EBI (Extreme Bend Inc)

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Thanks to everyone who gave assistance as to asking price.

I was going to get patch panels, etc. But by the time I added in a mig welder, wire, gas and bottle plus miscellaneous tools to hold everything in place, it was about $500 to $700 less as to price difference to the aluminum tub. Then add in the time to make the actual repairs and that's what tipped my decision to go Aqualu. If I already had all the welding equipment and tools, I would have definitely gone patch panels. I also checked to see what a mobile welding outfit would charge as well as a local body shop just down the road from me. That definitely tipped the cost in favor of the Aqualu tub.

The other thing I liked about the aluminum tub is no more rust issues. That weighed into my decision.

I'll be taking measurements as to all of the bolt locations so that I can transfer those to the new tub. After that, start listing it for sale.
 
SalmonMan said:
I wrote Gozzard off. In several attempts to contact them through their website, they never responded. I really don't care for the looks of the Aquala 3/4 tubs. Just doesn't seem to match the original. As of today 01/01/20, decided I'm going to restore this puppy to the best of my abilities. Just needs some TLC and someone who really cares. She has some potential. I'm going to do the best that I can to bring her back to her glory days, including the Freedom Red color. The PO obviously didn't appreciate what they had or didn't care and just wanted to screw over the next owner. Ok, I bit for $16K. But since I can do a lot of work myself, not an issue.
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My tub arrived today. Casually looking it over, appears I need to purchase the reinforcement brackets for the roll bar. Is this something you did in your build. I wasn't able to determine if you did or didn't in your build thread.

Thanks,

Dennis
 
SalmonMan said:
My tub arrived today. Casually looking it over, appears I need to purchase the reinforcement brackets for the roll bar. Is this something you did in your build. I wasn't able to determine if you did or didn't in your build thread.

Thanks,

Dennis
Click to expand...
That arrived fast. No I didn't add any support underneath. The fender wells looked pretty tough to me so I didn't. But if that is a concern for you then maybe a long 6" wide plate going along the underside with 8 holes in it would work. Metal tech makes a frame tie in kit if I recall. Metal tech also sells a complete roll cage that's very nice. If your considering a full roll cage, now would be a great time to install one.
 
White Stripe said:
That arrived fast. No I didn't add any support underneath. The fender wells looked pretty tough to me so I didn't. But if that is a concern for you then maybe a long 6" wide plate going along the underside with 8 holes in it would work. Metal tech makes a frame tie in kit if I recall. Metal tech also sells a complete roll cage that's very nice. If your considering a full roll cage, now would be a great time to install one.
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Yeah, I wasn't expecting it until next week. Glade I did the frame prep. Was also pleased that it came standing on one side, which helps a lot for storage in the shop.

Ok, thanks for the info. The tub sure looks beefy. Probably won't go full row cage. Trying to keep the wife somewhat happy and trying to keep cost down as much as possible.
 
SalmonMan said:
Yeah, I wasn't expecting it until next week. Glade I did the frame prep. Was also pleased that it came standing on one side, which helps a lot for storage in the shop.

Ok, thanks for the info. The tub sure looks beefy. Probably won't go full row cage. Trying to keep the wife somewhat happy and trying to keep cost down as much as possible.
Click to expand...
Cool. By the way, check the bottom of the a pillar on the cowl thoroughly, they can have rust that may need to be addressed. Mine wasnt too bad, I cleaned it up and coated in rust converter. You have a lot of work ahead of u to install the tub. Make yourself a list of steps and order in which to do them. Really helped me accomplish the work faster. Measure 10 times, drill once. Are you going to use the stock trans tunnel? Are you going to bedliner the inside or use paint?
 
White Stripe said:
Cool. By the way, check the bottom of the a pillar on the cowl thoroughly, they can have rust that may need to be addressed. Mine wasnt too bad, I cleaned it up and coated in rust converter. You have a lot of work ahead of u to install the tub. Make yourself a list of steps and order in which to do them. Really helped me accomplish the work faster. Measure 10 times, drill once. Are you going to use the stock trans tunnel? Are you going to bedliner the inside or use paint?
Click to expand...
Hi,

I have a couple of questions for ya. I did a quick test fit of the transmission cover and discovered some interesting issues that you might be able to help me with.

1. Driver's side. How did you rectify the hump in the floor pan? Not just for the tranny cover but also the new floor of the 3/4 tub? I'm thinking of just cutting out the floor pan to match the hump. Then cut the tranny cover to match. Open to ideas.
IMG_0509.webp


2. Hmm, interesting gap on the passenger side and when measuring the aluminum floor pan, won't cover all of it. Appears to be clearance for trans linkage.

