!

So, I have ordered and received a complete bagged MII front end kit from JW Rod Garage (real nice people here), rear parallel 4 link from Paul Horton Welder Series (another super nice vendor), step notch from Paul also and will soon be ordering a Ford 9” with 350’s. My goal is to get close to the running boards, and, still retain the straight 6. From my measurements, I think I am going to have to fab the oil pan. I have read here that when using the JW kit members here have notched the front frame 1 ¾. If I do that, I’ll have issues. If I don’t notch it looks like it will make it, but I don’t know how low I’ll get it. “some help here if anyone can assist”. I also just purchased a new Miller 211 so I am ready to go. I am in no hurry so my posts here may be slow sometimes. I will photo as much as I can as I know it is always beneficial to others.

In closing, again, happy to be here. I am always enjoying the crazy talent that some of you possess and wish you were my neighbors!!! Below are a few pics of how it looks now…
Phil

[iowaboynca]

Welcome. that's a nice truck you've got there.

[Coach529]

Looks like a GREAT start. I will tag along and watch!!

[jweb]

I have a JW rod garage front end with shocks & springs. The crossmember welds to the bottom of the frame and the spring hats to the side, so it doesn't give as much ground clearance as some other kits.

Yours may be different.

[pugs]

good looking truck ya got there

[FarmerSid]

Nice truck!!! Your story and plans sound bang on.

[52MNResto]

I also have a JW Rod Mustang II bag kit, with power rack. I have not notched mine. I compensated with 2" drop spindles. I called and bother those guys a lot... didn't find center line before I took out the old straight axle. rookie mistake. but live and learn. My advice is test fit and tack oh and measure until your tape is broken before you burn it in. Good luck!

[Advanced Design]

Welcome! Sounds fun, I will tag along.

[oldman3]

Welcome to the group, nice ride...Jim

[rtinniste]

Nice choice on the 211 I just bought mine a couple weeks ago.

[Fiftee3]

Hello all, Its Saturday 2/6/16,

First, thanks for all the kind words.
Today I started taking things apart.
Started with the hood



Then drained and removed the radiator and removed wiring alond drivers fender and pass headlamp.



Then, I decided to remove the entire clip. Turned out to be fairly easy.
7 bolts per side along firewall and the two bolts that hold radiator support to the front cross member. took me about an hour and a half.






Next I will mark centerline and removed old setup. I will level frame on stands and with engine in, see how much clearance I have to new JW Rod Garage cross member. If all is ok, I will remove engine/trans, and start welding.
Project will be moving slowly due to large honey dew list! Till then!

Phil...

[ChuckDriver]

Cool project, love the 2 tone blue 56!!

[Fiftee3]

Today 2/7/16,
So I removed the old front complete axle, shocks, ground off the upper shock mounts and removed them, and removed the steering box.



Then ground down inner lower frame rails to equal the top rail for test fitment of the JW Rod Garage front cross member.

Passenger side...


Drivers side...


I will have to notch out for the steering rack and weld in a half circle...


Overall, I am happy with the clearance. I have heard some kits hit the oil pan of a 235. I have about 1.5 inches...


That's all for this weekend. Will post more soon...
Phil

[lv2tri2]

Nice truck! How would rate the performance of your motor, set up as it is? I will surely watch your progress.

[Hilljack51]

I've never installed a JW rod garage crossmember but I just finished installing a MII and I can't imagine the geometry being that much different. I set my frame front to back at a 2 degree rake, measure just in front of the transmission crossmember.

[Fiftee3]

Got everything mocked up this week... Moving along, slow, but sure..
[ATTACH]1512561[/ATTACH

[Fiftee3]

welding it all in...

[Fiftee3]

I had posted about extra support. some said not needed. I fabbed these for extra upward inertia...

[Rude Dude]

I did the same but used two supports, never can be two safe and cheap insurance.

Originally Posted by Fiftee3

I had posted about extra support. some said not needed. I fabbed these for extra upward inertia...
Attachment 1512585

Attachment 1512586

[Titorod]

Nice build, great looking truck.

[Sim6]

Nice truck! Interesting heater core set up. What's the interior heater fan look like?
Jeff

[Fiftee3]

Thursday 4/14/16,

Thanks for nice comments all. Sim6, I would take a photo of inside heater box. Too dark right now!

So Saturday I mocked up front end. And yes, measure 10 times weld/cut once!!! I welded upper shock mounts the day before without checking upper control arms...had to grind em, and redo. All good now. Actually enjoying this. Learning lots...here's some pics;

[Fiftee3]

tonight got cab off after work...

[Fiftee3]

going to sand, grind center frame now. Paint w/por 15 like front. Run new stainless brake lines and run front air lines for bag to back. Going to clean engine and paint wheel color to match plan. Mount engine in frame, run and weld exhaust in place instead of all the clamps I had. Running out the running boards on drivers side. Then remove rear bed, weld in 4 link, bags, air tank, compressors, etc. Getting there.

[Advanced Design]

Moving along quickly!