Adventures in truck restoration

[Fawls]

I'm enjoying this, thanks for posting.

[Arcadiassx999]

Same here. Keep the photos coming.

[Ernie D]

I really appreciate yall . Im sorry that Ive been so silent lately, Ive been working on the truck, but I wanted to accumulate at least enough photos of the frame splice from start to finish, instead of having yall hanging in suspense . This part of the restoration/upgrade was a culmination of 3 weekends worth of work, from dawn to dusk, 14+ hrs each day. The first weekend involved the halfcut that I purchased. Its originally from a 1995 Freightliner FLD120, 3.58 gear ratio, full air lockers, riding on airliner suspension.

First order, was to strip any unnecessary parts, mounts, etc,..... , apparently this FLD was setup as a straight truck, it had mounting brackets along the entire length of it, which had to be removed. I removed all the driveshafts,hangers, air tanks and brackets, which all are good parts if I need to use them. After the strip down, I hydro blasted the frame cleaner than what it was when I picked it up.

Here's some photos of the strip down process
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Sorry I dont have photos of the hydroblasting process, I was too wet and getting covered in muck to stop and snap pictures ,I was ready to get that done

Next thing of the agenda, was to turn the truck around in the shop, so it was nosed in, instead of backed in., then pick up the rear, slide some jack stands in the middle of the chassis. Also, do LOTS of measuring, meaning, measure 50+ times, to cut once . Then commenced to cutting the original frame in half. The original truck frame was double framed also, meaning 2 frames for greater strength, and also, makes the splice easier and stronger to do

Here's a few photos of that
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The next step, was to continue prepping the halfcut for the splice, meaning cutting the frame down to its final length for the splice, also the halfcut, is a double frame setup too, which its, inside frame, is the same dimension as the trucks outside frame, so I had to "skin" the outer frame rail on it further back than the splice, which, you will see that gets used later. Heres some photos of the prep work

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Starting to get a little closer , We are getting to the splice process finally, First was to cut the inside frame on the truck chassis, to final length for the splice, then moved the halfcut, into position, as you can see, the inner frame from the truck acted like "guide rails" to help guide the halfcut into position. Now the process of clamping, and chaining the two into position and in a way that, the 2 parts were completely lined up and level with each other. Now using a "mag drill" a heavy drill with a magnetic base, I drilled some holes for bolts to secure the splice area, in preparation for the "main splice" weld. Heres some photos of the progress

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After some of the main splice was welded, I needed to start the process of drilling all the holes to tie everything together, then finished the main splice
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Remember the halfcuts outer frame pieces that I "skinned" off, earlier in the process, now its time to put them to use , First I had to drill all the holes in them to match all the holes I drilled in the other parts, then I primed the insides of those pieces to prevent rusting, and primed the outsides of the main splice area to prevent rusting also. Then fitted those outer pieces to the splice area,fitted all the bolts, then began the torquing process of all the bolts, using a torque wrench, tightened to 375ft lbs for a 3/4 grade 8 bolt . After that was the last set of welds for the splice, but these were on the outer rails, to tie them back on to the outer rails of the rear. This was the last part of the splice process, and with the combination of the frames together, the splice area is actually a triple frame setup, all three rails are tied in together with welds and bolted, the frame may break, but it will not break in this area, it will be some other location. I primed the rest of the splice, inside and out, later on it will receive a new coat of black, when the fabrication process is over with. Heres the rest of the photos of the splice process. Hope yall enjoy

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Stay tuned for more to come

[BK Vissers]

That joint looks like it will never fail!

[Ernie D]

She now has "power steering" , more to come
https://youtube.com/shorts/wVvRVkxO6r8?feature=share

[Ernie D]

sorry for being silent for a while, Ive been working alot at my job, but have been able to chip away at her slowly.
Heres a small view of some of the progress Ive been chipping away at. Ive been slowly working on the plumbing of the air system. Even though progress has been made, Im very OCD when it comes to hose and wire routing. My OCD goes into overdrive.

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[Wakou22]

Who needs porn, when this is on the internet?

[Fawls]

"I'm very OCD when it comes to hose and wire routing. My OCD goes into overdrive."

Don't worry, that's a good thing!

[Ernie D]

Another small clip, one of the first times the air dryer purged since this project began . I have pics of the progress going, I just hadnt had time to upload them yet. It will be soon though
https://youtu.be/nKuo3BNcTXw

[Fawls]

Any updates?