wow guy, good goin looks great.

Today was a pretty good day - FINALLY stopped raining, got a bunch more work done outside, and got hired for a job at the local lumber yard. They're gonna train me to use a forklift <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/ignore.gif" alt="" />

So axle is all assembled and lieing in front of truck:


I welded a 2" receiver tube into a notch in the Trail-Gear xmember:


And notched the factory crossmember, and started to grind the ends of the factory crossmember flat so the hanger fits nice and tight up against it:


Probably gonna go out and grind the other side of the crossmember flat and call it a day.

-Scerb

i see u got some tires under that beast now <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

don't get smooshed. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shiner.gif" alt="" />

thanks mom.


<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

Truck is on all fours now <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />



Those springs better settle a good 4inches...... if not I'm taking out a leaf to lower the front. The 3" body lift is coming out, btw (before i do shock hoops).

Tacked the crossmember on first, then put the axle in and set it down to check shackle angle. Notice the nice tight fit between the factory and TG crossmembers <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />


Shackle was vertical which is what it should be I guess since the springs are new:


Welded the crossmember on, getting better still with the welding - I'm happy <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cyclops.gif" alt="" />:


Dark pic, but this is how it sits now. Still gotta weld the back of the crossmember, shackle tubes, motor mounts. I am gonna get a FROR severe use front crossmember brace and weld that on, and do some additional bracing to the receiver tube.


-Scerb

How far forward did you mount the spring hanger? Almost looks flush. Did you grind down the bottom of the body mounts to get the 'tight fit' on the hanger? I thought about doing that.

I like the 2-tone look you've got going on with the axle. Just spray clear all over the bare add-ons and be a rolling ad for TG <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />.

Ya, the hanger is just about flush. yes i ground down the body mounts. Probably bout 20min with cut-off disc and made it SO much easier to weld.

And that paint job unfortunately won't last a winter most likely. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/angry.gif" alt="" />

-Scerb

So I towed the truck back into my driveway with my 2wd. The SAS is mostly done (gotta brace the receiver tube/hanger a little bit since Ima be towing from it, weld in stocks/bumpstops, make driveshaft) but its driveable on the road right now. I replaced my timing chain, but in the process I was retarded and crunched the headgasket while putting the timing cover back in place. Serves me right for trying to rush it back together before work, I'm an idiot. So its head gasket time tomorrow <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

Othern that, got some pics:




The two of them <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />:




I got Tyler's old longfields <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> One birf turns real hard, and is covered under warranty. The splines on that same birf are pretty stripped. Bobby Long may replace the innards, or the whole birf, either way I got a good deal on about 1yr old longs. :



Gettin' there...

-Scerb

So FINALLY it has been dry and daylight out when I have not been at work, and I got some pictars:

Got everything painted and the front has settled quite a bit which is good:




Flexed it out pretty good. The rear shock maxxed out - I gotta lessen the / \ angle of them.



I cheated and made an RTI ramp outa some 2x8's <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/baby.gif" alt="" /> (still only 2wd) :


I sorta eye-balled the bumpstops and it looks like I'm gonna need to only trim <1/2" off them, if that. Is that what other people have found with the TG 3" kit?

I also ordered a Marlin Crawler rotated dual case adapter today <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> After that and the Longfields go in, I'd say the truck is more/less happy for the next year or so.

-Scerb

One more thing to add to your list of to do's.... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" />

Paint the rear axle / springs too..... front looks nice & purty.. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />