1949 Chevy 3800 AD Dually

[Old77]

I know I should be working on JW but something with this just said I need worked on. I’ll probably hit a wall soon and be back working with JW.

Sometimes projects just speak to you I can't judge for progress or lack thereof on anything. I'm at a snails pace on my stuff, too

 

[RangRayy]

Here comes a photo dump, I’ve been busy with the cab

I finally found a great use for my plasma cutter. If you don’t have one I suggest investing in one! Made this job 10x easier.

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I was able to use it to cut out the original front support. Something my cut off wheel/grinder would’ve had trouble reaching.

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I took the doors off since they left part of the floor on top of the rockers. Made it easier to cut out and remove.

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I cleaned up the back of the seat riser so I could tack in the first piece of the frame work. This 2x1 rectangle tubing should be plenty sturdy enough for the floor I’m planning.

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I need to hammer and dolly, hammer and a block of wood actually, the top of the rockers to flatten everything out before welding in the side rails.

 

[RangRayy]

I squared everything up for the front cross bar. Equal measurements everywhere. Remember kids, measure twice cut once er weld once lol

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Once the front was tacked I cut my side rails and tacked them in. I learned from others not to have them as close to the edge of the rocker. Allowing a small gap for the sheet metal to fold over which should let the doors fit properly.

Next came the issue with the angle pice from the sides to the front. It was chore figuring out the right angles but I nailed it.

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To which before I tacked it in I had a stroke of geniusness…hey you should make a template of the piece so life is easier. Since everything is square the measurements are all the same. So I did just that…

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And….BOOOOOOOOM! I have a complete outter frame work for my floor.

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Not too shabby for not knowing what I am doing. Just kinda winging it and going with the flow.

Now to tackle the inner supports and where I want the cab mounts etc.

 

[Old77]

Looks good!

 

[RangRayy]

Not a lot done this week on the cab. I made a deal with my wife that I cannot buy anything for this project unless I work an OT day which are usually Sundays. Today I stayed home so nothing new and exciting for it

I did find a loophole though, I can still work on it

This afternoon, after the Mother’s Day activities, I went out to the shop for some R&R. I was able to cut and weld in the horizontal support, hopefully the one the seats will “rest” on.

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I went out and measured the width of the 1 ton frame rails and transposed that onto the front brace. Found the “middle” and now trying to figure out the transmission tunnel supports. I probably should figure out what engine trans combo first. Any suggestions I’m all ears.

Frame is 34” wide and the cab is 51” in the front. I would like to use the ‘50 factory frame mount brackets if possible just need to figure out where they’ll be located first.

I thought this was going to be super easy and I’m glad it’s not. I am enjoying the puzzle solving just as long as I make it so it is safe. Don’t need any accidents.

 

[RangRayy]

Today I decided on a placement for the transmission “tunnel” and tacked it in. I am not sold on the placement but for what I needed to do next it had to be.

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Which was setting the cab on the frame to figure where the cab mounts need to be.

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I know the cab is too far forward but I had to start somewhere. I was able to take some measurements and get a rough idea on cab mount locations.

So time to bring the frame in and work on getting the stock cab mounts knocked off.

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I broke out the plasma cutter and cut off the mounts instead of cutting the rivets and hammering them out. Made it so much easier.

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Since I had the plasma out I brought the 50s frame up and cut off the stock cab mounts to use.
*Helpful hint* when something has been sitting and it’s summer time wasps and other trash make homes in them. They don’t like to be disturbed. Ask me how I know? I have a few red dots on my shoulder and back.

I could’ve used the square body cab mounts since I can drill a hole anywhere or add supports but I didn’t like how big the bushing would’ve had to been. I think the 50s mounts will work better.

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I keep telling myself this will be worth it in the end, this will be worth it lol.

