Rebirth of Monster Mudder
- Thread starter NakeDiesel
- Start date
NakeDiesel
Smoke'n in the Mud
Spent the majority of my day out in the shop after I ran a few errands this morning. Goal was to get the base for the bed cut and welded together and see about mounting the bed sides.
So what I ended up getting accomplished was building the base for the frame, welded it together and mounted to the frame of the truck with 4 1/2 grade 8 bolts so far. I then hung the drivers side of the bed using a couple of clamps while I got it square front and back. After that, I drilled holes every 4 inches on front and back of the tire for bolting the bedside on with 5/16 bolts. I managed to get both bed sides mounted today and started looking at the front panel that I have. I marked down 21 inches and it's right in the middle of a ton of rusted metal all across the bottom of the piece. I tried cutting it and it's so rotten it was just tearing in all directions from my saw.
Talked to Fenders and more and I'm going to order my rear fenders from them. Getting fenders that are 13" wide with a flat lip on the back side and a about a 1" rolled edge on the outside made of steel. We are worried that the aluminums will crack with all the bouncing around the truck does in the pit. I'll have the fenders drop down 1 1/2 inches below the bottom of the bed so I can use some 1 1/2 x 1 1/2 angle to make bottom supports. They will cost about 150.00 each. Better than the 650.00 they want for repops. I'm also going to cut off the inner fenders but leave the lip in place to help with the rigidity of the fender and will fill in the arch with sheet metal to make it flush with the bed/frame. I will then mount the new fender over that. This will help keep more mud out of the truck bed
So what I ended up getting accomplished was building the base for the frame, welded it together and mounted to the frame of the truck with 4 1/2 grade 8 bolts so far. I then hung the drivers side of the bed using a couple of clamps while I got it square front and back. After that, I drilled holes every 4 inches on front and back of the tire for bolting the bedside on with 5/16 bolts. I managed to get both bed sides mounted today and started looking at the front panel that I have. I marked down 21 inches and it's right in the middle of a ton of rusted metal all across the bottom of the piece. I tried cutting it and it's so rotten it was just tearing in all directions from my saw.
Talked to Fenders and more and I'm going to order my rear fenders from them. Getting fenders that are 13" wide with a flat lip on the back side and a about a 1" rolled edge on the outside made of steel. We are worried that the aluminums will crack with all the bouncing around the truck does in the pit. I'll have the fenders drop down 1 1/2 inches below the bottom of the bed so I can use some 1 1/2 x 1 1/2 angle to make bottom supports. They will cost about 150.00 each. Better than the 650.00 they want for repops. I'm also going to cut off the inner fenders but leave the lip in place to help with the rigidity of the fender and will fill in the arch with sheet metal to make it flush with the bed/frame. I will then mount the new fender over that. This will help keep more mud out of the truck bed
NakeDiesel
Smoke'n in the Mud
No working on the truck today, we are throwing a birthday party for my son and step daughter, my son turned 18 last month and my step daughter turns 18 in a few days, so I've been working on stuff for that. I did sneak in a little time with Gimp and threw this together. Thinking of a large sticker of this for the front grill of the truck.
NakeDiesel
Smoke'n in the Mud
Here's the birthday cake I made for them:
NakeDiesel
Smoke'n in the Mud
Cleaned up all the grinding residue, scrap metal dirt off the shop floor this morning, added quite a bit to my scrap metal pile I need to haul to the scrap metal recycler and filled half a trash can with dirt, slag, and other debris from working on the truck.
I worked out placement of the radiator today and what I need to pickup to get the base mount built for it. Still a little fuzzy on the upper support on how I am going to make it. but I plan on having the upper/sides come out as one piece and spanning the width of the bed. The sides will bolt up the side of the bed and help tie the bedsides together.
We also worked on the front bed panel, I had originally planned on keeping the tube at the top, but it was so bent up and I couldn't get it straightened to where it looked good, so I ended up cutting it off and then welded on a 1 1/2" wide strip at the bottom of the panel so it would be long enough. That's about all I was able to accomplish today on the truck.
Marking the front panel where to cut
Test fitting the panel
Working out radiator placement
My son grinding down the welded on strip
Radiator and front panel on the truck
Just another shot of the truck
I worked out placement of the radiator today and what I need to pickup to get the base mount built for it. Still a little fuzzy on the upper support on how I am going to make it. but I plan on having the upper/sides come out as one piece and spanning the width of the bed. The sides will bolt up the side of the bed and help tie the bedsides together.