IMG_0507.webp


3. Boy, tight clearance for the hi/lo shifter. Appears shifter will be interfered with once the boot is put back in. The tranny cover is pushed all the way back to the firewall and flush. My old trans cover is rusty on the driver's side. Might be somewhat repairable if I have to go to this route.

IMG_0508.webp


Anyway, open to all and any suggestions and recommendations.
 
Hi Everyone.
The tub arrived Friday afternoon. I wasn't expecting it until early next week. So, talk about fast shipment. Here's a photo in its crate. I was delighted to see it on its side as that saved me space. I also noted a lot of predrilled holes. Only thing I'll need to measure in the old tub is the location for the latch for the ambulance doors.

Oh, that's my supervisor in the background - seriously bored with all of this.

Got most of the frame painted with Pro-15 Chassis Black this morning (01/19). Interesting product. Will finish it once the rest of this stuff dries.

Was going to pull the air conditioning unit completely out, but since I was able to get the unit freed and easily swung out of the way, won't have to worry about the refrigerant. Gives me plenty of access to the wiring and firewall. Pulled all of the radio wiring - have no idea what the PO was thinking. Speaker wire and other wiring wrapped around the controls for the heater and air condoning unit. No wonder everything was hard to operate. Even had a wire wrapped around the emergency brake.

IMG_0504.webp
 
SalmonMan said:
Hi,

I have a couple of questions for ya. I did a quick test fit of the transmission cover and discovered some interesting issues that you might be able to help me with.

1. Driver's side. How did you rectify the hump in the floor pan? Not just for the tranny cover but also the new floor of the 3/4 tub? I'm thinking of just cutting out the floor pan to match the hump. Then cut the tranny cover to match. Open to ideas.
View attachment 2187332

2. Hmm, interesting gap on the passenger side and when measuring the aluminum floor pan, won't cover all of it. Appears to be clearance for trans linkage.

View attachment 2187334

3. Boy, tight clearance for the hi/lo shifter. Appears shifter will be interfered with once the boot is put back in. The tranny cover is pushed all the way back to the firewall and flush. My old trans cover is rusty on the driver's side. Might be somewhat repairable if I have to go to this route.

View attachment 2187335

Anyway, open to all and any suggestions and recommendations.
Click to expand...
I cut out that little hump and welded in new flat steel. If u can modify a stock trans tunnel it's a much cleaner result. Classic cruisers should have some good used transmission tunnels if yours is bad.
 
Yup Steve is a good guy just busy and prefers to be working in the shop as opposedto answering
Phone calls. Sometimes I just drive over when I really want to get something ordered but I live close enough.
good luck with the build
 
Btw your old tub is in pretty good condition don’t scrap it someone definitely needs that
youll be happy with the aqualu
 
SalmonMan said:
Hi,

I have a couple of questions for ya. I did a quick test fit of the transmission cover and discovered some interesting issues that you might be able to help me with.

1. Driver's side. How did you rectify the hump in the floor pan? Not just for the tranny cover but also the new floor of the 3/4 tub? I'm thinking of just cutting out the floor pan to match the hump. Then cut the tranny cover to match. Open to ideas.
View attachment 2187332

2. Hmm, interesting gap on the passenger side and when measuring the aluminum floor pan, won't cover all of it. Appears to be clearance for trans linkage.

View attachment 2187334

3. Boy, tight clearance for the hi/lo shifter. Appears shifter will be interfered with once the boot is put back in. The tranny cover is pushed all the way back to the firewall and flush. My old trans cover is rusty on the driver's side. Might be somewhat repairable if I have to go to this route.

View attachment 2187335

Anyway, open to all and any suggestions and recommendations.
Click to expand...
Talked to Steve (EBI) about interference with 4WD shifter and Aqaulu tranny hump. He laughed when I first mentioned it and I said this must be a common problem and he replied yup. He said I need to heat up the rod, bend it forward and in. That will correct the issue. Sooo, this is a design flaw with the cover. Aqualu rep said I must not have a stock tranny as they have never had an issue. Hmmm, think not. Actually, the 4WD lever is in full contact with the hump after really getting it very tight to the firewall. Aqualu hasn't been overly helpful stating that maybe I didn't have an original tranny. Think not.

Wiring is proving to be rather challenging. Ugh!
 
White Stripe said:
If u look at my build thread you'll see I lengthened it. Aqualu does include a spacer if u want to use it. But I just modified the mount
Click to expand...
Oh. I guess maybe I should open the nut and bolt package before asking any more dumb questions. :) Slowly but surely getting the wiring issues squared away.
 
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