 

[Old77]

 

[DoubleDingo]

@RangRayy That reminds of a time when I was working as a park ranger. We were painting bathrooms, I was on the ladder, and there was a wasp nest under the peak, and I was close to them. I was moving slowly as to not disturb them, and was almost done when one flew up my sleeve. The shirt was heavy material and with it tucked in, the back would sit away from my skin. Figuring I could take off the shirt without getting stung, I slowly got off the ladder and was slowly unbuttoning my shirt, had undone the last button and was about to remove the shirt when the S. O. B. (apparently that is a bad word on here...OY!...had the edit it to have spaces) stung me. It was its last sting

 

[RangRayy]

@RangRayy That reminds of a time when I was working as a park ranger. We were painting bathrooms, I was on the ladder, and there was a wasp nest under the peak, and I was close to them. I was moving slowly as to not disturb them, and was almost done when one flew up my sleeve. The shirt was heavy material and with it tucked in, the back would sit away from my skin. Figuring I could take off the shirt without getting stung, I slowly got off the ladder and was slowly unbuttoning my shirt, had undone the last button and was about to remove the shirt when the S. O. B. (apparently that is a bad word on here...OY!...had the edit it to have spaces) stung me. It was its last sting

Ouch

 

[RangRayy]

Broke out the trusty plasma cutter again and got to work cutting down the 1950s cab mounts.

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I found an image online for measurements and dimensions. It called for on the AD trucks center of front wheel to front edge of the cab door 31 1/8”. I marked that on the 80s frame to get as close as possible.

I tacked the mounts in and I think I like their placement.

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I was searching high and low for bushings when I remembered people have used hockey pucks. So I think I’m going to source some with a couple metal sleeve inserts and big washers. Unless anyone has some wisdom on why they’d be a bad idea.

 

[DoubleDingo]

Pucks worked for decades. I say roll with it

 

[Finkaire]

My buddy had one, used it as a water truck for the growers in Humbolt County

 

[RangRayy]

So I rolled with it on the hockey pucks. I drilled them as close to center as I could and for good measure added some metal sleeve inserts to help keep the pucks from crumbling under stress.

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The original cab mounts appear to be in the correct location. I guessed and got something right or at least I like where they are placed for the cab. Shockingly enough things are lining up as the should. I like where the cab is sitting now versus when I set it on a couple weeks ago.

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I still need to add 1 more puck to level it out even more. The final test will be mocking the front clip up. If everything is in the correct location then the wheel wells will look right and I can fully weld the mounts.

Making progress and liking this challenge even more.

Todays frame mount vs a week or so ago

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[RangRayy]

Getting closer and closer… the cab does in fact need to come up another inch or so in the front. Before I pulled the cab off and the frame out to free up the shop I wanted to see how the front clip looked/lined up. Boy howdy this is looking sharp. I still need to come up with a name for this project….

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There is some trimming needed on the inner wells to fit but that was to be expected.

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But all in all pretty happy with the placement of the cab mounts and once the clip moves back it should look “factory” and not odd spaced with wheel placement.

Hay season is upon us so my free time is going to come to an end here soon. Unless I get a bunch of rainy days.

 

[RangRayy]

I am officially a member of the LS Swap Club. I picked up a complete LM7 out of a 2001 Chevy Tahoe with 170k miles from the harness and computer all the way down to the transfer case. Everything drove and ran like it should.

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This was a deal of the century. I gave 2 crisp new Benjamin’s for it and I didn’t have to lift a finger pulling it out.

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I snapped a bolt in the bottom bellhousing location trying to put it on my engine stand. I am going to try welding a nut on and backing it out that way. If that fails I might try an easy out or just drilling it out.

Plans are to get it cleaned up and installed. I won’t have a driving truck just yet but it will allow me to set the cab and front clip and position everything the way I want.

I’m not sure if it will stay in the dually or not. I may throw it in JW(my ‘87 squarebody) or my ‘98 Z71 and use their power plants in this build. I just couldn’t pass this deal up even if I don’t end up using it for this build.