This has been a important and necessary surgical procedure. I thought it so important that I was willing to have a digital picture documentary of the procedure for others who may have to undergo the same in their future. I only know of one other member who has gone through this procedure but I suspect there will be more. Thus, the importance of this documentary.
I have one of the best surgeons working on this tummy tuck. He has been instrumental in doing the same for many others but hasn't taken on a client with my specific physique. Being that I could barely see my "Inchworm" beyond my extended "belly", this tummy tuck was absolutely necessary.
OK, enough fun. Bud (yes, that Bud) offered to use my rig as a template so that he could mock up a kit for those who want to take advantage of the space created when an Inchworm Lefty is installed into their rig. Once you get a Lefty installed, you see this amazing gap and wonder, "what could I do with all that space".
Bud came up with a plan of attack and the surgery has begun. As Bellydoc has detailed in a number of his threads on this topic, by re-routing the cross-over exhaust, fabbing up a new transmission crossmember, a nip here, a tuck there and over 3" can be found at the "belly" of the FJC. Taking away 3" at the "break-over point" of the FJC is nothing less than being able to run a 6" taller tire. In my case, that will be like going to 41" tires. No, it won't elevate the pumpkin but it will get everything tucked "above the frame rails" which is an amazing feat in itself.
Enough talk, here are the first set of pics as taken by Bud during the procedure. Of course, I have been rendered unconscious knowing a bit of cutting is in order...
The belly is opened up with a clear view of the Inchworm Lefty, something I haven't seen for a long time due to my extended belly...
Here is the mocked up exhaust to be re-routed around the Lefty, above the frame rails...
Another view of the mocked up exhaust, final exhaust pieces will be mandrel bent...
Another view of it joining the stock exhaust...
Side view of how tucked everything is...
Another side view with a couple of skidplates from Bud still in place. You can see where the gas tank skid is on the left and the "stock" placement of the skid is on the right. What will happen is that the skid plates will go straight, w/o bends to the gas tank skid. That vertical displacement will be gone and a smooth skidplate from the frame rails side to side and front to back...
This gap will be gone...
Here is one "issue" that Bud is dealing with. The driver's side cat is going to be the lowest point on the belly at this point. He is going to do some "creative welding" in order to get it up and out of the way as best he can...
Another view of the cat and how it will need to be tucked up a bit to get full clearance...
That's all for now, stay tuned for the completion of the surgery, creating the transmission cross-member and button it all up with some skid plates to protect the new, fit and trim, freshly "tucked" belly of my FJC....
I have one of the best surgeons working on this tummy tuck. He has been instrumental in doing the same for many others but hasn't taken on a client with my specific physique. Being that I could barely see my "Inchworm" beyond my extended "belly", this tummy tuck was absolutely necessary.
OK, enough fun. Bud (yes, that Bud) offered to use my rig as a template so that he could mock up a kit for those who want to take advantage of the space created when an Inchworm Lefty is installed into their rig. Once you get a Lefty installed, you see this amazing gap and wonder, "what could I do with all that space".
Bud came up with a plan of attack and the surgery has begun. As Bellydoc has detailed in a number of his threads on this topic, by re-routing the cross-over exhaust, fabbing up a new transmission crossmember, a nip here, a tuck there and over 3" can be found at the "belly" of the FJC. Taking away 3" at the "break-over point" of the FJC is nothing less than being able to run a 6" taller tire. In my case, that will be like going to 41" tires. No, it won't elevate the pumpkin but it will get everything tucked "above the frame rails" which is an amazing feat in itself.
Enough talk, here are the first set of pics as taken by Bud during the procedure. Of course, I have been rendered unconscious knowing a bit of cutting is in order...
The belly is opened up with a clear view of the Inchworm Lefty, something I haven't seen for a long time due to my extended belly...
Here is the mocked up exhaust to be re-routed around the Lefty, above the frame rails...
Another view of the mocked up exhaust, final exhaust pieces will be mandrel bent...
Another view of it joining the stock exhaust...
Side view of how tucked everything is...
Another side view with a couple of skidplates from Bud still in place. You can see where the gas tank skid is on the left and the "stock" placement of the skid is on the right. What will happen is that the skid plates will go straight, w/o bends to the gas tank skid. That vertical displacement will be gone and a smooth skidplate from the frame rails side to side and front to back...
This gap will be gone...
Here is one "issue" that Bud is dealing with. The driver's side cat is going to be the lowest point on the belly at this point. He is going to do some "creative welding" in order to get it up and out of the way as best he can...
Another view of the cat and how it will need to be tucked up a bit to get full clearance...
That's all for now, stay tuned for the completion of the surgery, creating the transmission cross-member and button it all up with some skid plates to protect the new, fit and trim, freshly "tucked" belly of my FJC....