We also worked on the front bed panel, I had originally planned on keeping the tube at the top, but it was so bent up and I couldn't get it straightened to where it looked good, so I ended up cutting it off and then welded on a 1 1/2" wide strip at the bottom of the panel so it would be long enough. That's about all I was able to accomplish today on the truck.
Marking the front panel where to cut
Test fitting the panel
Working out radiator placement
My son grinding down the welded on strip
Radiator and front panel on the truck
Just another shot of the truck
NakeDiesel
Smoke'n in the Mud
Worked just a little while on the truck this evening and got the front bed panel installed and bolted on.
I figured out how I'm going to mount the radiator, I'm going to build a u shape out of 4" c channel and attached it to the bottom and the bed sides, then I'll add in a support bar along the front to attach the radiator mounts too it. I also need to figure out how I am going to mount the two radiator coolers to it as well. I'll pick up several feet of 2" strap while I'm there for the coolers to mount on.
I figured out how I'm going to mount the radiator, I'm going to build a u shape out of 4" c channel and attached it to the bottom and the bed sides, then I'll add in a support bar along the front to attach the radiator mounts too it. I also need to figure out how I am going to mount the two radiator coolers to it as well. I'll pick up several feet of 2" strap while I'm there for the coolers to mount on.
NakeDiesel
Smoke'n in the Mud
Went to pick up some C channel today and some strap, but the 4" channel they had was way overkill for what I needed, so I picked up some 2x2x1/4 angle and my son practiced his welding turning them into c channel.
While he was doing that, I made a template for the wheel opening's to cut out some 26 gauge to fill them in. Managed to get the template cut out and the first filler plate cut out and fit where it's going to go.
While he was doing that, I made a template for the wheel opening's to cut out some 26 gauge to fill them in. Managed to get the template cut out and the first filler plate cut out and fit where it's going to go.
NakeDiesel
Smoke'n in the Mud
Found a hydroboost setup out of a wrecked 98 dodge 1 ton today at a local salvage, so I have that piece of the puzzle that I've been missing for the brakes.
Finally sold my RV that I've had for sale for the last 3 years, they picked it up this evening. Also got the final race schedule posted to the website today as well, we have 11 MAMR points races this season and Tulsa Raceway Park is having 2 Mud Fests, but nobody is sure what they mean by that yet, the details are still being worked out.
On the truck front, Finished cutting and welding the sides onto the radiator support I've been building. Got it all welded up and sat it in the truck with the radiator on it and trying to visualize the rest of it. I also have to figure out how I'm going to mount the transmission coolers to it as well. My big one is going to cross over the edge of the radiator some.
Finally sold my RV that I've had for sale for the last 3 years, they picked it up this evening. Also got the final race schedule posted to the website today as well, we have 11 MAMR points races this season and Tulsa Raceway Park is having 2 Mud Fests, but nobody is sure what they mean by that yet, the details are still being worked out.
On the truck front, Finished cutting and welding the sides onto the radiator support I've been building. Got it all welded up and sat it in the truck with the radiator on it and trying to visualize the rest of it. I also have to figure out how I'm going to mount the transmission coolers to it as well. My big one is going to cross over the edge of the radiator some.
NakeDiesel
Smoke'n in the Mud
Today I ordered my rear fenders for the truck from Fenders N More for 150.00 each, should be here in a little over a weeks time. I also ordered all the things I needed from Vintage Power Wagon for the cab. I went ahead and ordered a transmission tunnel for the truck instead of trying to make one, so that will be done when it gets here. Other things I ordered from there were door handles for the passenger door, windshield and back window molding, the lacing for the hood area.
In the shop, I worked on the radiator support/trans cooler setup. Picked up some 1/4" neoprene gasket material and used that to make padding on 2 sides of the radiator.
I also notched out for the lower radiator hose with the cutting torch.
Been trying to figure out how I'm going to mount the two trans coolers
My son welding up the right support brace for the radiator/coolers
The right support bracket installed
Got a new phone the other day and was playing with the camera and took this panoramic pic
In the shop, I worked on the radiator support/trans cooler setup. Picked up some 1/4" neoprene gasket material and used that to make padding on 2 sides of the radiator.
