A3 Crew Cab Build Starts

[ApopkaFL]

Was thinking just for looks; I can install it so it will pull fuel from both tanks.

 

[cattlerepairman]

You are doing a remarkable job and I admire the creativity and craftsmanship that you and others share on this forum. Thanks for that!

And this comes from a guy who doesn' t really like to see these trucks chopped, bobbed and otherwise mutilated. For every dozen or so mutilations there seems to be the one really cool, innovative build where one can concede that the truck could have come from the factory like that.....and maybe should have!

 

[asgtoolman]

Did some more work today. I am starting to see progress and feeling good about it. Today I mounted the other two 1600 R20s on the rims. I also built the rear axle housing today. Its begining to look like a Deuce again. My friend that is helping me, by providing me a place to build my truck, came to me and gave me a set off electronic key less door openers with poppers. He is going to have his body man shave my door handles and install them.


The rear doors will be suicide. I am not going to install the key less entry on them. I will add poppers but I will just reach in when I get in the truck to open the back door if needed. The handle will be right there behind my seat.

I am looking for a dummy fuel tank and hangers to use on the other side so it will match the right side. I hope to find a A3 tank...


Rodman

Sounds like a perfect scheme for the doors. I mounted a toolbox from a 5 ton on the drivers side to mimic the fuel tank on the passenger side; don't know what I'd do without it.

 

[ApopkaFL]

You are doing a remarkable job and I admire the creativity and craftsmanship that you and others share on this forum. Thanks for that!

And this comes from a guy who doesn' t really like to see these trucks chopped, bobbed and otherwise mutilated. For every dozen or so mutilations there seems to be the one really cool, innovative build where one can concede that the truck could have come from the factory like that.....and maybe should have!

Thanks, Its getting closer everyday. This has been a one man show; so its taking me a little longer then expected but I will get there.


Rodman

 

[ApopkaFL]

Quick question, I have a thought, I wanted to make a rear door in the CREW CAB that leads out to the truck bed. Do you think this would look dumb? Other words it will have a single maybe 36" door that can open and shut so I can get to the bed of the truck inside the cab. Any thoughts on this?

 

[Mike929]

Quick question, I have a thought, I wanted to make a rear door in the CREW CAB that leads out to the truck bed. Do you think this would look dumb? Other words it will have a single maybe 36" door that can open and shut so I can get to the bed of the truck inside the cab. Any thoughts on this?

Toyota makes an electric back windshield where the entire back windshield rolls down. That would give you a lot of room to roll into the back over a bench seat and or front bed lip. They had this in their older full size trucks, if interested there may be one in a junk yard you could salvage.

As for a door, I usually store things in my bed up against the cab. You would not be able to do that if you wanted to use a full length door. I guess it depends on what your needs and uses are for your truck.

 

[ApopkaFL]

Today was a bit of fun. I got the rear axle lift installed. I went to install the Axle and found out that the U Bolt plates I have is wrong. I need a set of fronts. I am not going to let this set me back. I will start on the Top until I get them. There is plenty of other stuff for me to do.



Rodman

 

[ApopkaFL]

I installed the rear axle today. I have question! How much plating should I use on the frame on frame? I left the one plate there when I removed the axles. I was wondering if they may be enough plating or should I add more to the two frames? I will post some photos, how I made the lift. I boxed it in and added cross support.

I bolted both frames together with Grade 8 Bolts . I put 8 blots on each side on the frame rail.


I installed the 53" XZL today all the way around. In the second Photo is a friend of mine he is 5"8

Rodman

 

[srodocker]

that is EXACTLY what i want with my next project. but i want it to be suv style no bed.

amazing work!

 

[ApopkaFL]

that is EXACTLY what i want with my next project. but i want it to be suv style no bed.

amazing work!

Thank you, Its starting to come back together. I am the only one that has been working on it. If I need a hand my friend will help but Its mainly been a one man show. That is why Its taking me for ever to do the job. I would go slow do it right and have something nice when its done.


Rodman

P.S. Will start on the HARD TOP next week.

 

[ApopkaFL]

I wanted to share what he hubs looked like the first time I took the old tires and rims off, on the M35A3


( YEP Already flipped Hubs )

 

[ccequipment]

looks good, what bed are you using

 

[ApopkaFL]

looks good, what bed are you using

I will be using the stock bed from the M35A3. I cut the bed down.

 

[ApopkaFL]

Hard Top

Started to work on the hard top today. I wish I could tell you that their is a magic way of doing this and its going to be easy. Well Its not, I got it from one of the members here it need some work. i think with plasma cutter and torch and some sheet metal I can do it.

 

[usmctopgun]

She is looking good man! 53"s on her look bad ass!

 

[ApopkaFL]

Thanks i hope to get the bed on tomorrow and then we will see what she looks like.

 

[HanksDeuce]

Dammmm fine job so far! Even though she's an A3 I can't wait to see it finished.

 

[ApopkaFL]

dammmm fine job so far! Even though she's an a3 i can't wait to see it finished.

me too!

 

[swampzr2]

You sure have been making some good progress the last few days. I hope you are taller than your friend, or you will need to jump to get in that beast. That sure is tall!!

 

[ApopkaFL]

From the top of the roof to the ground is 10ft6" That does not include the stack, I did not measure that yet.