PIG + Chebby Avalanche Trim =?

[LC_Hamma]

Most of the major cuts have been done. Frame is clean from spring mounts in preparation for coils & links. Started a little patchwork on the tailgate too. I H8 when welding, you keep burning larger holes in that rusted sheetmetal! Stay tuned.......

 

[Adventure Teq]

Dizzzam!

I need a piggy project.

Lookin good man.

 

[LC_Hamma]

I was curious as to how much dirt & rust lived in those undrainable front body mounts....... Nice design Toyota!

 

[clemson55]

I shed a tear for that pig body which was in pretty damn good shape but I certainly cant complain since I chopped the crap out of mine. As for those front mounts if I had what you did right there I would have been happy mine were so rusted that I had to fab the whole thing up off the frame and the body.

 

[RUSH55]

When I did some floorboard rust repair on mine, those mounts were packed with dirt too. Not a whole lot you can do about it really, unless you want to drilla few holes in each and add some rubber plugs, then remember to suck 'em out with a shop vac every couple of years.
Anyways, I'm thinking about mixing the lines of the 55 and a Pontiac Aztec. What do you guys think?

 

[Wayneraintree]

Anyways, I'm thinking about mixing the lines of the 55 and a Pontiac Aztec. What do you guys think?

LOL :shotts:

 

[SirHamblett]

When I did some floorboard rust repair on mine, those mounts were packed with dirt too. Not a whole lot you can do about it really, unless you want to drilla few holes in each and add some rubber plugs, then remember to suck 'em out with a shop vac every couple of years.
Anyways, I'm thinking about mixing the lines of the 55 and a Pontiac Aztec. What do you guys think?

I wonder....

 

[LC_Hamma]

I sectioned the rear frame, flipped it over, fishmouthed the ends & rewelded it to get the bumper higher. Same mod as I did on my 40. Gotta mount the rear body next:

 

[LC_Hamma]

I decided it'd be better to go ahead & find a gas tank & do the mods while access to the underbody will be easier for welding while the rear is off. So, I found a tank from a '94 S10 Blazer & started making the skid. The tank fits perfectly & it also has a built-in fuel pump. I've got the mounting figured out, so you'll see that next........

 

[LC_Hamma]

Top view so you can see how high up it'll be mounted (about 1" from the rear body channel crossmember that has been plasma'd off) :

 

[Lucy_FJ55]

SWEEEET! Great idea for a replacement tank. Approx. how many gallons does it hold? Any idea yet? Keep posting your progress.

 

[Wayneraintree]

I like that as well.. especially if your running a GM TBI engine, then you have solved the fuel pump issue : )

great work!

 

[rutbeer]

Uhhmmm....OVERKILL! Geez..you plan on parking that thing on the skid plate or what?

 

[RHINO]

awsome work on the beast so far, and its a good thing you make that skid stout since you'll be smacking everything with the loss of ground clearance it produces

 

[LC_Hamma]

Gas Tank Skid Update:

Almost done with the skid. All I need to do is weld in some 1/8" perforated metal which will be a task cuz I gotta bend it around the corners. Gotta polish up on my blacksmithin' skillz.

Approx. how many gallons does it hold?
It's a 20 gallon tank.

especially if your running a GM TBI engine, then you have solved the fuel pump issue : )
Wouldn't even think about the GM option - I'm a hardcore 6 cyl dude! I would do the GM fuel injection though.....

Geez..you plan on parking that thing on the skid plate or what?
Hey McCoin, this is a forum for 55 owners, not "former" 55 owners. Now, git back to your Toy diesel forum.....

 

[Wayneraintree]

I can see where that skid plate would be a benefit when the fat tail of the pig "settles" on some pointy a$$ rocks : ) coming down from ledges and such...

sweet build man!

 

[LC_Hamma]

Tank & Skid Finished:

Got the tank to skid mounts done & slapped on some POR15. I added rubber padding below the tank & used stainless hdwe. The skid to frame gets 24 - 3/8" grade 8 bolts:

 

[bonzai]

That looks really nice

 

[WaAkFJ]

Great job on the skid plate. What kind of tools are you using (welder, bender type). Good idea on the gas tank too. Did you make the mounts too? Keep up the good work!!

 

[LC_Hamma]

Great job on the skid plate. What kind of tools are you using (welder, bender type). Good idea on the gas tank too. Did you make the mounts too? Keep up the good work!!

I fabbed all the brackets, mounts, etc. It was very time consuming but well worth the piece of mind that my tank is protected from any trail obstacles. My main fab tools are a JD2 bender, which is quick-mounted on my trailer, & these two - Lincoln Procut 55 plasma & 255 mig welder: