PIG + Chebby Avalanche Trim =?

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Driver Side Panel

Constructed from 16 ga........ Onto the roof next.........
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Boxing In Rear Rollbar:

I used 1/8" to reinforce the rear of the roof. This should aid in deterring body flex. Plus, it's way easier to weld this in a single pass versus spot welding if it were sheet metal. The bottom plate & 1 panel on each side will be removable so I can install small flush mounted lights.
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Workin On The Bottom Panel:

All I gotta do is drill, tap for 1/4" X 20 countersunk screws & weld on the tabs to hold the panels. You can see where I had to add a little weld mat'l. due to the cut & shape to form the curve. Getting ready to cut the arch on the back panel to match the front next, then onto the sides & their removable panels.......
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panels

:smokin:
that's not a cig either.....
 
All I gotta do is drill, tap for 1/4" X 20 countersunk screws & weld on the tabs to hold the panels. You can see where I had to add a little weld mat'l. due to the cut & shape to form the curve. Getting ready to cut the arch on the back panel to match the front next, then onto the sides & their removable panels.......

:confused:
 

:rolleyes:
:idea: I knew a pic would help those who've never seen the backend of a Chebby Avalanche. I'm tryin to mimic the arch of the area that covers the rollbar. Mine will look similar to this:
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Int. Transom Area/ Bottom Plate:

I'll call the area that covers the rollbar a transom, so the 1st pic is what I'm workin on. I'll place the bottom plate up there & weld it to the front arched plate, then, mark the arch on the rear plate (just tacked up) so I can cut it to match the front. Then, finally weld the rear plate to the bottom plate. Get it Roy? :hillbilly: :bounce2:
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Bottom Panel Welded In:

I'm giving the grinders a break right now - they kinda warm ;p Got the rear panel marked & cut, still have to finish the contour of it to match the front, then weld it up. Goin to paint the inside of the transom & rear panel before I weld it.
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Okay, so I'm curious on the boxing. You are boxing a roll cage inside of 1/8" plate all the way around? Why not just leave the roll cage tubing out of it? I know you like overkill, but the boxed 1/8 is probably just as stong if not stronger than the tube itself depending on how you construct it. I don't know if you have noticed the A pillar on most 3 series BMW racers these days, but they have gone to more of a drilled truss than just a tube now. Gotta think if it's good enough for 160mph.....it's strong enough to hold up a 6,000lb pig. :)
 
looks like a lot of work, and you are performing the task wonderfully but alas, did i miss why you are doing the access doors?
 
Finished Up the Roof Area:

Just slapped some POR15 on it! I'm now covered in grinding dust :doh: There's a joint on the roof I have to patch with POR Metal Grip - sorta like bondo. The side panels are next........
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Okay, so I'm curious on the boxing. You are boxing a roll cage inside of 1/8" plate all the way around? Why not just leave the roll cage tubing out of it? I know you like overkill, but the boxed 1/8 is probably just as stong if not stronger than the tube itself depending on how you construct it. I don't know if you have noticed the A pillar on most 3 series BMW racers these days, but they have gone to more of a drilled truss than just a tube now. Gotta think if it's good enough for 160mph.....it's strong enough to hold up a 6,000lb pig. :)

My initial thought, from the very 1st post in this thread, was to use 1/4" wall & no tubing. But after thinkin about tryin to bend & curve 1/4" wall to the Chebby Avalanche contour, I felt it was gonna be so much work I decided to run 2" DOM tubing (main tube) instead, then box out & shape w/ 1/8" plate ;p You sensitive about overkill :lol: Yeah, I coulda used sheet metal, but I get frustrated when that stuff warps. I'm used to building stuff with thick metal = no waiting for the pieces to cool & no spot welding. I have enough experience w/ the :pig: sheetmetal already :) Thanks for the comment though :hillbilly:
 
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looks like a lot of work, and you are performing the task wonderfully but alas, did i miss why you are doing the access doors?

Thanks man :beer: Not bad for eyeballin the curves eh? :rolleyes:
The access doors are there so I could paint the inside weld joints & install small flush mounted lights. I want to be able to run the wiring w/o it being seen on the outside :)
 
Rear View:

This'll show the arch to match the contour of the roof, well close enough for this trail :pig:

If any of you lurkers have questions/ concerns (not about weight of :pig:) post 'em up :)
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:idea: :rolleyes:

Since I'm "adding 100 lbs. per week" (quote from Rutbeer), I've thought about where I can remove access weight. Y'all are finally getting thru :bounce2: Anyway, :idea: how bout replacing the doors w/ tube or, better yet, pick up some trashed :pig: doors & modify/ gut/ cut 'em down? But, I still want to do the door sill trim as seen on the very 1st post in this thread. :hillbilly:
 
I have not the time to read this entire post, but this is utter BLASPHEMY!

I would sooner drive both my Cruisers off a cliff than make them like some modern plastic-looking "4x4".

I am certainly a purist who thinks that even so much Chevy (or other make) drivetrain parts really no longer makes it a Cruiser! Let alone going through the trouble to specially fab body panels. Hell, I don't even like rock buggies much!
(Since they don't look like a Cruiser)---though they do serve quite a purpose, and are usually the result of years of hardcore wheeling, body rot, and just plain old desire for a bitchin' climber you don't need to worry about rolling, etc.

OK- maybe I like them a bit...

BUT a Cruiser is NO AVALANCHE!!!!!!!!
 
:flipoff2:
Thanks for the *kind opinion & words of encouragement. If you haven't followed the thread, you'd be happy to know the only non LC drivetrain parts are the tranny, rear axle & front axle outers :bounce2: I'll summarize why I'm building my :pig: this way --> I wanna create this for heavy trail use & that's also a merge of old boxy style to a more *modern look ;p Why settle for stock :rolleyes: :hillbilly:
 
Looking good.

I too was a little confused what you were going to do with the rear section of the pig. But I am liking it so far.

I'm glad that all of our "nagging" about weight is getting through to you. ;)

What is your guesstamated or desired time frame for completion of this beast?
 
Looking good.

I too was a little confused what you were going to do with the rear section of the pig. But I am liking it so far.

I'm glad that all of our "nagging" about weight is getting through to you. ;)

What is your guesstamated or desired time frame for completion of this beast?

:beer: preciate the thumbs up!

Mudpaws doesn't know that degrading my buildup helps fuel my desire to finish this :pig:alanche :bounce2:

Timeframe? I'm workin on this about every day & like my 40 buildup, I'll be at the mercy of another shop to finish up a few items - driveshafts, rewiring, front axle shafts, setup new rear diff gears, etc.

I ain't done with the rear section yet........... Dovetail coming soon......... :hillbilly:
 

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