53 3100 - complete rebuild and upgrade . . . .

[big_dan]

Thanks fellas. I'll work on getting it bolted in the next few days then it's on to headers.

Dan

[big_dan]

Spent an afternoon playing around with ideas for bolting in my crossmember. Decided against just drilling holes in angle iron and went a different route. Turned and threaded up all my slugs to weld through the chassis also. More later -

Dan

[big_dan]

A little more progress on the trans xmember. Still a little rough but we'll refine it a bit later. Moving along -

Dan

[youngrodder]

Originally Posted by big_dan

A little more progress on the trans xmember. Still a little rough but we'll refine it a bit later. Moving along -

Dan

Looks great. I dig those mounting tabs....very cleaver...

Marc

[dsraven]

good to see a beefy cross member in there. since the frame has lost the old cross member behind the engine the frame will be prone to flex some between the front and trans cross members. this can affect the cab mounts and some fellas have had issues with the door gaps changing and doors closing properly. big HP will also make it worse. the cross member you built looks beefy though.
just another thing to consider.
nice machine work you are doing, impressive work and planning processes.
keep the pics coming, they stoke the rest of us a bit to get us off the couch.

[big_dan]

Thanks for the input, fellas.

As for the frame flexing, I'm not completely finished with the support between the front and rear, but wanted to get everything mounted first (engine, trans, headers e.t.c) before I fully draw it out. That way, I'm not fighting it later. The plan is to integrate everything from the motor mounts and trans mount to the driveshaft loop, so there's plenty left to cipher on. Plus, the boxed frame should help too.

More later - thanks for looking -

Dan

[big_dan]

Just a little progress to keep motivated. Once the old bass boat comes out it's hard to get shop time !! Finished getting the crossmember mocked up and got the slugs tacked in, so it's something anyway.

More later -

Dan

[joedoh]

super nice!

[NorCalGal]

You do very nice work sir.

[youngrodder]

Great detail.....it takes time. There are no short cuts with this build.

Bravo...

Marc

[mongocanfly]

very slick on the trans crossmember..!!

[big_dan]

Thanks for the compliments. Should get it welded up in the next week or so then I guess I'll start headers. That's always fun!

Thanks for looking -

Dan

[olcarguy]

Nice job sir....

[big_dan]

Not a lot of progress, but the crossmember is done for now, so time to get the 5.3 and cab back on and move to the next item.

Thanks for looking -

Dan

[big_dan]

Headers next?

More later -

Dan

[dsraven]

Would be good to have a cab on there to mock up steering column angle before getting headers, maybe.

[big_dan]

Originally Posted by dsraven

Would be good to have a cab on there to mock up steering column angle before getting headers, maybe.

Agreed, of course. Slapping the cab back on is no biggie. I'll get the cab back installed and do the passenger side first. Plan for the driver's side is to get the column and steering shaft complete, then build headers.

So really, I should have said headers-firewall-column-steering next LOL.

Thanks for looking-

Dan

[big_dan]

Another minor update.

Last set of headers I built I started with "U" and "J" bends. This set, I had an epiphany and thought I'd start with a pre-bent set and see how that works out. Either way there's substantial fabwork involved, but I thought it was worth a shot. So, here goes the passenger side while I ponder steering columns and such on the driver's side. FYI 1-3/4" with 3" collectors, planning to have cutouts right behind the H-pipe.

As you can tell, no where close. Yet.

More later-

Dan

[big_dan]

Slowly but steadily making progress on headers. Started on the passenger's side, should have everything tacked up soon I hope. Went ahead and grabbed my booster, steering column, u joints, heim joints and DD shaft so we can attack the drivers side when this is finished. No where near final yet, just showing a little progress.

Thanks for looking -

Dan

[reaper71]

looking good



Mark

[youngrodder]

Looks great. Keep at it..

Marc

[big_dan]

Thanks, fellas.

One more piece, moving forward. Ididit steel column (not SS, going to paint it), 30", 1" DD shaft, tilt and turn signal with universal GM harness, no shifter. I'll start this once I finish the passenger side. Kicking around the idea of making my own wheel, but we'll see about that.

More later -

Dan

[youngrodder]

Originally Posted by big_dan

Thanks, fellas.

One more piece, moving forward. Ididit steel column (not SS, going to paint it), 30", 1" DD shaft, tilt and turn signal with universal GM harness, no shifter. I'll start this once I finish the passenger side. Kicking around the idea of making my own wheel, but we'll see about that.

More later -

Dan

Looks good Dan....I went with the same column and painted mine as well. On my previous truck (48') I had the chrome column and it was too much bling for my liking...

Marc

[big_dan]

Youngrodder - I didn't think I'd like a chrome column either. Thanks for looking-

A little header progress. Passenger side is fitted up. I kicked out the rear tube for length; that keeps all 4 tubes within a few inches of each other. I may change it, so I'll not weld them up yet. Pics are pretty self- explanatory, so I'll shut up and study on the drivers side a bit. . . .

More later -

Dan

[mongocanfly]

Really nice...I had a buddy that built his own headers for his wagon from scratch...lots and lots of work hrs in them..yours look great