I also notched out for the lower radiator hose with the cutting torch.
Been trying to figure out how I'm going to mount the two trans coolers
My son welding up the right support brace for the radiator/coolers
The right support bracket installed
Got a new phone the other day and was playing with the camera and took this panoramic pic
NakeDiesel
Smoke'n in the Mud
lol, yeah. That's the tire that I knocked off the bead at the last race when I hit the wall on the way out of the pit, still has some mud in the bead. Need to take it off and have the tire taken off and the insides cleaned up on it so it will hold air again for more than a few days.
I'll probably get around to it a day or two before the first race.
I'll probably get around to it a day or two before the first race.
NakeDiesel
Smoke'n in the Mud
Worked out in the shop today on the truck getting the transmission cooler mountings figured out, adding mounting tabs on the upper sides of the radiator support. I also picked up some 3"x1" rectangular tubing for mounting the 2 battery trays, the ice box and my water pump in back bed of the truck.
NakeDiesel
Smoke'n in the Mud
Busy weekend around here. Changed the oil in my wife's avalanche, put seals in the step daughters transfer case, new u joints on the rear driveshaft, a new thermostat and I've got to get the front driveshaft rebuilt with a new slip joint. Also pulled a chevy 4.3 engine out of the a rolling frame I have because I sold it to someone I know.
But I did manage to get a little done on the truck as well. We went to T town Sat evening and picked out the paint for the truck. The fenders are going to be gloss black and the body will be Glow Orange. 3 out of 4 of us voted for it. I finally managed to get the window regulator and most of the broken glass out of the drivers side door and actually have that door shutting well now.
I finished the bend over on the passenger side bed side so I have a flattened flange on the back to mount the crossed support bars. I'm going to have to cut some of that boxed piece out and replace it, it's all bent in and twisted on that back side.
I also managed to get one fender filler panel welded in, still need to cut out the other side and weld it in and then grind all the welds down.
Oh and if you haven't seen "Lone Survivor" you need too. Damned good movie.
But I did manage to get a little done on the truck as well. We went to T town Sat evening and picked out the paint for the truck. The fenders are going to be gloss black and the body will be Glow Orange. 3 out of 4 of us voted for it. I finally managed to get the window regulator and most of the broken glass out of the drivers side door and actually have that door shutting well now.
I finished the bend over on the passenger side bed side so I have a flattened flange on the back to mount the crossed support bars. I'm going to have to cut some of that boxed piece out and replace it, it's all bent in and twisted on that back side.
I also managed to get one fender filler panel welded in, still need to cut out the other side and weld it in and then grind all the welds down.
Oh and if you haven't seen "Lone Survivor" you need too. Damned good movie.
NakeDiesel
Smoke'n in the Mud
Finally made it out to the shop this evening after not getting out there the last two nights. I finished grinding the welds down on the inner fender cover and that side is done. I also received a shipment of parts from Vintage power wagon yesterday and my new transmission cover for the truck. I've got to pick up some larger bolts tomorrow to get it bolted in, but before I do, I'm going to cover all of those opening with sheet metal and notch that drivers side hump out of it so I have more foot room.
I also started playing with seat placement in the truck and figuring out how high I needed to make the mounting brackets. While doing this, I figured out my steering column isn't going to work, it's too long and too low. So I'm going to have to get a build your own kit from summit to get the steering part working.
I also started playing with seat placement in the truck and figuring out how high I needed to make the mounting brackets. While doing this, I figured out my steering column isn't going to work, it's too long and too low. So I'm going to have to get a build your own kit from summit to get the steering part working.
NakeDiesel
Smoke'n in the Mud
Made it out and worked on the truck today. Welded up all the openings on the transmission tunnel. After looking at it, I'm not going to notch that driver side hump out of it, I don't think it's going to get in the way, it's further back than I thought it was.
Started trying to figure out my brakes and pedals tonight. I think I finally have it figured out. I'm going to have to bend the brake pedal and straighten the bend out of it, because it's going to have to go on the left side of the steering column and the gas pedal on the right. In the 96, they were both on the right side. I stuck some 2" pipe along the path of where the steering column will be located.
That outlined circle on the firewall is where my air should come through to route it between the w2a intercooler and my intake manifold. It's going to be a tight fit.
Also managed to get that other fender opening filler panel cut out and just need to do some trimming on it for the final fit.
