53 3100 - complete rebuild and upgrade . . . .

[dsraven]

holy cow, thats gonna hold whatever you bolt in! do you plan on some weight reduction?

[big_dan]

Originally Posted by dsraven

holy cow, thats gonna hold whatever you bolt in! do you plan on some weight reduction?

Definitely. It'll end up around 1/2".

Dan

[big_dan]

Here you go dsraven; a little weight reduction. Started at 3/4", now 0.550". Lots to go, this is just the start of course but I'm happy this far.

I re- read your question; the closest the headers are to the boxed frame is about 1/4" by the starter.

More later -

Dan

[8man]

That is nice, you should have done a video of you doing it.

[big_dan]

I don't know about a video, but thanks for the input. Still playing around with the trans bracket; more later. Thanks for looking -

Dan

[dsraven]

It's for anti vibration

[big_dan]

Originally Posted by dsraven

It's for anti vibration

No no no it's to not work backwards and have to re-do my other crossmember! It still has some weight to lose.

Dan

[big_dan]

Ok - took the boat out and fished the weekend, so I spent the afternoon trying to get the crossmember addition finished. The pads on the frame rails will be bolted, just not sure if I'll do a thru- bolt with a tube so it doesn't crush or just weld in a bung and drill/ tap it. Either way, it's almost done and only weighs 100 lbs. Or maybe 10? Not sure. Oh - yes,
the headers and H- pipe can still be removed with the addition installed. Thanks for looking -

Dan

[big_dan]

Measure twice, cut once etc, etc. Whittled out just enough to get the cab sitting back down, and I'm happy to say it laid out exactly as I'd hoped. If I didn't mind it being super tight I could get away with no tunnel, but I'll give it a little space. The shifter has multiple locations available too, so time to figure out seats also. Moving along -

Thanks for looking-

Dan

[8man]

Looking forward to the cover plate build.

[6DoF]

soooo ... can we just mount the throttle pedal to the back of the drivers side head?

[youngrodder]

Originally Posted by 6DoF

soooo ... can we just mount the throttle pedal to the back of the drivers side head?

I figured he was running a hand throttle and the hole in the firewall provides a clear bath for the rope.

Marc

[big_dan]

Originally Posted by youngrodder

I figured he was running a hand throttle and the hole in the firewall provides a clear bath for the rope.

Marc

There's plenty of room, gents. More interesting will be getting the clutch and brake pedals figured since they'll be hanging instead of the through- floor originals, but that's in progress also.

Thanks for looking.

Dan

[joedoh]

i bet you will have plenty of room for brake and clutch pedals, i dont remember if you centered the column on the gauges or used the original notch but i have always felt the gas pedal was too far to the right away from the other pedals.

Originally Posted by 6DoF

soooo ... can we just mount the throttle pedal to the back of the drivers side head?

[big_dan]

A little shiny stuff .....

More later.
Dan

[6DoF]

i love the color choice on the smooth wheels, that's going to be a great look.

[youngrodder]

Great choice of color. That will look nice next to the red.

Marc

[big_dan]

I appreciate the input, fellas. I wanted to go a little different from standard colors and I'm digging it thus far.

Starting to play with the tunnel/ firewall a bit and getting the body parts back on to get the running boards fitted up. Goal is to have it off the chassis jig and rolling by the end of summer.

More later -

Dan

[youngrodder]

Originally Posted by big_dan

I appreciate the input, fellas. I wanted to go a little different from standard colors and I'm digging it thus far.

Starting to play with the tunnel/ firewall a bit and getting the body parts back on to get the running boards fitted up. Goal is to have it off the chassis jig and rolling by the end of summer.

More later -

Dan

By "Rolling" do you mean under its own power?

Marc

[big_dan]

Originally Posted by youngrodder

By "Rolling" do you mean under its own power?

Marc

Boy I wish! No, just off the jig. Still have some body work, all of the wiring and plumbing, etc to do. Just ready to get the heavy fab finished.

Dan

[Rickysnickers]

Nice work. JMO, but I think the front wheels look good that size.

[youngrodder]

Yeah nothing wrong with those front rims/tires from here. Trucks look weird up in the air on stands. Once you set it on the ground it will look very different. I bet your good with keeping with your current set up.

Marc

[oldman3]

#3 here, I think front wheels look great...Jim

[dsraven]

If that's at ride height, what will the ground clearance be?

[big_dan]

Thanks for all the input, fellas. It's appreciated. I'll hurry up and get the running boards fitted and get it on the ground - I tend to agree that once it's out of the air it'll look right 😆

It's at ride height as it sits, running boards will be 5" off the ground.

Thanks for looking -

Dan