PIG + Chebby Avalanche Trim =?

[LC_Hamma]

Hamma,

I know you said you were looking to do real tube fenders, but I think this is a nice way to tie into the fron of the frame. If you did something like this you could still recreate the fender lines out of tube?? I am looking forward to what you come up with you have some really creative ideas.


Didn't see that option but I already bent up the tubes Yeah, that does tie in nicely. I have a big 'ol Conn-Ferr 3" tube bumper & it really doesn't lend itself to have a 1.5" dia. tube tie in there I got it figgered out. Thanks for the tip

 

[LC_Hamma]

Here's a shot of the roll bar connection w/ the 1 3/4" DOM outer sleeve. I'll add a thru bolt thru both tubes once I have the definite placement for the front valance. I had to lay inverted, hanging off the seat, to weld the inner bead, it wasn't easy. Looks like I'll hafta modify the valance to blend w/ the round tube.

 

[LC_Hamma]

Got the driver side done. It was a little more challenging slithering under the steering wheel & gettin the gun in between the floor pedals in position to weld the inner section. I clearanced to drill & tap a small securing screw so it'll be fixed. Then I can figure out how this is gonna tie into the fenders I have the lower pieces bent up & will fit them up next:

 

[LC_Hamma]

Now the fenders are beginning to take some shape. I drilled a plate & tapped the area I had already planned for tube fenders, earlier in my buildup, down at the base of the rocker guards. I had to press the base of the tube into an oval & clearance around the bolt holes. I have a little tube left over to add a brace prolly at midspan of the top tube.

 

[bogus one]

You, sir, are SICK.

I LOVE this

 

[idayota]

wow, nice build up. can't wait to see more.

 

[LC_Hamma]

Intermediate Brace

I figured this would be the easiest mounting config. using flanges. This allows easy bolt up & fitment. I have a few more "sick" items to add to the build after these fenders. Thanks guys!

 

[rutbeer]

That's some crazy exhaust routing you have there.

I figured this would be the easiest mounting config. using flanges. This allows easy bolt up & fitment. I have a few more "sick" items to add to the build after these fenders. Thanks guys!

 

[EarthX]

That's some crazy exhaust routing you have there.

I really dont think those are exhaust pipes there.

 

[rutbeer]

I know that...mud wouldn't allow me to put the emoticon in for some reason. I'm giving him a hard time, as usual, because it looks like he used an exhaust connector to join the pipes. Actually, that's a pretty good idea.

 

[LC_Hamma]

Fenders Roughed In:

It took me a while to figure out how I was going to tie the paint scheme of the doors into the fenders & also trimming the sheetmetal to the tubes. The hardest part of this design (angled tubes) is spot welding the tubes together while it's still bolted up, unbolting, then burning it all together & expecting the tubes to NOT draw tighter so the bolt holes will not line up again I redid the passenger side twice Next time I'll weld a temp. straight bar between the tubes to keep them uniform. I still have to attach the middle bar to the A pillar. There, I'll drill clearance holes, weld in a small plate w/ tapped holes to receive that plate.

 

[LC_Hamma]

Holiday Update:

Not satisfied w/ how the legs of the tube fenders weren't aligning w/ the already tapped mounting plates, I cut them off (for the 3rd time) & refabbed w/ gussets, hoping that would work........ I thought they would prevent any tube movement when being welded up. Nope, still off So, I cut the legs in half (down near the base) & will be using flanges Should get a progress pic up soon.......

 

[Farr off road]

Nice work Chuck!

I am beginning to think this build will never end thow! It seems like the more you do the more you find to do! Kinda like 2 steps forward and 3 steps back

(to quote Rodney Dangerfield) Hurry up, while we're still young!JK

I had to rib you just a little!

 

[LC_Hamma]

Fender Refab:

I had to rib you just a little!

I ain't in no hurry so sit back & tell me about how much weight I'm adding ;p

I finished up all the attachment points. Not my ideal way to get it done but I was & frustrated so I just had to figure something quick that would allow some adjustments These will be more of a fender guard cuz I will divorce mount the fenders to the tubes for easier future repairs. Again, not ideal but geting to some of those bolts w/ the fenders on would be difficult - I already had to plasma out a bolt cuz I couldn't get it loose w/ any of my tools. I didn't have any claw wrenches which would prolly work. The pass. side should go pretty quick, then I can figure out where I'll attach the fenders & then the front valance following........

 

[CDUFF7]

Can we some more pics of the whole truck, I just love looking at this machine, it is without a doubt a real offroad beast!!!

 

[Farr off road]

Oh I know Chuck it's quite clear that you REALLY enjoy doing this and I don't blame you!

I wish I had the time, money and place to do some cut'n and fab'n on my 80. I would love to cut off the back right behind the middle seats and then re-attach the rear door and tail gate.....well maybe some day

 

[LC_Hamma]

The pass. side is complete Those flanges really make it easy to bolt up, glad I did it. Now, I'm wondering if I should close the gap between the fender lip & the tubes Maybe a few strips 6" long then attach to the tubes from the backside

 

[Farr off road]

I would want the fender skins attached to the tubing but that kills the easy detach feature right?

 

[LC_Hamma]

I went ahead & filled the gap w/ sheetmetal strips. They won't attach, but'll look like they do:

 

[OinkOinker]

thats sweet as, looks like the tubes have been chiseled out of the guards