Dec 22 2010
Four Link: How Not To
As a refresher: Not our Work.
The four-link, air-bag equipped rear was installed by someone else with a c-channel “crossmember” added just below the front of the rear seat.
Archive for 2010
Nov 27 2010
It’s Getting Better All The Time
It’s not that I don’t enjoy the challenge of trying to figure the shape created by the cross-section of a cone as it’s intersected by a slope of x degrees so I can cut the right size & shape hole without having to scrap a piece I’ve just spent hours cutting, bending, and fitting into place (i.e. a transmission tunnel meeting the front floorboard), but yesterday I was contemplating why I might concern myself with working on areas that nobody else will notice.
The reason for repairing a significantly structural piece like a body mount is relatively obvious, but the only real reason for making the indent and pressed hole match an original on a part that will sit behind and beneath the inner wheel well of a non-restoration vehicle is simply for the joy one receives from taking pride in their work.
Nov 26 2010
Tangents
Considering all the prep work I did on the floor and trans tunnel last week, I really thought I was going to get a lot further than I did today. I can’t blame anybody but myself. I mean, who really cares if the seam between the front of the trans tunnel and the floor is overlapped 1/4″ and hammer formed? It takes considerable time to stretch an outside radius this much without tearing the metal. Why not just weld it and be done with it? The guy driving it sure isn’t going to see it from where he’s sitting. There’s even going to be an engine and transmission in there eventually and nobody but nobody is going to see up under here.
Nov 21 2010
Fitting in
After getting the windshield flange made and installed in the cab it was time to make a windshield to put into the flange.
The glass is cut from a ’91 Dodge ram van windshield of the full size variety. I picked this windshield for several reasons. The biggest reason was that it was available. 
Actually I spent a couple of hours wandering around the used auto parts emporium with a tape measure looking for a windshield that was big enough and had enough curve to look right. I also wanted one that wasn’t cracked, picky person that I am.
In order to transfer the shape of the windshield opening accurately I made a wooden windshield for a pattern. I carefully marked the pattern so that I could tell which way was up and which was the front.
Nov 18 2010
Fitting the Front Floor
I did a little more on the firewall and got it tacked in place this morning
and cut and trimed some of the front floor pieces.
I obviously have more trimming to go before welding everything together.
I ended-up stopping here due to some questions raised about the build, but things are beginning to take shape.
