TN ivbeenrokd's crew cab underway

[ivbeenrokd]

Moved the fuel tank back with new lines, relocated the lift pump inside the frame, installed the bed (that was fun!), test drive.

I'm planning to get my other 2 front XZLs and cab on Thursday.

I even talked my Stepdad into posing for a picture!

The truck does look pretty silly right now without the 2nd cab but with the bed on.

 

[ivbeenrokd]

Cool pic just for fun on this pretty East Tennessee day.

 

[ivbeenrokd]

Rear side steps installed, worked on the front brakes, got setup to install the new front perches to move the axle forward 1".

 

[ivbeenrokd]

Front perches drilled out, modified to sit at the right angle, and welded on. Front axle put back in and steering adjusted. Still doesn't turned quite as far to the right as the left but it is really close. Installed a tailgate step and prepared a plan for the traction bar.

 

[ivbeenrokd]

Picked up the cab and 2 wheel cylinders Thursday. Planning to get to work Tuesday.

 

[w3azel]

If I could give one piece of advice after doing my crew cab build. If you have the facility and the space take the cab off and weld them together on the ground. Also check and recheck your door gaps while putting it together they are your first sign things are bending or warping. I thought I had everything good and straight till the very end when I realized the cab had warped and bent ever so slightly under its own weight to throw things off.

 

[ivbeenrokd]

Great progress today. Front wheel cylinders install, test drive went well, hardtop removed, seats removed, cab braced, cab mount removed, started cutting the cab, cut a lot on the 2nd cab.

Looks like I am going to need to do some rust repair on the inside of the rockers on the 2nd cab.
Question 1: where do most people bend the second cab out? Behind the doors? In the rear corners?

Question 2: Should I let the front of the second cab sit frame on frame just like the front cab or should I put rubber bumpers under the entire 2nd cab (like the front cab has under the seats)?

 

[ivbeenrokd]

Cut the back out of the front cab, removed the cab support from the frame, cut more on the rear cab, welded in the inner rocker patches, cut the floor, etc . Need to install the bumpstops on the rear cab, do a little final grinding on both cabs, then we're ready to put the 2nd cab on the truck.

 

[Lieutenant Dan]

What would you need to do to cut that rear part that wraps around straight down through? I'm only doing maybe a 24" extended cab and I planned on cutting right behind the door straight down through and moving the cab back then framing it off and putting panels back in.

Looks good by the way. I like your front spring perches....

 

[ivbeenrokd]

What would you need to do to cut that rear part that wraps around straight down through? I'm only doing maybe a 24" extended cab and I planned on cutting right behind the door straight down through and moving the cab back then framing it off and putting panels back in.

Looks good by the way. I like your front spring perches....

I'm not sure on that yet but I may know next week. I left that part for now just to see if I want to bend it out to meet the next cab but I'm thinking I'll end up cutting it off and doing a new piece between the cabs. I should be working on joining the 2 cabs next week so I should be working in that area. When I do that I can take some close pictures and send them to you.

 

[SteelWarrior]

Anything New? Exciting? PICS??

 

[ivbeenrokd]

Lieutenant Dan, Here are a couple of pictures of that area, hopefully these help.

Warrior, We did work on it today. Installed bumpstops on the cab, wire brushed the bottom of the cab, primed all needed areas, painted the whole bottom. Prepped the first cab by removing the remaining needed metal, pulled the bed back, got the second cab up. Then did more trimming on the second cab side panels and frame section.

I plan to get the cabs joined next week and the mount on the back of the second cab.

 

[Brain's 97 Diesel]

I like the build, its what I'd like to do some day. No MVs yet still a looker/lurker. I was thinking about putting pass side steps on the 2nd cab portion, at least on pass side. I don't like the look of the forward swinging door, my OCD. how are you going to fill gap between steps? Are you mounting extra fuel cans on steps or between them? I was thinking dual tanks one on each side. Are you mounting extra batteries in the step boxes or converting them to tool boxes?

 

[ivbeenrokd]

Floor cut and the second cab spread. Bolted the second cab at the front frame mounts and rear cab mount. Welded the front frame mounts to the rear of the front cab. Welded the 2 cabs together with a small stitch top and bottom where they tie together on the sides. Welded the rear cab corner braces back on. Cut my head open in the process and scared my wife by sending her the picture!

I hope to get all the sheet-metal work done on the cab next week so I can then move onto the top.

 

[Lieutenant Dan]

Looks good..... thanks for the pictures. I'm hoping to cut mine off in a week or so. This weekend I'm pulling the front end apart to do hoses and paint engine bay and fix the cab rust and rocker panel on passenger side.

 

[wilfreeman]

Nice (the bloody head) - she's putting up a fight! The truck's coming along nicely - I bet you can see the light at the end of the tunnel now!

 

[LowTech]

I like that you incorporated the vents for the rear section.

 

[ivbeenrokd]

Rounded up some parts for next week.

 

[Lieutenant Dan]

D#*$ you lol you out did my black leather power seats..... they look so much nicer then mine!!!! I'm jealous!

What gauge are you going with for the roof? I'm curious to see how you do it..... I might borrow some ideas lol

 

[ivbeenrokd]

How much do you think these seats would be worth? I took samples of the floor and side panels and he suggested using 16ga for both. I haven't cut the top yet so I don't know for sure but I was thinking of using the same there too.