[88chevota]

Originally Posted by brokenparts

Hey that input is on the wrong side.

oh crap!

Originally Posted by brokenparts

Looks like you did a nice job on the Lincoln locker.

ha ha yep, just welded and welded and welded some more!

[rdublt1]

Originally Posted by 88chevota

I also picked up the Ford NP205 some montero radius arms and some coil buckets. I love the local pull n pay yard! it is so cheap!

Any pics of the radius arms & buckets? How long are the arms?

The rear fenders look great man. Keep up the good work!

[88chevota]

from the mounting point on the frame to the center of axle mounting point it is 32". Basically the equivalent (my guess) to 64" leaf springs. Coil buckets are off an old f-150 I think. I'll take pictures once I get it all cleaned up.

[kling-on]

NICE score keep the pics comin ... now I need bigger axles

[88chevota]

Ok so i have been thinking a lot about what i could do with the top. Now that everything is under the knife anyway now is the time to do it.

Here is the idea i have in my head...

What do you think???

[GLTHFJ60]

Originally Posted by 88chevota

Ok so i have been thinking a lot about what i could do with the top. Now that everything is under the knife anyway now is the time to do it.

Here is the idea i have in my head...

What do you think???

No. The wagon has so many other uses, and with chopping it that little you're not gaining much of a bed, but losing a ton of interior room.

[kling-on]

Originally Posted by 88chevota

Ok so i have been thinking a lot about what i could do with the top. Now that everything is under the knife anyway now is the time to do it.

Here is the idea i have in my head...

What do you think???

I miss my top ... but the bed space is worthless so bob it and keep the top

[kling-on]

like this

[GLTHFJ60]

Originally Posted by kling-on

like this

I agree with that

[88chevota]

Bobbing would be such a pain. New gas tank and all.

I would not loose any real interior room. Still will have all the seats.

Plus I would be able to use it as a bed to hall crap around sticking out the back with breathing in exhaust fumes. I have already shortened the big butt from moving the rear wheel well back.

Perfect spot for the 39" spare too.

Does it look to funky?

[Isotel]

i think it looks cool,

But think about you, your wife and kids, and all your camping gear.. If you think you can fit it all in, then do it!

Maybe build a low profile roof rack to carry the camping gear?

[88chevota]

got some parts in today!!!

Look at the size of those johnny joints campared to the 3/4 heims!!!

[88chevota]

So I picked up a set of five of these bad boys. tires are shot, but they are too small anyway. I'll be in the market for some 39's soon. I also made some small progress. mostly just cutting things off and cleaning things up getting it ready for next steps. I also made some rollers for the axles so they are easier to move around. Nothing too exciting but a little at a time!

[88chevota]

Thanks to Mark, AKA: Man Jerk, I also got a virtually rust free roof! I think I am leaning more and more towards the idea in my head from post # 95.

[88chevota]

so I got a little done last weekend and I hope to tinker some more this weekend. Here is a pic of the doubler adapter. I went with Jed's machining because it's steel and less expensive than the others out there. It is also clockable. When I talked to him he said he would do all variations of clocking and go completely flat belly. I opted for the basic set-up which is putting the drop side of the 205 flat with the bottom of the 203. I still have the option of going down or up.

[sixty]

I just came across this thread and it looks like its going to be a bad ass rig! I really like how clean the rear wheel well turned out. If it was me I'd wouldn't cut the top since I always seem to have the back of the cruiser full on trips with more than 2 paasengers.

If you go with completely flat clocking (203 sideways and 205 flat), the top of the 205 will end up in your passenger compartment. Its best to clock it while you have the whole drive train in place and you can push everything tight to the floor board. I ended up with just about what you ordered (my 205 is about 1" above the botom of the upright 203) and had to do some massaging of the floorboard with a hammer. it didn't take much.

What are your plans for steering? There are no good high steer options for ball joint 60's without dropping a fortune on Solid Axle knuckles and outers. I'm slowly working on building arsm for my late modle BJ knuckles.

What did you use to weld your carriier? Those look like some beefy high amp welds!

cool build and keep the pics coming!

[88chevota]

Ok I am finally get to the fun stuff!!!

The tranny and t-cases are mocked up in place so I can start setting the axles. These things are freakin heavy!!! I had a 205 before but now with the 203 and 205 it is a beast!