I got the tracking number on my fenders today and they should be here tomorrow night, I'm hoping they are what I have been planning on.
Started trying to figure out my brakes and pedals tonight. I think I finally have it figured out. I'm going to have to bend the brake pedal and straighten the bend out of it, because it's going to have to go on the left side of the steering column and the gas pedal on the right. In the 96, they were both on the right side. I stuck some 2" pipe along the path of where the steering column will be located.
That outlined circle on the firewall is where my air should come through to route it between the w2a intercooler and my intake manifold. It's going to be a tight fit.
Also managed to get that other fender opening filler panel cut out and just need to do some trimming on it for the final fit.
I got the tracking number on my fenders today and they should be here tomorrow night, I'm hoping they are what I have been planning on.
NakeDiesel
Smoke'n in the Mud
One thing I like about working our 9-9's every 2 weeks is that I get every other Friday off. So I spent almost all day out in the shop and got a little bit accomplished.
I mounted the filters and fans on to the paint bay with a liberal amount of duct tape.
Received my rear fenders today, but they didn't follow my instructions or the picture with measurements I sent them. They were supposed to hang down 1 1/2 inches below the bottom of the bed instead of being flush with the bed so that I had room to add supports to the fenders. With all the mud that sticks to the underside and top during a race, they are going to get heavy fast and they need to be supported. I called them and they realized the mistake and are making me new ones, should hopefully be here in 2 weeks.
Started making my inner fenders for the truck today as well. Built the template out of foam board and then cut it out. Still making tweaks to it and trimming it here and there to get it fit like I want. Top will be secured via bolts into the fender, the bottom will be screwed to the frame via self tapping screws.
The top edge is going to be folded over to provide a little stiffness and more material to bolt into.
I mounted the filters and fans on to the paint bay with a liberal amount of duct tape.
Received my rear fenders today, but they didn't follow my instructions or the picture with measurements I sent them. They were supposed to hang down 1 1/2 inches below the bottom of the bed instead of being flush with the bed so that I had room to add supports to the fenders. With all the mud that sticks to the underside and top during a race, they are going to get heavy fast and they need to be supported. I called them and they realized the mistake and are making me new ones, should hopefully be here in 2 weeks.
Started making my inner fenders for the truck today as well. Built the template out of foam board and then cut it out. Still making tweaks to it and trimming it here and there to get it fit like I want. Top will be secured via bolts into the fender, the bottom will be screwed to the frame via self tapping screws.
The top edge is going to be folded over to provide a little stiffness and more material to bolt into.
NakeDiesel
Smoke'n in the Mud
Worked on the truck more today, managed to get some done, but not as much as I wanted too.
I finished building the front inner/under fender on the drivers side, I made it in 2 pieces so that I could get it in or out easier. I still need to trim it just a bit around the brake lines and I also plan on pop riveting rubber pieces around the brake line openings and up in front to help seal out mud better.
We also talked another issue on the truck, the rear fenders weren't standing up straight. I didn't want to put a solid back on the end of the bed, so I made a set of cross bars for the back to give the rear of the fenders rigidity.
I finished building the front inner/under fender on the drivers side, I made it in 2 pieces so that I could get it in or out easier. I still need to trim it just a bit around the brake lines and I also plan on pop riveting rubber pieces around the brake line openings and up in front to help seal out mud better.
We also talked another issue on the truck, the rear fenders weren't standing up straight. I didn't want to put a solid back on the end of the bed, so I made a set of cross bars for the back to give the rear of the fenders rigidity.
NakeDiesel
Smoke'n in the Mud
Didn't spend much time out in the shop today, but I did manage to get the holes drilled for the hydro brake booster and have it mounted now. Looks like where I put it will clear everything. There isn't much space between the top of the reservoir and the hood or the hydraulic lines and the hood.
Also mounted the inside portion of the brake/gas pedal mount that I cut down. The gas pedal will work out fine, I will have to probably bend the brake pedal to get it to fit.
Also mounted the inside portion of the brake/gas pedal mount that I cut down. The gas pedal will work out fine, I will have to probably bend the brake pedal to get it to fit.
NakeDiesel
Smoke'n in the Mud
Not much accomplished tonight, got the template made for the passenger side inner fender and got it cut out in sheet metal. Still need to finish drilling the holes and I need to pull the fender off and clean all the threads on it.
