Builds Megadoomer Build (1 Viewer)

[Megadoomer]

Mega has been sitting for a while waiting for its lazy owner to get him a gas tank. I am really thinking about linking the suspension, starting with the front. I wanted to do radius arms like on the 80s but people keep saying that is doesn't flex as well. i wonder what they compare to. I don't think I'm going to be a crazy crawler but i do want some capability and road manners. Currently it feels like i have semi leafs on now and doesn't like to stuff very much as it is. I think i could do radius arms over the weekend, but a 3 or 4 link will take a lot more time, beer, and head against a wall in rapid succession.

Here is what it looks like now. Sprung under with a ton of leafs and rear shackle. The shackle is too tall and flexes a bit under stress. The amount of work to do it right would equate to going to some form of a link imo.

What does the sty have to say?

 

[bobm]

Beer makes you think.

 

[Napster]

I say link it! My only regret so far is that I should have just linked mine since I was modifying everything anyway. Grabbing an FJ80 front axle and using the FJ80 arms seems like a quick and easy option and would get you what you want. I would suggest making your own only if you were building a serious trail rig. For something you will use a lot on the road the FJ80 setup seems like it will fit your needs.

 

[Megadoomer]

Ok, follow up question. I think I'm going to use a custom radius arm. Heims or bushings? I know its a rougher and noisier ride, but this doesn't exactly drive like a Cadillac as it is now. Looks like you get more motion out of heims and I can just carry a bunch with me.

 

[Megadoomer]

Update. no suspension changes but I had been amassing parts for my new fuel system. I had a company in San Bernardino make my tank and it just arrived today. 39 gallon aluminum tank. $500 delivered and it looks solid. I have to thank @Lil'John for the fuel pump source. '99 Camaro pump with 3/8 supply and return lines and a regulator. The regulator will drop down to feed my carb, but I can increase to use a TBI system. I am leaning towards FI.

 

[scrapdaddy]

Good looking tank!

 

[Megadoomer]

I got on my creeper and went under the back with the tank on my belly so that I could make sure I got my dimensions correct. I fit perfect and the pump lined up better than I expected with the access panel. I was going to put my filter close to the tank but it is too congested so I cut a few inches of the steel line right under the passenger door. I reminded myself the supply line was on the left. However it isn't on the left when you are on your back looking up. *&!#ING idiot! I'll have to cut the other line and swap. I guess I'll just use some more rubber hose to join the 2 steels back together. it will just be a random steel to rubber back to steel I guess. It's not a show pig

 

[Megadoomer]

Got a lot done this weekend. I made the tank straps and the brackets that bolt to the body. I put the filter on the correct line, duh. While I was under the back end i cleaned the old mud that has been falling in to my eyes and mouth this whole time. I put some rust inhibitor and rubberized spray. Lipstick on a pig, of course. I hit a few delays though. My vise broke somehow and grinding, cutting, drilling welding became a labor. Had to use C-clamps for everything. Also, the right rear bolt hole for the tank is all messed up. There is no access to the thread so i think I have to weld a theaded stud. Other than that, im really close.

This is the rear strap. I will sandwich the tank as i tighten the nuts. The tabs pointing out bolt to the body in the OEM tank holes.

This is the fixed filter setup. Notice the rando rubber on the return line. This right under the passenger foot area.

This is looking at the passenger side. I have the front bracket in but i need to put a stud on the rear.

This looking at the driver side. Both brackets in place. The front of the tank will snug to that crossbeam and the back has the bracket to hold it down. I bought some rubber to pad all the contact points. I also was thinking about spraying some bed liner on the tank but i haven't decided yet.

 

[Megadoomer]

This the regulator. I think this is a temporary mounting surface. I think i want to put rubber grommets and bolt is down better. The OCD in me really doesn't like that the gauge is crooked, but I dont think i could get it to turn anymore.

 

[Megadoomer]

Racing against time with thanksgiving weekend coming. I welded a headless bolt in to the trouble hole. #! $@ me I forgot how much I hatell welding on my back. whatever, it's in its place and with a little grind the backet fit well.

I drilled out the center of a fish plate and added bolt holes. below is the nutserts to pinch the pump down. Exactly how @Lil'John did it.

This is the tank in but will probably move up an inch or more. I was itchy to get it in to make sure I didn't have any unforseen issues. A little wrastlin but it went in.

This is a shot of the access panel. I see no dropping the tank for a few years in this pic.

 

[Megadoomer]

I drew the tank in Autocad and sent them this PdF. hope it shows on my post. I put a sump around the pump and have the sending arm aimed to the rear and 2 side to side baffles cutting it in 3s. I think the sump along with the cup that the pump has will keep me fueled. Especially with the return line filling the cup constantly.

The place I had it done is Hotrod City Garage in San Bernardino. They built it pretty much how I wanted. they added the chamfers to add strength. The beads are flawless too. The only thing I don't like is they didn't join the baffle to the bottom piece so it's a little flimsy. The tank straps take of it so I'm not worried.

 

[scrapdaddy]

Looks good man!

 

[bobm]

What type of hardware around sending unit

 

[Megadoomer]

What type of hardware around sending unit

I got a 6" fish plate from the metal shop and punched a 3.5" hole in the middle and drilled out the bolt holes. I put M6 nutserts in the tank

 

[scrapdaddy]

Megadoomer,

Are you using the big rubber gasket with the pump? It has the big lip on it.

 

[Megadoomer]

Ya it came with a gasket. I'll have that between the pump lip and tank. I don't think I need any other rubber with the plate snug. going to seal the threads on the bolts and hope fer the best.

 

[scrapdaddy]

Yeah, that will cover it, good job!

 

[PabloCruise]

That has to feel good to get that in!

 

[Megadoomer]

It does feel good. Last night I got all the tank fittings figured out and put the new filler neck and overflow tubes on. Not really a fan of that task. That's incentive enough to not drop the tank ever...ever. I had to fix a hole on one of the straps. It was too close to the side and I couldn't get a socket on it. I just have to join the pump tubes with the lines and wire the plug and this pig will be stomping the street soon. Obviously that is if I didn't %$#@ up anything. Fingers crossed.

 

[PabloCruise]

It does feel good. Last night I got all the tank fittings figured out and put the new filler neck and overflow tubes on. Not really a fan of that task. That's incentive enough to not drop the tank ever...ever. I had to fix a hole on one of the straps. It was too close to the side and I couldn't get a socket on it. I just have to join the pump tubes with the lines and wire the plug and this pig will be stomping the street soon. Obviously that is if I didn't %$#@ up anything. Fingers crossed.

Good luck man! Dropping, and re-installing the tank, and then replacing fill lines are tasks I hope I do not have to do again anytime soon!