I also did some work on the radius arms for the front! I cut off the end where the bushing was and then slightly ground down the end of the arms to sleeve over it with 1.25" wall 1.5" ID DOM tubing then welded in the threaded in insert for the johnny joint.

[88chevota]

couple more pics! the finished product of the radius arms!

[88chevota]

Originally Posted by sixty

I just came across this thread and it looks like its going to be a bad ass rig! I really like how clean the rear wheel well turned out. If it was me I'd wouldn't cut the top since I always seem to have the back of the cruiser full on trips with more than 2 paasengers.


What are your plans for steering? There are no good high steer options for ball joint 60's without dropping a fortune on Solid Axle knuckles and outers. I'm slowly working on building arms for my late modle BJ knuckles.

What did you use to weld your carriier? Those look like some beefy high amp welds!

cool build and keep the pics coming!

thanks sixty!

For steering I plan on using 3/4 heims with spacers and 5/8 heims. I will drill out the were the TREs usually are to 3/4 then weld in a 5/8 sleeve for the 5/8 bolts that will hold everything together. I plan on setting the drag link with 3/4 heims and spacers on top of the 5/8 heimed tie rod. It will all set on top of the steering knuckle (instead of under) which should keep it plenty out of the way. With radius arms in the front it does need to be too high. I plan on reinforcing the passenger knuckle somehow (will require some welding and extra steel). Since I don't have CAD or anything you will just need to imagine it until I get to that part.

For welding I am using a Lincoln SP 135-T Mig welder. It can weld 1/4" with no problems. I just cranked it all the way up for the gears. It get's pretty hot! I did multiple passes to ensure it would not come apart.

[Isotel]

Lookin good tony!

[LC_Hamma]

Originally Posted by 88chevota

Thanks to Mark, AKA: Man Jerk, I also got a virtually rust free roof! I think I am leaning more and more towards the idea in my head from post # 95.

X2 That's what I was originally trying for on my but decided to tube out the rear end instead, behind the back seats. You thinkin about enclosing it or keep it open? If you keep it open, you can shed some more weight by fabbing tube doors or cutting down your door shells, that's what I did. Can't wait to see more suspension pics. Looks great

[88chevota]

Originally Posted by LC_Hamma

X2 That's what I was originally trying for on my but decided to tube out the rear end instead, behind the back seats. You thinkin about enclosing it or keep it open? If you keep it open, you can shed some more weight by fabbing tube doors or cutting down your door shells, that's what I did. Can't wait to see more suspension pics. Looks great

Thanks LC,

I think I am going to keep it closed up. I am going to get it drive-able first then I'll do the top. I have a decent amount of rust repairs to do too on the ran gutters.

[88chevota]

Originally Posted by Isotel

Lookin good tony!

Thanks Trevor,

Did you guys find a new meeting place yet? Are they going to be on the 3rd tuesdays still? What about Taste of Philly on Academy near Austin Bluffs. Its in the same complex as Bennigans. They have a room that might work perfect and the cheese steaks are awesome!

I know I am a slacker and I need to get my but to the meetings every now and then.

BTW to our surprise my wife is pregnant with our third. Her morning sickness is all day sickness. Makes it a little harder for me to get out. I give you a finders fee if you pick up some chevy leaf springs(56" or 63") and chevy 3/4 ton front calipers next time you are at the Pull Yard.

[88chevota]

made these today for the radius arm mounts. I hope I can tack these in on the frame friday!

[Isotel]

ill keep an eye out, but im BUSY moving and getting ready for Moab!

Congrats on the 3rd! yea we are still working on a meeting place, same time.. i Love Taste of Philly ill bring it up next meeting

[88chevota]

We had about a foot of snow last weekend so it kept me out of the garage. I got a little done this weekend. I cut the brackets for the radius arms (axles end) and mocked one side up. That is it for now. I will trim them down a little and clean up all the edged after I weld it all in. The brackets will also get some trusses to keep it strong.

[88chevota]

Well I got in the garage for a few hours today and made a little progress. I was able to get the passenger side radius arm set and the brackets all welded in! Here are some pictures of the progress.

[88chevota]

some more...

[88chevota]

more...

[brokenparts]

make sure you get a wheel/tire on that axle and turn it to full lock. You dont want to burn the those perches in and the find out that the tire is going to rub on the link. My link perches are ending up on the inside of the frame rail to clear my tires.